Sport and fitness
As well as an excellent academic reputation, Nottingham is well known for its sporting success and depth in performance sport.
With 75 Athletic Union sports clubs, Nottingham teams have consistently finished in the top 10 out of over 140 institutions competing in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) overall league championship table over the last 15 years.
BUCS league
Every Wednesday afternoon during term time, over 50 teams represent the University playing either home or away in a huge variety of sports as part of the BUCS league.
Those interested in taking part should join the Athletic Union club of their choice.
Varsity series
The charity Varsity series between The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University is another opportunity to compete.
What started out as a few friendly matches has now developed into a huge series spanning the whole of the second semester and featuring 14 matches in 10 different sports.
The universities’ top sportspeople compete at some of Nottingham’s highest profile venues watched by crowds that often number into the thousands. This year’s cricket match is set to take place at international cricket venue Trent Bridge, while the football and Rugby Union teams will play at Meadow Lane, home to Notts County Football Club.
Other opportunities
If you are interested in taking part in organised sport on a regular basis without the training and playing commitments of University representative sport, the Athletic Union runs a popular intra mural programme, with over 170 teams competing for their hall, department or society on a weekly basis.
The league programme includes, football, netball, basketball, rugby union, hockey and cricket, and there are one day tournaments in squash, table tennis and badminton as well as a swimming gala and cross country event.
There is also a postgraduate cricket league during the summer months, and postgraduate students are welcome to join the staff squash and badminton clubs.
For those who wish to keep fit without competing, a diverse range of exercise is on offer at our sports centres including pilates, yoga, salsa and many more.
Sports bursaries
In order to further the University’s sporting success, a sports bursary scheme exists to help outstanding athletes meet the extra costs of high class sports participation.
Nottingham is also a TASS accredited University and is part of the government funded Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme, whereby talented students identified by their National Governing Body may receive sports support services (physiotherapy, sports science, lifestyle workshops) and discretionary services (eg travel and equipment costs).
See our page on sports facilities for more information.