There are also high-rise student blocks at several locations, including Vestgrensa, Sogn, Fjellbirkeland and Kringsjå.

The borough is north of the city centre, and represents the last major settlement before the northern forested area starts.

The borough consists of several neighborhoods, from west to east: Gaustad, Øvre Blindern, Ullevål Hageby, Sogn, Kringsjå, Nordberg, Korsvoll, Tåsen, Ullevål, Berg, Nydalen, Storo, Frysja, Disen, Kjelsås, Grefsen and Nordre Åsen.

The lake Sognsvann is not located in Nordre Aker, albeit the parking lot and metro leading to it is.

The line runs northeast from Blindern, but between Berg and Tåsen it turns to the northwest and north.

The terminus of this line being John Colletts plass for many years, it was extended to Rikshospitalet in 1999.

The Ring Line stops at Nydalen before heading southwards and converging with the borough border towards St. Hanshaugen.

Nordre Aker is best known as the site of Ullevål Stadion, the stadium of the Norway national football team.

In addition, the students' sports club Oslostudentenes IK (OSI) has a connection to Nordre Aker, as it uses the indoor arena Domus Athletica in Ullevål Hageby, although the club originated in Sentrum in the milieu of the old university campus.

Domus Athletica is owned by, and houses the headquarters of, the Foundation for Student Life in Oslo.

The parishes in the deanery are Torshov, Tonsen, Sofienberg, Paulus, Lilleborg, Sagene, Iladalen and Grefsen.

In addition, there is a campus for medicine and odontology at Rikshospitalet, and buildings belonging to the University in Forskningsparken ("the Research Park") northwest of Blindern.

Major commercial buildings include Sogn Arena, owned by Bertel O. Steen Eiendom.