Nick Gentry was born in Hampstead, London and grew up in the nearby market city of St Albans. He spent much of his childhood drawing and sketching. He attended Parmiter's School in Garston, Hertfordshire. He continued to study art at Ridge Street Art School and the University of Hertfordshire. During this time he was inspired by a visit to the exhibition Sensation at the Royal Academy of Art, signalling the arrival of the Young British Artists. He was later refused admission to Liverpool College of Art when he first applied, but attended the college after a subsequent application a year later. From there he progressed to graduate from Central Saint Martins in London in 2006.