📍 East Midlands

Cost of Living in Nottingham
for International Students

Updated April 2026 · Based on real student spending data · Two strong universities, low costs, strong job market

Nottingham costs 45–55% less than London per month — excellent value with two strong universities. Most international students in Nottingham spend between £688 and £950 per month on rent, food, transport, and basic living costs.

Shared rent

£380–£620

Food / month

£150–£230

Transport

£60

Monthly total

£688–£950

Full Monthly Budget Breakdown

ExpenseRangeNote
Rent (shared room)£380–£620Most students share
Rent (studio/own flat)£580–£800Single occupancy
Food & groceries£150–£230Cooking most meals
Public transport£60Monthly pass
Utilities & internet£58Bills share + broadband
Entertainment / social£40–£100Occasional going out
Monthly Total£688–£950Shared room

💼 Can Part-Time Work Cover Your Costs?

Part-time earnings

£996

20hrs/wk @ £11.5/hr

Min living cost

£688

Survival mode

Monthly gap

+£308

Surplus

Working the legal maximum of 20 hours/week during term time at Nottingham's average wage of £11.5/hr earns approximately £996/month gross (before tax). This covers your minimum living costs with £308 to spare.

🎯 Nottingham Student Money Tips

  • 1

    Lenton and Dunkirk are the cheapest and most popular student areas

  • 2

    The Nottingham Express Transit (tram) is excellent for getting around

  • 3

    Nottingham has major employers including Boots (pharmacy HQ) and Capital One

  • 4

    Food at the Victoria Market and Sneinton Market is very affordable

  • 5

    The city centre has dozens of bars with student nights from £1–2 per drink

Free tool

Calculate Your Real Monthly Cost

Enter your course, city, and lifestyle. Get a personalised ROI simulation with worst, realistic, and best-case scenarios.

Your tuition

£15,000/yr

Living in Nottingham

£688–£950/mo

Part-time offset

~£996/mo

Calculate my real ROI →

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nottingham a good city for international students?+
Yes — Nottingham has two well-regarded universities, low living costs, and good job opportunities especially in retail, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals. The city is compact and easy to navigate.
What is the cheapest student area in Nottingham?+
Lenton is the most affordable student area, with shared rooms from £380/month. It's adjacent to the University of Nottingham campus and has shops, bars, and takeaways catering to students.

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