The best universities in Nottingham
If you want to study in Nottingham, there are two world-class universities: the University of Nottingham, which is in the top 100 in the world and the third most targeted by top employers in England, and Nottingham Trent University, which has been named “University of the Year” five times in six years and ranks first for employability among UK students.
Good to know:
The cost of living in Nottingham is 18% cheaper than in London.
The University of Nottingham
The University of Nottingham first opened in Nottingham's city centre in 1881. After the First World War, Sir Jesse Boot, a generous donor, offered 14 hectares of land on Highfields for its relocation. The university then developed and expanded rapidly.
Many notable personalities, such as Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi and H.G. Wells, have participated in conferences there and given speeches, inspiring a new generation of scholars.
In 1948, the university received a Royal Charter to become the University of Nottingham. Since 1970, many other development projects have followed the inauguration of the Medical School, and several campuses were created over the years.
The University of Nottingham is in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings and is a prestigious Russell Group member. The university is particularly renowned for:
- Engineering, especially strong in Chemical Engineering;
- Languages and literature, particularly Asian Studies;
- Medicine and health sciences;
- Research excellence, including a £650m research portfolio, including £100m for PhD training and research equipment.
The university includes schools and departments in five faculties: Arts, Engineering, Medicine and Health Sciences, Science and Social Sciences, with students from over 150 countries creating a truly international community.
With an acceptance rate of approximately 11% for international students, the University of Nottingham is highly competitive. As mentioned earlier, the university is the third most targeted by top UK employers, making it a great choice for career prospects.
Entry requirements for the University of Nottingham
- Latest diplomas and result slips;
- English language test results (TOEFL/IELTS);
- Reference letter from your university (for Master's degrees);
- Strong academic performance and compelling personal statement.
Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) started as the Nottingham Government School of Design in 1843. After it merged with the Regional College in 1970, it was renamed Trent Polytechnic. In 1992, following a law that promoted polytechnic programs and other higher education institutions, it became Nottingham Trent University.
In 2009, Nottingham Trent University was awarded the title of the "greenest university in the UK" by The People and Planet Green League, which is the only independent ranking for British universities' environmental and ethical performance. Since then, the university has been using only renewable energy to keep its environmental impact to a minimum. All of the university's electricity across its three campuses comes from a green energy provider, and campuses generate their own energy on-site.
As part of its sustainability plans, Nottingham Trent University has pledged to achieve Net Zero Carbon emissions across all three carbon scopes by 2040 to create a Zero Carbon culture across the community.
The university is divided into different colleges:
- College of Business, Law and Social Sciences;
- College of Art and Design and Built Environment;
- College of Arts and Science.
With over 6,200 international students, NTU offers 250+ undergraduate and 170+ postgraduate programs, with particular strengths in business, law, nursing, creative subjects, journalism and education.
Entry requirements for Nottingham Trent University
- Diplomas and your latest results slip.
- English language test results (TOEFL/IELTS).
- Portfolio (for creative subjects).
It's worth noting that NTU is generally more accessible than Russell Group universities.





