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Home to two of the country’s most popular universities, Nottingham is a thriving student city. In fact, there are over 60,000 students living there, and it’s no wonder, as it’s a busy city teeming with culture, bustling nightlife and an array of amenities right on your doorstep. Finding student accommodation can seem daunting, especially when it’s your first time away from home, so we’ve put together this handy guide to ease all your concerns and help get you prepared for your time at university.
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Find out what makes Nottingham a popular city for students and some of the key attractions Nottingham offers.
Read our guide to the popular student areas in Nottingham and what each of them offer.
Read what factors you should consider when choosing where to live, including choosing a bills agreement and type of accommodation.
We answer common queries on choosing accommodation in Nottingham.
The city is home to two universities – the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University – but it’s not just the endless studying options that attract students to Nottingham. It has a lot to offer, so you can rest assured that there will never be a dull moment.
When it comes to nights out, Nottingham has everything from cosy hidden pubs to fancy cocktail bars and some of the best clubs, including the widely renowned Rock City – which scooped up the Purple Flag Award for the best night out seven times.
Of course, university isn’t all about the nights out, so there’s plenty to keep you occupied during the day. Shop in style down the cobbled styles of Hockley, browsing the countless vintage clothes, books, and record shops. Sports lovers can catch a game of whatever they like, thanks to the city’s two football teams and world-class cricket ground.
Nottingham also offers affordable accommodation options, and is a fairly student-friendly city in terms of cost. Read more about the popular student areas for renting accommodation below.
Moving to a new city can seem overwhelming, so it’s good to know which areas are popular for accommodation among students. That way, you’re guaranteed to be surrounded by people just like you.
Within walking distance of the city centre, and home to the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee campus, is the area of Lenton. It’s one of the most popular student locations, so it’s a social hub for students. The older houses have larger communal living rooms, making them the ideal spot for pre-drinks with the affordable alcohol you’ve picked up from the popular Booze Busters on Lenton Boulevard. You can feed your hangover the next day with one of the many food spots in the area, whether you fancy Jamaican jerk or a pancake stack. The average rent price is around £100-£120 per week.
Just south of Lenton you’ll find Dunkirk, an area that has similarly become a student hotspot. Home to the main University of Nottingham campus, you’re within easy access to all your seminars and lectures, and just a short bus ride from the city centre. While it does have bars and nightlife, it’s a little quieter than Lenton and is home to Highfields Park, which has a tennis centre and hockey centre. Similar to Lenton, the average rent price is around £100-£120 a week.
You can also choose to live right in the heart of it in the city centre. Everything is on your doorstep, including the main Nottingham Trent University campus, so transport costs will be minimal. Plus, it makes getting home after a night out super easy. Rent is a little more expensive in this area, so you’re looking at around £170 per week.
There are pros and cons to whichever area you choose, so it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons for each area based on the following:
Being able to afford your rent is the most important thing. Weigh up the average rent in each area, what you get for your money and what you can afford from your student finance (and job if you get one).
Having an array of local amenities on your doorstep not only makes the experience more enjoyable but helps to cut down your transport expenses. If you can, have a walk around to see what bars, restaurants, takeaways, gyms, and whatever other facilities are important to you, are nearby. Don’t forget the boring but essential bits too, like shops, supermarkets, and pharmacies.
You’re going to be spending a lot of time on your university campus, so being close by is important. Be sure that you’re either within walking distance or on a good transport link directing to your campus – the last thing you want is to be lugging heavy library books across the city every day.
Do you research into all the local transport links to get around your new city, but don’t forget to look at national transport links for those visits back home. Most public transport systems offer student discounts, so be sure to look into these too before buying any tickets.
The advertised rental price in some student accommodation is inclusive of bills, and some aren’t. When looking at prices, be sure to check which bills are factored in so you know what will be covered. If bills are not included, you’ll be paying for these separately to rent, rather than the landlord including it in the rent price. Having a student bill splitting tool to help with this is super handy. Split The Bills make it easy to build a package depending on what utilities you need and how many people you have, taking away any awkward conversations about money. Get a price today.
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!
Halls are the accommodation choice for first years. These are university-run flats where you’ll be placed in a shared flat with other students – a perfect way to make new friends.
After the first year, many people choose to rent a house or flat with the friends they’ve made over the past year. These are often privately rented but there are lots of rentals tailored just for students.
You can also choose to rent a room within a shared house. This is another great way to help make new friends no matter what year you’re in.
Read our full guide to the different types of student accommodation in Nottingham here.
There are plenty of student accommodation websites out there, such as Unihomes, where you can search for properties in your chosen area.
Prices vary depending on location, but you could be paying anywhere between £100 – £225 per week in rent.
There are lots of houses and flats available to rent across all student areas of Nottingham. Alternatively, there are university-run student halls available to suit different budgets.
It all depends on what you’re after. When it comes to student halls: Curzon House is a purse-friendly option; Gill Street South is a newer block with fresh, modern décor; Goldsmith Court boasts en-suite rooms on the doorstep of Nottingham Trent, while Sandby has larger rooms (up to 13 people) which are ideal for social butterflies.
Nottingham is home to lots of different types of student accommodation, so there really is something for everyone. In fact, by the end of 2019, there were 10,495 student-only houses and flats – that’s not to mention all the halls.
Accommodation in the city centre can be more expensive, but thanks to a variety of student areas and a whole host of different options, you will be able to find something for all budgets.
Of course, types of accommodation will vary in price for a number of reasons. Generally, those bang-in the city centre will be more expensive than those a little further out. The facilities of the property will affect the price, too. For example, halls with en-suite rooms will often have a higher rent than shared bathroom facilities.
The best way to choose the accommodation that’s right for you is to make a list of the key things you’re after (e.g. close to your campus, on a bus route, etc) and work out what you can comfortably afford to spend on rent and bills. Once you have that, research all your options online to find the best fit for you.
If you’re after any further help on student accommodation, from moving in tips to how to pay bills, be sure to check out our student support hub.
Electricity. Gas. Broadband. Water. TV Licence.
All in one equally split monthly bill. Nice.