Nottingham is the perfect place to live as a student. It has a great variety of shops and restaurants, a diverse live music scene, and amazing nightlife. As a new student, you may feel overwhelmed by how much there is to do in Nottingham, so here is a handy student city guide to help you.
Transport in Nottingham
Luckily, Nottingham has many different public transport options to ensure that both its residents and students can travel anywhere across the city.
Bus
The Nottingham City Transport app is the best place to buy all bus tickets in Nottingham. You can register as a student on the app using a selfie and your student ID, which allows you to buy discounted tickets. For students, any single journey costs £1.70, and 24-hours unlimited travel costs £3.40.
You can also bulkbuy travel in advance using an Easyrider card. This is a prepaid travel card that provides discounted and unlimited travel across Nottingham. They offer two types: Every day and Anyday. Students receive a 15% discount on these cards. You can also use a Robin Hood pass to travel on Nottingham buses.
Additionally, the University of Nottingham offers a free Hopper Bus service for its students. These buses run between their multiple campuses, including University Park and Jubilee.
Taxis
As well as Ubers being widely available across the city, the University of Nottingham’s Student Union highly recommends using their Safer Taxi Scheme to get home. It runs in collaboration with DG Cars, whose contact number is 0115 950 0500. The prices are fixed and affordable rates.
Trams
Perhaps the most convenient and easy way to get around Nottingham is the tram. There are tram stops situated around the city, including right next to both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent campuses.
They operate every day of the week. Between 6 am and 7 am, they arrive every 15 minutes. Between 7 am and 7 pm, they operate every 7 minutes. Between 7 pm and 11 pm, they will come every 10 minutes.
Tickets must be bought before boarding the tram. You can either buy them on the NET Go! app, or via the ticket machines which are situated at each stop. Either cash or card can be used.
A single ticket for a student costs £1.80, while a day ticket costs £3.20. Alternatively, a yearly student pass can be purchased for £275, which provides you with unlimited tram travel. You can also use a Robin Hood Pass to travel by tram, which reduces the ticket prices slightly.
Libraries in Nottingham
There are many options when it comes to libraries in Nottingham. Whether you want to read fiction, you need textbooks for your degree, or you are simply seeking a quiet place to study, it is guaranteed you will find what you need here.
Hallward Library
Address: University Park, Library Rd, Nottingham NG7 2RD
Hallward Library, which is located on the University of Nottingham’s University Park campus, contains books related to humanities courses. It also has study spaces that students from any courses are welcome to use.
George Green Library
Address: University of Nottingham University Park NG7 2RD
George Green Library is also located on the University of Nottingham’s University Park campus. This library contains books related to science courses. Much like Hallward, it also has study spaces that are open to anyone studying at the University.
Boots Library
Address: Goldsmith St, Nottingham NG1 5LS
Boots Library is the official Nottingham Trent library. It is conveniently located in the city centre, right next to the Nottingham Trent lecture buildings. It has an open roof, which makes it a beautiful play to work when the sun is shining.
Useful Shops For Students
Nottingham has a lot of shops which are tailored for students’ interests. However, some of them are not very well-known, and remain hidden gems. So, here are some shops which are essential to visit as a student in Nottingham.
White Rose
With six shops across the city of Nottingham, White Rose is perfect for those who want to buy recycled and sustainable fashion. They stock both women’s and men’s clothes in all sizes.
Cow Vintage
Cow Vintage is another popular vintage store in Nottingham. It should be kept in mind that the upcycled and vintage clothes here are slightly more expensive than other vintage stores, but you never know – you might get lucky and find a bargain.
Victoria Centre
Nottingham’s main shopping centre, Victoria Centre, contains many shops which may be useful for students, including Tesco, Boots, Urban Outfitters, Next, The Works, and many more.
British Heart Foundation
Located at 50-52 Long Row, this charity shop stocks furniture rather than clothes. This would be a perfect place to purchase furniture as a student because the prices are low due to them being second-hand pieces.
Kilo Vintage Sales
Despite not technically being a shop, the Vintage Clothing Kilo Sale tours the country and make frequent appearances in the University of Nottingham’s Portland Building and Nottingham Trent’s Student Union. These are specifically aimed at students, with remarkably cheap prices.
Where to go on a night out as a student
Nightlife is a huge part of the student experience, so here are the best places to go on a night out in Nottingham, now that clubs have reopened.
Rock City
As well as being a popular venue for up-and-coming bands, Rock City also hosts many student club nights, including Tuned Tuesdays and Thursdays, CRISIS on Wednesdays, Get Lucky on Fridays, and Rebel Rebel on Saturdays.
Rescue Rooms
Situated next door to Rock City, Rescue Rooms also serves as a music venue. On Tuesday nights, they host their Pressure club night, which offers free entry as well as 2-for-1 drinks all night.
The Bodega
Most famous for their Indie Wednesdays club nights, the music venue The Bodega is one of the best places in Nottingham for indie fans.
Pryzm
The well-known club chain Pryzm has a venue in Nottingham. With its multiple rooms and popular Lemonade Mondays event, it is one of the most popular clubs in the city.
Stealth
Stealth is located directly next to Rescue Rooms, and they often host events together. Stealth is the perfect place for fans of DNB music, regularly hosting an array of popular DJs.
Entertainment for students
Here are some fun things to do in Nottingham for when you are in the mood for socialising and having fun without drinking alcohol.
Highfields Park
On the lake on University Park Campus, you can hire a rowing boat with your friends. This will always result in a laugh, as well as an intensive arm workout!
Wollaton Park
Located right next to University Park Campus, Wollaton Park is the perfect place to go for a picnic with your friends. You might even be lucky enough to see some of the park’s natural wildlife, including deer.
The Lost City Adventure Golf
The Lost City Adventure Golf has two indoor 18-hold golf courses, Temple Trail and Sacred Skull. Their website boasts that it is perfect for families, friends or dates. It is open from 10 am 7 days a week.
Arc Cinema Beeston
The Arc Cinema has just recently opened in Beeston. It is located very close to University Park Campus, so it is the perfect place to go and watch a film after a long day of lectures.
Where to eat as a student
Cooking can become exhausting (and the catered food in halls isn’t always great), so here are some options for when you fancy treating yourself to some amazing food in Nottingham.
Sexy Mama Love Spaghetti
One of the most popular restaurants among Nottingham students is Sexy Mama Love Spaghetti. This classic Italian restaurant offers a wide range of pasta.
Oscar and Rosie’s
Oscar and Rosie’s is one of the best places to get pizza in Nottingham. They also offer some ambitious and hilarious eating challenges that you can try to complete with your friends!
Annie’s Burger Shack
One of the most popular burger restaurants in Nottingham, Annie’s Burger Shack offer some crazy combinations, including burgers with peanut butter and jam. They also have some great vegan and vegetarian options!
Where to order from as a student
These local takeaway options are perfect for when you aren’t in the mood for going out, but you don’t want to cook either.
The Lobster Pot
With sites in both Mansfield and Beeston, The Lobster Pot is the best option in the city for seafood and Thai takeaway.
Bar Iberico
Tapas restaurant Bar Iberico offers takeaway using a local taxi service. They have an extensive vegan menu. You can also collect your food directly from their restaurant in Hockley, if you wish.
Uramaki
Uramaki delivers freshly prepared handmade sushi. They deliver to a 15-mile radius, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Where to go to work out as a student
Many students are interested in the gym, because they help you to keep physically fit as well as providing a much-needed break from your degree. Here are your best options in Nottingham:
David Ross Sports Village
David Ross Sports Village is located on the University of Nottingham’s University Park campus. However, with their public membership option, it is also open to people who are not students at UoN.
Pure Gym Beeston
PureGym is available to use 24/7. They are a no-contract gym, meaning that you can cancel your membership at any point. This is ideal for students who may be unable to use the gym during exam seasons.
Castle Gym
Castle Gym is one of Nottingham’s oldest gyms. It is located at the edge of the city centre, near Nottingham Castle. They offer various membership options, including full memberships, cardio-only, and pay as you go.
Local discounts
If you’re struggling for money (as many students are), here are the best discounts in Nottingham!
Revolution Bars
Located at both Hockley and the Cornerhouse, Revolutions offer 2-4-1 cocktails, 6 for £6 shots, 25% off food and even more for students.
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme offers a 10% student discount for students. You must show a valid student ID to get this discount.
Costa Coffee
Costa Coffee at Friar Lane offers a 10% student discount to anyone who presents a valid student ID card.
Just Eat
Just Eat offer all students 15% off their first order.
Bella Italia
Bella Italia offers many student discounts, including 30% off mains, 50% off takeaway, 2-for-1 Italian Spritz on Fridays and 2-for-1 Breakfast Brunch.
Domino’s
Dominos offer 2-for-1 pizzas every Tuesday, as well as a 35% student discount with Unidays.
Yo Sushi
Yo Sushi, located in the Lace Market area of Nottingham, offer 20% off for students with Unidays.
Bunk
Bunk, which has three locations in the city centre of Nottingham, offers happy hour deals every day until 10 pm.
Penny Lane
Penny Lane offers 2-for-1 happy hour deals before 9 pm Sunday to Thursday.
Coco Tang
Mondays and Wednesdays are student nights at Coco Tang, meaning that all cocktails are under £4.
The Ropewalk
A walking distance from Lenton, The Ropewalk offers 2-for-1 cocktails every Friday.
Hopefully, with this guide as your leader, you’ll be able to have the absolute best time whilst living in or visiting the great city of Nottingham.
Make sure you also know how to do all the practical stuff like finding a doctor, dentist, and where all the NHS walk ins are (hopefully you won’t need it but handy to know).
