Nottingham Trent University (NTU)

• Location: Nottingham, London and the Suburbs, England,
• Year of foundation: 1843,
• Number of students: about 35,000,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of study: mixed

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is a public research university with many awards and the highest titles in the fields of teaching, student life, quality of academic programs, and student support. The institution is the sixth largest university in the UK, located in Nottingham, its suburbs, and London.

The beginning of NTU's history is 1843, when several educational institutions joined together to create a new and stronger branch of education. Over the decades, NTU has gone through many innovations and changes, thanks to which it is currently leading in national and international rankings. More than 35,000 students study on NTU campuses, and quite a large part of them are international students from all over the world. Every year, the university admits hundreds of new students, providing them with comprehensive support in both academic and extracurricular development. Staff do not forget about graduates either — former students receive career support, thanks to which they quickly find a job in their specialty and develop career opportunities.

Higher education programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels are taught at NTU; international students have the opportunity to take British preparatory courses before direct admission, improve their English proficiency in thematic short-term courses, or take advantage of language support during their studies. NTU has several specialized academic schools, which provide studying in various specialties.: from agricultural sciences, architecture and art to law, sciences and technology. Thanks to the qualified teaching staff, students receive an excellent knowledge base and professional skills, opening up wide opportunities for career development.

Kevin McDonnell

Specialist in International Students of the University of Sussex

What challenges might international students face at UK universities?

The usual challenges of adapting to a new country, culture, and teaching style are common. Homesickness and language barriers can also be issues.

However, UK universities strive to support international students. 

NTU students can take part in a wide range of international opportunities, such as studying abroad at more than 300 partner institutions around the world. The duration of the program ranges from one week to a whole year. Students are offered several types of such training:

• Educational exchange with students of the partner university,
• Short-term opportunities – internships, internships at the partner organization,
• Obtaining postgraduate education abroad,
• Virtual exchange with online training,
• Summer scholarships, thanks to which studying abroad will be more economical.

NTU is home to several major academic schools:

• Animal, Agricultural, Environmental Sciences,
• Architecture, design, built environment,
• Arts, Humanities,
• Business
• Jurisprudence
• Art, design,
• Science, technology,
• Social Sciences.

They undergo specialized training and research activities.

In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) report, 86% of NTU's research results were rated as world-leading or internationally excellent. Research work is carried out by researchers, teachers, students in cooperation with an extensive network of partners – national and international organizations.

Research topics touch on some of the most pressing issues that society faces in life. They are included in three broad areas:

• Digital technologies, creativity,
• Innovations in the field of healthcare,
• Safety, stability.

Each academic school that is part of the university has its own research centers that conduct research in narrower areas.

All NTU students, whether they are freshmen or returning students, are guaranteed support in finding a place to stay. The university offers a wide range of residences, apartments, and private houses — each student will choose accommodation according to their criteria. Thanks to cooperation with third—party housing providers, the choice has become more extensive - in total, students will be able to choose a place to stay from more than 49 options located on or near campuses. All residences have modern renovation, offering single or multi-bed spaces with private or shared kitchens, bathrooms. Each room is fully furnished, has a wired Internet connection, access to high-speed Wi-Fi.

Additional services are also available in residential buildings: gyms, laundries, self-study classes, and many others. Small groups of staff live in residential buildings, providing support as needed: they keep order, help with academic and housing issues, provide contacts with government services — everything that will make living in residences comfortable and safe.

There are cafeterias and dining halls on each academic territory, which provide a wide range of dishes and drinks for every taste. Many institutions offer discounts for students on seasonal dishes and special culinary specialties, such as vegan or vegetarian.

NTU is famous for supporting the talents and interests of its students, thanks to which it regularly occupies positions into national and international rankings. More than 130 thematic communities, about 50 sports clubs and other areas focused on the development of individual qualities of students have been created on campuses. Thematic societies are groups of students who share common interests and meet regularly for various inclusive activities and classes. From fashion to faith, from nature conservation to gardening, it's a great way to meet like—minded people, socialize, and share new experiences.

Societies are divided into areas:

• Academic, professional,
• Common interests,
• Culture, religion,
• Media, creativity,
• Politics, charity.

Sports is one of the largest extracurricular activities at NTU. Students have the opportunity to develop their abilities in individual or group sports, participate in school, city, national competitions at the amateur or professional level.

Some of the available sports sections are:

• American football,
• Archery,
• Athletics,
• Basketball,
• Badminton,
• Rock climbing, mountaineering,
• Cricket,
• Cheerleading,
• Brazilian Jiu-jitsu,
• Football,
• Golf,
• Equestrian sports,
• Dancing,
• Hockey,
• Surfing, wakeboarding.

Sports grounds, halls, and outdoor areas have been prepared for each direction. The sections are taught by qualified teachers, athletes who have many personal merits and achievements.

NTU works with charities across Nottingham, Nottinghamshire to address issues that affect the local community. Students and staff can take part in various actions, organize local events, or help on their own in places where help is needed. Volunteering is organized in the following areas:

• Adult education,
• Propaganda,
• Animals, wildlife,
• Art, culture,
• Friendship, well-being,
• Children, youth,
• Fundraising,
• Courts, justice system,
• Literacy, language,
• Mentoring, tutoring,
• Elderly people,
• Refugees, asylum seekers,
• Psychological health,
• Loneliness, isolation, inheritance, and others.

Volunteering can be a great way to develop professional skills in your chosen academic specialty, gain new experience, or just do a good deed.

• The institution has received the title of "University of the Year" five times in six years.
• Some of the latest awards in this category were "Modern University of the Year" according to the Good University Guide 2023,
• "University of the Year according to students" in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023,
• No. 1 in the UK in terms of employment — Uni Compare 2024,
• The eighth best university in the UK in sports in the BUCS 2023 ranking,
• No. 2 in the list of the most sustainable universities in the world — UI GreenMetric 2023,
• Gold Medal for teaching in the framework of the TEF 2023 Quality Assessment,
• A wide network of cooperation with national and international companies for scientific research, internships and knowledge exchange,
• Guaranteed student placement,
• The opportunity to study abroad,
• Individual support from staff, teachers,
• More than 130 themed societies, 50 sports clubs,
• Six studying areas with modern equipment.

NTU has six academic territories, most of which are located in and around Nottingham, while others are located in London.

City Campus is the main campus located in the heart of Nottingham. Six academic schools, an innovative public art gallery, an open workspace for local businesses, and a Student Union are based here. The Market Square and the main Victoria Centre shopping mall are less than five minutes away. Prepared for studying, self-development, and recreation on the territory:

• Studying classrooms,
• A large social space for relaxation and socializing. There is a large dining room and several cafes.,
• Specialized science laboratories,
• Design and digital technology studios,
• An in-camera visual effects studio equipped with a large green screen with a 90° viewing angle, the latest standard lighting and camera systems, as well as software, which gives students access to workflows, practices in the field of visual effects, virtual production,
• The Black box studio is a large studio equipped with motion capture equipment. Modern technologies are available to students, including Xsens Suits, Rokoko Suits, Faceware, Exhibition areas, Sound Studio, Digital Printing Center.

The Clifton Learning Area is a vibrant student village with academic classrooms, labs, and studios just a step away from each other. Prepared here:

• A library with a reading room and conference rooms equipped for both individual and group work,
• An interdisciplinary research center that conducts research in the fields of computer science, biology, sports sciences, chemistry,
• Student Union halls, including recreation areas with large screens for watching movies, board games, and classrooms for discussion,
• The Trent Astronomical Observatory is a modern space for stargazing and space exploration. Students can use the unique 20-inch Newtonian telescope, the 14-inch Meade LX200 telescope, and other equipment for research and scientific work.,
• The Performance Analysis Laboratory is designed to analyze movement and improve performance among professional athletes.,
• The multi-purpose sports complex Clifton Sports Hub, which includes two huge gyms, a 65-station gym with modern fitness equipment, and dance studios,
• Three squash courts,
• Lighted fields with artificial turf, grass,
• 3G coverage for football, hockey,
• Sports Science Laboratory,
• Sports Therapy Clinic,
• Nutrition Center, which provides recommendations and nutrition tips for athletes,
• Indoor tennis center.

Brackenhurst is an educational area, which is a large green space, buildings for training, and an operating farm. Students who have chosen specializations in agriculture, veterinary medicine and related fields are studied here. The academic process takes place in classrooms, a veterinary center, an animal department, food laboratories, and many other specialized facilities.

Confetti in Nottingham is a nationwide hub for digital, artistic, and creative talent. The spectacular five-story building is the heart of the campus, home to more than 2,000 students studying creative technologies, and includes professional studios, laboratories, motion capture equipment, classrooms, and computer rooms with Macs. The building hosts exhibitions, individual and group classes in such specialties as:

• Cinema,
• Television,
• Music business,
• Efficiency,
• Technology, production,
• Event Management,
• Esports,
• Video game design.

The Confetti Campus in London is NTU's new campus located in the historic Whitechapel district, the epicenter of London's performing arts, production, and creative technology scene. Specialized studios, classrooms, a multifunctional venue for live events with a capacity of 600 people and other facilities have been prepared for academic classes in the buildings.

Mansfield Hub is a specialized higher education center offering courses in the city of Mansfield, approximately 14 miles north of the center of Nottingham. It has prepared:

• Lecture hall with 100 seats,
• Laboratory of physiology with modern equipment for analysis,
• A psychological laboratory with a dark room, a large digital screen, and eye motion capture systems,
• A rooftop garden designed for relaxing and snacking in your free time.

The dates of studying may vary depending on the level of education, the chosen course. The campuses are open all year round, but academic activity is conducted in semesters - from August-September to June-July. Classes are held on weekdays, rest is provided on weekends, days of national and international holidays, vacations. Between semesters, students will have test weeks, and at the end of the year, final or intermediate exams in subjects.

The list of additional costs will include:

• Registration fees,
• Accommodation, meals,
• Some extracurricular activities,
• Study abroad,
• Individual academic support,
• Educational materials for personal use,
• Property insurance,
• Personal expenses.

The admission process is available in a completely remote format - applicants fill out a detailed questionnaire, attach the required documents to it, and wait for a response from the admissions committee. In the future, they will have an interview, possible entrance tests, and then receive visa documents, arrive at campus, and start classes. At each stage of admission, candidates are supported by employees, who answer all questions that arise.

NTU ranks first in terms of graduate employability. With specialized career coaching, a strong emphasis on professional development, staff support students from their first days on campus to three years after graduation. Basically, graduates are employed or continue their studies for 12 months, but if difficulties arise, the university will help you find a job and offer a paid internship.

Applicants coming from abroad should check the admission criteria from their home country. The main requirements for foreign candidates will be:

• Full package of personal documents: passport, medical insurance, visa or residence permit,
• A certificate or diploma from a previous place of study, assessment reports, exam results,
• Personal resume, portfolio as needed,
• Language test results: IELTS (from 6.0), TOEFL iBT (from 74), PTE Academic (from 59) or equivalent.

Each specialization has its own criteria for admission of new students, for example, the presence of a creative portfolio, high scores in specialized subjects or individual achievements in sports.

Dozens of scholarship and financial support programs are available to all NTU students, which cover part of the tuition fees and other expenses. Some of the scholarships are:

• Scholarships for outstanding achievements provide a 25% or 50% discount on the annual cost of the program. They are awarded to undergraduate and graduate students who can demonstrate excellent academic performance and the potential to contribute to the university community.,
• International scholarships amount to up to 3,000 pounds and are awarded on a competitive basis to students who demonstrate a strong commitment to their studies.,
• The amount of regional, subject-based scholarships ranges from £4,000 to 50% of the tuition fee,
• Music scholarships are awarded to particularly talented students who have devoted many hours to music and performing arts,
• Sports scholarships are awards for students of individual and team sports who have achieved excellent results in competitions.

Students also have access to financial support based on special social criteria.: having many children, low income, refugee status, or others. Some students who have the necessary documents can take advantage of government assistance programs: grants, loans.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision