Why this is the place
World-class education
At the University of Nottingham, we're not just a place of learning; we're a powerhouse for change.
An award-winning university with an international outlook, the University of Nottingham is ranked among the top 20 in the UK and is 108th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025). A member of the prestigious Russell Group of world-class, research-intensive universities, we deliver teaching excellence and prepare our graduates for the world they will inherit and enable them to make an impact.
With a commitment to ground-breaking research and an unparalleled student experience, we're shaping the future on a global scale. Our graduates are not only talented but trailblazers in their fields.
Top 5 UK university for student life
(UniCompare 2025)
7th in the UK for research power
(Research Excellence Framework 2021)
Top 20 university in the UK
(QS World University Rankings 2025)
Nottingham University Business School rises in global ranking
We’re delighted that our MSc International Business is now ranked 16th in the world in the QS International Trade Rankings 2025.
This global recognition highlights our top-tier teaching, real-world industry connections and innovative approach to business education.
Discover our leading Business School
Top 40 in the world for sustainability
We are delighted to be top 15 in the UK and top 40 globally in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025 - placing 13 in the UK out of 98 institutions, and 36 out of 1,744 universities worldwide.
These rankings highlight the ways in which universities are taking action to tackle the world’s greatest environmental, social and governance challenges. We are proud to be recognised for our unwavering commitment to sustainability, both as a centre of education and research, and as a major employer tackling the operational sustainability challenges of a large organisation.
These rankings also highlight the tangible impact our alumni are making to solve climate issues, as well as how our research is advancing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Read more about our commitment to the SDGs
Careers and employability
We’re the third most targeted university by top employers (The Graduate Market, High Fliers 2024), and have been Top 10 since 2013. Our students rate us the 7th best university in the UK for work experience (Rate my Placement, Best Universities for Work Experience, 2025).
Boost your career potential
World-class sport & fitness
We have been crowned Sports University of the Year three times in the last seven years, most recently in 2024 (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide). We are also proud to be the Top UK University for Team Sport (British Universities and Colleges Sport - BUCS).
Be part of the team
Academic achievement
Nottingham University Business School has solidified its reputation as a global education leader earning top rankings in finance, international trade, and other key disciplines.
Discover our business excellence
Welcome to Nottingham
A thriving city with a legendary past, we're proud to call one of the best student cities in the UK our home (51st in the world and 9th of the UK cities featured, QS Best Student Cities 2025).
A great place to live
Educational excellence and student experience (click on the plus button to discover more)
A top 20 UK university
Join the University of Nottingham and be taught by academics who are leaders in their field, while enjoying a student experience that’s rated among the very best in the country.
Why students choose us
Rankings Results
| | UK rankings | World ranking (if available) |
|---|
|
QS Sustainability Rankings 2025
|
13
|
36
|
|
QS World University Rankings 2025
|
18
|
108
|
|
QS World University Rankings: Europe 2025
|
15
|
24
|
|
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
|
16
|
136
|
| Shanghai Ranking Academic Ranking of World Universities 2022 |
9 -16 |
101-150 |
UniCompare - Best Universities for Student Life 2025
|
5 |
N/A |
UniCompare - Best Universities 2025
|
7 |
N/A |
The StudentCrowd Best UK Universities 2025
|
13 |
N/A |
|
The Daily Mail University Guide 2024
|
32
|
NA
|
|
The Complete University Guide 2025
|
30
|
NA
|
|
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
|
30
|
NA
|
|
The Guardian University Guide 2024
|
62 |
N/A |
| The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024 |
NA |
101 - 200 |
|
Financial Times Masters in Finance 2024
|
10
|
24
|
| QS International Trade Rankings 2025 |
6 |
16 |
Research and innovation (click on the plus button to discover more)
Pioneering research
In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) – the UK's official assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions – we have been placed 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education (THE).
100% of our research is recognised internationally, and 90% is classed as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent', according to THE's analysis.
Discover our world-changing research
Birthplace of MRI
In 2003, our leading academic Sir Peter Mansfield was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Paul Lauterbur 'for their discoveries concerning magnetic resonance imaging' (MRI). Today, it is estimated that an MRI scan takes place every 3 seconds, improving outcomes for millions around the world.
We are continuing to push the boundaries of MRI and have recently been awarded £29.1 million to establish the UK’s most powerful Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner as a national facility. This scanner will give researchers and doctors unprecedented insights into brain function and the mechanisms of human disease.
Learn more about the history of MRI
Supporting spin-out companies
Nottingham Technology Ventures has helped to support a wide range of businesses get off the ground and supported their development. As of June 2024, we have 35 active spin-out companies - technological innovations developed from our research.
Bringing business and research together
Environmental and social stewardship & SDGs (click on the plus button to discover more)
At the University of Nottingham, we take sustainability seriously.
We actively address the complex challenges facing our planet and are committed to making significant contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We’re proud to be recognised among the world’s top higher education institutions for our efforts, ranking in the Top 200 in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024. These global rankings evaluate more than 2,000 universities from 125 countries based on their performance against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which set out a blueprint for creating a more sustainable future.
Our world-leading research places us within the world’s Top 100 for a number of individual SDG goals:
While there is still a long road ahead, these results show our unwavering dedication to the SDGs and our commitment to creating a better future for all through pioneering research and education.
This is the place making the sustainable obtainable.
Find out more about our commitment to the goals