Why commute to NTU
Commuting to university means living at home and travelling to campus for your studies. It’s an increasingly popular choice for students, offering the best of both worlds.
Stay connected
Enjoy university life while keeping the comfort and support of home. Whether you want to stay close to family, continue working part-time or remain involved in your local community, you don't have to give that up.
Save money
Living at home can significantly reduce your university costs by removing accommodation expenses, while still allowing you to enjoy everything NTU has to offer.
Enjoy campus life
Commuting doesn't mean missing out. You'll still have access to societies, sports clubs, events, study spaces, support services and everything else that makes university life special.
Transport options
Our campuses are designed with commuter students in mind and are easily accessible via car, tram, bus, train, or bike.
Nottingham City Transport (NCT) offers frequent routes across Nottingham, connecting students to our campuses and the city centre. If you’re travelling from elsewhere in the region, Nottingham’s transport network also offers direct links to nearby towns and cities.
For travel to City, Clifton and Brackenhurst campuses, discounted student tickets are available through the NCTX app.
Clifton Campus
Frequent Uni 4 bus services connect City and Clifton campuses throughout the week, making travelling between campuses simple and convenient.
Brackenhurst Campus
The NCT Pathfinder 26 and 26A services provide a direct connection between Nottingham city centre and Brackenhurst Campus, with buses running regularly throughout the week. The service stops outside the main entrance to campus and also connects Brackenhurst with Lowdham and Southwell. Discounted student tickets are available through the NCTX app.
Mansfield Hub
The Stagecoach Pronto service connects Chesterfield, Mansfield and Nottingham city centre. Trentbarton buses also serve the Mansfield Hub, with discounted travel available for students through the mango app.
Students who travel regularly may also benefit from the West Notts College Travel Pass, which offers unlimited travel across much of Nottinghamshire and parts of Derbyshire.
Cycling can be an affordable and convenient way to travel to university, while helping you stay active.
Students can access bike hire, maintenance support and cycling opportunities through NTU's Cycle Hub and NTU Cycling. Secure cycle parking is available at most campuses, alongside changing and locker facilities.
City and Clifton campuses are easily accessible via Nottingham Express Transit (NET). City Campus has its own tram stop, while Clifton Campus is a short walk from Rivergreen stop. Student discounts are available through NET.
Railcards can help students save on train travel throughout the year.
City Campus
Nottingham Railway Station is within easy reach of City Campus by foot, bus or tram.
Clifton Campus
Clifton Campus can be reached from Nottingham Railway Station using regular bus services.
Brackenhurst Campus
Brackenhurst Campus is connected to local rail services via Lowdham Station and onward bus travel.
Mansfield Hub
Regular train and bus services connect Mansfield to Nottingham and the surrounding region.
National Express operates daily services to Nottingham from across the UK, with direct connections to nearby towns and cities.
Car share
Car sharing can help reduce travel costs and your environmental impact. Students can use Liftshare to connect with other people making similar journeys.
City Campus
Students travelling by car often combine driving with Nottingham's Park & Ride network, providing convenient access to City Campus. Accessible parking options are also available across Nottingham city centre.
Clifton Campus
Clifton Campus operates a student permit scheme for eligible students, alongside accessible parking spaces for Blue Badge holders. Park & Ride facilities also provide a convenient alternative.
Brackenhurst Campus
Disabled parking permits are available for eligible students. Additional permit parking is available at Brackenhurst Halls.
NTU Mansfield
Free parking, including Blue Badge parking, is available on site. Students need to register before using the car park.
Further information about parking
Further information and links to travel and car parking can be found on our StudentHub.
Commute times to campus
Thousands of NTU students commute from across Nottinghamshire, the East Midlands and beyond each year. Here are some estimated journey times from popular commuter locations to help you plan your journey.
Derby
- City Campus:
- City Campus:
Loughborough
- City Campus:
- City Campus:
Leicester
- City Campus:
- City Campus:
Lincoln
- City Campus:
- City Campus:
Sheffield
- City Campus:
- City Campus:
Birmingham
- City Campus:
- City Campus:
Life on campus
Commuting students are a valued part of the NTU community. From societies and sports clubs to volunteering, creative activities and paid opportunities, there are plenty of ways to get involved and make the most of university life.
Visit our NTU Extras page for discounted travel, sports memberships, software, study resources and a range of other student benefits
Your Students’ Union
Run by students, for students, NTSU sits at the heart of student life and offers opportunities to socialise, meet new people and get involved.
Sport
With sports clubs, gyms, scholarships and fitness classes, there's something for every level of experience and ability.
NTU Arts
NTU Arts provides opportunities to explore creativity through events, performances, workshops and activities.
NTU Faith and Chaplaincy
Students of all faiths and backgrounds can access support, community and wellbeing services through NTU Faith and Chaplaincy.
Spend more time on campus
Whether you're on campus for a few hours or a full day, you'll find everything you need to study, socialise and stay comfortable between lectures.
Social spaces
City Campus offers a range of places to study, relax and socialise, including Boots Library, the Students' Union, collaborative learning spaces, wellbeing areas and the Global Lounge.
Sport
City Campus includes a gym, sports hall, climbing wall and fitness facilities.
Food
You'll find affordable food and drink across campus, with meal deals, loyalty rewards and regular student offers helping your money go further. Student kitchens and microwaves are also available if you'd prefer to bring food from home.
Facilities
Facilities include lockers, showers, kitchens, water refill points and faith spaces, making it easy to spend the day on campus.
Nottingham
Located in Nottingham city centre, City Campus puts shops, cafés, entertainment and transport links within easy walking distance.
Social spaces
Clifton Campus is a self-contained student village with study spaces, social areas, student support services and the Students' Union all in one place.
Sport
The Clifton Sports Hub includes a gym, sports halls, pitches, fitness suites, clubs and classes.
Outdoor spaces
Clifton Campus is known for its spacious green environment, providing plenty of outdoor space to relax and socialise.
Food and facilities
Affordable food and drink, meal deals, kitchens, lockers, showers, water refill points and faith facilities are available across campus.
Clifton
Regular bus and tram services connect Clifton Campus to Nottingham city centre and surrounding areas.
Social spaces
Brackenhurst has a close-knit community feel, with study spaces, social areas and wellbeing facilities available across campus.
Sport and outdoor spaces
Set within 200 hectares of countryside, Brackenhurst combines outdoor space with sports facilities, an equestrian centre and walking routes.
Food and facilities
Students have access to affordable food and drink, kitchens, lockers, showers, water refill points and faith facilities.
Southwell
The historic market town of Southwell is just a short bus ride away, offering shops, cafés, restaurants and everyday amenities.
Facilities and student life
Mansfield Hub offers dedicated study and social spaces, food and drink, kitchen facilities, lockers and faith facilities. Students can also access facilities across all other NTU campuses.
Mansfield
Mansfield town centre is nearby, with shops, cafés and services easily accessible by bus.
You can explore each campus in more detail on our campus pages
Don't just take our word for it
Hear from students who commuted to NTU and learn how they managed their journeys, balanced their studies and got involved in university life.
Martyna Smoniewska, BA (Hons) Content Creation
Gurpreet Singh, BA (Hons) Marketing
Fiona Morris, BSc (Hons) Geography
Day in the life of a commuter student
Follow Connor, a BA (Hons) Content Creation student, as he shares his experience of commuting to City Campus and making the most of student life at NTU.
FAQs for commuting to NTU
Parking options are available across NTU, depending on your campus. City and Clifton students often use Nottingham's Park & Ride network, while Clifton Campus offers permits for eligible students. Free parking is available at NTU Mansfield on a first-come, first-served basis (you'll need to register to park), and accessible parking is available across NTU for eligible students.
Yes. You can still apply for a Maintenance Loan if you live at home while studying. The amount you receive depends on your household income and living situation.
Your timetable is available on NOW, NTU's online learning platform. New students must complete enrolment before accessing NOW and their timetable.
Let your course team know as soon as possible and catch up on any missed teaching using NOW and available lecture recordings.
Yes. Affordable food and drink are available across all NTU campuses, including vegetarian, vegan, halal and gluten-free options. Meal deals, loyalty rewards and student offers are also available.
Yes. Student kitchens and microwaves are available across our campuses if you'd prefer to bring food from home.
Yes. Shower and locker facilities are available across NTU campuses to support students who spend longer days on campus or travel significant distances.
Yes. We offer short-term stays and single-semester accommodation contracts for students who need accommodation at certain points during the academic year.
Visit us
There's nothing like experiencing a campus for yourself. Visiting an open day gives you the chance to explore facilities, meet students and staff, and even try your commute before making your decision
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