The University of Nottingham is ranked in the UK's Top 10 and the World's Top 70 universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong (SJTU) and Times Higher (THES) World University Rankings.

It provides innovative and top quality teaching, undertakes world-changing research, and attracts talented staff and students from 150 nations. Described by The Times as Britain's "only truly global university", it has invested continuously in award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. Twice since 2003 its research and teaching academics have won Nobel Prizes. The University has won the Queen's Award for Enterprise in both 2006 (International Trade) and 2007 (Innovation - School of Pharmacy).

In the UK, the University is consistently ranked highly in the league tables for Higher Education Institutions, published by The Guardian, The Times and The Sunday Times. It was awarded “UK University of the Year” by The Times Higher Awards 2006.

In The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2006, it is ranked in the Top 10 by British academics and the overall quality of teaching across departments at Nottingham wins a place in the Top 10 for Teaching Quality.

In The Times and The Guardian league tables Nottingham has 29 academic schools/departments ranked in the Top 10 by subject, and 14 ranked in the Top 5.

The University is one of the most popular choices for applicants, featuring in the Top 5 for volume of applications. It is also a Top 10 university for sports infrastructure and excellence, and it ranks in the Top 5 for the fewest number of students to leave their course before graduation. 

The Sunday Times says "A model of consistent excellence, Nottingham has been ranked between 8th and 12th in every edition of The Sunday Times Good University Guide over the past nine years. It identifies the university as one of the most desirable destinations in higher education with first-rate facilities, attractive campuses and the opportunity for some to study at Semenyih, near Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and Ningbo in China, where parallel courses are taught in English."

The Guardian says "Nottingham is traditionally one of the most popular universities for undergraduate applications. The university offers great facilities and a strong academic record. Popular with overseas students, Nottingham has also established new campuses in Malaysia and China."