You get a big, central and affordable student city with a real sense of character, from the Robin Hood legend to caves carved beneath the streets. It is well connected and easy to explore from.

• The University of Nottingham (Russell Group) and Nottingham Trent give it a huge student presence.
• The Robin Hood legend, castle and hidden caves give the city real character.
• It is central, affordable and well connected by train.

Lenton and Dunkirk form the student heartland near University Park, and the nightlife runs from a legendary rock venue to the trendy Lace Market. There is a strong live-music culture.

• Lenton and Dunkirk are the student heartland near University Park.
• Rock City is a legendary live-music and club venue, with trendier bars in Hockley and the Lace Market.
• The Studcasa Nottingham group is good for gigs, housemates and society meet-ups.

Nottingham is solid value for a big city, with an award-winning transport network and cheap markets. A travel card covers tram and bus together.

• Budget around GBP 800-1,300 a month, solid value for a big city.
• A Robin Hood card or NCT season ticket covers tram and bus travel.
• Sneinton Market and Victoria Centre market do cheap eats.

Lenton and Dunkirk are wall-to-wall student houses near University Park, while Beeston is a pleasant town in its own right. West Bridgford over the Trent is leafier and pricier.

• Lenton and Dunkirk are wall-to-wall student houses near University Park.
• Beeston is a pleasant town in its own right, handy for the university.
• West Bridgford, over the Trent, is leafier and a bit pricier.

The tram and the award-winning bus network make getting around easy, and one card covers both. The centre is compact and the station links London in under two hours.

• NET trams (two lines) and the award-winning NCT buses cover the city.
• A Robin Hood card lets you tap across tram and bus.
• Nottingham station links London in about 1 hour 45.

Two large universities give the city a big student community. Terms follow the usual UK calendar.

• The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University are the hosts.
• Terms run late September to June.

Since Brexit, EU citizens no longer have free movement, so most non-Irish students need permission to study. For an exchange of up to six months you can often come under the Short-term study route or simply as a Standard Visitor, depending on your nationality and course length. For a full year you will need a Student visa sponsored by your host university.

What applies depends entirely on your passport, so confirm with the university and official UK government guidance early. The Student visa needs a CAS reference from your uni, proof of funds and usually the immigration health surcharge, so budget both time and money for it.

• Exchange under 6 months, often Standard Visitor or Short-term study
• Full year, Student visa with a CAS from your uni
• Irish citizens, no visa needed under the Common Travel Area
• Budget for the immigration health surcharge on longer visas

Local quirks are worth embracing, from the word for a bread roll to a pub that claims to be England's oldest. The autumn funfair is a centuries-old tradition.

• Ask for a cob, the local word for a bread roll, and try mushy peas with mint.
• Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem claims to be England's oldest pub, carved into the castle rock.
• Goose Fair each October is one of Europe's oldest travelling funfairs.

The city runs from the student terraces of Lenton to the independent Lace Market and leafy West Bridgford. Each offers a different balance of buzz and calm.

• Lenton and Dunkirk for student life.
• Hockley and the Lace Market for bars and independents.
• West Bridgford for a calmer, greener base.

The forest and the Peak District are close, and neighbouring cities are quick train trips. Chatsworth and the Dales-style scenery are easy days out.

• Sherwood Forest and the Major Oak are about 40 minutes away.
• The Peak District (Bakewell, Chatsworth) is about 1 hour.
• Lincoln, Leicester and Derby are all quick train trips.

The caves beneath the city are a genuinely unusual highlight, and housing goes early. The tram park-and-ride keeps trips into town cheap.

• Explore the City of Caves beneath the streets; few cities have them.
• Book housing early, as Lenton fills up by winter for the next year.
• Use the tram park-and-ride for cheap trips into town.