University of Derby

The University of Derby spreads across two campuses and five centres within the East Midlands. The two main university campuses sit 30 miles from each other: one in the compact, bustling city of Derby and the other in the picturesque spa town of Buxton.

Background and History

The University of Derby's origins go back as far as 1851, when the Diocesan Institution for the Training of School Mistresses was first created. After a series of mergers with different colleges, the institution became known as the Derbyshire College of Higher Education and later, in 1992, the University of Derby. In 1998, High Peak College Buxton joined with Derby to make it the only university offering both further and higher education. The university is now considered the leading provider of post-secondary education in Derbyshire.

Location and Accessibility

Road: Derby campus is situated just outside Derby city. To get to the campus, exit from the M1 onto the A52 towards Derby. Follow the A52 through Derby until reaching the A38. Take the A38 north and Derby campus will be on the left, shortly after Markeaton Park. Buxton campus sits in the middle of the Peak District right in the centre of Buxton town. Routes into Buxton run from both the M1 and M6.

Rail: Both Derby and Buxton have train stations close to campus. Once you arrive at Buxton station, you will likely need to take a bus or taxi. From Derby station, however, it is possible to walk.

Derby University runs a Student Support Plan, which assesses the needs of each student during their time at university. Support Plans are valid for the duration of a student's university stay and can be updated whenever necessary.

What's on Offer

ACCA, BA, BSc, BEd, DPP, EdD, EIPD, EPIC, FdA, FdSc, FdEng, HNC, HND, LLM, LPC, MSc, MDes, MBA, MPhil, PG Cert, PG Dip, PhD, RED.

Entry Requirements

Each programme at Derby has its own particular entry requirements. Some courses will ask for UCAS points while others will put more importance on experience and previous employment. Check the courses section of the University of Derby website for details on the specific course requirements.

University Accommodation

The University of Derby has halls of residence on both Derby campus and Buxton campus.    

Private Accommodation

Private shared accommodation is available throughout Derby and Buxton. The university provides house-hunting assistance and a list of approved student accommodation through the Student Living Shop for Derby and High Peak Hall for Buxton.

Faculties and Departments

The University of Derby is made up of five different faculties: the Faculty of Arts, Design and Technology, the Faculty of Business, Computing and Law, the Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences and the STEM Virtual Faculty.  

Academic Strengths and Research Profile

More than half of Derby's research activity has been recognised as being of international excellence. Many of the courses Derby offers have been developed in collaboration with industry and are accredited by professional bodies. The University also encourages its students to look outside their own course, taking advantage of every opportunity to set themselves apart from other competing graduates.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees vary depending on the chosen course. Fees for International students may be slightly higher than those for UK/EU students and prices for specialist and premium degrees are also higher.

For information on specific course fees, check the Courses section of the University of Derby website.

Financial Support Derby has 300 scholarships available to English undergraduate students who experience financial difficulty. Each scholarship has an end benefit of around £3,000. Prospective postgraduates can apply for a 10% discount on fees if they have already studied as an undergraduate at Derby.

Academic Facilities

Both the Britannia Mill Library and Kedleston Road Library at Derby campus and the Devonshire Library at Buxton campus offer masses of reference materials, IT facilities and support for distance learning. Each library also has subject librarians and provides study skills sessions. The sports facilities at Harpur Hill in Buxton recently underwent a £1.5m refurbishment and now offer a modern sports hall, state-of-the-art outdoor climbing wall, improved changing rooms and three new classrooms.

Other on-site Amenities

The fitness centre at Kedleston Road provides staff and students with a 44-station, fully air-conditioned facility. The centre holds the latest range of Technogym equipment and offers a variety of fitness and personal training programmes. There are restaurants on each campus serving up hot food, snacks and drinks. The Students' Union runs shops on every main site, a coffee shop and the Academy Bar. All profits go back into the Students' Union so that it can continue to provide its services.

Medical and Social Care

The Student Wellbeing Service exists on both campuses and offers students information, guidance, pastoral services and medical assistance. In order to welcome all religious beliefs, Derby also provides staff and students with a Multi-Faith Centre. The University of Derby Students' Union (UDSU) strives to make each student's time at Derby as enjoyable as possible. This includes everything from managing sports teams and societies to running welfare campaigns and organising huge events.

What's on in the Area

Buxton campus is situated in the centre of the Peak District, which contains some of the UK's most beautiful landscapes and countryside. The town has a growing arts scene with Buxton Opera House being one of the UK's leading theatres. In the summer, Buxton hosts a great number of festivals, including the Buxton Festival, Fringe Theatre Festival and The Four Four Time Festival of Live Music.  

Derby: A moderately sized city with plenty going on, Derby offers a wide range of cultural experiences. There are many shopping opportunities to be had from the designer boutiques and individual shops along the cobbled streets of Cathedral Quarter to big name brands on the high street. If you're ever stuck for what to cook, why not go out for dinner? Derby has a great choice of cuisines on offer from Italian and Indian to Chinese, Japanese and Thai. The city centre has a wide range of bars, nightclubs and gig venues to suit all tastes. Anyone who's looking for high-adrenaline excitement will be happy to learn that both Alton Towers and Drayton Manor theme parks are right on the university's doorstep. For more information on Derby, visit the city's tourist information website.

 

Moving On

The University of Derby has good links with industry employers and develops many of its courses in conjunction with businesses. Derby's Career Development Centre helps students plan their careers, research options, find vacancies and improve their employability skills. The centre is available for student use for up to three years after finishing their course.

Sir Richard Branson opened the university's £21m arts, design and technology site in November 2007. The university boasts a purpose-built training and treatment spa facility complete with sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy pool. Derby's Perfect Pub Crawl was recommended in the Good Beer Guide 2011 and 2012.  

Is the University of Derby the place for you?

Come to Derby if you want to join one of the best value and friendliest universities in England. Avoid if you're looking for big city living with a large student population. Why not try the University of Nottingham instead?