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44 & 51 Weeks£150.00to - £275.00/week
One of the UK's biggest student cities, with two major universities and a huge student community. Home to the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham is shaped by campus life, shared housing and a city centre that changes during term time.
Known for its strong nightlife, affordability and social atmosphere, student housing in Nottingham suits students who want a real student-city experience - social, busy, and full of energy without feeling overwhelming. Whether you're moving from elsewhere in the UK or arriving from overseas, living in Nottingham as a student means settling into a city that's easy to navigate, affordable to live in and quickly feels like home.
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Energetic City
Nottingham feels more energetic and less polished than cities like Exeter or Bath. It's social, busy, and very student-focused, but still feels deeply rooted.
Major Universities
The city is home to the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, which create very different university experiences.
And Much More...
Nottingham is a great fit for students who want a real student city. Somewhere social, affordable, and busy enough that there’s always something going on.
Nottingham moves fast, but you'll never move alone.
Popular student areas include Lenton, Beeston, Arboretum and Nottingham City Centre...
Read MoreHistory runs deep, but the city keeps moving forward.
Nottingham offers a range of student-friendly neighbourhoods, from lively Lenton to creative Hockley.
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Nottingham's nightlife is one of the strongest student scenes outside Manchester and Liverpool.
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Nottingham's Robin Hood legend gives the city a character that's different from more modern student cities.
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Green space is one of Nottingham's biggest surprises and a huge part of daily student life.
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Looking after your wellbeing is a big part of student life, and Nottingham is a place where that feels genuinely manageable.
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Staying active in Nottingham is easy, from the David Ross Sports Village to canal-side running routes.
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Living in Nottingham as a student tends to be more affordable than many larger UK cities.
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Nottingham's tram network makes getting between campuses and the city centre straightforward.
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Student life in Nottingham is social, busy and heavily shaped by the city’s huge student population.
Unlike smaller university towns where everything revolves around one campus, Nottingham’s student life spreads across campuses, nightlife areas and neighbourhoods. That creates much more variety in how students experience the city. Some students spend most evenings around shared houses and local pubs in Lenton. Others build routines around gyms, cafés, society events or nightlife in the city centre.
The city has a strong midweek culture. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are major student nights, and during term time the city centre feels noticeably younger and more energetic.
At the same time, Nottingham still feels manageable. The centre is compact, public transport is good, and there’s enough green space that the city doesn’t feel overwhelmingly urban.
Compared to Exeter, Nottingham feels louder and more nightlife-focused. Compared to Brighton, it feels slightly less chaotic and more affordable.
Nottingham feels like a proper regional city rather than a tourist destination.
The city centre is compact and easy to navigate, with most shopping, nightlife and entertainment concentrated around a few walkable areas. Old Market Square acts as a central meeting point, while Hockley and the Lace Market give the city a more creative and independent atmosphere.
Hockley in particular is one of the areas students gravitate towards once they move beyond first-year club nights. It’s full of independent cafés, cocktail bars, vintage shops and smaller restaurants.
The city also has a strong sports identity. Football is huge, with both Nottingham Forest and Notts County based nearby, while the National Ice Centre gives Nottingham a more visible ice hockey culture than most UK cities.
Compared to cities like Edinburgh or Bath, Nottingham feels less polished and less focused on tourists, but it’s more student-oriented and easier to make your own.
Student Accommodation in Colchester, at a Glance
Housing in Nottingham is usually cheaper than in cities like Brighton, Bath, or Edinburgh, though prices in popular student areas have fluctuated over time. Most student housing is made up of terraced houses divided into shared rentals. Some are modern and recently renovated. Others are the classic student houses; slightly worn, with mismatched furniture and all.
Purpose-built student accommodation has also expanded rapidly across the city centre in recent years, especially near Nottingham Trent.
Accommodation Type Include
Best Places to Live in Nottingham as a Student
Where you live in Nottingham can really shape your student experience, often more than you might expect before you arrive.
Some areas are heavily student-focused and built around nightlife and shared housing, while others feel quieter, greener or slightly more independent. The right area depends on your university, budget, social life and how much commuting you’re willing to do.
One of Nottingham’s biggest advantages is that students are spread across several well-established neighbourhoods rather than being concentrated in one place. Each area has its own atmosphere, housing style and social scene.
Lenton is probably the best-known student area in Nottingham, especially for University of Nottingham students. It sits between University Park and the city centre, which means you can walk to lectures, nights out and supermarkets relatively easily. Because of that location, Lenton becomes heavily student-dominated during term time.
Most housing here is made up of traditional terraced student houses. Some have been updated and are genuinely nice. Others are clearly “student houses” with smaller bedrooms, older kitchens, and a bit of a chaotic shared living vibe.
The social side is the biggest draw. House parties, pub nights and spontaneous plans are common because so many students live close together. Places like the Savoy Cinema, small local takeaways and pubs such as The Rose & Crown become part of weekly routines. The downside is that it can get loud, messy, and crowded at times.
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Lenton suits students who want a classic social student experience and don’t mind sacrificing a bit of peace for convenience and atmosphere
Beeston feels noticeably calmer and more mature than Lenton. Located slightly further west, it’s popular with postgraduates, second- and third-year students and people who want slightly better housing quality without leaving the student environment completely.
The area has a proper town-centre feel, with cafés, supermarkets, gyms and restaurants rather than just student takeaways and pubs. Places like Cartwheel Coffee and The Bendigo Lounge are popular study and social spots.
The tram is a major advantage here. Students can get into the city centre relatively easily while still staying close to University Park.
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The trade-off is that social life here feels less spontaneous. Nights out usually take more planning, and you don’t get the same “everyone lives nearby” feeling as in Lenton.
Best for: Nightlife lovers, part-time workers, city-style living
Arboretum is one of the most popular areas for Nottingham Trent students because it sits directly north of the city centre and within walking distance of the City Campus. It’s packed with students during term time, but it’s a bit calmer than Lenton.
One of the biggest advantages is convenience. You can walk to lectures, nightlife, shops and restaurants without needing buses or trams regularly. The nearby The Arboretum park gives the area some green space, which students use heavily in warmer months.
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Best for: Postgraduates, final year students and a quieter pace of life
Dunkirk is a smaller and slightly more practical student area sitting close to University Park and Queen’s Medical Centre. It’s often chosen by medical students, healthcare students and people who want cheaper rent while still staying close to campus.
One advantage is location. Walking to University Park is straightforward, and access to buses and the tram is good.
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Dunkirk suits students who prioritise convenience and budget over nightlife and atmosphere.
City-centre living in Nottingham has become much more popular because of the growth of modern apartment blocks and purpose-built student accommodation. This area works especially well for Nottingham Trent students because the City Campus, shops, restaurants and nightlife are all nearby.
Living in the city centre makes daily life really convenient. You can walk almost everywhere, including lectures, gyms, cafés, supermarkets, and nights out. Students living around the Lace Market or near Victoria Centre often feel more connected to city life itself rather than just university life.
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Hockley and the Lace Market are some of Nottingham’s most distinctive areas and tend to attract students who want a slightly more independent or creative lifestyle.
This part of the city is full of independent cafés, bars, restaurants, vintage shops, and small creative businesses. It feels less like it’s just for students and more mixed with young professionals and local creatives.
Places like Broadway Cinema, specialty coffee shops and cocktail bars make the area feel more grown-up than some traditional student neighbourhoods.
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Hockley suits students who want city-centre living without being surrounded entirely by first-year nightlife culture.
Wollaton sits further west of the city and feels much more suburban and residential. It’s best known for Wollaton Park, one of Nottingham’s largest green spaces, which makes the area quieter and more open than most student neighborhoods.
Travel into the city centre or campuses takes longer, so most students rely on buses or cars more regularly.
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Location matters in Nottingham because the city’s student life is spread across different campuses and neighbourhoods rather than one central student district.
Living in Lenton, for example, keeps University of Nottingham students within walking distance of campus while still making nights out easy. But it’s also noisy, heavily student-populated and busy during term time.
Living in Beeston feels calmer and slightly more mature. The cafés are better, the housing quality is often higher and the tram makes commuting straightforward … but it’s less social than Lenton.
For Nottingham Trent students, living near Arboretum or the city centre means lectures, shops and nightlife are all within walking distance. That convenience makes daily life noticeably easier.
Travel distances might not seem big on a map, but regular buses, late-night taxis, and winter weather quickly become part of your weekly routine, making location a key consideration when picking your next home.
Nottingham is generally considered an open and welcoming student city.
Areas like Hockley and the city centre have a visible LGBTQ+ presence, and both universities support active LGBTQ+ societies, campaigns and student-led events throughout the year.
Nottinghamshire Pride is one of the city’s biggest annual events and brings students, local residents and community groups together across the city centre.
Because Nottingham has such a large student population, it tends to feel relatively easy to find communities and social spaces that fit different backgrounds and identities.
International students are also very visible across both universities, particularly around University Park and Nottingham Trent’s city campus.
Overall, Nottingham feels inclusive in a natural way. It’s less performative than some cities, but still clearly welcoming.
Nottingham’s food scene is broad, affordable and heavily shaped by students.
Hockley and the city centre are full of independent restaurants, cafés and street-food style spots. There’s particularly strong representation of Asian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food.
Popular independent spots include:
Compared to Bath or Edinburgh, for example, eating out in Nottingham is more affordable for students, so it can be a regular thing rather than just an occasional treat.
Student-Friendly & Budget Dining Options
Students in Nottingham rely heavily on practical and affordable food options around campuses and student housing areas.
Popular cheaper choices include:
Supermarkets are easy to access in student areas, especially around Lenton, Beeston and Arboretum.
Overall, Nottingham offers one of the better balances between affordability and variety compared with many major UK student cities.
Nottingham has a much stronger music and alternative culture than many people initially expect.
The city has long been associated with indie music, live gigs and alternative nightlife, and venues like Rock City are deeply tied into student culture. Many students end up spending more time at gigs and smaller live venues than they originally expect.
Hockley and the Lace Market add to this identity with independent shops, cafés and creative spaces that make the city feel more distinctive than a standard university centre.
If you’re interested in Nottingham’s history, Nottingham Castle is still one of the city’s main landmarks. After major redevelopment, the castle and its grounds are now a lively part of the city’s cultural life again, with exhibitions, events, and a strong connection to Nottingham’s Robin Hood identity.
You’ll notice Nottingham’s creative vibe most around Hockley and the Lace Market. Here, independent cinemas, galleries, cafés, and smaller creative venues are part of daily student life. These neighbourhoods feel more local than touristy, giving Nottingham a more alternative feel compared to other UK student cities.
Nottingham Contemporary is one of the city’s top cultural spots and is also one of the UK’s largest contemporary art galleries. Even if you’re not really into art, you might find yourself there for the café, events, or just because it’s close to the Lace Market. The gallery often hosts exhibitions, talks, and workshops that bring together students, local creatives, and visitors.
Broadway Cinema is another key part of Nottingham’s creative scene. It’s more than just a place to watch films - it’s a social and cultural hub where students meet for screenings, grab coffee, or enjoy a quieter night away from the busy nightlife. It’s especially popular with Nottingham Trent students since it’s close to the city centre and creative courses.
A bit further from the city centre, Wollaton Hall has a totally different vibe. It sits in the middle of the large Wollaton Park and is famous worldwide for its role in Batman films. For students, though, it’s mostly a place for walks, study breaks, or just getting away from the city for a while.
Nottingham hosts a wide range of student-focused and city-wide events throughout the year.
Freshers’ Week is huge because of the size of the student population, while Pride, food festivals, Christmas markets and live music events all contribute to the city’s atmosphere.
The city also hosts regular outdoor events around Old Market Square and summer events near the canal areas.
During term time, university society events and sports fixtures become a major part of social life as well.
Nottingham surprises a lot of students with how green it feels … especially compared to other large student cities in the Midlands.
One of the biggest reasons for that is University Park Campus, which is widely considered one of the best university campuses in the UK for outdoor space. The campus is built around lakes, large open lawns, tree-lined paths and sports pitches, so students spend a huge amount of time outdoors during warmer months. It’s common to see people revising by the lake, playing casual football after lectures or simply sitting outside between classes.
The lake area in particular becomes a major social space in spring and summer, and it gives University of Nottingham student life a noticeably calmer atmosphere than many city-centre campuses.
Outside the university itself, Wollaton Park is one of the city’s biggest outdoor attractions. The park is huge, with open grassland, woodland walks and deer roaming freely around the grounds. Students regularly head there for longer walks, runs, picnics and group meetups when they want a break from campus or nightlife. The historic Wollaton Hall at the centre of the park also gives the area a more dramatic feel than a typical city park.
Closer to the city centre, The Arboretum offers smaller but much more accessible green space, particularly for Nottingham Trent students. During good weather it fills up with students sitting outside between lectures, eating lunch or meeting friends before heading into town later in the evening.
The canal areas around Nottingham are another underrated part of the city. Towpaths near Castle Marina and the canal basin create quieter walking and cycling routes away from traffic and nightlife areas. Students often use these routes for running, casual walks or cycling between neighbourhoods because they feel calmer than the main roads through the city centre.
For students who want more outdoor activity beyond parks, places like Colwick Country Park offer lakeside walks, water sports and running routes slightly outside the centre. It’s a popular option for students with cars or those looking for somewhere quieter on weekends.
Nottingham doesn’t have a coastline or major waterfront living like Liverpool or Brighton, and you won’t get beach culture or sea views here. But what the city does offer is a surprisingly good balance between urban student life and accessible green space.
That balance becomes more important as the year goes on. During exam periods, after nights out or when city life starts feeling repetitive, having large parks, lakes and quieter outdoor areas nearby makes a noticeable difference to daily student life.
Support in Nottingham comes from a mixture of university services, accommodation teams, societies and the wider student community.
One of Nottingham’s biggest advantages is that it’s hard to feel like the only student in the city. You’ll find students everywhere, from public transport and cafés to gyms, libraries, and nightlife spots, which makes it easier for many people to settle in.
Both universities provide counselling, academic support and wellbeing services, while halls teams and Students’ Unions organise regular events throughout the year.
At the same time, Nottingham is a pretty independent city experience. No one is going to organise your life for you. Students who settle in best are usually the ones who join societies, sports clubs, or social groups early on instead of waiting for friendships to happen on their own.
Once routines form, most students find Nottingham relatively easy to navigate socially and practically.
The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University both offer extensive wellbeing services including counselling, academic support and mental health advisers.
One of Nottingham’s biggest wellbeing advantages is green space. University Park genuinely changes how student life feels because so much time is spent around lakes, trees and open areas rather than dense city streets.
The city also offers a good balance between activity and escape. Places like Wollaton Park and the canal areas give students somewhere quieter to go when city life becomes overwhelming.
That said, Nottingham has a strong nightlife and drinking culture. Some students love it, while others might find the pressure to always be social a bit tiring, especially at the start of first year.
Overall, Nottingham tends to suit students who like active social environments but still want enough structure and support to avoid feeling lost in a huge city.
Nottingham is actually a great place to stay active, especially if you’re at the University of Nottingham.
The David Ross Sports Village is one of the biggest university sports facilities in the UK and includes gyms, swimming pools, climbing walls, sports halls and fitness studios. University sports culture is huge here, particularly for rugby, hockey, football and rowing.
Nottingham Trent students often use both university facilities and commercial gyms like PureGym Nottingham or The Gym Group Nottingham around the city centre.
Outdoor activity is also easier than many students expect.
University Park itself is heavily used for jogging, walking and informal sports. The lake becomes a major social area in warmer months, while Wollaton Park is popular for longer walks and runs.
The canal routes around the city are also widely used for cycling and running because they’re flatter and quieter than central roads.
Compared to many major UK student cities, Nottingham offers a relatively good balance between cost and quality of life.
Housing is cheaper than in many southern cities, public transport is manageable and there are plenty of affordable food and nightlife options aimed directly at students.
That said, prices in popular student areas like Lenton and the city centre have gone up steadily in recent years because of demand.
Overall, Nottingham remains one of the more accessible larger student cities financially.
Cost of Living in Nottingham (Compared to Other UK Student Cities)
Nottingham is generally cheaper than Brighton, Bath and Edinburgh while still offering a strong student-city experience.
Typical monthly student costs:
The best part is that Nottingham still feels pretty affordable, even though it offers big-city nightlife, good transport, and lots of student facilities.
Jobs for Students in Nottingham
Because Nottingham has a large city centre and a strong student economy, part-time work is relatively accessible.
Students commonly work in:
Competition increases during term time, but overall Nottingham offers more part-time opportunities than smaller university towns.
Getting around Nottingham is relatively easy once you understand how the tram and bus systems connect student areas and campuses.
The city centre is compact and walkable, but most students rely on trams, buses and occasional taxis for daily life.
Because the universities are spread across different sites, transport becomes a bigger part of student routines than in smaller campus towns.
Nottingham’s tram network is one of the city’s biggest advantages for students.
University of Nottingham students regularly use trams between Beeston, University Park and the city centre, while Nottingham Trent students rely more on walking and buses around the centre itself.
Typical travel times include:
Uber and taxis are widely used after nights out, particularly because many student areas sit outside the city centre itself.
Nottingham also has strong rail links to Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds and London, which makes weekend travel relatively straightforward.
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions we receive from people interested in living in the city.
Yes. Nottingham is widely considered one of the UK’s strongest student cities because of its large student population, nightlife, affordability and university facilities.
Nottingham is generally cheaper than southern cities like Brighton, Bath and Edinburgh, though housing costs have increased in recent years.
They offer different experiences. University of Nottingham is more campus-focused and traditional, while Nottingham Trent is more integrated into the city centre.
Lenton, Beeston, Arboretum, Dunkirk and the city centre are among the most popular student areas.
Yes. Nottingham has one of the strongest student nightlife scenes outside Manchester and Liverpool, with clubs, bars and live music venues throughout the city centre.
Nottingham is social, student-heavy and relatively affordable compared to many major UK university cities.
It offers a mix of large campuses, busy nightlife, strong sports culture and practical day-to-day living. The city is energetic during term time but still manageable enough to navigate easily once routines settle.
Where you live matters. And, for many students, Nottingham offers the balance they want: lively but not overwhelming, affordable but not too small.
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Nottingham has one of the strongest student nightlife scenes in the UK outside Manchester and Liverpool.
The city centre is packed with bars, clubs and live music venues, and midweek student nights dominate during term time. Unlike some cities where nightlife is concentrated into one street, Nottingham’s scene spreads across the Lace Market, Hockley and the area around Market Square.
Key student venues include:
Coworking cafés and bars in Hockley also play a major role in social life beyond just clubbing. Students regularly meet around places like Broadway Cinema café or smaller independent coffee shops before nights out.
Compared to Brighton or Edinburgh, nights out in Nottingham are usually cheaper, although prices have gone up in recent years