Strategic Framework 2018-2030

Our students will benefit from a high-quality learning environment, pioneering use of modern learning methods, access to diverse and exciting opportunities, and a continually evolving suite of services and support covering all aspects of their lives.

They will study an industry-relevant and research-informed curriculum shaped in collaboration with partners across business and professions, and in line with global issues. This is delivered through industry-connected and research-active academics able to share their experiences and build connections.

Our students will graduate with the skills, knowledge, experience and attributes which enable them to fulfil their ambitions and make a positive contribution to the world. They will set their aspirations high and have the intelligence, curiosity and innovative mindset to succeed in their chosen career path.

As the only university in our city and county, we take seriously the responsibility we have to drive the economic, social, cultural, educational and environmental prosperity of our home.

Working with others, and with the full commitment of our staff and students, we will raise aspirations and improve the education, skills, health and wellbeing of current and future generations across our region. We will play our part in positioning Derby as a key city on the national and international stage, with our academic reputation established as a core element of the ‘Derby story’.

Our innovation, research and knowledge creation is focused on making a practical, positive difference to people’s lives, regionally, nationally and globally. 

We believe in the transformational nature of education and, as a champion of social mobility, will inspire and create opportunities for all across our region and beyond, regardless of age, background or location.

Our ability to offer the broadest range of options from Apprenticeships to Foundation Years, and Short Courses to Postgraduate, means that at every stage of someone’s life or career, there are the tools, resources and opportunities on offer at the University of Derby from which they can benefit.

Our renowned knowledge and innovation in online learning acts as the perfect platform for us to be a pioneer for education in the unsettled and changing world in which we live. Be it through online or face-to-face underpinned by a blended delivery founded upon a dynamic virtual learning environment, Derby will be at the forefront of the flexible, integrated learning revolution aligned to the needs of learners now and in the future.

Our global outlook will see more international students coming to our university and more opportunities for home students to travel overseas as part of their studies, further enriching their experience.

Industry engagement, whether in the form of our curricula, our research, our civic activity, or our knowledge exchange work, has always been of great significance to the University of Derby. Situated in the heart of England and considered as the home of the Industrial Revolution, Derby is a place where innovators and industrialists have made their mark on the world for over 300 years.

As the only University in the county of Derbyshire, we play a critical role as an anchor institution that works side-by-side with thriving global businesses, successful SMEs and other cultural and voluntary organisations to drive innovation and solution-focused responses to challenges. The introduction of a fourth pillar with a focus on industry engagement gives greater visibility to an existing strength, firmly embedding it and ensuring it becomes part of our local, regional, national and global reputation.

We will further establish ourselves as the preferred partner of choice to provide solutions to social and industrial challenges by delivering academic expertise, innovation and knowledge, alongside a pipeline of student and graduate talent who are equipped to meet the challenges of the future.

Through the introduction of this pillar, we will work with colleagues across our Colleges and professional services to embed existing approaches and activity, explore and prioritise new opportunities, and work to establish collaborative, cross-institution ways of working. Collectively, this Pillar will deliver enhanced outcomes for our students’ development and employability as well as drive progress across our academic themes and innovation and knowledge exchange agendas.

We will deliver high quality, industry-engaged programmes and curricula to ensure that our students and graduates are equipped with the right skills, values and experiences to respond to societal challenges, to offer applied solutions to global issues and ultimately thrive in their future careers.

With a focus on quality, we will be ambitious in our innovation and research endeavours across our academic themes, maintaining our reputation for applied research that sits at the interface of academia and industry. We will prioritise activity that aligns with our strengths and has the potential to create meaningful impact at regional, national and international levels.

With will work collaboratively and creatively to develop progressive partnerships with businesses, cultural organisations and others, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, that will deliver an ecosystem of research-informed public engagement, innovative impact, skills development and social mobility that benefits the University, the city of Derby and beyond.

We will work together to create an inclusive, collaborative and respectful culture in which staff and students feel valued and can realise their full potential, and our talent, creativity and leadership are nurtured and developed to equip us for the future.

With a focus on skills, productivity, creativity and impact on industry, underpinned by effective student recruitment and income generation strategies, we will effectively prioritise our activities and resources to deliver the continued sustainable financial growth of the University.

We will drive environmental sustainability on our campuses through our culture, infrastructure, services and partnership initiatives, as well as through our innovation and research activities.

We respect one another and enable people to achieve beyond their expectations. We foster team spirit and create a strong sense of community, working together with students, colleagues, alumni, partners and our wider community.

We are progressive, ambitious and make an impact. We look for opportunities to stretch and challenge ourselves and others. We create communities where we are confident to share our views, challenge the status quo and celebrate success.

We are modern, seek out and new ways of thinking, and employ innovative practices. We have a confident and agile approach to change, working together to embrace challenge, take the lead and set the pace.

We are curious, optimistic and strive for excellence in what we do. We believe we all make a difference.