How to find an apartment near Nottingham University

Nottingham is one of the UK’s most vibrant, popular and affordable student cities. With excellent public transport links, an eclectic array of restaurants, affordable accommodation and rich cultural heritage, it’s not difficult to see why this is such a sought-after destination among students. In fact, according to the 2024 QS Best Student Cities index, which analyses multiple factors including affordability and lifestyle, Nottingham was ranked as the 9th best university city in the UK and number 52 in the world.

Home to two major universities – Nottingham Trent University and The University of Nottingham – there is a buzzing student presence throughout the city during term time. Nottingham is a compact and easily navigated city, so students are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding somewhere to live as they’ll never be far from a great bar, pub, restaurant or local attraction.

For any student lucky enough to call Nottingham home, there is a vast selection of student accommodation options. From popular and well-managed halls of residence near the university campus to purpose-built, modern student apartments in the city centre, there is something to suit any preference or budget.

We’ve pulled together the key information that we think you’ll want to consider when deciding on a type of student apartment and where to live in Nottingham. Whether you’re looking for a student apartment near Nottingham Trent University or The University of Nottingham, this guide is for you!

Click on a link to jump to that section:

Read the key benefits of renting a student apartment in Nottingham.

Find out how much it is likely to cost you to rent a student apartment in Nottingham.

Read what to consider when choosing a student apartment to rent in Nottingham.

Find out how bill splitting services such as Split the Bills can help.

Read our tips on choosing a student location in Nottingham.

Read about the different types of student apartments available in Nottingham.

What are the benefits of renting a student apartment?

Whether you’re just starting out at university or returning for another year, one of the most important decisions
you’ll make is what type of accommodation to opt for.

Traditionally, first-year students would go into university halls of residence before moving into private student
housing. However, this isn’t ideal for everyone. Halls can be a lottery in terms of where you stay and who you find
yourself living with, while private houses are typically further from campus and can be more time-consuming to
maintain.

Students are increasingly opting to go into purpose-built, private student apartments. It’s thought that around half
of all student bed-space is now made up of this type of private accommodation as opposed to a student house, and the
rise in popularity isn’t difficult to understand.

Student apartments allow you to have your own space at the same time as living in a social setting with other
students. There is also flexibility in terms of budget and space, with options including a self-contained studio
apartment/studio flat, an individual room with a shared common area and a shared apartment with capacity for smaller
groups.

These apartments are modern and usually well-positioned near the university campus, transport links and local
amenities. They are also easier to maintain than an entire student property and ready to move into, so you don’t
have to worry about installing broadband, finding an energy supplier or buying furniture.

Are you worried about finding energy providers and splitting bills between housemates? Find out
how Split the
Bills can help here
.

Friends party

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Nottingham?

According
to UniAcco
, the average monthly cost for Nottingham accommodation is £660; however, private
apartments can
vary wildly. A self-contained, one-bedroom apartment in the city centre could cost between £800 and £900 per month
while opting for a two-bed apartment could reduce the rental cost by around 30%.

You’ll likely find that you get more for your money, though, as bills are often included, and many of the Nottingham
student apartment complexes have CCTV and 24/7 reception as well as shared gyms, gardens and communal areas.

What are the main factors to consider when choosing an apartment in Nottingham?

There’s a lot to consider when searching for your perfect student accommodation. The first thing you need to
establish is the amount you’re willing (and able) to spend on rent and bills. Start there and work your way back.

Take into account that, if you live within walking distance to the university and local amenities, you won’t be
spending quite as much money on transport. This could facilitate allocating additional budget to your accommodation.
Likewise, if the accommodation has facilities such as a gym, this could be another factor in determining your
budget.

Another key consideration is whether the rental price includes bills. If so, this will make your search easier and
makes budgeting more straightforward. However, it’s worth having an idea of how much you’d be able to spend on rent
alone, as not all places will include bills in the monthly rent cost.

Are you considering renting a student property in Lenton? Read our full guide to renting
in
Lenton

here.

Bill splitting services

If you do end up finding an apartment or home that does not include bills in the rental price, you would be
well-advised to shop around for new providers to ensure you’re getting the best deals on things like broadband, TV
and utilities.

It’s also well worth considering a bill splitting service such as Split the Bills. Our services are designed to take
away all the hassle for individuals or groups that are moving into any kind of accommodation that doesn’t have
inclusive bills.

We’re here to streamline the way you manage your bills. At Split the Bills, we offer packages for any
sized group,
from individuals looking to take the stress out of getting everything set up – to large groups that want to avoid
any disagreements or awkwardness when it comes to payment.

Find out more and get pricing information here.

 

Are bills not included in your rent price?

Don’t worry – Split The
Bills
can find the best and cheapest providers for you and bundle all your bills into one easy
payment. This means you don’t have to have awkward conversations with your housemates about who’s sorting
the electricity bill or how much the gas bill is. That way, you can enjoy the benefits of just having one
easy-to-manage payment to make each month and spend more time enjoying student life!

  • Choose from our energy packages, superfast broadband, water and a TV licence.
  • Pay the same fixed amount every month and don’t worry about bills!
  • Avoid arguments by everyone paying the same share.
  • We set up the utilities for your house – so sit back, and relax!
  • Less time worrying about bills = more time to enjoy being a student!

Find out more about
how Split the Bills can help here.

Where to live in Nottingham

City centre

If you love the buzz of the city and like to stay busy, Nottingham city centre is perfect. At night, you’ll be close
to the legendary Rock City, The Bodega and Oceana. By day, the eclectic mix of cafes and restaurants will keep you
occupied when you’re not working. Staying in the city centre is the most expensive option, but you’ll be able to
save money on getting around as you’re close to plenty of amenities and popular hang-outs, allowing you to make the
most of student life.

Radford, Forest Fields and Hyson Green

Located just outside the city centre, these are multicultural areas that are well-located for Nottingham Trent
University. Accommodation tends to be towards the middle of the price range because they offer the best of both
worlds. You’ll be 10 minutes from the centre with a diverse array of watering holes and food outlets right on your
doorstep.

Dunkirk

Dunkirk is hugely popular among students. It’s well-positioned near the University of Nottingham’s Student Union,
and there are loads to do in the vicinity. There is a great selection of pubs within walking distance from one
another, and there’s also a sports centre and a cinema. This area is very affordable, particularly if you’re looking
for a shared property.

Lenton

Lenton is another area that is ideal for students, situated within walking distance to both the city centre and the
University of Nottingham. It has a student village that accommodates around 10,000 students, with options to suit
most budgets and circumstances. With takeaways, cafes and pubs aplenty, Lenton is a real social hub for Nottingham
students.

Are you considering renting accommodation in Lenton? Read our guide to choosing
a student property
in
Lenton
.

Beeston

Around a 20-minute walk from the University of Nottingham, Beeston feels like a self-contained town. It
is popular among post-grads and mature students as it’s removed from the buzz of the city centre and has
a more laid-back feel. With its own bustling high street and plenty of restaurants and bars, there’s
still plenty to do, and it’s another very affordable option.

Discover what accommodation is available throughout Nottingham here.

What are the different types of student apartments in Nottingham?

A modern, furnished one-bedroom,
self-contained apartment
in the city centre could cost around £200
per week, but
this often includes bills.

A similar two-bed
apartment
would reduce the cost to around £165 per person per week, while a three-bed
apartment

would be around £140 pppw.

Further afield, in areas such as Forest Fields, Radford or Hockley, you can expect to pay less than £150 per person
per week for a student room in a shared apartment that includes bills.

Find available
properties and check out the array of options on offer in and around Nottingham here.

Related content

Choosing
student accommodation in Lenton, Nottingham

Choosing
a student property in Nottingham city centre

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Why stop here? We make bills for students easy.

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