"You don't have to spend a lot of money to have a good time..."

"You don't have to spend a lot of money to have a good time at Nottingham. Often we'd just go to the hall bar... On my first night in Nottingham, we played games organised by the Junior Common Room. I met lots of people..."
Lilith Donovan, 2009

Students' Union

The University of Nottingham Students' Union is the hub of student social life.  In addition to the many events and activities they organise for students ─ including societies, sports clubs, and student-run services ─ they provide a number of opportunities for students to socialise both on and off campus. These include bars, club nights and comedy nights.  They even run their own cinema and theatre group, New Theatre. 

Students' Union Box Office

The Students' Union Box Office should be your first port of call when planning an evening out with friends.  You'll find a broad selection of events on sale, including Students' Union organised events ─ such as club nights at various venues in the city, comedy, live music, speed dating ─ and tickets to the hottest shows in town at Nottingham Playhouse and the Royal Centre.

University facilities

Mooch

Situated in the Portland Building on University Park, Mooch is the Students' Union bar with bags of style, delicious food and heaps of special offers to make student life more palatable.

Lakeside Arts Centre

The University of Nottingham has its very own Arts Centre, Lakeside, on University Park Campus.  Lakeside is open to the public and has a year-round wide-ranging programme, including: theatre, comedy, dance, exhibitions, music and workshops for children and families. 

Lakeside is also home to two great places to meet for drink or a bite to eat:

• Cafe L
• Aqua

Further information about Cafe L and Aqua.

Halls of residence

Bars

The halls of residence at the University are a hub of social activity.  Each University owned hall has its own bar for students to relax and enjoy, four of which are Mix bars which also serve a delicious range of freshly cooked food. 

Third party student halls also all have bars, except St Peter's Court where you can meet people and keep fit in the on site gym instead! 

Junior Common Rooms

All halls have Junior Common Rooms (JCRs) where students gather to meet and socialise.  Each hall also has a JCR Committee and President who organise regular social events.

There are also other social facilities in some of the halls such as games rooms, pool tables, table tennis and tennis courts.

To find out more about hall facilities view the interactive accommodation map.

Postgraduate Students Association

 “It's the PGSA's job to help you enjoy your time here. We have a packed diary of Big Days and Nights Out ─ pub quizzes, salsa and mambo classes, bowling, club nights, the Summer Ball ─ Coffee, Cake and Catch Up socials, as well as a busy sporting schedule.”
Rebecca Lockhart, Postgraduate Officer 2009/2010

The Postgraduate Students Association (PGSA), on behalf of the Students' Union, runs regular social events and organises sports teams, days out and one off events and taster sessions.  

The PGSA is the perfect opportunity to meet new people, socialise with your peers and try new activities.

Mature students and international students

Mature and international students can enjoyed activities and events organised specifically for them through the:

• Mature Students Network
• International Students' Bureau. 

Further information on activities and events for students and life in the city of Nottingham, including nights out, culture, and shopping and dining