Excellence at the core
The University is growing exponentially and has big ambitions for the future, but what anchors us is our commitment to delivering a fantastic experience to every student that we welcome through our doors. The level of support and guidance that we offer to students matches the excellence of our teaching and research, and is one of the many reasons why the University of Derby is a first-choice destination for thousands of students.
- Opportunities
- Awards
- Events
Opportunities
A warm welcome
Going to university is undoubtedly a big change, and here at the University, we go above and beyond to make all students feel welcome and part of our community from day one. Before they even arrive, all students receive a University of Derby hoodie in the post with an invitation to join us at upcoming and exclusive events where they can meet like-minded friends. Our VIP events can include a visit to Chatsworth House to enjoy afternoon tea with Chancellor Lord Burlington, and a glimpse behind the professional sports scene at Derby County Football Club, like a group of applicants did earlier this year on 14 April 2025.
A rare pitch-side outing
An exclusive trip was made possible by the University’s partnership with Derby County Football Club – just one of many examples of our industry connections which create invaluable opportunities for our students.
As well as a private tour of the stadium, going pitch side and into the changing rooms, students enjoyed a Q&A session with a panel of sport business experts hosted by Owen Bradley, Derby County’s Lead Presenter for Rams TV.
Attendees were also given the chance to network with notable industry figures, including Derby County Chief Executive Officer Stephen Pearce, Assistant Head Coach Matt Gardiner, First Team Player Kane Wilson and Head of Lifelong Learning and current Derby student Lauren Asquith.
Above all this, the VIP event was the perfect way for our offer holders to meet each other and to make new friends before starting at the University in September.
Landmark achievement for enterprise society
The University’s cross-disciplinary enterprise society, Enactus Derby, reached the final 20 in a national pitching competition, which saw them receive a special invitation to the Excel Arena in London. This is the first time the relatively new society has achieved this recognition, which firmly places the team among the elite university teams in the country. Since the finals, their project, Role Resolve, won a top funding prize of £600 from Enactus and Rothschild & Co.
Student x industry collaboration
One of our BA (Hons) Illustration graduates, Millie Crabtree, has won one year’s worth of marketing support from a Derby digital marketing firm, JDR Group, to grow their business, Sugaarloaf. Sugaarloaf sells anime-inspired animal illustrations, badges and portraits, and impressed the judges of a Dragon’s Den-style pitching competition. The collaboration will help Millie to market products and drive website visits, which will help this promising enterprise to flourish.
Awards
Second for employability and course quality
Our students have spoken – and voted. In the Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2026, the University came out as 2nd for employability and 2nd for course quality, which is an incredible achievement. Uni Compare is a comparison website which uses data from more than 28,000 student reviews to determine which universities comes out on top in categories that mean the most to students, including employability, course quality, accommodation and student social life. They are also asked if they would recommend their university to a friend, of which a staggering 96% said yes, they would recommend the University of Derby.
Overall, the university placed in the Top 10 out of 100 universities across the country, an increase of eight places year-on-year.
These results, and others similar, are the ones that matter most to us, as they are based on direct reviews from our students who we place at the heart of everything we do. These awards reflect our commitment to high-quality teaching and graduate outcomes, which only a couple of years ago saw us retain our TEF Gold status, first achieved in 2017.
Best University Housing
Our halls of residence truly provide the foundations for a fantastic student experience. They are a safe, quiet place where students can focus on their studies, and a social space where life-long friends are made.
The University’s Student Living team work tirelessly to create a homely and supportive environment for all students, so it is wonderful to see their efforts deservedly acknowledged with the flagship award of Best University Housing for the fourth year running in the Global Student Living Awards (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022).
Perhaps most importantly to note, these efforts were recognised and appreciated by our student residents. The Global Student Living Awards are decided based exclusively on direct feedback from more than 150,000 students at universities and colleges across the UK and Europe. This means that Derby students rated our accommodation and the experience we offer higher than students from any other provider.
The University also claimed the Best Environmental Management award for the second year running, a true testament to its environmentally sustainable practices.
Best Undergraduate Initiative
Our External Relations department continually creates innovative campaigns that aim to keep us ahead of the curve. This has not gone unnoticed within the sector.
At the beginning of the year, the University of Derby was crowned winner in two HELOA Award categories, which are voted for by other marketing professionals in the higher education sector. The department proudly claimed Best Practice in Student Recruitment and Best Undergraduate Initiative.
It was the ‘Get Ready for Uni’ campaign featuring education expert, television star and alumnus, Baasit Siddiqui, that helped the department win Best Practice in Student Recruitment. The campaign was praised for supporting students in the transition from school or college to university through a series of accessible, free and on-demand videos and resources. The campaign also has a competition element to enhance engagement.
The 2023 undergraduate campaign clinched first place in Best Undergraduate Initiative for its ability to resonate with a Gen Z audience and their influencers. It profiled Derby’s world-leading research into coral reef restoration while encouraging students to think about how they could save the world by going to university.
Widening Participation Awards
It was yet another double win for the University at a national education awards ceremony. The Widening Participation team headed to London’s Palace of Westminster for the latest National Education Operations Network (NEON) awards where they picked up the title for the Widening Access Partnership Award.
The award recognises the work of the team which has made a significant impact on young people from disadvantaged rural communities, an often-overlooked group in national outreach efforts. The teams were praised for their creation and delivery of an initiative – called Rise High - which empowers young people to explore their aspirations, develop key skills and build confidence through engaging activities.
The second award went personally to Krisha Bainham, Head of the University of Derby’s Widening Participation Team. Krisha won the award for Contribution to Widening Access, not least for her 20 years of experience of advancing social justice in education.
The panel of expert judges celebrated Krisha’s unwavering dedication to supporting young people across Derby and Derbyshire who are from groups underrepresented at university, and she was hailed an outstanding leader.
A ‘Good’ Ofsted result
The University of Derby retained its ‘Good’ rating for its Further Education, Skills and Apprenticeship provision following a recent inspection from Ofsted. All areas were classed as ‘Good’, and the organisation was praised for its welcoming and nurturing environment.
The University offers industry-engaged learning experiences, including for its apprentices, whom inspectors said our programmes prepare well for their next steps and future careers. The University built the Nuclear Skills Academy (NSA) in partnership with Rolls-Royce and other industry partners to create a hub for aspiring young people to develop in-demand skills that will sustain vital sectors. Inspectors had the opportunity to talk to staff and students from this facility during their visit in December 2024.
This was the first time the University’s Further Education, Skills and Apprenticeship provision was assessed under Ofsted’s new inspection framework, which evaluates how well it meets local, regional, and national skills needs, including partnerships with stakeholders.
Events
Open Days
Our Open Days are getting bigger and better every year, not just operationally, but also the turnout of students. In October 2024, the first event of the academic cycle, we welcomed more than a thousand prospective undergraduate students and their families to campus in what was a fantastic opportunity for them to find out more about the University of Derby. The November event came in quick succession and equally saw more than a thousand visitors.
The day itself provides welcome talks, interactive subject sessions as well as campus and accommodation tours. Students who already have their grades, or predicted grades, and meet our entry requirements may be able to receive an offer in principle at the Open Day. University experts will be available to talk prospective students through the UCAS application process and answer any questions on the spot.
Open Days remain one of our strongest conversion tools, with data repeatedly showing us that those who attend are more likely to enrol. The Events team run a fantastically smooth operation and continue to make our Open Days the best they can be. The University looks forward to another successful cycle of Open Days.
Graduation
Graduation is a very special occasion where we come together to celebrate the achievements of our talented community. Graduands, adorned in their gowns, lined up to cross the stage while their families, loved ones and supporters looked on with immense pride. Throughout their time with us, our students have had opportunities to gain industry experience and future-focused skills, making them highly sought-after graduates who are set for meaningful and rewarding careers.
Our ceremonies also create an opportunity to acknowledge the incredible contributions of local individuals who are making a positive impact in our region. During the winter 2024 and summer 2025 ceremonies, in both Buxton and Derby, we celebrated some worthy honorands.
The recipients list included:
- John Cooper – Derby-born motorcycle racer (Honorary Master of the University)
- Olivia Dean – Education specialist and governor at the University of Derby (Honorary Doctor of the University)
- Professor Philip Lord Norton of Louth – Professor of Government (Honorary Doctor of the University)
- Steven Thai – Award-winning entrepreneur and founder of Ocean King (Honorary Master of the University)
- Dr Rebecca Bennett – A strong advocate for and supporter of female veterans (Honorary Master of the University)
- Darren Moore – a professional football manager and former player (Honorary Master of the University)
- Christopher Nieper OBE DL – A visionary entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate for education and community development (Honorary Master of the University)
- Willie Tucker CVO DL – Former Lord Lieutenant for Derbyshire (Honorary Doctor of the University)
- Rt Hon. Professor Lord David Blunkett – A UK politician who served for eight years in Tony Blair’s Labour Cabinet (1997-2005) (Honorary Doctor of the University)
Graduation can bring to light some phenomenal success stories, but one in particular stood out this year. A set of identical twins, Jessica and Lucy Sheldon, who both studied Nursing at the University of Derby, were reunited at their graduation ceremony with the midwife who helped to deliver them 27 years ago. Remarkably, their mother recognised the now University of Derby lecturer, Jayne Leverton, while she was on stage. Jayne set up the Midwifery programme in 2021 and described the amazing experience of seeing the twins she helped to deliver in 1997 receive their degrees.
