Discover the best of both worlds at Derby

University of Derby

If you’re looking for a warm and welcoming place to study that offers the best of both worlds, look no further than the University of Derby.

Located in the heart of England, we’re based in a small and friendly city that provides the perfect balance. There are plenty of places to shop, eat and enjoy yourself, and it’s also easy to get around, with relatively low living costs compared with bigger cities nearby. Derby is a Purple Flag city – this award recognises the safe, enjoyable and diverse night life on offer.

Four students pose for a picture together

History and nature on your doorstep

The historic Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site starts in Derby, while the beautiful landscapes of the Peak District National Park and stately homes such as Chatsworth and Haddon Hall are within easy reach.

Diverse community

At the University we are a much-loved second home to more than 1,700 international students from 100 countries studying at both undergraduate and postgraduate level across a wide range of subjects. Among them is Mohika, who came from Delhi, India to study Dance and Movement Studies and Psychology:

“I feel Derby is an ideal city to move to as an international student,” she says. “I coped a lot better than I would have if I had shifted directly to a bigger and crowded city like London. Coming from Delhi, which is a heavily populated metropolitan area, Derby gave me a chance to experience and appreciate the finer things in life and create a steady pace.”

With the diverse international community here, Mohika found it easy to make friends:

“I was a very shy and introverted person when I first arrived, but the time I have spent with people coming from diverse backgrounds has made me much more confident. All my worries about making friends and living alone in an unknown country have vanished as I have settled and mixed with the people here very well.”

Pandemic perspective

The warm welcome and support have been particularly important to our students during the pandemic. Huyen Le arrived from Vietnam in September 2020 to start her Masters in Careers Education and Coaching. Despite her concerns about the pandemic, she was soon put at ease: “Before arriving, I was added into a WhatsApp group that included other South East Asian students,” Huyen explains. “I started to make new friends and get support from dedicated staff, who guided me through everything as I transitioned, which made me feel cared for and secure for my first trip to the UK.”

Huyen found that lockdown and other limitations didn’t affect the quality of her study experience: “I have received good academic support from the beginning. My lecturers are passionate and have a deep knowledge of their subject, which inspires me a lot. I also regularly meet with my personal academic tutor to discuss my progress. Our online learning system, Blackboard, has given me the same experience as I would have had in a face-to-face class, with group discussions, group work and collaborative activities.”

As travel becomes easier once again, and on-campus teaching increases, we’re looking forward to providing our warm welcome to lots more international students looking for a great experience in the heart of England.

Learn more about University of Derby