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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 reviewsI can’t complain about my experience as a student at the university of Derby. My tutors have all been really supportive, accommodating and approachable especially when I needed help and advice surrounding my maternity leave and returning to studies.
The lecturers are very supportive and always happy to help. It could improve in financial support for its students and funding. I don’t think you get the most out of your degree because of funding constraints, for example we were told we wouldn’t get approval to do a days course in a useful skill even if we paid for most of it ourselves because of university funding. Additionally, I’m a single mum who’s the first of my family to go to university, I was rejected by the uni for a bursary towards educational costs (such as textbooks) due to the fact I attended uni for 2 months over 7 years ago, so I had to print all my textbook skills out instead. We choose to go to university - knowing that we’re going to leave with thousands of debt - in order to upskill but it feels like we’re held back from our full potential because of financing.
Derby Uni is a calm but busy environment. There are plenty of people for it to feel like a place of education, but not too overstimulating to the point you feel you can’t work or focus. The buildings in Derby and the uni itself are particularly appealing, especially to an Interior Design student like myself. Kedleston Library is light and airy making it a perfect place to study. Britannia Mill is a restored building, so it is great representation of the cities history. The studio is full of sunlight and very spacious, a very inspiring zone to be in. An issue I have had while living in Derby, is the nightlife. Before coming to university, I was very social but that has decreased since as the clubs here are lacking. I don’t feel compelled to go out in the city centre, and often travel to Nottingham instead. However, this is easy as there’s a 24/7 bus route from Derby Bus Station to Nottingham, making travelling safe and simple. Overall, I don’t regret coming to Derby Uni as the city is a good space for those who value their academics, I often find myself easily inspired by the space
University of Derby is a great place to study as there is so much support provided by each member of staff, they are always happy to help you! I do think there should be some more staff so that lecture groups are smaller as this can be quite overwhelming for people with needs such as autism and anxiety etc… The University itself is placed in such a great area, it’s close by to the city centre meaning there is so much to do and plenty of places to socialise! The university have accommodation close by too and also have a university bus for students who need to travel to university right from the local train station, past the university accommodations right to the university door step which is so handy, it’s also free which is great for those who don’t have much money, all you need is your student ID! The university provide an employment seekers hub where students can go to improve there CV or look for work, the staff at the hub provide emails to all the students each week with job opportunities which is fantastic for those looking for some work whilst studying at university. University is a great way to make new friends and socialise with people, the campus itself also has a wide variety of places to socialise, such as food stalls, library or seating areas. There is also a gym available to use which is discounted for the students, as well as sports clubs where you can also socialise and make friends whilst doing some exercise, it’s great! I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone considering university, it’s like living a dream! and if your worried about accommodation, don’t! there is plenty of university accommodations to stay in, private or university owned, where you may make even more friends! it’s definitely a lifetime experience you do not want to miss out on.
The University of Derby offers a supportive and engaging learning environment, with modern facilities and a strong focus on employability. The faculty is approachable, and the variety of courses caters to a wide range of interests. The campus is well-equipped, and the student support services are excellent, particularly for international students. However, there is room for improvement in terms of the integration of technology in some courses, and the availability of study spaces can be limited during peak times. Additionally, enhancing the diversity of extracurricular activities would further enrich the overall student experience. Overall, it’s a solid institution.
Teachers are great support & a lot of resources.
As a second-year nursing student at the University of Derby, I can confidently say that my experience has been nothing short of outstanding. From the very beginning, the university has provided exceptional support, a robust curriculum, and an incredibly nurturing environment for my professional growth. The nursing program is well-structured, combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on clinical experience, ensuring that students are fully prepared for the demands of the healthcare sector. The lecturers are not only experts in their fields but are also genuinely invested in the success of their students. They are approachable, supportive, and always willing to offer guidance when needed, which has made a significant difference in my academic journey. The facilities at the University of Derby are state-of-the-art, and the simulation labs are invaluable for practical learning. I feel well-equipped to handle the challenges of the profession, thanks to the immersive training and the emphasis on patient-centered care throughout the curriculum. Another standout aspect is the focus on mental health and well-being, which is crucial in nursing. The university’s commitment to supporting students with personal and academic challenges has been evident through various wellness initiatives, and I always feel like I’m part of a community that truly cares. As I look forward to graduating next year, I feel incredibly confident in the skills and knowledge I’ve gained here. The University of Derby has not only prepared me for a rewarding career in nursing but has also shaped me into a compassionate, skilled, and confident healthcare professional. If you’re considering nursing, I would highly recommend Derby for its excellent teaching, strong support system, and outstanding resources.
I have had a fantastic experience at Derby University! The range of societies available is impressive, catering to diverse interests and providing a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and develop skills outside of academics. The quality of the courses is excellent; the teaching staff are knowledgeable and supportive, fostering a great learning environment. Additionally, the student services are top-notch. They offer extensive support, from academic guidance to mental health resources, ensuring that every student feels valued and supported. Overall, Derby University provides a vibrant community and a solid foundation for personal and academic growth. Highly recommended!
Pros: - Facilities are amazing, with the library, Blends, Subway and the shops - Lecture halls and classrooms are clean and spacious - Staff reply to emails quickly and promptly - The surrounding area is amazing for outdoor learning (being on a teaching course) - Opportunities on the course are wonderful, placement, trips and many more - Sports facilities are wonderful even though I don’t personally use them. - Accommodation is amazing and welcoming Ways to improve: - Some staff on the course could have better communication as one may tell you one thing and one another - Better opening and closing times for the shops and food places - Bus service to start earlier
Not the best lecturers, little interesting content or opportunities.
University has been up and down i have good days and bad days. I started University back in 2022; technically, I should be on my 3rd year, but the stress of life caught me. I ended up having a breakdown and failed my last assignment at the end of my 1st year; I was distressed about it. I thought of leaving the course and just leaving it. But with the help of my lectures. They recommended that I try to stay well after I explained to them what had been happening at home that had gotten me to that point. I reached out to Student Well Being and told them my story, and they put me on a waiting list to be seen, which didn't take long. Within 2 weeks, I was being seen and had CBT sessions, which helped with my past traumas and present things that were spilling into my University journey. A month later, I enrolled for a module retrieval year and passed my module. The same lectures, even though I wasn't in their cohort anymore they still emailed or called to check in. They went above and beyond to get me back on track with my degree. When it came time to enroll for my second year, they still were there, to this day even though with new module leads they are still available for me. Will forever be grateful. Didn't expect to get my mental health in order through University.
Good environment for studying however is boring as there are no planned activities even in school like culture day and activities to bring us together and have fun always in my room as the city is boring.
I really enjoy university!
Strengths: The Undergraduate Research Scholarship Scheme is a fantastic opportunity, it wasn't until speaking with students at other universities that I realised things like the URSS are quite rare - this is especially beneficial for student (like me) on programmes which don't allow primary research. The academic staff on my programme are lovely people, and I'm grateful for the support they offer. Limitations: Communication from the university about changes to facilities or services is very poor, usually coming after the change has taken place - there are no reliable processes or structures in place to communicate with groups of students other than announcements for specific programmes, but even then academic staff aren't always told about the changes either so they're limited in what information they can pass on. Services or facilities can be withdrawn with very little notice. For example, some campuses recently lost their physical library services and everything is now online, which puts them at a disadvantage to the campuses which still have their libraries in full. Another example, support plans are no longer offered for students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, etc (SpLDs), but students signing up to the university weren't told about this change until after starting, so they were denied the support that had been advertised on the website and when speaking to staff on open days.
Really love the uni, the campus is really lovely and everyone is really nice. There is plenty of support offered.
It can be difficult to commute to but has a vast amount of facilities.
it is a great place to study as there are many facilities on campus to support that and the lecture environments are really good. one main issue i have is transport to and from university, as a student living in dorms, because the buses tend to be unreliable.
My experience at Derby University has been largely positive, especially in relation to the Child and Family Health and Well-being course. The university provides a welcoming and inclusive learning environment with knowledgeable and supportive lecturers who bring real-world experience and a lot of passion into their teaching. They are approachable and always willing to offer help, making the learning process less stressful. The course itself is well-structured, covering key topics such as child development, public health, safeguarding, and family dynamics. There is a strong focus on practical applications, ensuring that students gain relevant skills for careers in health, social care, and education. As a second-year student, I have really enjoyed my course so far and can't wait for year 3. The unis facilities are generally good, with an excellent library and plenty of study spaces. There are lots of extracurricular opportunities, such as sports teams and societies, to get involved in.
4.3
I have found that the university campus is very welcoming and has a very friendly and community feel to it. There are plenty of places to ask questions and get support for students. Aswell as quiet spaces to work in the library and places to chill and grab a coffee with friends. I was nervous when starting my course, but the structure of the course and the participation in small workshop groups after the lectures, has really encouraged me to meet new people and make friends within my course. I also live in university student accommodation which I feel is very community based there are always events arranged to take part in. I feel really settled in my accommodation now and it has become homely for me, which I was not expecting after leaving home for the first time.
I have really enjoyed the varied assessment methods that are used on our corse. This has ment that if assignments are not your strong suit there are many different ways to demonstrating our learning. Especially in both our communication module and understanding Occupation module. The idea of workshops for discussion after lectures has also really helped me as I am not the most confident person and having conversations in smaller groups has really helped me come out of my shell. Something to be improved upon would be the organisation of the practical skills module, I enjoyed this module and am excited for placement but I did not always find the relevant information easy to access on blackboard.
I think Peak Court has a really community feel to it. Our hall manager is lovely and super friendly. There are often events organised in the common room and the regular schedule of cleaning and collection of items such as sanitary bins is good too.