Apply for a course at University of Derby

Applying for an Undergraduate Course

An undergraduate course is a first university degree qualification and will usually have a prefix of BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons). There are some courses classified as Integrated Masters, these are also undergraduate but have a built in year which includes postgraduate level study, giving you a Masters qualification on graduation. Undergraduate courses are usually 3 years full-time (or 6 years part-time). Integrated Masters, Degrees with Industrial Placement (sometimes known as Sandwich Degrees) or Degrees with a Foundation Year will be 4 years full-time in duration.

There are also HND’s or Foundation Degrees, these are 2 years full-time in duration. After completion, in order to obtain a full degree you would then need to undertake a Top-Up Degree course which is 1 year full-time – totalling 3 years full-time altogether.

Undergraduate degrees usually start in September in any given year, however some subjects will also offer alternative start months like January or March.

Guidance for UK/EU Applicants

Full-time Study

UK and EU applicants applying for most undergraduate full-time degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS. UCAS is the ‘Universities and Colleges Admissions Service’, an independent organisation which helps facilitate applications to UK institutions.

Applying through UCAS involves the following:

Register with UCAS
Login and complete your details
Select your course and institution (University of Derby code is D39)
Write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay the application fee
Submit your UCAS application.

Part-time Study

If you are looking to apply for a part-time undergraduate degree, you will need to register with My Derby and complete your application online with us. To do this you need to find the course by using our course search and then go to ‘How to Apply’ and follow link to applying direct.

For further guidance on the University application process go here. If you already have a My Derby account, log back in here.

Guidance for International (Non-EU) Applicants

We have a dedicated International Admissions Team to assist you with any information or guidance. For some initial information please go here

There are three ways to apply, as follows:

Direct to the University

You will need to register with My Derby and complete your application online with us. To do this you need to find the course by using our course search and then go to ‘How to Apply’ and follow link to applying direct.

For further guidance on the University application process go here. If you already have a My Derby account, log back in here.

Through a Country Representative

We have a network of overseas representatives throughout the world who will assist you in the university application process as well as guide you in obtaining a visa and making travel arrangements. Agents will usually utilise our direct application process.

Through UCAS

For most undergraduate degree courses in the UK you can also apply through UCAS. UCAS is the ‘Universities and Colleges Admissions Service’, an independent organisation which helps facilitate applications to UK institutions.

Applying through UCAS involves the following:

Register with UCAS
Login and complete your details
Select your course and institution (University of Derby code is D39)
Write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay the application fee
Submit your UCAS application.

Applying for a Postgraduate Course

A postgraduate course is usually undertaken after achieving your first university degree or if you have equivalent work experience. There are two types of postgraduate study – postgraduate taught (PGT) and postgraduate research (PGR).

PGT courses are usually one year full-time (or 2 years part-time) in duration and are delivered and assessed similarly to undergraduate degrees through a series of taught modules and may include independent research in a specialist area. PGT study can lead to one of three qualifications: Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert), Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) or Master’s (MA or MSc).

PGR represents a formal area of study that is recognised by the University. PGR study can vary in duration depending on the route you take. There are Master’s degree by research (MRes or MPhil) whereby a majority (if not all) of the degree is by thesis and some may include an element of coursework. Other more common resulting qualifications arising from postgraduate research study are Post Doctorates like PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), EdD (Doctor of Education), DProf (Doctor of Professional Practice) or Doctor of Health & Social Care Practice.

Postgraduate degrees usually start in September in any given year, however some subjects will also offer alternative start months.

Guidance for Applicants

There are two ways to apply, as follows:

Direct to the University

If you are a Non-EU (International) applicant we have a dedicated international office to assist you with any information or guidance. For some initial information please go here.

For further guidance on the University application process go here. If you already have a My Derby account, log back in here.

Through a Country Representative

If you are a Non-EU (International) applicant, you may prefer to use our network of overseas representatives (agents) throughout the world who can assist you in the university application process as well as guide you in obtaining a visa and making travel arrangements. Agents will generally utilise our direct application process.