University of Nottingham

We arrived in Nottingham England UK late in the afternoon on July 2 with a lovely visit to the University of Nottingham campus on Friday, July 3.

The University of Nottingham is located in the midlands of England with a student population of 37,500 students. The three UK campuses are University Park (main campus located upon on a hill with 300 acres of trees, vegetation, and flowers), Jubilee (education, computer science, business), and Sutton Bonington (biosciences, veterinary medicine, dairy farm). They have international campuses in China and Malaysia.

There are over 150 countries represented on campus with a total of 10,000 international students. There are approximately 8,000 postgraduate students.

Our visit began with coffee at the Portland Café, preparing us for the full morning agenda. It was truly a walking information session – so it was difficult to capture all of the key points as we moved quickly – please be sure to visit their website for details (link opens a new window).

Trent Building at the University of Nottingham viewed from a low angle, featuring its tall stone clock tower rising against a partly cloudy blue sky. White stone walls and large windows frame the historic building, while flowering shrubs and greenery fill the foreground.

The Grade II listed Trent Building at the University of Nottingham

We visited the Trent Building, which is an academic building on campus, and had a scenic view of the lake below. We discovered more about Sir Jesse and Florence Boot, the founders of Boots pharmacy chain headquartered in London, and their impact on the development of the University of Nottingham through land and funding donations and collaborations.

There was a lovely space in the Trent Building that housed commencement ceremonies when the University first opened, and our hosts highlighted that through the University’s student population growth the ceremony is now held in the large sports facility.

Our next stop was the Portland Building—the student union, where extensive resources are provided for undergraduate and graduate students. We then walked over to the University Park campus library, and it was noted that several departments have special libraries.

NAFAns participate in a walking tour of the University of Nottingham. Participants are gathered on a tree-lined campus path overlooking an open grassy field.

NAFAns on their walking tour of the University of Nottingham campus

At the edge of the trees we found an open green space that led to housing accommodations and sport facilities. It was an extensive trek for participants to visit both of those locations to see first-hand an example of residence living and recreational opportunities. We observed how ‘sports’ are an important part of the community for recreation and competition.

The final stop on our tour was the Sir Clive Granger Building, where our hosts shared more about post-graduate study, admission, and sport. A student panel shared their post-graduate experiences with reflection on their application processes, funding, academics and student experience, housing, sport, and future plans. They emphasized the inclusivity of the campus connecting both undergraduate and graduate students through societies and sport.

Front entrance of Nottingham Contemporary, a modern art gallery with a striking façade of textured pale-green panels and vertical metal ribs.

Nottingham Contemporary, site of our final event with the Fulbright UK team

This day marked the end of our NAFA UK Study Tour with the Fulbright UK team. They hosted an early evening reception at Nottingham Contemporary with University Partnership School guests and members of the Fulbright UK team. We are incredibly grateful for their support, planning, coordination, and leading of the study tour!

Respectfully submitted by,
Ann Landstrom (she/her)
Assistant Dean and Director of Fellowships and Awards
Center for Careers, Life, and Service
Grinnell College