£500 off selected accommodation

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Join us at our next Experience Day

Saturday 28 March 2026

Book your placeBook your place

Experience the buzz of student life at a TEF Gold university and find where you belong.

2ndfor employability and course qualityUni Compare 2026
Top10UK universityUni Compare 2026
No.1for AccommodationGlobal Student Living Awards 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022
94%of graduates in work/further study Latest HESA Graduate Outcomes survey
Top25in the UK for overall student satisfactionComplete University Guide 2025
TEF Gold 2023 logoWe have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023Read more about our TEF Gold AwardRead more about our TEF Gold Award

We are gold

In September 2023, the University of Derby received the prestigious Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023, making it one of the top universities in the UK for exceptional student experience and outcomes.

The TEF, administered by the Office for Students, is a national initiative designed to drive improvements and promote excellence in areas most valued by students: teaching quality, learning environment, and the achievement of positive results from their studies.

In addition to achieving an overall Gold rating, the University of Derby excelled in the individual components of the TEF, achieving Gold for student experience and Silver for student outcomes.

Read the full press release.

Theo Paphitis outside the Cavendish Building

Chancellor’s Entrepreneurs’ Club: Where Derby’s brightest minds meet real-world innovators

Join a hand‑picked community of ambitious students and get direct access to top entrepreneurs, including Visiting Professor and leading UK business figure Theo Paphitis.

Find out more about the Chancellor’s Entrepreneurs’ ClubFind out more about the Chancellor’s Entrepreneurs’ Club

Chancellor’s Entrepreneurs’ Club

Join a hand‑picked community of ambitious students and get direct access to top entrepreneurs, including Visiting Professor and leading UK business figure Theo Paphitis. 

As a member, you’ll benefit from: 

  • Exclusive mentoring from industry leaders
  • Live business challenges that build real experience
  • Skills workshops to develop your ideas and confidence
  • Powerful networking opportunities with business partners and alumni
  • Opportunities to demonstrate your leadership skills to help you stand out in your career

The Club is open to students from any course through a competitive application process. 

If you’re driven, curious, and ready to think big - this is your launchpad.

The Chancellor's Entrepreneurs' Club is now open for applications from current students.

Working in partnership with leading employers and industry

We collaborate with leading organisations to give our students real-world experience and prepare them for successful careers.

Learn more about our industry partnersLearn more about our industry partners

Building Strong Industry Connections

We believe that real-world experience is an essential part of academic success. Our partnerships with leading organisations across various sectors ensure our students gain valuable insights, hands-on opportunities, and access to the latest industry innovations.

Through collaboration with our industry partners, we bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice, preparing our graduates to thrive in competitive global markets.

University of Derby Open Day

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to come to an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

Kedleston Road campus entrance.

Postgraduate Open Events

Join us at an upcoming on-campus Postgraduate Open Event, where you will get the opportunity to meet our expert academics and find out more about your course.

Book your Postgraduate Open EventBook your Postgraduate Open Event

person using a virtual reality gaming system

Create games at Derby

Study Game Art, Game Design or Game Programming and become part of Games@Derby – a collaborative community where students and staff work together like a real game studio to share ideas and build games.

Find out more about our Games coursesFind out more about our Games courses

Making a difference

Growing innovation and business

We are accelerating small-business growth, breaking down barriers and creating unrivalled opportunities for entrepreneurs to innovate and thrive.

Civic University Agreement

Our Civic University Agreement reaffirms our ongoing commitment to playing our part in the prosperity and wellbeing of Derby and Derbyshire.

Student success

Our students and graduates are making an impact in our region and around the world by using their knowledge and skills to drive innovation and change.

Helping shape tomorrow, today

Climate change and dying coral reefs pose the greatest threats to our global environment, but with our pioneering research interventions, we are creating sustainable solutions to safeguard the future of our planet.

Explore how our research makes an impactExplore how our research makes an impact

Undergraduate 2027 prospectus out now - the future is you

Order your compact print version for a quick guide to studying at Derby. Or opt for our fully digital prospectus, tailored to your interests and delivered directly to your inbox.

Request your prospectusRequest your prospectus
The University of Derby 2027 prospectus, displayed both in a physical format and a digital format

Our latest news

students look through microscopes at a university of derby experience day

Try before you apply: university gives students a real feel for campus life

Prospective students will have a final opportunity to experience university life before starting in September at an Experience Day in Derby this week.

Posted: 24 March 2026

A man is pictured dressed as a ladybird

National music competition Tune Into Nature Music Prize reveals winners for 2026

A nature-loving science teacher has taken top prize in a unique national music competition designed to celebrate and reconnect people with the natural world.

Posted: 23 March 2026

Professor Kathryn Mitchell, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Derby sat next to Darren Leigh, CEO at Unipart signing partnership at a table

University of Derby strengthens its global industry network with new Unipart partnership

The University of Derby and Unipart have signed a partnership agreement, aimed at creating new opportunities for students, driving sustainable growth across the region and developing skills and innovation for sustainable supply chains.

Posted: 19 March 2026

Outside University of Derby Kedelston Road site

Derby part of consortium of universities set to strengthen UK’s nuclear skills capabilities

The University of Derby is part of two university consortia that have been awarded funding to lead new doctoral training programmes designed to develop the UK’s future nuclear workforce.  

Posted: 13 March 2026

A building belonging to the University of Derby can be seen in the sunshine

The Cavendish Building wins top award for design and impact

One of Derby’s newest buildings has been recognised for its impressive design and contribution to the city’s regeneration. 

Posted: 12 March 2026

Read more news