Students 'scared and anxious' after cyber-attack

Victims of a cyber-attack at the University of Nottingham have said they feel "scared and anxious" after a well-known hacking group accessed student data.

The university confirmed on Wednesday that hackers had accessed "a significant amount of data" for current students and alumni - including financial information - from its record system.

In a statement, it confirmed police were investigating and that a helpline had been set up for anyone concerned their information had been accessed.

The Information Commissioner's Office, the Office for Students and Action Fraud have also been notified.

Tolu Olufunwa, who will study law at the university from September, said she was worried because the breach was "so serious".

The 17-year-old A-level student, from London, first found out about the cyber-attack when an email from the university arrived in her inbox on Wednesday.

"I was a bit scared just thinking 'what's going on?'" she said.

"Has this just happened to me? Is this to everyone?

"I was just worried because it was so serious."

Olufunwa said the university was her first choice because of the campus, her course ranking highly on league tables and the social life, but added the data breach has made her feel "nervous" about what to expect.

"I'm still excited to go but I feel like this, along with the financial stuff that's going on, it's just made me think 'did I make the right decision?'" she said.

Jacob Edwards graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2025, with a degree in English and German.

The 23-year-old, who is originally from Norwich, said his data had been hacked and encouraged the university to better communicate what had happened.

"They should be helping people more directly because the information we have been given is so little and vague," he said.

"I think more advice could have been given because they only shared what information has potentially been breached."

Edwards said he had struggled to cope with the news of the data leak.

"It's very scary," he said.

"I don't exactly come from a background of much money, and knowing that this could at any point affect me and turn my world upside down, is definitely nagging in the back of my head.

"I'm just trying not to overthink what the implications could be."

Margaret Ladipo,19, has been told her personal data was also part of the hack.

She applied to study adult nursing the University of Nottingham last year and was offered a place, but turned it down after accepting a place at another university.

"I didn't expect something like this to happen to a well-established Russell Group university," she said.

"I got quite anxious because it [her data] contained really important information, like my national insurance number, which is information I wouldn't want sharing with anyone."

Ladipo added that she had changed her bank details and all of her passwords to try and protect herself.

"I just hope they resolve the situation quickly," she said.

A University of Nottingham spokesperson said: "While the investigation continues, we are unable to provide further information on the nature and extent of the cyber-attack.

"We understand that those affected will have concerns about what this means for their personal data and we are contacting them directly to offer advice and support as we learn more about the incident.

"We have set up a telephone helpline to provide practical support and advice for anyone that has concerns over how this incident may have affected the security of their personal data.

"We take the privacy and security of data that we hold seriously."

Listen to BBC Radio Nottingham on Sounds and follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.