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Nottinghamshire: top of the class for students

It’s no wonder that Nottinghamshire is regarded as one of the UK’s most desirable places to study. Boasting a city that’s large enough to be vibrant and interesting, while small enough to be manageable and friendly, Nottinghamshire is a perfect location to spend student days. Both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University remain remarkably popular, attracting some of highest number of requests for course places each year.

With these two world-class universities, Nottinghamshire has established itself as a dynamic, student-friendly and cosmopolitan destination. Offering all the buzz of big city living while retaining its strong sense of community, Nottinghamshire is increasingly seen as one of the UK’s top places to study. You’ll love it!

Feel the buzz
The compact city centre, only a short bus or bike ride from the University of Nottingham and a walk away for Nottingham Trent University, combines heritage and history with contemporary culture – from the world’s oldest pub to stylish bars.

And Nottingham has always known how to have a good time. In recent years, the emergence of a buzzing late-night bar scene has begun to rival its legendary club scene. Much of the action happens within the rejuvenated Lace Market/Hockley area where dozens of fashionable bars like Bluu, Brass Monkey and Dogma have emerged. Nearby, Cabaret and Jongleurs host contemporary comedy. For cutting-edge music, head to The Social which has already showcased bands like The Strokes and Starsailor. Two good retreats from the masses are The Loft, a groovy outpost on the bohemian Mansfield Road, and Moog, an unpretentious-yet-hip bar in student-friendly Radford.

The Cornerhouse is a huge entertainment complex featuring a state-of-the-art multiscreen cinema, restaurants, and club. For live music, few venues in the UK can match the intimate atmosphere of gigs at the legendary Rock City – loud, dark, sweaty and loved by bands and fans alike. Meanwhile, the 9,500-capacity Trent FM Arena Nottingham attracts the big acts – from Blue to Coldplay and Oasis.

Culture vultures
Nottinghamshire revels in its cultural diversity. Whether experiencing cutting-edge arts at the NOW Festival, admiring Hollywood actors at the Shakespeare Festival or riding rollercoasters at Goose Fair (Europe’s largest), it’s all here for students to enjoy…

The Castle Museum, the first municipal art gallery outside London, exhibits important work, while the innovative Lakeside Centre at the University of Nottingham hosts the latest art, music, comedy and drama. Coming soon is a new £13 million contemporary Centre for Visual and Live Arts, which will include galleries, performing and rehearsal space and studios.

Cultural life thrives. From The Royal Concert Hall, second home of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, to Nottingham Playhouse and its innovative drama. From the 18th Century Theatre Royal, showcasing top-class theatre, ballet and opera, to The Broadway Cinema, the only regional cinema affiliated to the National Film Theatre.  Highly recommended by Quentin Tarantino, he held the British premiere of Reservoir Dogs here.

The city also boasts a 14-screen multiplex and the world’s smallest cinema (21 seats!). Acclaimed young director, Shane Meadows has shot several films in the city (often using students as extras) including 24/7, A Room for Romeo Brass, and, most recently, Once Upon A Time In The Midlands.

Shopping paradise
Nottingham is one of the best retail centres in the UK, particularly for fashion. This is a dress-to-impress city – from local designer-made-good Paul Smith’s new flagship store to dozens of designer boutiques, the big High Street labels to second-hand bargains.

Everything from designer threads to dance music, quirky jewellery to retro film posters can be found in the unofficial ‘Hockley Village’.  Nottingham’s student-friendly shopping quarter, it’s packed with bohemian bargains. There are also a number of interesting antique and furniture shops (including the fashionable Danish Homestore for fans of retro Scandinavian design) on cosmopolitan Derby Road.

And don’t miss the legendary Select-a-Disc – one of the UK’s top independent record shops housed along three sites on Market Street: it’s a treasure trove of imports, obscurities, second-hand bargains, old-school vinyl and collectables.

Smarter thinking

• did you know?
  jobs growth in Nottingham is nearly three times the national average.
• did you know?
  the Royal Philharmonic, Opera North and National Film Theatre all have their regional bases in Nottinghamshire.
• did you know?
  three of Britain’s most significant literary figures – Lord Byron, DH Lawrence and Alan Sillitoe – hail from Nottinghamshire.
• did you know?
  Nottingham boasts the greatest density of practising artists in Europe.