My journey as an international student at Derby

As the English countryside rolled past on my way from Manchester Airport, dotted with adorable sheep and cows, I was excited to start my new adventure in Derby. Moving to a new country to pursue higher education is no small feat, but Derby quickly became my second home. 

From New Jersey to the East Midlands

My journey as an international student here has been filled with discovery, growth and a renewed sense of purpose. If you’re considering Derby for your studies, let me share my experience to give you an insider’s perspective.

As a Filipina American and an aspiring music therapist, I have always been curious about studying in the UK. The profession is so different from how it is in the US. I researched all the schools (universities) here and found the University of Derby to be the best fit for me. The picturesque campus, affordability, and the city’s friendly vibe sealed the deal.

Part of Derby’s unique charm lies in its size. As someone from America, where car-centric infrastructure dominates, I find Derby’s smaller, more accessible city layout incredibly refreshing. Everything is within reach, and the free UniBus has been a lifesaver for getting around. It’s a city that feels personal, not overwhelming, which has made my transition much smoother. There’s also a ton of diversity here, which makes me feel right at home in an unfamiliar city.

Arriving in Derby

When I first arrived, jetlagged and exhausted, the adrenaline of discovering a new city kept me going. The University’s student hub was incredibly welcoming, helping me navigate enrolment and the retrieval of my UK Government BRP card. Their support didn’t stop there—during the first few months, there were plenty of free events for international students to meet people and try new things. My favorite was the fish and chips night. The portions were HUGE, and we had a fun time learning British and Derby-specific trivia!

Adapting to a new culture was both exciting and challenging. Some highlights include riding the double-decker Unibus for the first time, discovering little quirks in American vs. British English, and devouring the God Tier cheese and onion bake from Poundland.

Life as a student

Being a student at Derby is more than just attending lectures. Many degree programmes have hands-on elements; for me as a Therapeutic Arts student, I get lots of chances to improvise music with my peers, to interact with students across modalities for joint theory lectures (Drama, Art, Music, and Dance), and to partake in experiential learning where we see first-hand what it’s like to participate in a music therapy group session.

The anti-oppressive ethos of the course was a huge draw for me, and I was impressed by my lecturers during the interview. Every one of them has so much knowledge and experience, and each are pioneers in the field in their own unique way. My classmates are also really nice. We come from all different musical backgrounds and we each bring a lot to the table. Out of a cohort of 19, we have six international students in total, so I’m learning a lot about British culture as well as cultures from all over the world.

Life in Derby

Beyond academics, campus life is vibrant and inclusive. Posted everywhere are signs about sunflower lanyards, which make people aware of hidden disabilities. This is an initiative that spans all across the country, but it’s great that it’s so present here.

My main passion in life is dance, and I was incredibly excited to find plenty of opportunities in Derby. I’m part of the Ballroom and Latin Dance Society, which has been incredibly welcoming. The free Sunday socials at Revolución de Cuba have become a weekly highlight; filled with music, dancing and connection. There are more opportunities ahead that I am eager to explore.

As a queer person, Derby has been exceptionally welcoming to my partner and me. We moved to the city together and were thrilled to find a supportive and inclusive community. Derby Pride, held in September, was the most family-friendly and fun Pride event I’ve attended—we even ran into Chappell Roan! (Not really, but someone was dressed like her, and it was very exciting for me.)

At Christmastime, there was a small Christmas village in the city centre right next to the cathedral. They had a bar, an ice-skating rink and food stalls! I even saw my first Pantomime, a uniquely British theatre tradition that I find hard to describe. It was equal parts family-friendly and bawdy camp, making for a hilarious and memorable evening. At the end of November, the community came together to put on an environmentally-friendly lantern parade featuring homemade lanterns from primary school kids, and a few cultural performances. The event culminated in a main stage show in front of the Council building and a countdown to the lights being turned on! Coming from a small town, it was the perfect sized festive outing for me. I’ve gone to NYC during Christmastime and been completely overwhelmed by the enormity of it all, but I felt like this was better.

I’m excited to begin my clinical placement, meaning I’ll be getting firsict-hand working experience in my first year! I’m also running for class representative, a position that will allow me to advocate for my cohort, making sure we all get the best education and university experience possible. I’m confident that Derby has given me sufficient connections and knowledge to make a splash in my field.

If you’re thinking about studying at the University of Derby, this is my piece of actionable advice: research more about the plethora of resources we have, reach out to the Department Head of the programme of your choosing, compare with other universities, and most likely, you’ll find that the University of Derby is an ideal fit for you.