Nottingham Student Living Costs in 2025: Rent, Food & Budget Guide

Nottingham is quite possibly one of the most vibrant and student-friendly cities in the UK, with two world-class institutions—The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University. Students from all over the world prefer Nottingham every year for its vibrant student life and before you set foot in this city, having a clear idea about the cost of living in Nottingham is wise.

Understanding your costs beforehand is one of the most significant features of intelligent financial planning, enabling you to budget sensibly, avoid unnecessary stress, and make informed decisions. Students need to think about booking Nottingham student accommodation within their budget to reduce overspending. While the city is comparatively less expensive than London or Edinburgh, the costs can add up if you are not careful.

Nottingham Living Expenses: A Realistic Monthly Snapshot

Understanding average costs is the first step toward managing your budget, and here’s a breakdown of typical student spending:

Nottingham Student Accommodation Costs and Options

University Halls of Residence

First-year students often choose university-managed halls as they provide ease as well as community integration. Both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University offer a variety of options on campus or in prime locations nearby.

The average cost for these types of accommodation is around £99–£290 per week (including bills, internet, and some meals).

• The average cost for these types of halls is around £99–£290 per week (including bills, internet, and some meals).
• There are multiple facilities available here that usually include study spaces, gyms, and common rooms.
• They have both catered as well as self-catered options available.

Private Student Accommodation in Nottingham

Private accommodation is a favourite among returning students and international students who want a little more freedom and flexibility in their living situation. If you're looking for trusted options, Best Student Halls is an excellent platform you can check out. It provides a vast range of trusted and highly rated student housing throughout Nottingham – be it a contemporary studio, a shared flat, or an en-suite room near your university. You can check our guide to find the Best Student Accommodation in Nottingham for better insights.

Below are some of the top-rated private student halls in Nottingham:

These properties include utilities, internet, and even access to an on-site gym. For a curated list, check out our Top Affordable Student Accommodation in Nottingham to get a better look at a variety of high-end properties.

Utilities and Internet: Budgeting for Basic Services

Living in private flats means that the utilities and internet may not be included in the rent, and therefore, you can expect the following:

• Electricity, Heating, Water: £40–£60/month (depending on usage and number of housemates)
• Broadband Internet: £25–£35/month (Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk)
• Mobile Phone Plan: £10–£20/month (GiffGaff, Voxi, EE with student deals)

Most purpose-built student accommodations include these in the rent, so confirm with the respective provider. You can use a smart meter or split bills with apps like Splitwise or Glide to avoid conflicts and extra costs among the residents. Investing in an eSIM card is also a great way to stay connected while studying in the UK. 

Food and Grocery Costs in Nottingham

The cost of food and groceries can be pretty affordable for students with a bit of prior planning in terms of right spending.

• Average Monthly Grocery Spend: £144–£220
• Budget Supermarkets: Aldi, Lidl, and ASDA (provide cheap bulk items)
• Mid-range Options: Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s
• Speciality/International Stores: Found around Hyson Green and Beeston

Eating out in Nottingham is also budget-friendly compared to other cities because here you can find many cafes and restaurants that offer student discounts. You can also use apps like Too Good To Go to help reduce food waste and cost. One of the best options considered by international students is cooking in groups or meal prep. This method can help reduce individual expenses. University halls are considered an affordable alternative as they offer partial catering to you, which in turn minimises food expense.

Transportation in Nottingham: Getting Around

Nottingham boasts a well-connected public transport system that is affordable and convenient for students.

• Bus travel costs ~£299 for an academic year with the Nottingham City Transport Student Pass.
• Robin Hood Travel Card offers integrated access to buses and trams with a pay-as-you-go model.
• Cycling is popular and supported by the city, which offers good cycling lanes and the Nottingham Bikeshare Scheme.
• Nottingham’s Tram network (NET) is a fast and eco-friendly way to travel across the city. There are student discounts available, which means this is one of the reliable alternatives to road travel, especially during peak hours.
• The University of Nottingham also provides free university hopper buses connecting different campuses and key student areas.

Walking is convenient too, as several student accommodation in Nottingham are located 20 minutes from campus. For students attending the Nottingham Trent University city campus, areas like Lenton and The Arboretum are at a walkable distance.

Leisure, Social Life, and Entertainment

Student life in Nottingham is as fun as it is affordable.

• You can get cinema tickets for £4.99–£8.90 with a student discount.
• The Student Bars and clubs charge an entry fee, ranging between £3-£10, and they are located in popular areas like Lace Market, Hockley, and others.
• Gym Memberships start from £9.99/month with some of the popular places including The Gym Group, PureGym, or university facilities.

There are plenty of things to do in Nottingham that offer exciting new experiences for students.

Keep in mind that discount cards are worth investing in, and you can get the following:

• The TOTUM Card is an Official NUS card with discounts at Amazon, ASOS, and Boots.
• The UNiDAYS App gives you free access to student discounts at hundreds of retailers in the city.

Academic Expenses and Study Materials

Depending on your course, academic costs can include the following:

• Books and Stationery: £20–£50 per term
• Printing/Binding: £0.05–£0.10 per page
• Software Licenses: Many universities offer free access to Microsoft 365, MATLAB, & Adobe.

You can use the university library for textbooks or the best alternative is to buy second-hand books from student forums or campus shops. Nottingham Trent and the University of Nottingham both offer book bursaries for eligible students.

Budgeting Tips and Part-Time Work Opportunities

To manage Nottingham living expenses, budgeting is a crucial step to consider. Here’s how you can manage it:

• You can try Budget Apps like Emma, Mint, or Monzo’s student features.
• You need to set weekly limits that should be allocated for food, leisure, & most importantly, emergencies.
• You should track hidden costs, which include an account for late-night Ubers, takeaway coffees, etc.

Students in Nottingham can legally work up to 20 hours/week during their study term and as full-time employees during vacations.

• Some common student jobs which can be easy to acquire as students are in retail, tutoring, hospitality, and university assistant roles.
• The average hourly wage for these ranges between £8.60–£11, but it is solely dependent on age and job type.

You can check university job portals and local listings regularly to find a job as soon as possible. Working not only supports your budget but also helps build experience and social connections as well.

Financial Support, Bursaries, and Scholarships

Both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University offer the following:

• Merit-based and Need-based Bursaries
• Hardship Funds for emergencies
• International Student Scholarships (ranging between £1,000–£5,000/year)
• Financial Guidance Services with one-on-one sessions

Plan Smart and Live Well in Nottingham

Being a Nottingham student allows you to enjoy the perfect blend of value, cultural diversity, and academic excellence. With knowledge of the cost of living in Nottingham, students can plan accordingly and enjoy everything that the city offers, from vibrant nightlife to lush green parks. You can also use our Cost of Living Calculator to gain a better idea of your monthly expenditure to make better budgeting and spending decisions during your stay in the city.

Be sure to check our related Nottingham Student Housing Guide 2025 for deeper insights into the city and navigating student life with ease. Just keep in mind that a little planning goes a long way in making your student experience stress-free, memorable and pocket-friendly.

If you need help finding a comfortable place to stay that fits your budget? Best Student Halls offers a wide range of Nottingham student accommodation options, from en-suite rooms to fully-furnished studios that are situated close to campuses and city hotspots. Go book early to grab the best deals and live your best student life in Nottingham!