University of Nottingham

Visiting your child at the University of Nottingham means flying into East Midlands Airport (EMA); the city is about 40 minutes away by the Skylink bus. Plan the UK visitor visa well ahead.

Getting from EMA to campus

Visitor visa for parents

Indian parents need a UK Standard Visitor visa - one visa covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (there is no separate 'London visa'). It is applied for online and biometrics are given at a VFS Global centre in India. Most are 6-month visit visas; frequent visitors can choose 2-, 5- or 10-year multiple-entry visas. India has a high (around 82%) grant rate.

• One UK visa covers all four nations - no separate visa for London, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
• Apply about 3 months ahead, especially for graduation - slots book out and graduations are fixed dates.
• A complete file with strong home ties, clear funds and a clear purpose drives the high approval rate.
• Frequent visitors should consider the 2/5/10-year multiple-entry visa to avoid re-applying each trip.

Just admitted to the University of Nottingham? Here's your arrival checklist.

Arrival checklist

• Book your flight toward East Midlands (EMA) or a bigger hub early for the best September fares.
• Skylink bus from EMA to Nottingham (~40 min), then tram/bus to campus.
• Lenton is the student area - line up housing before arrival.
• Carry your CAS, passport, proof of funds and confirmation of your visa (eVisa share code) in your cabin bag.

Nottingham is an affordable Midlands student city - about GBP 950-1,350 a month all-in sharing and cooking. Two large universities, a compact centre, and NET trams plus NCT buses make it popular and easy to get around; East Midlands Airport is the nearest gateway.

Monthly cost of living in Nottingham (a student estimate)

That's roughly £11,000-15,500 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.

Finding accommodation

Nottingham students share in Lenton, Dunkirk and the city centre near the universities; rents are low.

• NET trams and NCT buses have student passes.
• Lenton puts you near the University of Nottingham.
• East Midlands Airport (EMA) is the nearest gateway; bigger hubs are a train away.

Working part-time

On a Student visa you can work up to 20 hours/week during term time (degree level) and full-time during official university vacations. The 20-hour cap is per week, not an average, counts all jobs combined, and you must be a payroll employee - no self-employment, freelancing or gig/delivery work. After graduating you can apply for the Graduate Route: unsponsored post-study work with no job-type or hour limits, currently 2 years (3 for PhD). Note: from 1 January 2027 the Graduate Route drops to 18 months for non-doctoral graduates, so 2026 graduates should apply by 31 December 2026 to get the full two years.

Safety & student support

the University of Nottingham's areas are generally safe by UK standards; use normal city awareness at night.

• the University of Nottingham has campus security and student-safety services - save the campus number.
• Main student areas are busy and well-populated.
• A compact student city; normal awareness in the centre at night.

Indian community & food

Nottingham has a steady South Asian community, with desi grocers across the city.

Indian grocery stores

• Indian/Asian grocers around Hyson Green and the city carry spices and staples.
• Mainstream Tesco, Asda and Aldi carry world-food aisles.
• Leicester's famous Golden Mile is ~40 min away by train for the widest selection.

Student community

• Nottingham's universities have active Indian/South Asian societies with Diwali and Holi events.
• The city has Hindu temples and a gurdwara.

• A good range of Indian restaurants across Nottingham.

Cost & living figures for Nottingham last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.