University of Derby

Overview

Located in the heart of England, the University of Derby is a Top 50 UK University (Guardian University Guide 2023), providing industry-relevant, expert teaching.

Many of Derby’s academic staff are practicing professionals who combine industry experience and academic knowledge to ensure students gain the real-world skills employers are looking for, ready for a successful career.

The University wants everyone to receive the high-quality education they deserve, regardless of age, background or location. They were named University of the Year at the UK Social Mobility Awards 2020 and Higher Education Institution of the Year at the 2020 NEON (National Education Opportunities Network) Awards.

The University is home to more than 1,700 international students from 100 countries studying at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. It is proud to be the UK's best modern university for multi-cultural learning and top 10 in the world for international student learning experience, (ISB 2018), and number 11 for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2021). 

The city of Derby is a welcoming and safe place with a diverse community. Thanks to its central location, it’s easy to explore the rest of the UK.

International students can find their home away from home in Derby’s award-winning accommodation. As winners of Best University Housing and Best Moving In Experience (Global Student Living Awards UK & Ireland 2022), Derby offers lots of choice and great value for money. All bills are included in rent prices, so there’s no need to worry about paying for gas, electricity or WiFi as extras.

Services for International Students

The University offers a range of support services, advice and social activities which will help you settle smoothly into life in the UK. Expert teams can provide practical help and advice with questions about finance and budgeting, study skills and living and working in the UK.

The University runs a pickup service from selected airports for new international starters, and this is followed up by an induction program which takes place in the week before the term begins. 

The university also provides a wealth of free and confidential support for student’s health and well-being – this includes helping students juggle competing demands, taking care of mental health, supporting students with disabilities and specific learning differences, and advice for mature students and student parents.

Personal tutors provide advice and guidance as students progress through their studies, and additional study support is available, including English language tuition.

Scholarships

The University of Derby has a range of scholarships and discounts available to international students. These offer a reduction in fees during the first year of study. Some scholarships are automatically awarded to eligible students; for others, you will need to submit an application form once you have an offer to study at Derby.

Students must be applying for a full-time degree. Applications for postgraduate research, online studies, foundation and pre-sessional language programmes are not eligible for a discount or scholarship.

Scholarships open to international students include: 

• Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship
• International Excellent Student Scholarship
• GREAT Scholarship
• Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

There are also a number of sports scholarships open to international students. Full details about scholarships, including terms and conditions, are available here.

Ranking

• 77th in the Times University Guide 2025
• 54th in the Guardian University Guide 2025

Accommodation

You will discover secure, affordable accommodation in the University of Derby’s award-winning halls of residence where you will be provided with a free arrival pack, bed pack and kitchen pack as soon as you arrive. They include essential items of food, cutlery and bedding. With all bills included in rent, you don’t need to worry about paying extra for gas, electricity or WiFi, helping you to budget.

Derby's halls of residence are owned and run by the University so you can be sure of good quality accommodation - a real home from home. Voted Best University Housing (Global Student Living Awards UK & Ireland 2022), there are lots of options to suit your preferences and budget. Halls are the ideal place for you to live during your time at University as they’re a great place to make friends - and the good news is that you can live in halls throughout your studies if you want to.

Location

In the heart of the UK, the University of Derby is easy to reach by road, rail and air. The main campus is based in the vibrant city of Derby, a friendly, culturally diverse and safe place, with high standards of living and prices much cheaper than in bigger cities. Offering a great social life when you want it but a relaxed, calm atmosphere when you need to concentrate, it’s the ideal setting to enjoy your university experience to the full.

You are never at a loss for something to do in Derby – with music, dining, cinema, theatre, festivals and sport of every kind. The nearby Peak District National Park offers stunning landscapes, impressive stately homes and exhilarating outdoor activities too.

The nearest airport to the Derby campus is East Midlands Airport which is less than 20 minutes away. It’s also easy to get to by train and motorways, so a great location for exploring other UK cities.

The city is renowned as a centre for innovation, with global companies such as Rolls-Royce, Toyota and Bombardier based there. Its central location means that it is easily accessible by rail and road. The city is welcoming and friendly and has Purple Flag status – this recognises its safe, diverse and enjoyable evening entertainment.

Find out more about living in Derby by clicking here.

Alumni

• Ritesh Anand – MSc in Strategic Management – founder of Invictus Capital in Zimbabwe, an integrated financial services company with a primary focus on Africa.
• Paul Cummins – BSA (Hons) Craft – an internationally acclaimed artist whose work has been displayed at Chatsworth House, London Olympic Park and the Tower of London.
• Edward Hogan – BA (Hons) Creative Writing and English – critically acclaimed, award-winning author.
• Khumbo Kachali – MSc in Strategic Management –Vice-President of Malawi.
• Fazane Malik – BA (Hons) Fashion Studies – runs a fashion label and awarded Midlands Independent Designer of the Year 2013.