The University of Nottingham is a Russell Group university known for its beautiful University Park campus, its strength in subjects such as economics, engineering, pharmacy and the sciences, and its international outlook, with campuses in Malaysia and China as well as the UK. It’s popular with international students and has a strong reputation with employers.
For most Nottingham courses starting in September 2027, the UCAS deadline is 13 January 2027. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on Nottingham’s own guidance. If you’re applying for a master’s or PhD instead, see the section near the end.
1. Choose your course and campus
Nottingham’s course pages give the typical offer, the IB requirement and fees for 2027 entry. Make sure you’re looking at the right campus: UK courses are mostly at University Park and nearby campuses, while the Malaysia and China campuses have their own courses and fees.
2. Meet the typical offer
For example, for 2027 entry, Economics BSc asks for A*AA, or 36 points in the IB, with alternative offers for students taking Mathematics. Economics and Econometrics BSc asks for AAA, and requires A level Mathematics. Nottingham Economics BSc.
3. Use an extra qualification to lower your offer
Nottingham’s Additional Qualifications Offer Reduction Scheme can lower your offer by one grade if you achieve an A in an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), Core Maths, an additional AS level or the IB Extended Essay (grade B in the Extended Essay is also accepted). Check whether your course takes part in the scheme.
4. Write a strong personal statement
Your UCAS personal statement now has three questions: why you want to study the course, how your studies have prepared you, and what else you’ve done to prepare outside education. You have 4,000 characters in total, with at least 350 for each answer. Nottingham’s admissions teams want to see that you understand the course and are excited about it, so mention specific topics you’d like to study. Write about what you’ve read, explored or made, and what you think about it, rather than listing achievements. See our 50 sample SOPs for ideas on structure, but keep your own voice.
5. Check for tests and interviews
Most Nottingham courses don’t use admissions tests, but medicine, veterinary medicine and some health courses have extra selection steps, such as admissions tests and interviews. If you’re hoping to study medicine or dentistry, note that the UCAS deadline for 2027 entry was 15 October 2026, and you’d also have needed to sit the UCAT, so you’d now be planning for 2028 entry.
6. Get a strong reference
Your teacher’s reference helps Nottingham understand your achievements in context. It should give your predicted grades and describe your strengths in the subject you’re applying for. Ask early, especially if your school isn’t used to UCAS applications, and give your referee plenty of time before the January deadline.
7. Apply by 13 January 2027
Submit your UCAS application by 6pm UK time on 13 January 2027, the equal consideration deadline for most Nottingham courses starting in September 2027. You don’t get an advantage from applying early, but leave time for your school to add its reference before the deadline.
8. Meet the English requirement
Many Nottingham courses, including Economics BSc, ask for IELTS 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any part. Nottingham also accepts other qualifications, such as TOEFL iBT and Pearson PTE, and if you complete its presessional English course to the required level, you won’t need to retake IELTS. Practise with our free IELTS, TOEFL and PTE practice tests.
9. Plan your budget
For 2027 entry, Economics BSc costs £27,600 a year for international students, compared with £10,050 for home students. Nottingham is also more affordable to live in than many other UK cities. Check Nottingham’s international scholarships before you apply.
10. Get ready for your Student visa
Most students from outside the UK and Ireland need a Student visa. You can apply once you have a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from Nottingham, which it issues after you’ve accepted your offer and met the conditions. You’ll need to show you have enough money for your fees and living costs. After you graduate, the Graduate Route usually lets you work in the UK, but it’s due to be shortened from two years to 18 months for applications made from 1 January 2027. Check GOV.UK for the current rules.
Applying for a master’s or PhD at Nottingham?
Nottingham offers many one-year master’s degrees and PhDs, including programmes at Nottingham University Business School and in engineering, computer science and pharmacy. You apply directly to the university, not through UCAS. Most programmes ask for a good first degree (often a UK upper second-class degree or the equivalent), a personal statement, references and, for international applicants, an English test. See our 50 sample SOPs, free GRE and GMAT practice tests, and our guide to the best AI master’s degrees in the UK.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
Nottingham turns down many strong applicants every year, because there are more excellent students than places. Use your five UCAS choices wisely: apply to Nottingham if it’s right for you, and include universities where your chances are good. Read our guides to other Russell Group universities, including Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield and Warwick. Our guide to studying in the UK explains how UK universities work, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from the University of Nottingham’s official course pages, and checked in October 2026. Entry requirements, deadlines, tests, fees and visa rules can change, so always confirm the details on Nottingham’s undergraduate website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with the University of Nottingham.