My NTU Story: A guide to living and thriving in Nottingham as an international student
Student Blog
By Adebukola Ogungbade, May 2025
Hello all! I'm Adebukola Ogungbade, but most people know me as Bukky. I grew up in Nigeria, where there was this funny joke that people named Bukky, or 'Bookie', loved to read books! Perhaps that's what led me to pursue an undergraduate degree in Law. I then moved to the UK to continue my education, earning a master's degree in Corporate Law (LLM) at Nottingham Trent University.
WAIT!! For those who might have been tempted to stop reading after that joke, a big thank you for sticking with me.
How I found my community and comfort at NTU
I moved to UK at 26 years old when I had just left my job as a legal and governance associate. Before I moved abroad, the idea of moving to Nottingham for further studies felt like receiving a long-awaited package - you can't remember what you ordered, but you're excited anyway. Other days, I worried I was making a mistake. I was very emotional about it, but despite all the nerves, I knew it was the right decision for me.
The course modules were perfectly aligned with my interests, so much so that I applied for the September 2023 intake as early as November 2022. I also secured accommodation at one of NTU's UPP accommodation early on, feeling as if Nottingham had been waiting to welcome me all along. Despite this, as an introvert, I was anxious about moving to a new country, city, and meeting new people. However, my fears quickly faded after a month or so, because of all the support NTU provided to help me and other international students settle in to the new environment.
Nottingham Law School’s induction week helped me meet my classmates and other students, eliminating any uncertainties I had about the course. The general Welcome events organised by the university helped me explore Nottingham with complete strangers who eventually became great friends!
I was amazed by support service and what truly stood out for me in university was The Global Lounge. It felt like having home away from home for me. The Global Lounge made it easy for students to embrace their differences and connect through shared experiences. I attended events like Language Cafés, Craft-ernoons, Game and Movie Nights, which were all relaxed and pressure-free environment for me to meet new people. This helped my sense of belonging to the NTU community. Plus, it also helped that they had free hot drinks and snacks!
Nottingham is genuinely one of the best cities in UK for students and the food scene is incredible!
Nottingham is a city that is truly made for students. With two major universities and numerous student-friendly places, it’s easy to feel like you belong here. Whether you're an introvert or extrovert, there’s something for everyone. If you have a sweet tooth like me, you'll find plenty of dessert shops offering treats like mochi donuts, bubble tea, classic British Victoria sponge cakes, and my personal favourite, Croffles (croissant waffles) ! There are also plenty of places to unwind after a day of studying, such as arcades, bowling alleys, cinemas, escape rooms, water sports, and the famous Kitty Café, where you can sip coffee while surrounded by adorable cats. If you are a food lover, you will be delighted with Nottingham’s vibrant food scene, which features plenty of international grocery stores and restaurants. Whether you're craving Nigerian jollof rice, Indian cuisine, Asian street food, or just looking to try something new, Nottingham’s diverse food offerings have you covered. You can grab some food at NTU’s on-campus spots or head to the city centre between classes or after.
There is always something to do
Another big thing about Nottingham is that there is always something happening throughout the year. The annual Goose Fair in September is one of the UK's oldest fairs, and is filled with fun rides, rollercoasters, and a lot of street food. The Old Market Square, one of the largest public places in the UK, changes with the seasons, transforming into a mini-Christmas Wonderland or a Summer Beach Market, with new pop-up attractions each quarter.
Sneinton Market is another favourite spot. You will find here rotating selection of events like vegan and farmer's markets, art and craft pop-ups, and plant fairs. It's also just a short walk from the Motorpoint Arena, a popular venue for concerts, live performances, ice hockey games, and ice skating.
If you are interested in the arts, I would recommend you visit the Nottingham Playhouse. As a student, you can get discounted or even free tickets through the NTSU website. It is a great and affordable way to enjoy live theatre. These are just a few of the many attractions you can explore in the city.
If you enjoy a quieter retreat from the busy city life and studies, Stonebridge City Farm is a lovely place you can visit, where you can meet farm animals and relax. The Arboretum, located just behind the city campus, is perfect for a summer picnic alone or with friends and family. All these places are within a short walking distance from the University and city centre. Living in the city centre means I rarely need to take the bus more than twice a month to reach these fun destinations. Compared to other UK cities, Nottingham’s cost of living is relatively affordable. I like that there are affordable takeaway options and money-saving apps like Too Good to Go, along with thrift stores offering branded clothing such as White Rose and Oxfam bookstores. Plus, with student discounts available on almost everything, you can enjoy a vibrant student life without stressing about your budget too much until the next allowance or payday.
Travelling around Nottingham and the UK is easy and convenient
Nottingham is a very well-connected city and incredibly easy to explore. I mostly walked everywhere within the city centre. But if I needed to travel longer distances, I used the tram and bus services. As an NTU student, you will have an option to benefit from travel discounts and yearlong travel passes. One of the great things about living in Nottingham and in East Midlands is how easy it is to plan day trips. I once travelled to Birmingham, which is just 45 minutes to an hour by train, for a K-pop album hunt and a visit to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. London is only an hour and a half away by train where I absolutely loved visiting Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland and the Sea Life London Aquarium. Nottingham’s central location also means you can access East Midlands Airport, making short getaways within the UK and Europe. It is quite convenient.
Finding accommodation
When it came to deciding where to live, as a postgraduate student, I chose to rent a private student accommodation over student halls. Since I spend a lot of time indoors, I prioritised my own comfort and a peaceful environment. I chose a place where I lived with no more than three other students, with en-suite bathrooms for everyone. This arrangement suited my lifestyle much better than sharing a house with 7 to 10 people. But everyone is different, so if you would like to live with more people and make some friends whilst living with them, there are such options available. As a postgraduate student, I also needed a 51-week tenancy, unlike the usual 44 weeks many undergraduates prefer, which was a major factor in my decision. That’s why I chose one of the IQ Student Accommodation buildings in the city.
Initially, I was worried I wouldn't make friends because I wasn’t living on campus. However, to my surprise, many of my classmates were also living in the same building as me, and we became close friends while going to and back home from lectures together.
Top Tips for when you start your studies at NTU
If you are international student and feeling uncertain about moving to a new country for a year or more, don't worry - I've learned that life is about the experiences you have. You won't feel terrified about doing something unless, deep down, you truly want to pursue it. It's normal to feel scared when taking a leap into the unknown, but trust me, what awaits you on the other side will be worth it. Although it might take some time, Nottingham will begin to feel like home. There’s something here for everyone.
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