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The overall ranking is decided by students from this institution rating them in a 2026 Whatuni review. This forms the basis of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs for short).
4.04.13.61409 Student reviews
Sort:Latest reviewsthe emotional and tutor support when i went though a loss was brillant and really helped me to grieve and continue my studies
it’s welcoming when you first walk in, all the staff are lovely, lectures aren’t boring
The facilities are decent at the University. There are a whole load of places you can study at the Uni campus, for quiet study, or for a more informal study session with friends, there are coffee areas and bars you can hang around in.
It is such an inclusive university, with a great support system.
My initial attraction to the university was attending a very modernised institution outside of London. Derby is one of the most communal places I have been to, where the town centre, and cites are wonder and full of amazing experiences and people. The university offers an immense range of subjects and has great level of academia when it comes to specialised degrees in the business department. One thing that I would like to highlight about the University of Derby (UOD) is the accessibility to gain a higher education with the amount of opportunities and courses that are vacant. People from all parts of the world enrolling into one institution provides a very diverse culture within such a small region (such as Derby). In addition the support system is very efficient especially encouraging undergraduates to take on board real life experience to initiate their career paths. There are always notifications about which internships, work experiences, part time jobs that are available directly through email. Lecturers are very understanding and considerate to the classes often preparing very comprehensive lessons as well as offering additional assistance to academic skills to enhance students' abilities. As part of the social experience in derby, it is incredibly easy to get involved in societies, sports team/clubs and lounge in leisure around the university. As a Sports scholar with a niche individual I have been fortunate to be welcomed into such a productive and friendly environment, despite not competing in any team based sports. The university does not discriminate towards any background and it a animable atmosphere to study in. On the contrary UOD does not offer any language programmes or degrees, so learning about foreign countries is not available in this university. Although the university courses are great, some courses do not allow the flexibility to change class times and so certain students will spend extensive days in classes. In the atrium there are food places to eat but I would not say there is a large range of inclusivity for dietary such as Halal, or Vegan options. Overall I think UOD is a good place to study, improvements that could be made is more surveys from students to gain suggestions as which area they should develop in.
The hours of the shops could be extended.
18-24 years
Great university, staff are very friendly and welcoming. Lecturers are very knowledge and supportive.
UoD for me has overall been relatively decent -- the campuses are fine, have good facilities (at least for CS), and in a pretty good location to be able to reach them (all being within the same section of Derby, and the main campus having a free uni bus to get there and all the way into the town centre). I don't have any major gripes for the campuses, but rather certain nitpicks. For example, outside of Kedleston Campus, this university sorely lacks gender neutral toilets. Moreover, I feel that the bus timetable was a little difficult to find, and should realistically be posted on an easy-to-find page on the UoD website. The campuses are also pretty out of the way of the town centre, being more towards Derby's outskirts which can be annoying if you prefer to walk rather than take the uni bus. I also find that there is not much reason to go to Kedleston Campus if you're a computer science student, which is a huge shame as it is the most feature complete campus and has the most facilities (and shops).
I am currently really enjoying my time at the University of Derby, I have been doing archery, motorsports, equestrian and Medieval Reenactment alongside my degree, I started University of Derby in 2021 when I did my foundation year, now that I am in my first year of my degree, I can no sit back and think 'yeah I think I can't see myself anywhere else' I had no clue that I would be able to do so much while at University, let alone make some amazing friends and meet some amazing lectures and friends staff. Absolutely love being in University.
Overall, the university is a friendly and welcoming place. Some areas are newer than others and this is clear. Basecamp is a nice and modern area which people love, make the other eating areas as modern but improve the overall feel of the university
University of Derby gave me opportunities, by opening doors for me and allowing me to develop and expand my skills. This allowed me to use my voice and be more confident by using my own initiative as well as working alongside a wide range of people from different professional background and being a team player.
18-24 years
The best aspects are friendly and supportive staff, nightlife, location and career opportunities The worst aspects are for example, the support from the student Union to set up a sports club, not great sport facilities
Personally I don't play much sport so never really engaged with the student union but I know they do a number of events. The student union is at the campus which is a 30 minute walk from town so normally we'd just meet up with friends in town rather than at US. I love the feel of the uni, it has everything you need but it isn't too big, you bump into people you know, the lecturers remember who you are and you feel at home and comfortable very quickly.
The academic support is great and uni bus are also of great help although there should be more group learning sessions so that we could meet new people.
It has a comfortable feel to it that's hard to describe unless you're studying at the uni.
18-24 years
First gen student
The support you gain as a student is beyond incredible, from teaching staff to wellbeing staff to halls management teams. They always have our best interests at heart, pushing us to do well and succeed to be the best versions of us. There is never a feeling of not feeling like you belong or have anyone to talk to with the team at Derby uni, they are welcoming and care for your mental health and physical health if need be. The campus' are located close together, the main campus on Kedleston road is a beautiful sight where dreams are made. The main campus has a uni shop, Subway Starbucks and a cafe with an excellent review by many of the students and not to mention the outstanding sporting facilities such as a gym for all, a football pitch outdoors and a court for sports. Lecture halls are also situated around this building too as well as the other campus' such as Markeaton street - home of the sports hub at derby and Journalism students with many equipment to be lent out such as recording rooms for podcast creating and cameras for photography skills. Britannia Mill is home of fine art and creativity at derby where you'll find the most creative students expressing themselves. Friar gate square is the last of the main 4 buildings where you'll find all business social sciences and law students study, with a real life teaching crown courtroom situated inside the building for those practising in law.
Best- enough social things on Worst- being completely left to own devices on what asynchronus activities we need to do
The Campus is Britannia Mill where my course is located which is easy to commute between other campuses, where I live and the City centre. Markeaton Campus is a 5 minute walk away in which you can access the Collegue student centre and the area is safe and accessible for creative students to work on projects and use facilities provided. The facilites within Britannia Mill are great. They have a nice study library and Canteen area as well as an Art and Drama studio.
4.3
- The uni has a many good campuses located around the city that have good facilities i.e. library - I have found, possibly due to the pandemic, that I don't know many people on my course and have not found many opportunities to meet people from the course.
The lecturers are very good and helpful and the facilities are very good. I have found it difficult to find specific information for course online such as future modules and I was unsure if I was required to complete a dissertation
Peak court is a great halls that is managed expertly and it is where I met many of my close friends. It was very pricey compared with renting privately.