The University of Derby is located in the heart of England and is the only university in Derbyshire. It combines teaching excellence, research innovation and industry engagement to create a future-focused learning experience that inspires students to create new knowledge, tackle real global challenges and build a successful career.
STUDY AT University of derby
Studying at university is about more than earning a degree – it is where students can find a place to belong. From the moment they arrive, students will be welcomed into an inclusive community where everyone has the freedom to be their authentic self. Through sport clubs, Student Union events, course socials and the Residence Life programme, the student experience at the University of Derby will be full of opportunities to meet like-minded people who will turn into life-long friends.
HISTORY of university of derby
Derby gained University status in 1992, and its roots can be traced back to the establishment of the Derby Diocesan Institution for the Training of Schoolmistresses in 1851.
SPECIALIST AREAS at university of derby
SUPPORTING CORAL RESEARCH
Despite being in land-locked, Michael Sweet, award-winning Professor of Ecology and Nature-Based Solutions at the University of Derby, has joined forces with the International Union for Conservation of Nature to tackle coral decline and repopulate the ocean reefs. Professor Sweet has developed a revolutionary spawning technique which helps corals to reproduce on command in a laboratory setting. These healthy corals can then be transferred onto damaged reefs to encourage the process of natural restoration.
As a respected global leader in this field, Professor Sweet collaborated with global advertising agency, McCann, and ethical manufacturer, Stream2Sea, to develop the Reef Protection Factor (RPF), a pioneering certification which will help consumers identify sunscreen products that actively nourish, rather than harm, corals. The team won Bronze at the Cannes Lion Awards in the Innovation category. Testing for the RPF took place at the University of Derby’s Aquatic Research Facility, where students can spend time supporting experts on projects that will truly make a difference.
LIFE ON CAMPUS
The University of Derby is spread across several teaching and learning sites, located by the city centre. It offers programmes across:
- The College of Health & Humanities
- The College of Science & Engineering
- Derby International Business School
- The Institute of Education & Skills
KEDLESTON ROAD
As the biggest site, Kedleston Road is the main student hub where students will find the Sports Centre, doctor’s surgery, Multi-Faith Centre, library and Student Union.
MARKEATON STREET
Purpose-built for Art, Design, Media, Photography, Engineering and Computing courses, Markeaton Street also has a £12 million STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Centre which contains a range of computing studios and engineering workshops. Neighbouring Chandos Pole Street features industry-standard fashion and textiles equipment.
BRITANNIA MILL
Close to Markeaton Street is Britannia Mill, a former textile mill featuring professional studios for Illustration, Interior Design and Fine Art courses.
ONE FRIAR GATE SQUARE
This modern and iconic building within walking distance of Derby’s city centre provides the perfect base for the University’s Criminology, Law, Policing and Social Sciences courses. The impressive training facilities include a Community Legal Advice Service, a replica crown court and custody suite, which has interview rooms and a cell.
THE CAVENDISH BUILDING
The Cavendish Building is a £75m, seven-storey development in the heart of the city centre and the new home to Derby International Business School.
LIFE OUTSIDE OF CAMPUS
Students can spend their free time in bustling bars, browsing in the Derbion shopping centre, or visiting cultural hotspots such as Chatsworth House. They could enjoy spectacular events at the new Vaillant Live Performance Arena or feel the excitement at Pride Park Stadium while watching Derby County Football Club. Derby is a Purple Flag city, which means it offers safe, varied and affordable evening entertainment. The nearby Peak District National Park is great for exploring and features historic towns and villages, including Bakewell, home to the famous Bakewell pudding.
STUDENT SUPPORT AT university of derby
SUPPORT FROM DAY ONE
The University has a range of free and confidential services that can support students in looking after their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. It offers personalised help to students with disabilities including specific learning difficulties, autism, ADHD, long-term health conditions, mental health diagnoses, and those with care responsibilities or who are estranged. The University’s tailored support package includes an online screening test for specific learning differences, an in-house non-medical helper team of support workers, and help with arranging accommodation that has been adapted to suit specific needs.
SUPPORT FOR UNIVERSITY LIFE
In addition to wellbeing and accessibility services, the Student Life team offers practical and emotional support to help students thrive throughout their studies. From guidance on student finance, budgeting and money management, to 1:1 appointments and workshops on stress, exam anxiety, sleep and building social connections, the team are there to help students navigate the challenges of university life.
MULTI-FAITH CENTRE
Kedleston Road is home to a Multi-Faith Centre where a team of friendly chaplains and consultants support students with their religious beliefs.
COST OF LIVING
The University’s award-winning accommodation has fixed price rent with all-inclusive bills meaning there are no hidden costs to worry about. If students are looking for advice on how to make their money go further, they can speak to a Student Money Advisor in the Student Life team for their tried and tested budgeting tips.
university of derby FACILITIES
The University is continually investing in its campus to ensure its Gold-standard teaching has first-class facilities to match. Across all sites, students can experience immersive training in simulated work environments, so they graduate with practical skills and industry knowledge. Some standout facilities include:
THE CAVENDISH BUILDING
One of the University’s most significant investments to date is The Cavendish Building; a £75m, seven-storey development in the heart of the city centre which opened in September 2025 as the new home to Derby International Business School. Designed to inspire innovation and collaboration, it features a Google-style creativity lab, an extended reality suite, a simulation trading floor, a Harvard-style lecture theatre and the Institute of Carbonomics, where game-changing research will take place to support the race to net zero.
The building is open to all students and offers a dynamic environment where they can work alongside the businesses based there to co-create, share ideas and build valuable connections.
BIOSCIENCE SUPERLAB
The Bioscience Superlab is a new, purpose-built facility which opened in October 2025 to support specialist teaching in haematology, immunology, histopathology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, cell/tissue culture and microscopy. Its adjoining Research Lab with a confocal laser scanning microscope room and a Tissue Lab completes the £17.6m development at Kedleston Road.
DERBY THEATRE
Derby Theatre is a professional producing theatre that provides students with a unique working environment where they can gain hands-on experience. They will share the space with industry professionals to learn from the experts and build a professional network.
SPORTS AND SOCIETIES AT university of derby
The University’s £10.8m Sports Centre is based at Kedleston Road and features an eight-badminton court sports hall (which can be separated into two four-court halls). The sports hall is multi-functional and can support a range of sports including badminton, futsal, basketball, netball, volleyball, five-a-side football and cricket nets. The Sports Centre facilities also include an indoor climbing and bouldering wall, two squash courts, two outdoor tennis/netball courts, a group fitness studio (24 capacity), a group cycling studio (15 stations), a fully equipped gym, a performance conditioning suite and two outdoor 3G synthetic pitches.
The gym was refurbished in August 2023 and offers the latest fitness equipment that will help students, staff and community members to reach their activity goals. The refurbishment included an update of all fitness machines (56 stations), introduction of new plate-loaded equipment, doubled its squat rack provision and added additional pieces of equipment in high-use weight ranges to help reduce wait times. There is also a ‘Theragun’ recovery area, which uses vibration to treat muscle soreness, relieve pain, and accelerate recovery after workouts.
The University’s two 3G pitches were re-refurbished in 2023 and 2024 respectively. One 3G supports football (11-a-side and small-sided formats). The second can support rugby, football, American football and lacrosse.
The Sport Centre is purpose built for an outstanding student experience and supports 32 different sports clubs. Students can represent the University of Derby in British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS), where they can compete against other UK universities in both team and individual competitions and events. The University also hosts Varsity Sport, an exciting social event that encourages participation from all students.
HUMAN PERFORMANCE UNIT
Sports scholars and Team Derby performance teams also have access to the Human Performance Unit, a dedicated space focusing on specialised sport science support. This support includes a strength and conditioning suite featuring a diverse range of strength training equipment. Vicon motion analysis cameras also facilitate comprehensive biomechanical analysis. The facility is rounded off with a 30 m sprint track and sandpit enable. Sessions are delivered by experienced coaches accredited by the UK Strength and Conditioning Association.
STUDENT COMMUNITIES
Coming to university is all about saying ‘yes’ to new experiences and through the Student Union, students will have access to a huge range of student communities where they can test out new hobbies – or continue much-loved old ones – with new and like-minded friends. From recreational and competitive sports to communities based around students’ interests, hobbies and beliefs, the University has lots of opportunities for everyone to get involved. If the University does not currently offer a society students would like to join, they can gather at least five others who share their passion and chat to the Student Union about starting a new one.
ACCOMMODATION AT university of derby
GUARANTEED ACCOMMODATION
If students make the University of Derby their first choice and apply for accommodation by deadline, they are guaranteed a room in student halls. The University can also guarantee students all-inclusive bills with prices fixed for the year, meaning they can budget more effectively by knowing what their outgoing costs will be.
MAKING FRIENDS FROM DAY ONE
University halls are designed to give students a fantastic social experience where life-long friends are made. All have a common room with TVs and a pool table, plus a well-equipped kitchen where they can cook and dine together. Students can join the Residence Life programme which offers a range of free activities including sports tournaments, quizzes and yoga classes to help them meet other students in the halls community.
INTERNATIONAL FOCUS
The University of Derby offers international students a supportive and welcoming environment in the heart of the UK, making it an ideal place to study abroad. With a strong focus on practical, career-focused learning, students gain skills that are directly relevant to global job markets.
International students benefit from dedicated support services, including visa guidance, orientation, and ongoing wellbeing support, ensuring a smooth transition to life in the UK. The University’s diverse community, with students from over 100 countries, creates a truly global experience both inside and outside the classroom.
Combined with affordable living, a safe city, and excellent employability opportunities, Derby provides international students with a high-quality education and a strong foundation for their future careers.
INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS
The University of Derby is geared towards helping students build the skills, experience and confidence to become an employment-ready graduate. With its links to global organisations including Intercontinental Exchange (owners of the New York Stock Exchange), Rolls-Royce, McDonald’s UK and Ireland, and the NHS, students will be exposed to fantastic opportunities to shape their future career.
The University offers all undergraduate students the option to undertake a work placement as part of their course. This allows them to gain hands-on experience in their future workplace, build connections with employers, put their learning into practice to make a positive impact, and impression, within an organisation – all before graduating.
STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES AND INTERNSHIPS
Studying or working abroad offers students an incredible opportunity to travel the world, experience a new culture, make unforgettable memories and develop career-enhancing skills such as confidence and communication. Through the University’s Global Opportunities Scheme, students can build an impressive CV and gain a competitive edge in today’s international job market.
EMPLOYABILITY AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The University of Derby believes that real-world experience is an essential part of academic success. Its partnerships with leading organisations across various sectors ensure students gain valuable insights, hands-on opportunities, and access to the latest industry innovations. The University’s collaborations give students experience to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice, preparing future graduates to thrive in competitive global markets and have successful careers.
The Careers and Employment Service supports students with exploring their career options and pursuing their goals. They facilitate student connections with local, national and global opportunities, giving them the chance to network with employers on campus at career fairs, during live briefs and at employer-led sessions.
Every year, the University invites employers to exhibit at Career Fairs on campus. These events give students the opportunity to network with employers and find out more about what opportunities are available. In the past, the University has welcomed a wide range of employers including JCB, Rolls-Royce, Aldi, Civil Service Fast Stream, Alstom, Next, HMRC, Department for Education and Enterprise Mobility.
Students are also encouraged and supported to take a year-in-industry placement as part of their degree, which is now offered on most courses at the University. This gives them an invaluable opportunity to experience a real workplace, get insights into the industry, and make connections, whilst still at university. Students benefit from the University’s strong industry links and partnerships, with past students having completed placements at organisations including National Grid, Deloitte, Severn Trent, AtkinsRéalis, JLR, Derbyshire Constabulary and Network Rail.
Once a student graduates, the University makes a promise to support them for a further three years with their career journey. This means that, no matter where they are, they can continue to access support and guidance with career planning, application and recruitment processes, and enterprise.
Every year the University sees students and graduates step into fantastic roles with organisations in the local region for internships, placements and graduate employment. Being in Derby, students are lucky enough to have world-renowned employers such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota and JCB on their doorstep, alongside regional successes and new enterprises. As a champion of social mobility, the University strives to create progression routes to high-quality employment whilst supporting local organisations to innovate and grow.
STUDY IN derby
Derby is in the centre of the UK, nestled between the cities of Birmingham, Nottingham and Sheffield. Close to the M1 motorway, East Midlands Airport and with a large train station, Derby benefits from excellent transport links meaning trips home and weekends away are always within easy reach.
As to be expected with any great UK city, Derby is full of bustling bars, cultural attractions, performance venues, shopping districts and sporting arenas where students and their friends can enjoy spending their free time. If they venture further afield, students will find that Derbyshire is full of natural charm, with quaint towns and villages to explore in the Peak District National Park. All this is complimented by an exciting calendar of year-round social events including markets and major music festivals, such as Download and Y Not.
Why STUDY AT THE university of derby
The University of Derby is a place where ambition meets opportunity, and where every student is encouraged to discover their true potential.
Derby offers international students a supportive and welcoming environment in the heart of the UK, making it an ideal place to study abroad. With a strong focus on practical, career-focused learning, students gain skills that are directly relevant to global job markets.
International students benefit from dedicated support services, including visa guidance, orientation, and ongoing wellbeing support, ensuring a smooth transition to life in the UK. The University’s diverse community, with students from over 100 countries, creates a truly global experience both inside and outside the classroom.
Combined with affordable living, a safe city, and excellent employability opportunities, Derby provides international students with a high-quality education and a strong foundation for their future careers.
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