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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 reviewsMy uni experience has been good so far, it has been very beneficial and has allowed me to grow my knowledge within the nursing profession and has also allowed me to learn a wide range of new skills that will be beneficial both within and outside of nursing.
Everything is great.
Good location, supportive stuff
Overall very nice, good falicities and good union. the only issues I've had is where I'm based as I am a substantial distance away from the main uni building and student life in terms of socialising isn't the greatest (not the uni's fault) but overall very good academic side
Derby University is a good university. It’s quite big and has lots of spaces around campus. I also like the small shop they have on campus. It’s a small city with lovely people. One thing that most students don’t like is the location and the university bus. The uni bus doesn’t come on time and the waiting time is usually long. The campus location is also not very close to the city centre, where most of the transport connections are.
The library is a great place to study and is a massive space that suits all. The uni is huge and offers lots of support and help. Union of students is always available at Kedleston road if you need help. Lecturers are easy to talk to
The best experience is that the lab facility has modern equipment and that is useful for my course which is biomedical science and the student union offers the best support for students wanting help it’s either if they want to do a masters or find a job after they get their degree. I think the inclusivity of sports communities could be improved because I felt like I couldn’t fit in when I wanted to join the netball community.
The lecturers are great, and the course is really interesting. The worst parts of this uni are my courses' funding getting cut, lectures leaving, and fewer options next year.
25-34 years
Derby’s teaching staff are the highlight, most lecturers are industry-connected, feedback is practical, and labs/workshops feel job-ready. The Derby campus is compact and friendly, with good library support, *Union* nights, and decent placements. Great place because of hands-on courses
Honestly speaking everything is perfect
As a student at Derby, there’s genuinely a lot to like about the university. The facilities are really strong (4/5). The libraries are modern and well-equipped, there are plenty of study spaces, and the course-specific facilities – especially labs and specialist rooms – are well maintained. You can usually find somewhere comfortable to work, and the technology available for students is reliable. Student support is also one of the standout areas (4/5). Tutors are approachable and helpful, and there’s good academic support if you need help with assignments, writing, or managing workload. The wellbeing and careers services are useful too, especially when it comes to planning for placements or graduate jobs. Student life is probably the best part (5/5). There are lots of societies and events going on, and it’s easy to get involved and meet people. The atmosphere feels friendly and welcoming, and there’s a good balance between studying and social life. The location (3/5) is decent but not amazing. Derby is affordable and fairly convenient, but it’s quieter compared to bigger student cities. If you’re looking for a huge nightlife scene or lots of big-city attractions, it might feel a bit limited. Similarly, the campus look and feel (3/5) is good in places but not perfect. Some buildings are modern and impressive, while others feel a bit dated. It’s comfortable and functional, but parts of campus could benefit from refurbishment to make everything feel more consistent.
I haven't experienced anything that was bad bad. There was an incident where one of the lecturers didn’t explain the practical properly and was rude towards me as well as a few students. However, the module leader was quick to sort it. Other than that the University is a great place to study. There's always stalls in the atrium. Great communal areas and the lecturers will go above and beyond to meet needs or they reach an appropriate solution.
Derby uni has really helped me develop as a person and as an athlete as the facilities for sports and also my course are top level
Friendly staff and relatively small uni so you don’t get lost in the numbers. Some elements of the foundation year have been challenging but overall a good experience
It is very friendly and caring university with beautiful location and easy access liberty and shops
I love the comfort and security the institution's facilities provide. Also, there is a great variety of means of support the Uni gives, designed for all sort of students.
At the university the resources available are very good and there a lot of them so I am able to come in anytime log in to a computer and work on my studies and projects.
GREAT STUDENT SUPPORT WITH A PRIME LOCATION,ACCESSIBLE CAMPUSES AS WELL.
The university isn’t local to me which is the only down side. Although it is easily accessible. The tutors are super helpful and some even get back to you within 24 hours of your query. The facilities are great, library is nice and spacious and easy to find books. The library option on blackboard is easy to use and are able to issue you a book quickly. The online library is also a great tool to use.
4.3
The Union of Students work very well to ensure each student can be heard. Derby has top-class facilities however, from my personal experience, lecturers aren’t always the best at giving us support, especially when we struggle with pieces of software we have to use for coursework.
On-Campus classes are highly interactive, often with work to follow throughout a lecture. Laboratory sessions are essentially student-led with specialists on hand to give any guidance and support when necessary.