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Living and Studying in Nottingham

There’s more to Nottingham than the legend of Robin Hood: from the Romantic poet Lord Byron to the world-renowned designer Paul Smith, Nottingham is a hotbed of culture and creativity. Whatever you’re into and whatever your tastes, Nottingham is sure to hit the mark.

It’s a perfect student city: big enough to keep you busy but small enough to get around easily. By day, it’s bustling with shoppers and workers and by night the numerous bars, restaurants and clubs give it an eclectic, buzzing atmosphere, with plenty to suit student budgets. It’s a city of diverse cultures and religions, with a strong historical identity.

Nottinghamshire is home to Europe’s largest number of artists per capita (visitnottingham.com), so if cutting-edge art, theatre, music and dance are your thing, you won’t be disappointed. Nottingham Playhouse is well known for pushing the boundaries of theatre, performing arts, dance, drama and the Theatre Royal regularly hosts world-class performances. Likewise, the Royal Concert Hall showcases performers throughout the year from the worlds of classical, jazz, opera, rock, pop and comedy.

Add to this a burgeoning underground arts scene, emanating from students producing their own maverick events and exhibitions wherever, whenever, and you’ve got a city bursting with passion, innovation and culture.

Nottingham knows how to put on a good show! There’s the world famous Goose Fair, the Riverside Festival, Pride and lots more events going on all year round. Top venues like the Motorpoint Arena ensure that headline bands and live acts (from Bob Dylan to Usher) rarely leave Nottingham off their touring schedules. However, there are plenty of smaller venues offering live music and club nights for people who love their entertainment underground and alternative.

Nottingham boasts a tremendous shopping culture, from killer heels to second-hand books. There are two main shopping centres – Victoria Centre and Broadmarsh Centre – with all the high street names and department stores such as House of Fraser and John Lewis. For the occasional splurge there is of course Paul Smith to visit. But bargain hunters rejoice – there are lots of second-hand shops to suit smaller budgets.

From chain pubs to independent eateries hidden down side alleys, you’re sure to find something to tantalise your taste buds. There are venues to suit any budget from McDonalds to Michelin starred fine dining at Restaurant Sat Bains.

Nottingham is home to several world-class sporting venues, such as Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, the National Ice Centre, the National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepont and Nottingham Tennis Centre.

For those who like to get involved, there’s the Robin Hood Marathon to run each year. However, if you prefer a gentler form of exercise, there’s plenty of opportunity to get out of the city into the stunning countryside surrounding Nottingham and take a trek around Wollaton Park, visit Sherwood Forest, or hire a bike at Clumber Park.

Nottingham is conveniently situated at the heart of the UK, with excellent air, rail and road links. East Midlands Airport is only 30 minutes from the city; from here you can fly to destinations across Europe and beyond.

Closer to home, Derbyshire’s beautiful Peak District, with its quaint villages, rugged hillsides, stone circles and Druids’ caves, is right on our doorstep. The close proximity of the M1, A1, A52 and A46 also means Nottingham is easily accessible by car, while speedy rail links run from Nottingham to much of the UK.

Studying is only part of the Higher Education experience. Find out more about what there is to do and see in and about Nottingham using the links below:

  • BBC Nottingham - the BBC's Nottingham site, with news, sport, what's on and local interest pages

Nottingham College is not responsible for the content of external websites, nor the opinions expressed therein.

Photographs courtesy of Experience Nottinghamshire.

Accommodation

If you’re moving to Nottingham to study, you’re probably concerned about where you’re going to live. Although we don’t have our own halls of residence, we’re very happy to provide advice on accommodation. There are many choices within easy reach of our main centres.

Nottingham is well provided with privately managed student accommodation. There are several student halls in the city centre:

Just outside the city centre are: