University of Derby

Overview

English Name: University of Derby

Founded: 1851

Control Type: Public

Entity Type: Non-profit

World Rank: #1593

Rank in United Kingdom: #97

Motto: Experientia Docet

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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.

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.

Faculties & Divisions

All faculties operate under Privy Council.

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.

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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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.

University of Oxford

Oxford · Public · Rank #10

University College London

London · Public · Rank #11

University of Cambridge

Cambridge · Public · Rank #26

Imperial College London

London · Public · Rank #28

King's College London

London · Public · Rank #65

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.

University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · Public · Rank #79

University of Manchester

Manchester · Public · Rank #85

University of Nottingham

Nottingham · Public · Rank #129

University of Glasgow

Glasgow · Public · Rank #140

University of Birmingham

Birmingham · Public · Rank #148

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.

University of Leeds

Leeds · Public · Rank #150

University of Liverpool

Liverpool · Public · Rank #165

Queen Mary University of London

London · Public · Rank #166

University of Bristol

Bristol · Public · Rank #182

University of Sheffield

Sheffield · Public · Rank #201

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.

Newcastle University

Newcastle upon Tyne · Public · Rank #205

University of Southampton

Southampton · Public · Rank #212

University of Warwick

Coventry · Public · Rank #253

Cardiff University

Cardiff · Public · Rank #256

University of Exeter

Exeter · Public · Rank #261

Universities Often 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.

Staffordshire University

Stoke-on-Trent · Public · Rank #1610

Goldsmiths University of London

London · Public · Rank #1538

Middlesex University

Hendon · Public · Rank #1658

University of Chester

Chester · Public · Rank #1509

BR

Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Brighton · Rank #1497