The University of Nottingham

A leading institution in UK education

The University of Nottingham is a public research university, and part of the Russell Group of outstanding and highly prestigious UK universities.
Granted a charter in 1948, it boasts one of the most beautiful campuses in the UK, with students stating that studying at the University of Nottingham is like “living in a huge park”.
Nottingham itself is an exciting  and affordable city, with great transport links to the rest of the UK, as well as nearby attractions: the wild Peak District, Alton Towers with its hair-raising rides, and of course the home of Robin Hood – Sherwood Forest. On a warm summer’s day, you can rent a canoe and meander down the River Trent, catch the cricket at Trent Bridge or watch Nottingham Forest FC.

Less energetic students tend to  relax in one of the city’s many cocktail bars, pubs or restaurants.
You may want to visit the local caves or Wollaton Hall, play board games in a café or try your skills in an escape room.
Artistic interests are also catered for  at the New Art Exchange, the Royal Concert Hall and the city’s many galleries and museums. Foodies and vintage or curio-buyers can while away their spare time rummaging through the outdoor markets for bargains and seasonal delicacies. Living in Nottingham is simply a joy.

Rankings and academic organisation

The University of Nottingham is ranked in the top 1 percent of the world’s universities and its business schools, in the UK, China and Malaysia, are all Triple Crown accredited. In addition, the university’s 47,000 students can take advantage of sandwich years, placements, internships and the opportunity to study abroad.

The University of Nottingham has 50 schools and five faculties :

• Arts
• Engineering
• Medicine and Health Science
• Science
• Social Science

The University of Nottingham offers undergraduates  a broad choice of 320+ courses, of which the most popular and highly rated are:

• Pharmacology and pharmacy
• Physics
• Law
• Psychology
• History
• Architecture
• Music
• American studies
• Nursing
• Psychology
• Chemistry
• Food science
• Agriculture and forestry
• Engineering
• Social work
• Veterinary medicine
• Creative writing.

The University of Nottingham admission rate is a competitive 11 per cent, but remember that courses such as medicine are more difficult to get into than, for example, archaeology! Nevertheless, the university is highly diverse and 17 per cent of the student community are international students. Applications are made through UCAS, see Study in the UK page.

Research at the University

The University of Nottingham is ranked 8th in the UK for research power and impact. It is known for its innovative approach, and has produced Field’s medallists and Nobel Prize winners, as well as  developing  the MRI scanner, Ibuprofen, tarmac, the video tape recorder and HP Sauce. Its work on micropropagation , transgenic tomatoes and cochlear implants has broken research boundaries and improved the quality of life and food security for millions. Given its reputation for excellent teaching, its strong links with industry and practical approach to learning, it is not surprising that the University of Nottingham is highly ranked by employers.

Campus

The University of Nottingham campus is spread over three locations. The main campus is University Park,  famous for its many squirrels and enormous lake which is home to geese, ducks and wildfowl, and its often-photographed clock tower. Over the last decade, University Park has been awarded the Green Flag Award for Parkland Greenery every single year. One mile away, we find the Jubilee campus, which was opened by the late queen, Elizabeth II, in 1999.

Known for its award-winning modern architecture, the campus is home to Education, Computer Science and Nottingham University Business School. Finally, the Sutton Bonington campus hosts the university farm and the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science.

Student Union

The Nottingham University  Student Union is very active. If you cannot find a club or society which interests you from among  the 200 already set up, you can get 25 people together, start your own club and ask the student union to finance it. Existing clubs are very varied -embracing gospel choirs and quidditch – and you could also work for the campus radio station, its newspaper (Impact) or its sound and light company. International and local volunteering are organised though the Union and InterVol, which sends volunteers to Africa, to take part in a wide range of projects. Rag Week is huge at the University of Nottingham, and its students raise large sums of money for charity every year.

The University of Nottingham also offers its students modern, comprehensive and excellent sporting facilities and runs 70 sports clubs. The university has been acclaimed as the UK Top Sports University of the Year  -in  2019 and 2021 – and offers sports scholarships to promising athletes. You can also buy  Active Living Services passes, which will give you access to all the campus sports centres, once you settle in your hall of residence.

Accommodation

The University of Nottingham accommodation service opens in April – note, however, that speed is of the essence, since the office shuts in early August. You are asked to mark three preferences on the application form, but there is no guarantee that you will be assigned your first choice. You must look carefully at the length of contract offered by each hall of residence, since these vary, from 31 to 51 weeks. If you choose the cheapest option, 31 weeks, you will need to move out at Christmas and Easter, which is not a wonderful idea. The most common choice is the 39 week contract, which ends with the summer break.

The University of Nottingham’s halls of residence  are spread across all three campuses, and are modern, purpose-built blocks, for the most part, with quiet sections and the option to choose catered or self-catering  services. Costs vary, according to whether or not you share a room, have your own bathroom or share it with a handful of others.

Facilities at the University of Nottingham

The facilities are very good and include some or all of the following:

• Regular cleaning
• Maintenance
• Security
• Parking
• Bike sheds
• Communal spaces
• Student bar
• Sports centre
• Laundry

In your room you will find:

• Bed
• Wardrobe
• Desk
• Shelving
• Lamp
• Secure lock
• Mirror
• Noticeboard

The University of Nottingham can supply you with starter packs of bedding if you decide to economise on space and not bring your own. The online shop will give you exact prices, but these are very reasonable.

The University of Nottingham’s rental fees change from year to year, and below you will find costs for 2023.Please note that you will be allocated a generous allowance for gas and electricity and water is usually included, along with Wi-Fi. You need to check the individual halls to get an exact breakdown of what the rent covers, and the duration of the available rental contracts .

Campus	Hall of Residence	Cost, per week
University Park	Albion House	£130.50
	Ancaster Hall	£218
	Derby Hall	£207
	Florence Boot Hall	£229
Autton Bonington	Cavendish Hall	£253

The University of Nottingham also manages houses for 3-5 people, and the city has a glut of private accommodation for rental, at prices ranging from £100-£200 a week, on average. However, one of the advantages of living in a hall of residence is the availability of a Residential Experience Team, who will offer support and advice  on personal and health issues, communal living problems and mental health, etc. In addition, they organise events and activities and make settling into your new home a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Scholarships

The University of Nottingham states that international students are eligible for the Undergraduate International Partnership Excellence Award, and there are several scholarships open at Masters level. Elab will provide you with further details.

And finally

The University of Nottingham includes D.H.Lawrence, Nobel Prize winner Peter Mansfield and edgy radio presenter John Peel among its impressive list of alumni. Its excellent teaching, stunning campus, extensive resources and vibrant campus life make it a highly sought-after destination for domestic and international students alike.

 Get in touch with Elab if you would like further information, help with your UCAS application or to discuss your course and academic options.