University of Derby
Derby, United Kingdom • Founded 1851 • World Rank #1593
Updated May 2026
Overview
Founded in 1992, the University of Derby is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Derby (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), East Midlands.
This institution also has branch campuses in Buxton, Chesterfield and Leek campus. Officially recognized/chartered by the Privy Council, University of Derby is a large-sized coeducational UK higher education institution.
University of Derby offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 32-year-old UK higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades.
The acceptance rate range is 80-89% making this UK higher education organization a least selective institution.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. University of Derby also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Where University of Derby sits geographically, plus the contact channels students use during admissions. Alumni-office inquiries are separate from admissions and have their own contact page.
Academic Details
University of Derby's academic profile in numbers — useful for sizing the institution against your shortlist. Each figure links to a different facet of how the institution operates day to day.
Academic Structures
The colleges, schools, and faculties that house University of Derby's degrees are below. Clinical units and teaching hospitals are often part of medical schools, with separate governance arrangements.
Unit 4 items
- Faculty of Arts, Design and Technology
- Faculty of Business, Computing and Law
- Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences
- University of Derby Buxton
Degrees
University of Derby's qualification tiers and the degrees within each. Foundation years for international students often run separately and feed into year-one of a bachelor's programme.
Doctoral 13 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- American Studies
- Arts and Humanities
- Business Administration
- Cinema and Television
- Design
- Education
- English
- Fine Arts
- History
- Journalism
- Law
- Social Welfare
- Technology
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Privy Council.
Buxton (Campus) 10 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
- Computer Science
- Cosmetology
- Health Education
- Information Technology
- Leisure Studies
- Media Studies
- Nursing
- Sports
- Tourism
Arts (College) 13 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- American Studies
- Dance
- Design
- Film
- Fine Arts
- Graphic Design
- Jazz and Popular Music
- Multimedia
- Music
- Photography
- Textile Design
- Theatre
- Video
Business (College) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Business and Commerce
- Business Computing
- Computer Networks
- Hotel Management
- Human Resources
- Management
- Marketing
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education (College) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Education
- Preschool Education
- Special Education
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Engineering and Technology (College) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Architecture
- Building Technologies
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Interior Design
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Sound Engineering (Acoustics)
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Health and Social Care (College) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Community Health
- Dance
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Public Health
- Social Work
Law, Humanities and Social Sciences (College) 13 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- American Studies
- Arts and Humanities
- Cinema and Television
- Criminal Law
- English
- History
- International Studies
- Journalism
- Law
- Police Studies
- Political Sciences
- Sociology
- Writing
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Life and Natural Sciences (College) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biology
- Geography
- Geology
- Psychology
- Sports
- Sports Management
- Zoology
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
University of Derby's programmes, with filter and level-based grouping. The combination of search and tier view makes shortlisting faster across large catalogues.
345 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom
Honours Degree 241 programmes
Showing 10 of 241.
Master of Business Administration 3 programmes
Master's Degree 69 programmes
Showing 10 of 69.
Professional Doctorate 4 programmes
Foundation 3 programmes
Postgraduate Certificate 18 programmes
Showing 10 of 18.
Postgraduate Diploma 4 programmes
How to apply to University of Derby
Practical steps to apply to University of Derby, suitable as a starting checklist before contacting the admissions team directly.
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1
Identify the right programme
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. University of Derby runs 345 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
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2
Check entry requirements
Before applying to University of Derby, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for United Kingdom.
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3
Prepare your application documents
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with University of Derby's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
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4
Submit via the institution
Lodge your application through the official website (www.derby.ac.uk). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
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5
Get in touch with admissions
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +44 (1332) 590 500. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Derby
Common questions about University of Derby answered concisely, with each answer grounded in the institution's published data.
When was University of Derby founded?
University of Derby was established in 1851 (approximately 175 years ago).
In which city is University of Derby?
University of Derby is based in Derby, United Kingdom.
Is University of Derby public or private?
University of Derby operates as a public institution.
How many students study at University of Derby?
University of Derby has approximately 15,000-19,999 students.
Where does University of Derby stand in university rankings?
It ranks #1593 globally and #97 in United Kingdom.
What qualification levels does University of Derby offer?
University of Derby offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
How many faculties does University of Derby have?
University of Derby has 4 academic units.
Is University of Derby officially recognised?
University of Derby is accredited by Privy Council.
Where can I learn more about University of Derby?
The institution's website is www.derby.ac.uk.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom
Faculty awards and national-leader status concentrate at the top the United Kingdom universities. University of Derby's faculty distinctions compared to leaders signal where the institution sits in academic networks.
Members of Universities UK
Network reputation can differ from individual institutional reputation. Universities UK membership may enhance or moderate the perceived standing of University of Derby depending on how the network is regarded.
Faculties at nearby universities
Other institutions in University of Derby's region offer similar admissions cycles and overlapping subject areas, listed below for comparison. Regional clusters often share employer networks and post-study career pathways.
Where Else to Study Social Sciences & Education
Beyond University of Derby, several other universities in the United Kingdom deliver focused Social Sciences & Education programmes worth exploring before you commit to a single application. Programme depth and elective range vary significantly between institutions.
Universities Compared with University of Derby
Admissions advisor commonalities exist within peer tiers — advisors recommending University of Derby often recommend the universities below alongside it as natural cross-applications.
Studying in United Kingdom: guides and resources
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