About University of Derby
Located in the heart of England, the University of Derby has built on their region’s heritage of innovation to provide industry-relevant, expert teaching, from foundation and undergraduate degrees through to postgraduate study and research.
Derby’s academic strength is backed up by practical experience to ensure students are ready for a successful career. They offer a wide range of subjects which will help students develop the skills and confidence to aim high.
We are awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023, making us one of the top universities in the country recognised for outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
The campus includes four different sites: Kedleston Road which is the largest site and home to the main library, Markeaton Street for art and design studios, Britannia Mill for dance and fine art, and One Friar Gate Square for law, criminology and social sciences. The new Derby Business School is set to open in 2024/2025, serving as an international centre of excellence. In a prime city centre location, the Business School will also be a focal point for Derby’s business community, providing a place where students can network with and learn from local business leaders and entrepreneurs.
Home to more than 2,000 international students from 100 countries, Derby is a diverse and welcoming city students can call their second home. The Purple Flag awarded the city of Derby as being a welcoming and safe place with lots going on for international students to really experience British culture.
Our Courses
Derby has an exciting range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research courses, which subjects including business, arts, engineering, science and much more.
With a focus on applied learning, Derby’s courses have excellent student satisfaction:
- Top 20% for a range of subjects (Guardian University Guide 2024)
- Top 20 in the UK for overall student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2024)
- Top 20 for overall assessment and feedback (National Student Survey 2023)
- Top 20 for teaching quality (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024)
The academics at Derby have industry expertise and connections to ensure students get the relevant experience needed to boost their employability. There’s also a dedicated Careers Service to help with finding work experience, internships and jobs.
Life in Derby
Derby is compact, multicultural and diverse, with both city life and countryside combined. There are lots of shops, restaurants and cafes, and entertainment and bars located close to university and accommodation sites. It’s also one of the most affordable cities in the UK with a low cost of living.
Derby is renowned as a centre for innovation, with global companies such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Bombardier based there. Its central location means that it is easily accessible by rail and road and you can explore the rest of the UK with ease.
Services for International Students
At Derby, students will find lots of services, advice and social activities to help with settling into life in the UK.
You will discover secure, affordable accommodation in their award-winning halls of residence. As winners of Best University Housing and Best Moving in Experience (Global Student Living Awards 2022), Derby’s accommodation offers students a safe and comfortable place they can make friends and feel at home. The fixed-price rent includes all gas, water, electricity and WiFi bills to help manage budgeting, leaving no unexpected costs. There is also 24/7 staffing and a secure entry system. Not to mention, the Student Living team arrange free events to help you explore Derby and settle into life in the UK.
To help make travelling to the UK easier, the accommodation team provides a free arrival pack, bed pack and kitchen pack for international starters in halls of residence. They include essential items of food, cutlery and bedding.
Derby’s Union of Students offers a variety of sports and social clubs. There are lots of societies students can join, including cultural, course-related and sports societies, as well as plenty of fun events on campus. Getting involved with the Union is a great way to meet people who have similar interests to you or who can share their life experiences.
