Located in the heart of England, the University of Derby has origins dating back to the 1850s. The city of Derby is considered the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, with the worldwide impact of its innovators lasting for over 300 years.
The university builds on this history. It works with industry and global brands to find solutions to global challenges. It has more than 20,000 students enrolled, including over 4,000 international students.
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4.4The University of Derby is split across two main locations, one in Derby and one in Chesterfield – a market town that's around 40 miles north.
The Derby campus is home to most of the uni's courses, with teaching facilities across four sites. Kedleston Road is where you'll find the sports centre and the library. There are lots of study areas and places to eat and drink, including the Union of Students' cafe and bar. Course facilities include Derby Theatre, where stage students can work alongside industry professionals. The uni's Makerspace is open to all students: it has laser cutters, 3D printers, and other equipment that you can use to bring your prototypes to life.
The Chesterfield site is a Centre of Excellence for Health. It has high-tech teaching facilities and strong links with the Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
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4.1The University of Derby has a wide choice of accommodation to choose from, including rooms with en-suite or shared bathrooms, single or double rooms, and studio flats. All accommodation is self-catered.
Most first-year students live in uni residences. You're guaranteed a place in halls as long as you meet the criteria, make Derby your firm choice, and apply by the accommodation deadline. Living in halls is a great way of finding your community and meeting other new students.
University accommodation is close to teaching sites and the city centre. A bus runs between the halls, the campus and the city centre, making it easy to get to your lectures or head into the city for a night out.
Rent costs are between £118 and £200 per week, with contracts from 42 or 50/51 weeks depending on the site and room type. All have on-site laundry services and night-time security. Your rent includes a free weekly cleaning service of communal areas – helping to make student life stress-free! Your rent also includes contents insurance and all bills.
Events take place all year, run by the halls' social teams. Each hall has a common room which may have PlayStations, table tennis, and pool tables, and if you have a problem or need support, wellbeing support is on hand.
The best way to get a feel for a university is to go to an open day.
Derby has extra funding to support you at university. These scholarships and bursaries can go towards your living costs or course expenses, and they don't need to be paid back.
The University of Derby Bursary supports students with up to £1,000 each year of a degree, depending on your household income. If you're from a family with an income of £25,000 or less, you'll get the full bursary. For incomes of £25,001 to £36,592, you'll be entitled to £600.
Sports scholarships support talented athletes with the costs of training or competition.
You must apply to study at the university before you can apply for a bursary or scholarship. To find out about all the scholarships and bursaries available, visit the uni's online funding pages.
The University of Derby gets some top accolades. It's in the top 25 for student satisfaction in the Complete University Guide league tables. It holds a TEF Gold for teaching. And in the Whatuni Awards in 2025 it was voted in the top ten for its university halls.
Research discoveries at the uni are having a positive impact in many areas, from health and the arts to energy, artificial intelligence, and more.
You'll find undergraduate courses in subjects from Accounting and Finance to Zoology. Undergraduate degrees are generally studied full-time on campus; a few courses may have options for online or part-time study.
Most undergraduate degrees at Derby take three years to study. Some include a placement year, study abroad option, or an integrated master's year and may take four or five years to complete. Optional modules give you the chance to select the topics you're most interested in.
The University of Derby focuses on linking your learning to real-life situations and putting theory into practice. The uni's modern facilities include simulation environments and industry-standard equipment so you can apply your learning. Teaching staff have real-world experience, and many still work in the subject they teach. All these help you gain knowledge and practical skills that are relevant to your future career.
Term dates for the University of Derby are below. Some courses, like healthcare or nursing degrees, start earlier than the main academic year. Others may have a January intake. All teaching sessions end with an assessment period.
Fees for UK-resident undergraduates (Home students) are currently £9,535. If you're an international student, you can find the course fees in our course listings.
View courses offered by the University of Derby.
Derby is a friendly and affordable city that's easy to get around and has lots to offer. There's a big international photography festival every other year, and the Summer Sessions bring top music artists to the city. The Sadler Gate and Friar Gate areas are great for bars, clubs and eateries. The city has a student-friendly vibe, and you're close to the Peak District if you ever want a break from city life.
Getting to Derby is easy, with good train services and the M1 motorway close by. East Midlands Airport is just 15 miles away from the city centre.
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2.7The University of Derby's careers service offers support during your degree and for up to three years after graduating. It offers one-to-one support and career skills workshops that will help improve your job prospects. You'll also be able to use a range of online resources, like the job vacancy database, which can help you find and apply for jobs.
By giving you work-related skills and knowledge, the University of Derby sets you up well for your future career. Several courses lead directly to jobs such as teaching, nursing, and social work.
The uni's links with top organisations like Toyota and the NHS pave the way for you to gain work experience. Many of the uni's courses include the opportunity for a placement or time studying abroad. Working with Rolls-Royce, Derby also has an innovative two-year accelerated degree that's taught across both facilities.
There are also many careers events where you can meet employers and start growing your professional network, as well as learn about different industries.
Derby is an applied university; its degrees aim to give you the skills you need for career success after graduation. Strong ties with industry employers mean you'll have the chance to get experience of work through placements or live project briefs. These help you gain skills that are highly valued in the job market.
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