Living in Nottingham, UK
Coming to a new city like Nottingham is so exciting – but can also seem a little scary! We’ve put together some information to help you get to know Nottingham and explore what the city has to offer.
Nottingham is located in the centre of the UK, in the East Midlands region, approximately 2 hours from London by train. It has great transport links to other cities in the UK and our students enjoy travelling as part of their experience in the UK. You can get some ideas of where you could explore on the Visit Britain website.
Getting around Nottingham
It's a relatively small city, so you can easily walk from City Campus to the shops and attractions in just a few minutes. And the regular buses and trams mean you can quickly reach Clifton and Brackenhurst campuses and other parts of Nottingham easily too.
Nottingham — something for everyone
Nottingham’s biggest strength is its versatility; it’s a friendly, fun-packed place. It doesn't matter what interests or hobbies you have, everyone will find a place to call home and people to enjoy the experience with.
Ashley Violet Nose Swedi, Kenya, BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy
Sports, societies and social life
NTU is a place for open minds and new adventures – whatever you’re interested in, we’ve got you covered.
Societies
From K-Pop to knitting, belly dance to bowling - with over 100 societies you’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding what to get involved in here at NTU.
Sport
With sports clubs, scholarships, gyms and a range of fitness classes, there's something for all abilities – whether you’re an expert or a complete beginner.
Making friends and settling in
Relax and socialise in our award-winning Global Lounges. Join social events run throughout the year by the Global Lounge and Students' Union teams.
Food guide for international students
Where to find ingredients for cooking from home; supermarkets, international food stores, restaurants and cafes in Nottingham.
Shopping
Nottingham offers the best of both worlds – a big city shopping experience in a compact city centre. It's a fusion of creative businesses, huge shopping centres, and boutique arcades all sat side-by-side.
Students find most of what they need here. The Victoria Centre is a shopping centre in the city. There are high street favourite shops around the Old Market Square and designer and vintage retailers in the trendy Hockley area of Nottingham.
Our international students tell us that shopping is one of their favourite things about Nottingham!
One of my favourite things about Nottingham is all of the charity shops in the Lace Market. I love going out with friends and wandering around them for the afternoon. There always seems to be a hidden gem among the racks of clothing, and every time we go downtown we manage to find another shop to explore!
Camrynn Dueck, Canada
British weather
British weather is famously quite unpredictable, and Nottingham UK is no exception!
The temperature in Nottingham averages 18° (July) in summer and you can enjoy up to 16 hours of daylight. We often get asked "when will it snow in Nottingham?" and the answer is not very often. In winter, the temperature averages 3° (January) and when there is snow in Nottingham and the surrounding areas it's quite beautiful and exciting!
All of our buildings and most public transport in Nottingham has heating for the cooler months so students are warm when they're inside. Students can buy warm coats and other clothes at affordable prices in Nottingham shops or online.
Read what our students love most about Nottingham
Thanh Minh Anh Vo, Vietnam, MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
I absolutely love going to thrift. Go around Old Market Square and search for independent “fashion outlet” or “secondhand” stores such as White Rose. Vintage clothes and accessories are super affordable here in Notts. Remember to always bring your Student ID whenever you feel like buying something because you’ll most likely get a student discount.
Madysson Desmarais, Mauritius, BSc (Hons) Psychology
My absolute favourite thing about Nottingham is the city centre. I love simply walking around and exploring all the small cafés, shops and the city in general. It always feels lively and welcoming, and there is always something new to discover. I also really enjoy spending time at the Arboretum park, where I like to read, walk or sometimes simply sit and talk with my flatmate.
Elnaz Esmati, Iran, MSc Applied Child Psychology
Nottingham feels like a mysterious and green city to me, where you can discover different stories in every corner. I truly love the vibe of this city. It is modern yet classic and historic, lively but also calm and cosy. I also love Wollaton Park for its deep sense of calm and beautiful nature. It was the first place where I saw deer up close in my life, and the whole experience felt almost surreal and unforgettable.
Ayesha Singhal, Denmark, BArch (Hons) Architecture
My favourite thing about Nottingham is the park next to Curzon (NG31DJ). I have some of the best memories there. It is a very lively and beautiful park, and I even celebrated my birthday there. My friends and I keep going there for walks and other sports activities. There are also some beautiful, colourful houses there (great picture spot).