We welcome and encourage applications from academically able students of all backgrounds and with a range of experiences. While your formal academic achievements are very important to us, we also look at your broader achievements and your potential contribution to the student body.
The following sections will guide you through the application process. You should also read our entry requirements and policies sections before you fill in your application form.
Choosing your degree | Applying through UCAS | Completing your UCAS application |
Making your UCAS application stand out | Your personal statement | Your school reference |
Key deadlines and dates | What happens to your application? | Tracking your application |
Applying for medicine and veterinary medicine courses | Deferred entry | Local students | Mature applicants |
Part-time applicants
Choosing your degree
Some degree courses – like medicine, physiotherapy, architecture and pharmacy – are determined by your choice of career. These courses provide a significant part of the training needed for these professions.
If you have no clear career plans you may be reassured by the fact that more than a third of jobs for graduates are open to graduates of any discipline. Whatever you are studying, The University of Nottingham will help you develop:
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a critical approach to knowledge
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the capacity for independent study
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an awareness of research
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the skills and attributes to be successful in employment
As a result, University of Nottingham graduates are consistently among the most popular with employers, across all subjects. With this in mind, perhaps the best starting point is to choose a subject you are really interested in. This will help you to stay motivated throughout your course.
Our tips for choosing your degree
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Be realistic and think through all your options carefully
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Contact admissions tutors to talk through your options before you submit your UCAS application – they can offer invaluable help and advice
Applying through UCAS
If you’re applying for admission to a full-time first degree course (even if you already hold a first degree), you must apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Information about applying is available on the UCAS website, or from you school or college or local careers centre.
Completing your UCAS application
Please ensure that all sections of the UCAS application form are completed and that all the information (and in particular details of past and future qualifications) is correct. Failure to do so may result in delayed decisions or offers being rescinded.
Your UCAS application will ask you for a campus code. You will only need to complete this if your course is available at more than one campus (nursing, for example).
Making your UCAS application stand out
The following things will help you make your UCAS form stand out.
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Academic ability and potential as shown by GCSE and AS level results and predicted A level grades
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Strong reasons for choosing the course at Nottingham and motivation to study a particular discipline
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Related work or voluntary experience showing commitment to a chosen career (particularly important for courses with a vocational slant)
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Extracurricular activities, achievements and interests
Your personal statement
Your personal statement is your opportunity to make yourself stand out from the crowd. We want to know what interests you about your chosen course. Think about what it is about the subject which interests you – refer to topics you have already studied and also to your wider interests in the area. It is also worth reflecting on any reading that you have done on the subject, work experience and any extracurricular activities that you do.
If your personal statement is based on a different course to the one you are applying for we may ask you to send in an additional personal statement.
Further guidance on completing your personal statement can be found in the Entry Profiles on the UCAS website.
Your school reference
Your reference should be written by someone within your most recent educational institution. If you are studying on a one-year post A level course (such as a Foundation Year) your reference should be completed by this institution rather than the school/college in which you took your A levels.
If you are unable to provide a reference from your current institution, contact details should be provided so that they can be contacted regarding your current progress.
If you have been out of education for some time a reference from your work or relevant work experience may be acceptable. See also The role of the school reference.
Key deadlines and dates
Your application should reach UCAS between 1 September and 15 January (see below for different deadlines for medicine and veterinary medicine courses) for entry in the following September. When writing to the University about your application, always state your name and address (as given on your application form) your UCAS number and the code and name of the course for which you are applying.
The final deadline for home/EU and international applications is 30 June. However, EU and international students need to be aware that the application deadline for UK students is 15 January – therefore, due to the competitive nature of many courses, it is advisable for students to apply by 15 January for equal consideration.
Please note also that for many of our courses, we will not be able to accept any applications after 15 January. If you are applying after this date, please contact the Admissions Office or look on the UCAS website to see if the course is still available and whether your application will still be considered.
Once you have made your application through UCAS we will receive a copy of your application form, which will be sent to the Admissions Officer for consideration. Our decision will then be communicated to you by UCAS.
Other key dates
Please note that UCAS dates are subject to change. For the latest dates and more information about their role in the application, please see their website.
What happens to your application?
Once you have submitted your application to UCAS it can take up to 10 days for the University to receive it. Your application will first be processed by the administrators in the Admissions Office, which can take up to a week. If your fee status is unclear, we will contact you. Finally, your application is sent to the admissions tutor or officer who will either make a decision or invite you to an interview, depending on the course you are applying for. This stage can take up to two weeks during busy times.
Many of our courses receive significantly more applications than we have places available and in these cases, it may be that a decision won’t be made about your application until late February to ensure that all applications who applied before 15 January are treated fairly. If this applies to you, you will be informed once you have applied.
Tracking your application
The Applicants’ Portal shows you what stage your application is at. It is a personalised website made available to applicants when they apply to The University of Nottingham. You can use the portal to get information about your course, the University and the city of Nottingham as well as about the status of your application. Information is updated over the application cycle to keep you informed of any developments.
Applying for medicine and veterinary medicine courses
If you are applying for a medicine or veterinary medicine and science course, your application should reach UCAS by the earlier date of 15 October. You are advised to enter four choices for medicine or veterinary medicine and science courses on your UCAS application. The final choice may be used for an application to another degree course or left blank. You should be aware that if you make more than four choices for medicine or veterinary medicine and science courses you will be contacted by UCAS to withdraw a selection, which will delay your application.
Deferred entry
The University is normally happy to accept applications more than 12 months before the date of admission if there are good reasons – for example, if you will be gaining relevant work experience, spending time abroad to improve your languages, or need to obtain a university place before being considered for industrial sponsorship.
Local students
The University welcomes applications from students who live locally and actively fosters close links with nearby schools and colleges to encourage more candidates to apply. You can find out more here.
Mature applicants
The University’s School of Education offers a range of courses which are delivered flexibly and designed to suit busy people from all walks of life. See also Entry requirements.
Part-time applicants
For the majority of courses, potential part-time students will need to complete an application form and submit it to the Admissions Office along with any transcripts, certificates or references required.
Admissions staff will assess your application and some may wish to interview you. The University will notify you of the outcome of your application.
Download the application form.