VOTE NOW: Who is Nottingham’s best alumni?

The only competition that pits an A List actor against a pub owner


Athletes, actors and the creator of Spoons, Nottingham’s had a lot of noteworthy alumni. But we’re the best uni in the UK, so we’re not surprised. Vote for your favourite here:

Theo James

Actor. Nottingham graduate. Hunk.

Theo James has talent, brains and looks. Since graduating from Nottingham, Theo has gone on to undertake starring roles in The Inbetweeners Movie and the Divergent series. However, his acting hasn’t been the only thing to catch our eyes; Glamour magazine voted him the sixth sexiest man in the world in 2015 – despite our first glimpse of Theo ending messily with his character snorting a mixture of cocaine and poo at the end of The Inbetweeners.

London Grammar

Ivor Novello award winning band London Grammar formed at this very university when two of the band’s members met during their first year at Ancaster Hall. Something good had to come from Ancaster eventually, right?

After graduating in 2011 and honing their skills through regular appearances at Rescue Rooms, London Grammar got their big break when their YouTube released song, Hey Now, went viral and the band haven’t looked back since.

Ruth Wilson

Ruth Wilson was a busy bee during her time at Nottingham, studying history whilst also being regularly engaged at the New Theatre on campus. She gained widespread fame for her role as Jane Eyre, which earned the actress four separate award nominations. Since 2006, Wilson has starred in the television series Luther and The Affair, the latter catapulting her to the A-List crowd with a Best Actress Golden Globe Award in 2014. Her impressive film credits include The Lone Ranger, Anna Karenina and Saving Mr Banks. Her New film, How to Talk to Girls at Parties is due to be released this year and may give some helpful advice to any freshers who haven’t quite figured out how to flirt just yet.

Brian Moore

Brian Moore is a former Law student at the University of Nottingham, gaining his LLB in 1984. During his time here, the legendary rugby player joined Nottingham’s local team – the team which later gained him his first caps for England in 1987. Brian Moore went on to be one of England’s greatest ever rugby players; gaining 64 caps over the course of 3 world cups, including 1991 where England finished runner-ups and Moore was voted ‘Rugby World Player of the Year’. Since retiring from professional rugby, Moore has been crowned the University of Nottingham’s greatest ever sportsman.

Tim Martin

Ok, maybe he’s not a celebrity in the traditional sense, but Tim Martin has certainly got a large fan following. As the founder of the JD Wetherspoons pub chain, Tim has provided students everywhere with cheap food and cheaper drinks. His value pitcher deals are possibly the best you’ll find at any bar in Nottingham.

Given his past at Nottingham, it’s no surprise that Tim himself is a boozy legend – his drink of choice is a Greene King Abbot.

Etienne Stott & Tim Baillie

Both these Olympic kayak rowers studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nottingham and later went on to win the 2-man gold in C2 kayaking in London 2012. The win was Britain’s first in this event and was ‘unexpected’ and a ‘surprise’ to Stott and Baillie. Both went on to earn an MBE in 2013 for their success and services to canoeing.

Sir John Sawers 

As the former head of Mi6, Sir John Sawers is some kind of real life James Bond. Sawers famously refused to support the government’s plans for direct military involvement against the Syrian government and given his position, he has likely got a vast array of information on sensitive diplomatic issues. He probably knew who Gossip Girl is way before you did.

Dr Stewart Adams

Dr Stewart Adams OBE is the unknown saviour of your life. As the creator of Ibuprofen, Adams has inadvertently healed you from many a Crisis hangover and saved you from feeling the full effects of freshers flu. His graduate job with Boots led to the development of Ibuprofen, showing us that science degrees can actually land you a grad job and that Boots are more than just the best meal deal providers on campus.