There is strength in depth at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), which is based at five campuses, offers a hugely diverse range of courses, and counts more than 40,000 students on the register. Despite its scale, students feel like more than just a number as evidenced by their consistently upbeat feedback in the annual National Student Survey. A burgeoning research profile and an unwavering position as the top-ranked modern university in British Universities and Colleges Sport (Bucs) league where it eclipses all but eight universities add to its credentials.
NTU has poured more than £450 million into developing its campuses over the past 15 years, while keeping its eye on sustainability; it is ranked 16th in the latest People & Planet league table. Playing hard is part of the NTU package as well, in the East Midlands city where the nightlife goes the extra mile to entertain its large student community.
What is Nottingham Trent University’s reputation?
NTU’s roots can be traced to the Nottingham Government School of Design, which was established in 1843. Mergers with technical and teacher training colleges produced the popular Nottingham Polytechnic, which operated until it gained university status in 1992.
A postgraduate centre opened in 2024, and NTU’s focus on research is reflected in its 53rd place in our analysis of the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021). Law; engineering; and allied health; dentistry; nursing; and pharmacy were the top performers, each with at least 98 per cent of their submissions rated world-leading or internationally excellent.
In the latest Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023), NTU achieved gold ratings overall and for the student experience, with silver for student outcomes.
In our analysis of the latest National Student Survey, NTU shows consistency — taking 30th place for satisfaction with teaching quality and 25= for satisfaction with the wider undergraduate experience.
The university is bidding farewell to Edward Peck, who has led it since 2014 during a period of growth, and has become a high-profile vice-chancellor, contributing to the government’s review of post-18 education funding in 2019 and championing student mental health. Professor Dave Petley takes over in December 2025, having formerly been vice-chancellor of the University of Hull.
What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses have been introduced?
No courses are closing in 2025-26. There are more than 20 new BA and BSc courses on offer from 2025, including several in business management, economic and accounting, as well as computer science (games technology); and sport therapy and rehabilitation.
Also new are BMus degrees in songwriting and vocal performance; and popular music performance; a BEng top-up in aerospace engineering; and HNC/HND in computing for England (network engineering).
What are Nottingham Trent University’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?
Applicants need 128-96 Ucas tariff points (72-64 points for foundation year courses). NTU’s contextual offers typically lower the A-level requirements for eligible applicants by two grades. About a quarter of new entrants benefited from contextual offers in 2024.
Over a fifth (22.7 per cent) of the 2024 intake took up places through clearing.
What are the graduate prospects?
Every course includes 240 hours of work experience and a dedicated employment team can help students to find international opportunities to study or work. The university ranks 95th in our graduate prospects measure, based on the proportion of leavers in high-skilled jobs or postgraduate study 15 months after finishing their degrees.
What is Nottingham Trent University’s campus like?
Students are based at three sites in and around Nottingham, plus one in Mansfield and another in east London. The main City campus combines revamped historic buildings with cutting-edge facilities, and includes the Nottingham School of Art, the Centre of Broadcasting and Journalism, and mock law courts. The Clifton campus, on the outskirts, occupies 32 hectares and features purpose-built facilities such as the Health and Allied Professions Centre and the Medical Technologies Innovation Facility. It is also the base for NTU’s extensive sports provision.
Clifton also hosts the Dryden Enterprise Centre, which provides facilities and support for start-ups and more established companies.
Branching out in the East Midlands, NTU Mansfield offers foundation degrees and other qualifications in partnership with Vision West Nottinghamshire College. Subjects include business; computing; education; and sport and exercise science.
Further afield in Whitechapel, east London, NTU has expanded into a new hub for digital arts, production and performance.
When can I visit?
ntu.ac.uk
Everything you need to know about Nottingham Trent University’s student life and wellbeing support
Aside from the city’s own buzzing nightlife scene, NTU offers plenty of activities to suit all tastes. Students have access to superb facilities on every campus, including a purpose-built equestrian centre and the Lee Westwood Sports Centre. NTU Arts puts on entertainment including bands, book clubs, crafting and trips.
NTU’s student health and wellbeing services can be accessed in person, online or by phone, and support advisers offer tailored care for students such as care leavers, and transgender or mature students. Those who need to can have four to six counselling sessions.
What do the students say?
“There is something for everyone at NTU, from gold standard academic experiences, high class facilities, to a great social and extracurricular life — you can see headline acts at the students’ union and other venues. The university opens a lot of doors to opportunities for your future career.”
Jess Walker, students’ union vice-president and BA business student
What about student accommodation at Nottingham Trent University?
All first-year undergraduates are guaranteed accommodation in university-owned or partner-owned residences; rooms are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Half of the ten residences serving the city campus are on site, with three a 15-minute walk away and the remaining two a 20-minute bus ride (free for residents).
How diverse and inclusive is Nottingham Trent University?
More than a third of students are from ethnic minorities and 15.7 per cent are from deprived areas (both in the top 50), but overall NTU sits outside the upper half of our social inclusion index, in 79th place. Efforts to widen participation include outreach work with local school pupils from Year 5 to 13. Some NTU students provide classroom support and one-to-one literacy coaching for pupils who receive free school meals.
Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at Nottingham Trent University
About a quarter of students received some financial assistance in 2024-25. Support includes a £750-a-year bursary and £170 opportunity bursary for students from households with incomes under £27,500, plus hardship fund payments and £1,000 bursaries for care leavers and students who are estranged from their families.
Music bursaries and sports scholarships are also offered.
