Derby as a region is renowned for its heritage of innovation and creativity and is the home to leading global brands such as Rolls-Royce, Alstom and Toyota. Strong industry links and state-of-the-art facilities mean that you will build the practical and transferable skills you need to succeed, whatever path you choose.
Through our ground-breaking research, we are combatting the most prevalent challenges in our society and shaping a better future, today. This research inspires our curriculum and creates relevant, up-to-date modules containing real-world learnings which our students can apply to their future workplace.
Our academic research themes cover areas of critical importance for the future and include:
At Derby, we believe in powering the next generation of thought leaders. This means that you don’t just gain the academic qualifications for a job, you acquire the skills, resilience, and experiences for a meaningful and impactful career.
Career experts are there to guide, support and advise. Whether you need help with placement applications, enhancing your CV or finding work experience, the University will be by your side, making sure you’re on the path to success.
The Careers teams provide an accredited service and are proud to confirm that 94% of our UK graduates are in employment or further study (Latest HESA Graduate Outcomes survey). We are also 1st for employability in the Uni Compare Annual Rankings 2027
Moving to university is a new and exciting chapter in your life, but it can also feel like a big and sometimes scary step – especially if this is your first time living away from home. We have a team of friendly, caring and supportive staff who are trained to help with specific concerns around your course or wellbeing or simply to provide that little piece of reassurance you may need.
We’re here for you and are always on hand to help make your university experience the best it can possibly be.
The University has been awarded Best University Housing for four years running and Best Environmental Management for three years running, as voted for by students in the Global Student Living Awards 2025. It also won Best Value for Money, showing its dedication to supporting students with the cost of living. The University’s undergraduate halls are all conveniently located close to the city centre and to the teaching spaces that are spread across Derby, making it the perfect place to begin your student journey. All accommodation at the University of Derby is inclusive of bills, meaning you do not need to worry about hidden extra costs. At the University of Derby, student wellbeing is the top priority, and all accommodation is installed with CCTV and an intercom entry system.
The University provides access to library resources (print and online), information technology and study space to support students in their studies. Help and advice is available throughout the year from friendly and knowledgeable staff. There are computers and printers available on every floor of the Library.
There are computers available to students within the Library and laptops that can be borrowed. Students also have access to the Microsoft suite to support their university work. IT services are available to students that have any queries about this.
The University of Derby has its own on-site doctor’s surgery at Kedleston Road.
The University of Derby is spread across several teaching and learning sites, located in or near the city centre. The Cavendish Building is our latest investment in your education and is the £75m home to Derby International Business School, where students can co-locate and co-create with industry leaders. Derby is a relatively small city which means that all sites are conveniently within walking distance from the halls of residence and the city centre. For those rainy days, you can hop on one of our affordable Unibuses which will get you from A to B.
Our main site is at Kedleston Road and features an outstanding Sports Centre, a four-storey library, a Multi-faith Centre and the Union of Students. You’ll also find lots of popular eateries including Starbucks and Subway.
The University of Derby also has a site in Chesterfield which is recognised as a Centre of Excellence for Health and Social Care.
The University of Derby Sports Centre is open to students, staff and the wider community all year round. Students can join with an affordable membership but many of the activities and facilities are also available on a pay-as-you-go basis. There is a superb fitness suite and a range of weekly classes on offer and social sport activities to enjoy, keeping students healthy and well. Other top-quality facilities include squash courts, double-sized sports hall, indoor climbing wall, external 3G pitches and two outdoor tennis courts.
Societies are run by students, for students, and are a great way for you to meet like-minded people, learn a new skill or try out a new hobby. You’ll find everything from Warhammer to Medieval Re-enactment, Afro Caribbean to Ballroom and Latin Dance – and if there’s not something on our societies list that catches your eye, you’ll have the freedom and support to set up your own society.
Each society offers organised activities to enhance your social experience, including bar crawls, quizzes and day trips.
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
By TopUniversities
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 1001 | 1201 | 1201 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By U.S. News & World Report
Climbed 8 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 1414 | 1489 | 1481 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 601 | 601 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Based on 100 reviews
As a first-year BSc (Hons) Business Management student at the University of Derby, I have found that the online program offers a unique flexibility that allows me to seamlessly bridge my academic foundation with my creative and professional passions. I truly value how the curriculum empowers me to apply theoretical business concepts directly to my own projects, such as developing animated educational eBooks and managing digital content strategies. By integrating my studies with my role as a student representative and my broader interest in marketing and business innovation, I feel I am getting a well-rounded experience that goes far beyond traditional coursework. My Personal Experience I find that the program�s structure is a perfect fit for my lifestyle, as it allows me to balance academic rigor with my goals in digital entrepreneurship and student advocacy. I appreciate that the University of Derby encourages me to think critically and practically, which has been instrumental in helping me manage budget analyses for my previous projects and refine my approach to relationship marketing. The ability to stay connected and represent my peers while pursuing my degree has made me feel like an integral part of the university community, even as an online student. Why I Recommend It I would definitely recommend the University of Derby to other students, particularly those who want a flexible degree that doesn�t sacrifice real-world relevance. I believe that success in this program comes from being proactive, so I always encourage others to: � Get involved in student representation to build a network and advocate for positive change. � Leverage course assignments as opportunities to experiment with personal business ventures and build a professional portfolio. � Actively participate in virtual internships and networking events to gain exposure to top industry employers.
It was good and amazing but I want to experience moree
Great university and staff are very supportive and helpful. Although I'm online only, I thought material structured well and plenty of support was available. Staff could respond to emails sooner though
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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