Maintaining its emphasis on industry engagement, the University of Derby has launched an accelerated two-year degree in international business and AI, designed in partnership with Rolls-Royce. It also offers apprenticeships in engineering, manufacturing, and business through the Nuclear Skills Academy to fuel the skills needed in the nuclear industry.
Derby traces its roots to the Diocesan Training Institution for School Mistresses founded in 1851, and became a university in 1992. Now it spans four sites in the East Midlands city and has a campus for nursing students in Chestersfield. Most of the action happens at its Kedleston Road campus on the edge of Derby, where a £17.6 million Bioscience Superlab and Research Lab has just opened and boosted provision for the study of fields such as haematology, immunology, molecular biology, and genetics.
What is the University of Derby’s reputation?
Derby is rated gold in the government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023) and was awarded gold for the student experience and silver for student outcomes.
The university has slipped 19 places in our overall league table to 96th. However, students are happy with teaching quality: in our analysis of the latest National Student Survey it ranks 22=. It ranks 64= for the wider student experience, down from 42nd last year.
In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) education and geology produced some of the best results, helping to raise the university seven places in our research quality index to 110=. Derby’s scientists lead in sustainability research with their work on restoring damaged coral reefs. There is also research strength in biomedical and clinical science, creative and cultural industries, data science, business, economic and social policy, public services, and zero carbon.
But the threat of job cuts faced by senior academics at Derby has attracted criticism from the University and College Union. Derby said it “remains committed” to investing in research but resources needed to be “channelled in support of an exceptional student experience and towards research that has the greatest impact in the UK and around the world”.
What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available?
New from 2025 are degrees in international business and AI, dance and movement for wellbeing, and business management and sustainable practice.
From 2026 the curriculum gains an Internet of Things degree, and joint honours courses combining psychology and counselling.
What are the University of Derby’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?
The university’s grade requirements range from 128 to down to 96 Ucas tariff points, reduced by two grades or 16 points for a contextual offer. Lower tariffs apply to degrees with an integrated foundation year.
What are the graduate prospects?
According to our analysis of the Graduate Outcomes survey, tracking the numbers in highly skilled work or postgraduate study within 15 months, Derby has been improving, and sits 82= this year, up from 93rd in 2023. In addition to careers fairs, students can be mentored by employers to help them to build a network, bolstered by the university’s business links with organisations such as JCB, Aldi, and HMRC.
What is the University of Derby’s campus like?
Kedleston Road, the largest of the four city campuses, hosts most teaching subjects as well as the students’ union, a multi-faith centre, the main sports facilities, and the new state-of-the-art Bioscience Superlab.
The university’s business school has moved into the Cavendish Building, new for 2025, where students will have access to a trading floor and immersive learning in a Google-style creativity lab. Among other applied, hands-on learning opportunities in simulated “real world” environments are a crime-scene house for forensic science students, a replica crown court, a Bloomberg financial markets laboratory and an NHS-standard hospital ward. Hospitality students gain experience in industrial kitchens and a fine-dining restaurant. The university has a main auditorium for about 530 people, and a 110-seat studio theatre.
When can I visit?
derby.ac.uk
Everything you need to know about the University of Derby’s student life and wellbeing support
Derby has its own live-music venues and student-friendly nightlife, but those in search of brighter lights can take the bus to Nottingham, 15 miles away. Sheffield is also within reach.
The £10.8 million sports centre at Kedleston Road has a HiPAC (high-performance analysis centre) as well as an upgraded gym, a climbing wall and an eight-court sports hall, with two all-weather pitches and outdoor tennis courts next door. There are more than 30 sports clubs, some of which compete in the Bucs (British Universities and Colleges Sport) league.
Students in crisis can seek help from counsellors and mental health practitioners, and have access to 24/7 support through the TalkCampus app. A student-life team runs workshops on issues such as sleep, nutrition and finance.
What do the students say?
“Expert lecturers bring theory to life through practical learning and strong industry links. Outside the classroom, the supportive students’ union, careers team and wide range of events and societies help you grow personally and professionally.”
Olivia Wilkinson, marketing, PR and advertising graduate
What about student accommodation in the University of Derby?
For three years running the halls were voted the best UK university housing in the Global Student Living Awards (2022 to 2024). There are enough spaces to guarantee a spot to all first-years who apply by the end of July.
How diverse and inclusive is the University of Derby?
Derby’s commitment to improving social mobility is in evidence through its wide-ranging outreach activities, such as the Get Ready for Uni programme spearheaded by the Gogglebox star Baasit Siddiqui, an alumnus of the university and a former teacher.
Derby is sixth for recruitment of students from deprived areas (27.2 per cent) and 19 overall in our social inclusion index.
Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at the University of Derby
Almost a third of students receive some financial help. The University of Derby bursaries are worth up to £1,000 and awarded according to a sliding scale of household income. Sports scholarships provide support from £500 to £3,000.
