Studying in the East Midlands
Looking at courses in the East Midlands? Our guide unpacks what you need to know about the region and how current students are finding their experience.
CONTENTS
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About the East Midlands
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Places in the East Midlands
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Universities in the East Midlands
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Getting around the East Midlands
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Things to do in the East Midlands
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What students say about the East Midlands
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About the East Midlands
What happens when you blend charming towns with sprawling countrysides, diverse city landscapes with vibrant cultures, and fascinating history? We present: the East Midlands.
The region that invented crisps is well-loved by students. The variety of different lifestyles it offers means that students across the UK and abroad can easily find a home in the East Midlands.
Places in the East Midlands
The East Midlands is made up of six counties, which are:
- Derbyshire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Northamptonshire
- Nottinghamshire
- Rutland
The main cities and towns to take note of include:
- Derby
- Leicester
- Lincoln
- Northampton
- Nottingham
Each of these five places have universities. Some also have further education colleges.
- READ MORE
- Studying in Nottingham
Universities in the East Midlands
You’ll have a range of world-class institutions to choose from if you’re keen on studying in the East Midlands. These are:
- Bishop Grosseteste University
- De Montfort University
- Loughborough University
- Nottingham Trent University
- University of Derby
- University of Leicester
- University of Lincoln
- University of Northampton
- University of Nottingham
You’ll also find the following further education colleges:
- Leicester College
- Loughborough College
- Moulton College
- Nottingham College
- The Institute for Children, Youth and Mission
Getting around the East Midlands
Most cities and towns in the East Midlands provide convenient and frequent public transport. You’ll also be afforded several public transport links when travelling across the region while hiring bikes and cars to explore the rural areas is common.
Air
You won’t travel within the region via air. East Midlands Airport will take you to some destinations in Europe and the UK outside the East Midlands. Humberside Airport is also another option. Larger international airports are also nearby in Manchester and Birmingham.
Train
East Midlands Rail, East Coast Trains and Cross Country Trains make it easy to travel between the many cities, towns and rural villages in the East Midlands. Via National Rail services you can also travel to other parts of the UK. A 16–25 Railcard will get you a third off rail fares, for only £30 a year.
Bus
Cheaper than trains, your town or city will have bus services you can use to go between your accommodation, campus, and other places. Check with your uni to see what student discounts are available. Rural areas tend to have less frequent services. Intercity bus links are another way to travel between East Midlands’ towns and cities.
Cycle
Consider hiring a bike or buying your own as many UK cities have dedicated cycle lanes. There may be a local second-hand bike shop with cheap deals or see what cycle schemes your university’s offering. Investigate what the local cycle routes are for a fantastic way to explore the region on weekends.
Other
Most cities will have a ride-hailing service like Uber, Bolt or Ola. Otherwise, there will be local taxi services on hand. On the odd weekend, you might want to hire a car so you can explore the East Midlands on your own terms. Depending on the distance between your accommodation and campus, you might prefer to walk each day and get to know the area. Nottingham even has trams.
Things to do in the East Midlands
A region characterised by its rolling hills, idyllic coastal walks and vast green spaces; the East Midlands is also proud of its creativity. Its arts scene is bursting with inspiration, and it doesn’t miss a beat with events and festivals.
Arts & culture
You’ll notice the creative pulse of the East Midlands embodied by its towns and cities. You have art galleries, like Derby’s Museum and Art Gallery, and theatres such as Leicester’s Curve Theatre. The region’s multicultural influence is evident through its major Diwali celebrations, while Lincoln and Nottingham have an array of historic architecture that tell the story of how the region came to be.
Events
Festivals are aplenty in the East Midlands, whether you want music at Splendour in Nottingham or food from the Leicester Caribbean Carnival. Christmas time brings markets like the Nottinghamshire and Lincoln Christmas Markets. Check the local venues in your town for comedy nights, gigs, and theatre shows. Sports fans will have local Premier League and Championship football, international cricket, F1 racing and Premiership rugby to get stuck into.
Outdoors
You’ll be spoilt for choice with the outdoors. Peak District National Park, Buxton Country Park, and Sherwood Forest are all worth a visit. The Lincolnshire coast has mesmerizing walks, while the Headstone Viaduct Walk, Edale Rocks, and Goyt Valley provide great study escapes. Small towns like Oakham, or the Rutland Water reservoir, can be explored on the bike.
What students say about the East Midlands
How do students really feel about studying in the East Midlands? We’ve chatted to a couple of current undergraduates to find out about their experiences:
My experience living in Nottingham has been fun. The city is so diverse, and the public transport is great. There are so many different nationalities residing in Nottingham so it's refreshing to see lots of different people. This means there are plenty of good spots to eat and drink, whether you’re after Taiwanese bubble tea, Korean food, Vietnamese food, Caribbean food and so much more! The public transport makes travelling around Nottingham easy, as buses are reliable, affordable, and usually on time. It's a perfect student city.
Ellie Lees, Equine Sports Science student at Nottingham Trent University
Living in Nottingham as an international student has been brilliant. There’s a myriad of places to explore around the city which makes it quite adventurous and provides something for everyone. Its central geographical position also makes it convenient and cost-effective to travel to other cities.
Kevon Mukabi, Marketing student at Nottingham Trent University
My experience living in Nottingham has been surprising to say the least. Everything’s different from my life in London – from the cheap costs of groceries to the different modes of transportation and the hills. However, after getting used to these changes, I’ve learned to really like my life here. I appreciate the small and intimate feel of the city, as it makes me feel like I moved into a tight-knit community.
Paris Uwotu, Marketing student at Nottingham Trent University
Living in Nottingham’s been such a great experience. There's always so much going on, so you're never bored. Nottingham has a rich history, so it's fascinating to explore the city. Campus is in the heart of town so you're never too far from amazing food. I love how diverse the city is and the people are really friendly.
Kyron Howell, Fashion Management student at Nottingham Trent University
It reminds me of home. All the shops are really close together and there's a good nightlife. It's really good to have everything so close together and not have too much of a walk, especially from campus. You've got the castle and the cathedral, which is where graduation is held, and your matriculation during first year. I definitely recommend coming to Lincoln.
Lauren, Sport, Coaching and Physical Education student at University of Lincoln
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