Open Day Livestream video transcript

(UNIVERSITY OF DERBY ADVERT - MUSIC AND VOICEOVER)

This is a global university of choice, a university of what ifs next, an ambitious university as anything is possible. An outstanding University of teaching excellence and applied research, of aiming high and raising the bar. This is University of big ideas, an applied University of today and for tomorrow. This is a University of making a difference and making your mark. This is the University of Derby. What will you make of it? 

Alice:
Hello and welcome to the University of Derby's Open Day Livestream. I'm Alice. 

Luke:
And I'm Luke. And along with several colleagues joining us from around our sites, we'll be hosting today for those of you who can't join the thousands of guests we're expecting at Derby Campus. 

Alice:
Over the next hour or so, we'll be taking you around all sites, as well as introducing you to students and staff from across the university who will help explain more about our courses, campus facilities, accommodation, and some of the reasons why we believe you'll love Derby.

Luke:
We'll be exploring what makes Derby such a fantastic place to live and study. We'll focus on several of our subjects areas with some of the people that teach and study them, and we share some of the fantastic news that Derby has had recently that recognises just how impactful our university is. 

Alice:
Take a look at today's schedule to see what time to expect the talks and tours and if you're watching live and you've got a question for us, send it in using the QR code that will be appearing on the rights for our Q&A session at the end. 

Luke: 
First, though, here's a quick introduction to what you've got to look forward to as a University of Derby student. 

(MUSIC - OPEN DAY MONTAGE)

We speed down a corridor covered with students' art pieces and a 'welcome' banner hanging on the far wall. 

Fast drone footage introduces Kedleston Road site; two tall towers and a smaller building, with additional smaller buildings, a large rolling grass bank and enclosed football pitches. 

We see:

Drone shot montage reveals our buildings:

We end on the University of Derby animated hills logo. 

We’re back in the Atrium at Kedleston Road: 

Alice:
Welcome back to our Open Day Livestream here at the University of Derby.
Our first guest today is someone whose role helped shape the student experience here at Derby, Professor Keith McLay, Provost for Learning and Teaching.

Hi, Keith.

Keith:
Hi, Good morning.

Alice:
Good morning.

So what are the sorts of things that students should be looking at when they're choosing a university?

Keith:
Well, it's really important that the students come and visit the university that they're seeking to join.

Have a look around the facilities, but most importantly, inform themselves about the quality of the learning and teaching and the degree programmes for which they wish to join.

So, for example, here at the University of Derby in the government's recent assessment of learning and teaching across all universities nationwide, the University of Derby was rated gold for its learning and teaching and student experience, and that's the sort of marker that the student should be thinking about.

Equally, there are a number of league tables which assess the performance of universities.

So, for example, the University of Derby is in the top 20 for student experience and teaching quality in recent league tables published by the Complete University Guide and the Times and Sunday Times, it's these markers alongside the visit to campus and the discussions with the academics that students should be using to inform their decision to come to university.

Alice:
And we talk a lot about the University of Derby being an applied university.

What does this mean and how does it benefit our students?

Keith:
Well, that's right Alice.

I mean, the University of Derby is, as you say, an applied university of today and for tomorrow.

And it's a university which prides itself on being engaged with industry.

And what that means in reality is that each curricula as part of the degree programs will have opportunities for students to engage with industries to undertake placements, whether that's a shorter term placement or a longer term full year placement.

It's the opportunity also for the students to be engaged in what we call live briefs.

So industries will offer up problems that they require solutions to, and our students will work on that as
part of their assessment process. And when we talk about industry, we're not just talking
about what might be thought of as the old manufacturing industries.

It's a very wide definition.

And we're talking about the public service industries, we're talking about education, we're talking about businesses, small businesses, medium businesses, but also the global businesses such as Rolls-Royce, for which the University of Derby works at the Nuclear Skills Academy, where we have 200 apprentice places each year working with Rolls-Royce in the nuclear skills industry.

Alice:
Fantastic.

And what about research?

Is Derby a research university?

And what opportunities are there for undergrad students to get involved in that?

Keith:
Absolutely.

The University of Derby is heavily engaged in research.

It has to be. You can't be a university without having the research side of the coin and the learning and teaching side of the coin, because the research, the cutting edge knowledge drives the degree programs.

So here at the University of Derby, we have six research themes, academic themes for which we have specialisms in.

A good example of that is in our coral reef and eco diversity research in which you may have seen or visitors may have seen our turtle that is quite a prominent part of our brand.

And that's because our scientists are working in regrowing coral reefs across the world.

And that's really important because we are only one of a very few number of universities that are engaged in that type of research.

In terms of plugging our students into our research, there are a number of different
ways.

As I've said, the research drives the curriculum, so they are accessing it through
that.

But most importantly, annually we run what's called our undergraduate research scholarship 
scheme, in which undergraduate students can apply to become part of a live research project
that our academics are running. And they get funded to undertake that research and be part
of the project over a period of time, culminating in an output for that research for the study
can obviously put on their CV and they will present at a conference once that research
project.

And so there are a number of points of connection routes of entry for our students
into the research process, which all our academics are undertaking.

Alice:
Fantastic.

Now I've seen around the place

we have TEF Gold all over, all over now. And what does this mean? Why is it important and what other recognition has the university have this year?

Keith: Well, as I mentioned at the outset, the government ran an assessment exercise of teaching and
learning at universities just these past few months, there are two categories to that assessment of the learning and teaching universities. One was the student experience.

That is the experience that students get while at university on the degree programs, or just the general
academic experience that they have.

The second element is student outcomes, and that is how well the university prepares them to get a graduate job once they leave the university.

It's how well that they progress in year, it's how successful they are in their degree classification.

So that assessment exercise ran over the past few months and I'm delighted that the University of Derby was rated TEF Gold, which is the highest accolade for that assessment of of the learning and teaching at university with only one of two universities in the East Midlands to achieve a TEF gold and were within the top 20% in the country.

So it's a real marker of the quality of the education here at the University of Derby.

Similarly, we've had successes in the league tables.

I mentioned before we are top 20% for teaching quality in the student experience in two of the league tables, The Complete University Guide and the Times and the Sunday Times.

So the University of Derby on each of these markers of performance is really well up there and performing very strongly and in particular the TEF gold is such an important marker of the quality of the education here at the University of Derby.

Alice:
That's fantastic. Thank you very much.

Now, I know you're a busy man. You've got some welcome talks to you. So I'll let you go now.

Keith:
Thank you very much. My pleasure.

Thank you.

Alice:
Thank you.

Thanks.

Now, it's not just life on campus you've got to look forward to as a student.

There's plenty of things you can get up to in the city, whatever your interests are.

 

(MUSIC - STUDENT LIFE IN DERBYSHIRE VIDEO)

Calling all...

Adrenaline junkies...

(flash through of a mountain biker going downhill, #gettingagrip students rock climbing)

Serenity seekers...

(flash through of activities such as a couple in a garden in front of Chatsworth house, going live on social media, girl dropping her ice-cream, people wandering over a river, taking a selfie in the water, people having a picnic in Markeaton Park, Derby, students clinking drinks #cheers #sunshine #parklife, students drinking coffee, students walking through derby city, a box of doughnuts with lots of different images of doughnuts)

Sport fanatics

(flash through of images of footballers on the pitch celebrating, crowds cheering, the velodrome in derby, someone in the velodrome putting a helmet on, canoeing on the river #dayontheriver, someone on a skateboard, Bustler street food market with a variety of different foods)

Culture lovers

(student playing football with a football table, selfie of students holding food, flash through of student in front of various paintings in Derby museum and art gallery)

Gig goers

(flash through of images of a person on the guitar, bear restaurant, people eating and drinking)

Night owls

(flash through of images of a DJ, people dancing, drinks on a bar, people with various drinks, paint dust festival, people throwing different colours in the air, people in the park, derby fest, someone with a skateboard with a love heart emoji and flash through of images shown before)

(end with Derby logo)

 

Luke:
Welcome back to the University of Derby Open Day livestream. So, student life at the university is supported by a union of students. And we're now joined by Holly Lloyd, vice president, Education for this year, to tell us more. Holly, welcome. How are you?

Holly:
I'm good, thank you.

Luke:
Good, good, good, good. So let's start off with what does your role make happen at the university?

Holly:
Okay, so I am vice president, education. So I see all the education academic. I also look at student voice and I also enable that student voice to go higher and promote the students that way.

Luke:
Nice. Fantastic. And just kind of zooming back out from that, just for anyone who doesn't really know, how broad is the union of Students and where may students encounter it?

Holly:
Perfect. So not many students realize it when they enroll at university. They also get into while union and they have access to everything that we offer. So we offer stuff from anything to academic representation to student voice and all the way through to those sports societies and student-led services. And we offer a lot of stuff outside of the university so we hold events and fairs as well.

Luke:
Excellent. So you've kind of mentioned that already, kind of thoughts upon it. So societies can mean something that students can get involved with outside of the university, for example. So what kind of things are available for students to get involved in?

Holly:
So our societies offer that space where individuals can get together, learn new hobbies, continue their hobbies that they currently have. We offer them spaces where they can meet, offer continuously and just get out of your comfort zone, get out there, meet new people and get involved.

Luke:
Excellent. So of course, we have a lot of sports teams within the union. Is this for just competitive types or is this more accessible?

Holly:
No, no, it's accessible to everybody of every ability. You don’t have to be an athlete to join a sports talk. And personally myself, I joined women's rugby and that was just as a social member and I just got that social element. But yeah, we do offer everybody and we encourage them. We also have our halls sports and our just play, which are still competitive but don't have the BUCKS sport element of every Wednesday. It's more of a chilled and relaxed, competitive side to sport.

Luke:
Nice, very nice and it's maybe quite obvious, but what would you say you learned joining a society yourself?

Holly:
I learned to put myself out there. It's obviously nerve-racking being at university as it is and then joining something that you've not necessarily done outside of university. But it's also a great way to introduce yourself to new people. Meet wonderful friends, learn new skills, hobbies, and it is a great way to boost that university experience.

Luke:
I bet, nice. And would you describe Derby as a university city?

Holly:
I would definitely. Yeah. We've obviously got our campuses dotted in and around our city center as well as our halls are very center based. We obviously have great transport from the university all in and around Derby City. Yeah, I would. It's, it's a great place. You've obviously got nice nightlife as well. That's a good little bonus for the week and on weekends. So yes.

Luke:
A lot of things to do.

Holly:
Oh, yeah. Yeah, definitely.

Luke:
Very nice. And for all of these functions from academic representation and student voice to sports societies, how do students get involved when they're there?

Holly:
Yeah. So obviously, like previously mentioned, every student can access anything that the union offers. We also hold throughout the year our freshers fairs during the beginning in September, and then we do them again in the new year where we have all of our sports society student-led services there just to offer what they can provide students. We also do a lot of to give a go’s set of little training sessions which students can come along to and just have a bit of a taster, see if they want to try anything new. The same of our societies. They hold events that anybody, anybody and everybody can come and get involved in.

Luke:
Fantastic. Okay. Holly those are all the questions I have for you. So thank you so much for your time. Explained everything, possibly. We've now got a video for you now and then. We'll be right back.

(MUSIC: UNION OF STUDENTS VIDEO)

Alice:
We're back. And I've now got Russell Lewis with me. Russ is our Head of Student Engagement. Hello, Russ. You've got a long history with us. You were one of our students. What's changed in all that time?

Russ:
I was once a student. A very long time ago now, though, some things probably haven't changed. I think the way in which the university treats every student as an individual, that was the case when I was a student, remains to be the case now. But I think over that time, what has changed is the way in which we really listen to our students as a collective, making sure that we're taking into account all of the things that they're looking for from their university experience. It's a very important time in their lives, and we are really interested in making sure that we give them the best possible experience whilst they're with us.

Alice:
Now, you're involved behind the scenes, in leading on the student experience. And what is it that you do to improve this?

Russ:
Yes, I've been doing that for about 11 years now and it has continued to be a great job. I love it. I'm one of those people that loves my job because I get to work with students. The way in which we do this primarily is through our student enhancement activities. We're making sure that we're listening to our students every year. There's different types of students that are coming to Derby, and we want to make sure that our offer to them is reflective of what they're looking for from their experience when they're here. So it's a lot of talking to students, a lot of active listening and making sure that when I'm going to lobby for different things across the university, that it's with that student interest at the heart of what I'm trying to do.

Alice:
And for any students who might need support while they're at university, how do we do that?

Russ:
Sure. So, probably right from the start, one of the biggest things that we make sure we do is offer a real personalised welcome to those students, that they're coming in. We have a suite of what we call welcome heroes. And these are current students that we then make sure are front and center of all our university sites, so that any student coming on day one doesn't need to feel worried about where's the room I need to go to, or I'm not going to get lost. We've got people there ready to help and support them. We have what we call a Personal Academic Tutoring system, and these are academic members of staff that really guide students through their academic journey, looking beyond just the assessments they're doing and making sure they're looking at the totality of their experience academically to really guide them for what it is they're looking to do in their future careers.

Alice:
And what can students expect from Derby that they might not necessarily get elsewhere?

Russ:
I think certainly, as I mentioned, a real personalized welcome. I think we really pride ourselves on that. Every student walking through those doors is greeted very warmly to make sure that they feel safe and secure whilst they're with us, and that continues all the way through. And it's probably mirrored right at the end of their time, at their graduation experience. So from start to finish, the students are really treated as individuals and we make sure we look after them in that entire time.

Alice:
And finally, do you have any advice that you'd give to people who are starting to think about choosing a university now?

Russ:
Yeah, absolutely. It's a really important decision to pick a university. I think what should be at the heart of that is the passion for the subject that you're studying. And I'm really confident that if that subject is at Derby, that you would have a brilliant time. So I think just take the time to really kind of look at what that passion might be for you. And please come to Derby.

Alice:
Thank you very much, Russ. That's been really good. Thanks. Let's see a bit more now about the University of Derby.

 

(MUSIC: DERBY GRADUATION MEMORIES)

(BACK TO THE STUDIO WITH ALICE)

Alice:
Applying to university can be a tricky situation to navigate. And that's why I'm thrilled to be joined by Helen Mercado, University of Derby's Head of Admissions. Hi, Helen.

Helen:
Hi.

Alice:
So for anyone who hasn't applied yet, do they still have options for a potential September start?

Helen:
Yeah, absolutely. We will have the vast majority of our course provision for undergraduate still open at the moment. There might be one or two of the selecting courses that might still be closed. But absolutely, the best place to check is on the website or on UCAS directly, and there it'll tell you which courses are open, which are closed. But there's definitely lots of time still to apply, and there's Clearing as well, coming up in July, which opens in July.

Alice:
So what is Clearing for anybody who doesn't know, has not been through this process yet. What does it mean?

Helen:
Yeah. So Clearing is basically just a way for students post-result to look up what their options are. So, if somebody hasn't achieved the grades that they wanted to achieve and they haven't actually got into their first or second choice university potentially, it's an opportunity for them to contact universities and find out if they can actually get into those universities. Some people will get better grades than they wanted to. Some people won't get the grades. And it's just a mechanism for people to get offers and find a different route into university.

Alice:
And for those students who've got grades already from a previous year, are they in a different situation to those that are still waiting for the results to come out?

Helen:
Absolutely. So we can make them an offer straight away. So if they just get in contact and they make their application, then we would give them an offer, and it would be an unconditional offer rather than the conditional offer, which the people that were waiting for their results would get.

Alice:
And what if there's people who've not got the results yet but want to wait until they've got the grades to make that application, is that still doable?

Helen:
Yeah, absolutely. And people can apply directly into Clearing, and a lot of people do nowadays. So they want to wait until they've got those qualifications and then see what their options are. I would say if they are applying to highly selective courses, I would actually recommend that they make the application as soon as they can, whether they've got their grades or not, to give themselves the best chance of getting onto those courses. But for the most part, a lot of provision is open during Clearing.

Alice:
And so for those students who don't have the results but they have that offer ready to go, is there anything they should be doing at this stage in the process?

Helen:
They need to concentrate on their exams if they haven't already taken them. So I would definitely be concentrating on that side of things, putting their absolute best into that so they get the best results they can. So when it does come to results day or getting their results, they've got the best chance of getting in the place that they want.

Alice:
And if prospective students have any questions about any of this, where do they go to for help?

Helen:
They come to my team, the Admissions team. So we have an enquiry team that are always happy to help by phone or email.

Alice:
And I know we've talked to you about this before, but, you know, support needs do matter for a proportion of our students. When should a student with any known wellbeing needs make themselves, make us aware of that?

Helen:
So as early as possible in the process, so that we can actually make sure that it's picked up by the Wellbeing team. We don't take any of that into consideration when we're processing the applications. But the Wellbeing team need to be aware of anything, so they can actually contact the student and make sure that we're able to support them appropriately into university.

Alice:
That's great. Thank you very much, Helen.

Helen:
Okay, thanks.

Alice:
We'll be right back.

(MUSIC:WHAT ARE HALLS LIKE VIDEO)

Alice:
Hi, I'm Alice, and I'm here at a University of Derby Hall of Residence. I'm visiting today to find what life is like in halls for our students. So Kirk, what happens in here?

Kirk:
Right. Well, this is one of our common rooms. All halls of residence have a common room. Some will have a pool table. Some of the slightly larger ones will have a table tennis table. They're just a place for students to come and relax, maybe have a few friends around. They might come in here if they want to make slightly more noise than they do in actual flats. Then they can do that in a common room. We also have halls events here, we have music nights, all sorts going on, and it's all provided for the students for free.

Kirk:
Hi, guys. How you going? Yeah, I've just got Alice here. She just wants to ask you a few questions about what it's like living in halls. Are you ok to give her a bit of your time?

Students:
Yeah!

Kirk:
Amazing, cheers guys.

Alice:
Thank you so much for letting me into your flat like this. What's it like living in halls?

George:
Honestly? Really good. Can't lie - mates for life. Close to campus, close to city center.

Alice:
So for any students who might be living potentially close enough just to commute in and not try and live in Derby, what would you say to them?

Nathan:
Yeah, I had the option and I'm really glad that I went with halls because you just get put with people straight away and you get to meet friends straight away and you're really part of the action.

Alice:
And what would you say is the best thing about living in halls, all of you?

George:
Friendly staff. Kirk's always smiling, always happy.

Liam:
He's always, always that person that you can go to. If anything's wrong.

Alice:
Now, I've seen your kitchen, I've seen your communal spaces. Would any of you mind giving me a little look around your bedroom so you can see what the bedroom spaces look like?

George:
Yeah, sure. Do you want to follow me? So this is a standard en suite room at Peak (Court). You've got a small double bed. More than enough for a student, a desk big enough for your work, games, books, anything you need a more than big enough wardrobe on it, and an en suite with a shower and toilet.

Alice:
Brilliant. It's really lovely. So that's our halls of residence. A safe, supportive and well-located place to live for students. Visit our website to find out more about all our different halls.

 

(WE'RE BACK WITH ALICE IN THE STUDIO)

Alice:
Another benefit of coming to Derby, even if you've not applied yet, is that we can guarantee you a place in halls for your first year. To explain what's available and what you need to do, we're joined by Steve Ward, our Head of Accommodation Services. Hi, Steve.

So, it's late June. Some people at home will have heard of their friends already arranging their accommodation and getting that lined up. Should students be worried about finding a room at this stage?

Steve:
It's not too late in June, so we do guarantee first year accommodation until the 31st of July. So no, it's not too late. We do advise that people, if they're coming to Derby, make that application as soon as possible because we can't guarantee availability across all of our sites. But no, we still have rooms available until the 31st July.

Alice:
Great. And for those who might be joining us through Clearing later on in August, is the process different for applying for halls at that stage in the year?

Steve:
So the process moves slightly differently after Clearing. So what happens after Clearing is that you will be given your academic offer very quickly. And equally, we will look to offer accommodation as soon as possible. So what usually happens there is that they get their academic offer. They have to wait probably two hours or so for our system to be able to pick them up. They make their application into halls at that point, and we will allocate people within a 48 hour period. That is subject to availability in Clearing because obviously, you know, some of our halls do fill up at that point. But you get very quick responses at that point of the year.

Alice:
And is the process any different for students who are coming from overseas, who are international students?

Steve:
They apply through the same portal that the UK students apply for. So no, it doesn't work any differently.

Alice:
And are students able to choose their hall of residence as part of the application process?

Steve:
Yes. So we do recommend that people, they have to put their top three choices. So we do recommend that people do their research before they come. If it's later on in the cycle, we have Clearing Open Days that we advise people to come to, and equally, if they're not able to come across to Derby, they can do their research on the university's website to see what is available at that point. So, yeah, we do recommend that they put down what their first, second, and third choices are.

Alice:
And what can you advise if somebody's preferred room or hall type is unavailable, will it be obvious before they apply, or will it only be when they hear back from your team?

Steve:
So no, it will be obvious when they apply. So as rooms start to get full, or halls start to get full, we will start to remove those from the options so students will know at the point they apply what availability there is.

Alice:
And so finally when we get to results day and all is revealed, is there anything that students need to do to secure their accommodation at that stage, or will it all happen as much of course?

Steve:
So they need to make the application to halls. So accepting an academic offer at the university is not making an application to halls

So they do still need to go onto the university's website and make an application directly to halls, as they would at any point of the year. And then our team will deal with them from that point.

Alice:
That's great, Steve, thank you very much. Loads of information there. Thank you.

Steve:
Thanks.

Alice:
We're off now to another video about what you can expect at the University of Derby.

 

Anisha Johal:
The University of Derby makes me feel...

Empowered: they empowered me to break barriers and smash
stereotypes.

Nathan Addai:
Diverse: I feel like I'm part of a bigger community and what I've learned about my abilities
and potential goes well beyond my degree.

Tingan Li:
Excitement: a transition that felt challenging to start but led to excitement built on my character and independence.

Ioana Batcu:
Passionate: a process of growth filled with fun career opportunities and beautiful people
- a mixture of everything.

Adam Price:
Independence: Derby has given me confidence and self-direction allowing me to experience
independence for the very first time.

Jessica Lucas:
Awakened: to a world full of possibilities. Nothing is stopping us now.

 

(BACK TO THE STUDIO WITH LUKE)

Luke:
I'm now joined by Dr. Jo Bishton, who is Head of Equity, Inclusion, and Wellbeing here at the University of Derby. Hello, Jo.

Jo:
Hello.

Luke:
How are you today? Are you okay?

Jo:
Very well, thank you.

Luke:
Excellent. So just to start off with, welfare and inclusion are obviously really important aspects of life for anyone. What can you tell me about how Derby helps students develop and grow during their time with us?

Jo:
Okay, so belonging is really important for us at the university. We want our students to come and thrive, and learn with us regardless of how they identify, what their gender expression is, or whatever their background is. So that's really important for us. We do that in a number of ways. The university participates in sector-specific charter marks so that we can audit ourselves to make sure that we're doing the right things and we're always progressing and challenging ourselves to do the right things. Some of those are more widely recognized, such as employer recognition schemes. For instance, the university is Athena Swan bronze, which is a charter mark where we look at progression around gender. We are also members of the Race Equality Charter and are in the process of putting that submission in. We're top 100 and a gold member of Stonewall for our work with the LGBT+ community. We're Disability Confident, and we have the Armed Forces Covenant gold award. These charter marks demonstrate externally that we take these areas of work very seriously and are engaged in challenging ourselves to improve. They are also solid recognition of the work we do as validated by external bodies.

Luke:
Absolutely, fantastic. And what do we do for students to make their experience on campus easier?

Jo:
We have accessible areas for students, including the Sunflower scheme, which is a national scheme for people with hidden disabilities. Dignity and respect are very important to us, and we don't expect people to continually disclose something about themselves that's hidden. For example, if you're using a lift and students might question why, having a sunflower symbol indicates a hidden disability without needing to disclose further. Our high disclosure rates for hidden disabilities among students and staff show that people feel psychologically safe to disclose something about themselves. We use this information to invest in training, activities, and our estate. For example, with increasing numbers of transgender students, we have gender-neutral facilities across all campus sites. We also invest in staff development to ensure they are socially and culturally aware of differences, as we openly celebrate diversity at the university.

Luke:
Absolutely. That's fantastic. I think it speaks volumes about the staff that the disclosure rate is so high because it's not easy to disclose many of these problems that many of us have.

Jo:
Absolutely. Our annual reports and data checks show increasing disclosures, indicating that people feel psychologically safe, which is important.

Luke:
Which is key, absolutely. Fantastic. You've touched on it briefly, but how do we acknowledge our diverse student population, covering a range of different faiths and backgrounds? How do we make them feel welcome?

Jo:
The University is in a unique position because we have the Multi-Faith Center on our main campus at Kedleston Road. We were the first university to have such a relationship, and our chaplaincy is housed there. The chaplains work with faith consultants and trustees from various faiths and belief backgrounds. This relationship provides our students with access to prayer facilities, quiet spaces, and fair trade options. It also connects the university to the community. We have a Faith and Belief network for staff, which students can also attend. We celebrate Faith and Belief Month annually, highlighting the importance of faith and belief to us. Students participate in various faith-related activities throughout the year.

Luke:
That's incredible. Thank you so much. Those are all the questions I have for you. Thank you.

Jo:
Okay, thank you.

Luke:
Now we're going to take a look at what some of our international students say about studying at Derby.

(Music)

(Montage of international students saying 'Hello' in their home languages)

International Student 1:
I came here and I didn’t know anyone, no friends, didn’t know what to expect. The first day I was here, I sat down in a classroom and I was like, what did I get myself into? I don’t understand anything this man has said. The accents, they all sound like Harry Potter.

International Student 2:
I was worrying about being by myself.

International Student 3:
I was just worried about living, I mean, you know, just like the cost of living and how people will welcome me, how they will react. But here in Derby, people are so friendly, they made us feel settled in very, very fast.

International Student 4:
After 3 years of living here, I feel like Derby is kind of like my second home. It feels like they are just from my country or I’m from here. It’s a very, very friendly and very personal atmosphere. It’s like, like a big family.

International Student 5:
I would recommend the University of Derby because it’s so easy to connect with people and it’s so easy to get the support, to get the opportunities. All you have to do is just want.

International Student 6:
When you live in your home, you live with your parents, you rarely can learn how to face the world. You learn to become more independent, becoming stronger. There is a team of professionals here who will welcome you. They will make you feel like your second home, so don’t worry. Just pack your bags, make a decision, and you will enjoy it.

(Music)

Luke:
When it comes to life at university, there's a lot that goes into getting you into that classroom in the first place. We have teams to support you throughout your time with us, and we're now joined by Sarah Richardson, who is the Head of Student Services here at the University of Derby. Sarah, welcome. How are you doing?

Sarah:
I'm good, thank you.

Luke:
Good, good, good. So, just to start off with, what services do we offer with regards to student services to help our students get settled in?

Sarah:
Absolutely. Those first few weeks at university are absolutely crucial. My teams are there to help with feelings of loneliness and anxiety that students may experience. We have fantastic support through our Union of Students during those first few weeks with a whole range of events. My teams are involved to support during these events. We also have Welcome events at the weekend when students first arrive, where my teams are present to discuss available support. We all work together as a university to welcome and support our students during those critical first weeks.

Luke:
Nice. Okay, thank you. The cost of living crisis is a massive concern for people of all ages, especially those thinking of changing their career at Derby. What do we have in place to help our international students feel welcome and on track if they're coming to the country for the first time?

Sarah:
Absolutely. We have a range of advice and guidance through my team. We recognize that money worries can impact mental health, so we urge students to seek support through our counselling and mental health teams. We also have qualified financial advisors who can provide guidance around student funding and signpost to external supports. For our international students, we recognize it's a huge period of change. Our accommodation team ensures a welcoming environment with welcome packs for students arriving at all hours. The Multi-Faith Center also organizes specific events, like a fish and chip supper, to help international students make connections and feel welcome.

Luke:
What other resources are available to students at the University of Derby?

Sarah:
Absolutely. We have key teams within Student Services, but we also work closely with other teams on campus to provide a comprehensive support package. We have an onsite GP service, Park Medical, for key medical support. The Multi-Faith Center offers a safe space for students to explore faith or simply reflect. We collaborate with the Union of Students on various activities to ensure students feel supported. We also focus on events related to the student journey, such as budgeting workshops and meal planning sessions. For students struggling financially, we have a hardship fund available.

Luke:
That's fantastic. So, how can students access all these services?

Sarah:
Absolutely. Students can come to our offices to sit down with our trained staff and discuss the support available. They can also telephone, email, or access information through our web pages to start their support journey.

Luke:
Incredible. Well, Sarah, thank you so much for giving us an insight into the support available. That's brilliant. Thank you for your time.

Sarah:
Thank you.

Luke:
Let's find out more about life at the University of Derby.

 

(MUSIC: MARKEATON STREET TOUR VIDEO)

Flythrough overview of our Markeaton Street site. 

Includes shots of: 

 

(WE'RE NOW AT MARKEATON STREET SITE IN THE MOTORSPORT WORKSHOP WITH HOST STEVE BUCHANON)

Steve:
Hello from Markeaton Street, where the University's engineering courses are based. And we're here in the Motorsport Workshop, joined by Andrew Menzies, lecturer in motorsport engineering. Hi Andy, so can you start by telling us how hands-on is this course? What sort of things do students get up to here in the workshop?

Andrew:
Yeah. So, during the first year, students will take part in a module called Vehicle Systems. As part of that module, they'll spend a lot of time in the workshop. We'll be doing different activities each week, where they'll be looking at a whole range of different things that obviously contribute towards motorsport, with the intention of that to set them up for the rest of their degree. So some of those activities may involve like measuring engine components and looking at how they all fit together and work. Or it may be, I mean, like looking at how we set up a vehicle for track use, and sort of things like that. So then outside of the core content for that first year module, the workshops are also used for labs to support other modules where students will need to come and collect some information to feed into their assignments. And it's also the home of a lot of our extracurricular activities, such as the former student and the Radical where other students will also take part in that as well.

Steve:
That's fantastic. Thank you. And as an engineering course, how is data used to inform their understanding of motorsport engineering?

Andrew:
So for me, data plays a big part within motorsport and helping to teach the students. So data can be gathered a number of ways we can collect it from our vehicles when we go out on circuit or during race weekends. Also from our simulators, and the students can use those values, then factor into their assignments, factor into their project work, and that just means that they've got realistic values. So they use them for their simulations and their research and other aspects and things like that as well. By using that data that we capture, that gives them a very good understanding of what is going on. And as I say, they can then apply that to then looking at different case studies, looking at problems to solve and just making sure that what they're doing is actually realistic.

Steve:
Superb. Thank you. So I imagine for students there is the obvious appeal of being part of international race teams. What experience do students get of that?

Andrew:
Yeah. So one of the things we've done over the last couple of years is we've been, I mean, taking part in the Radical SR1 cup. So as part of that, we've been taking our Radical to sort of different circuits throughout the country, and just getting students used to trackside operation of a vehicle from, like, an engineering perspective. This has proven to be very successful with helping set students up for getting further work after they graduate. And we've had some very good results over those few years as well. We've been very lucky that we've had a number of students go onto some very good jobs, both within Formula One and within the World Endurance Championship. And they are literally traveling the world and being part of those international race teams.

Steve:
That's some amazing experience. So thinking about careers for graduates, what have our previous students gone on to do in terms of roles and companies?

Andrew:
So it's quite wide ranging really, because whilst it is motorsport, it is also engineering. So we have some students go into motorsport. So we've had students go to pretty much all the F1 teams that currently exist within the F1 paddock now. We've got some in World Endurance Championship. We've got some in the British Touring Car Championship within the UK. We've got students who have gone into more roles within automotive as well. So a lot of gone to Jaguar Land Rover, Lotus cars, Aston Martin cars, places like Rolls-Royce cars. And then we also get students that decide not to follow the motorsport or the automotive route. And they'll end up at companies like JCB. That's been a big employer of ours over the years as well for students. So yeah, and it's quite a wide range of jobs. So, some of them are looking at jobs where they'll be like design and stuff, while the students have gone on to run, like, wind tunnels, some of, you know, trackside data engineers and things like that. So it is a very wide range in sort of, job list that the students go to afterwards.

Steve:
That's brilliant. Thank you. And so finally, why is Derby the place that they should study Motorsport Engineering?

Andrew:
I think Derby is made up of a few very, very good positives for students. We've got a lot of resources that the students can take advantage of. We get involved in a lot of activities outside of the core study of the programme as well. You know, Derby as well as a city, is a very nice place for people to be. And the staff are very supportive in making sure that the students actually manage to meet and exceed their own expectations.

Steve:
That's brilliant. So that's all my questions, Andy, thank you ever so much. So let's head over to another part of the university for more of our Open Day Livestream.

Alice:
So we're joined now by one of our Graduates Marketing Associates, Arvin Johal. Arvin, can you tell us about your journey with Derby? What did you study?

Arvin:
So I studied a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management. I studied for three years at the University of Derby. I really enjoyed my time during those three years studying business at the University of Derby.

Alice:
And what was it like being a student at Derby?

Arvin:
It was really, really good. I had my fingers in many different pies. So, you know, academically and non-academically as well. So, for example, in an academic sense, I was an academic representative for my degree, for my cohort, which consisted of me, kind of gaining feedback from my cohort and my peers to see how, you know, everyone was finding university life as well as on the degree. And if there was any feedback or recommendations, I could take that forward to meetings with the higher ups and those in charge of kind of, you know, looking at the academic side of university. So I really, really enjoyed that. I also was a marketing representative, as well, so I worked on different marketing campaigns. And my beautiful face was shown on the university's marketing campaigns really. So yeah, really, really enjoyed my time at university from both an academic point of view and non-academic as well.

Alice:
So all those extracurricular activities that you did, do you recommend that to other students? Did you find that you got a lot from that?

Arvin:
Yeah, no, definitely. So for me, I was trying to kind of find my passion during university. I knew that going to university, the main thing for me, the key element was getting a degree, of course. And then I'll be graduating with all these, you know, amazing people, who would have graduated at the same time as me. So I need to kind of find something unique to me and develop kind of a plethora of skills, to kind of, you know, shape me as an individual and just kind of develop those transferable skills, really. So get involved in these extra activities. I would definitely recommend it to any prospective students and any current students as well, just to make the most of university and get involved with, you know, different activities and different departments just to develop those skills as well as, you know, develop them personally and both professionally as well. And then when they go into a job, it just, you know, hones that kind of CV and, you know, they can come out with many great benefits.

Alice:
And throughout all this, did you feel a change in your confidence as a student? What do you think really helped with that?

Arvin:
Yeah. No, definitely. So going into university, believe it or not, I was a very shy, quiet individual, really, really reserved. I never really had the confidence to go out there and, you know, do public speaking, for example, or speak to other people. I was very, very shy. So kind of getting involved in these activities, I knew that I had to kind of push myself out there, be comfortable with being uncomfortable to kind of, you know, develop myself as an individual and kind of, you know, put myself out there and just embrace university really.

Alice: So now you're working as a Graduate Associate in our Marketing department. What was it that led you to do that?

Arvin:
So I studied Business Management, and as part of that, there were a range of different modules that I studied, including accounting and finance, marketing, HR, so many different kind of different avenues that I could go down. Marketing was the one that kind of stood out for me. I really enjoyed studying those modules. And I think the academics, as part of the degree, made my kind of journey, you know, really, really enjoyable, really passionate about the kind of, degree as well so they kind of instilled that marketing in me. Really, really enjoyed it, really enjoyed, you know, all the different modules and the different assignments I worked on as well. So that's why I kind of chose to work in the marketing department, really as a Graduate Associate.

Alice:
And how are you finding the world of work?

Arvin:
I'm loving it. I've always worked part-time alongside my studies, so transitioning to full-time work was smooth. I'm meeting new people and working on various projects, which is great.

Alice:
Any last piece of advice for someone thinking of coming to study at Derby?

Arvin:
Visit an Open Day to get a feel for the university. It's an important decision, and Derby offers great support and opportunities. You'll be well looked after and enjoy your time here.

Alice:
That's great. Thanks, Arvin, and hopefully the start of a brilliant career for you. Let's head to a video now and we'll be back with you shortly.

 

(MUSIC: KEDLESTON ROAD TOUR)

Fast overview of our Kedleston Road site. 

Includes shots of: 

 

(BACK TO ALICE IN THE STUDIO)

Alice:
Olivia Wilkinson joined us as a marketing, PR, and Advertising student and finished with a first-class degree. Now she's back as one of our Marketing Graduate Associates.

Alice:
Hi Liv.

Olivia:
Hi, Alice.

Alice:
So, can you tell us what you most enjoyed about being a student at Derby?

Olivia:
Yeah. So what I most enjoyed was that they had so many opportunities available for us, not just studying but from the career service. They offered us help all the way from first year to after we finished our degree—from CV help, interviews, applications. I was able to get involved with sports. They have so many societies on offer for us to join, and this is so many opportunities in terms of work so there's so much on offer.

Alice:
And in terms of the teaching experience that you have, the academic side of things, what really stood out for you there?

Olivia:
Yeah. So the academics were on hand all the time to help us, not just during exam season and lessons, they were always there to help and support us. That's it, really.

Alice: And you mentioned earlier about getting involved in sport. Can you tell me a bit more about that?

Olivia:
Yeah. So I joined the women's football club in year two, and it was a great opportunity. I was out of football; I finished football when I was about 16. So I was nervous coming back into the sport. But it was a great opportunity for me to help me develop and progress. And I'm now in a football team outside of uni as well, so it's brilliant.

Alice:
That's great. Now you also managed to find time for opportunities that gave you experience in professional working environments. How did that come about and what did you do?

Olivia:
Yeah, so I joined the student employment agency at the university. I became a social media assistant, and I was able to do that from year two to when I graduated. I also took part in the DRIVEN scheme. I was a marketing assistant for Abacus Marketing, and then I was able to progress and become a marketing assistant from that scheme. It was a great opportunity to get paid whilst I studied, but also enhance my skills and application of my marketing degree.

Alice:
And how did you feel that you developed as a student over the years that you were studying at Derby?

Olivia:
Yeah, I developed both personally and professionally. So during my degree, they gave me so many opportunities to not just work on assignments, but real-life case studies as well, and not just academically. It was—I don't know, it's just the amount of opportunities that they gave me was not just I got the degree; I got so much more from that, from my people skills to professional skills. It's brilliant.

Alice:
And now you're working with us as a Graduate Associate. If in your first sort of proper job, as it were, post-graduation, what made you apply for that?

Olivia:
So, obviously in year three, you're worried about what you're going to go on to do. And I just saw this opportunity to develop into a position eventually of leadership. And it was amazing, the opportunity coming about. And I thought, I've absolutely enjoyed studying at the university, working at the university, and it's just a great environment. So to be able to advance in marketing at the university, it was just a no-brainer for me. And this graduate scheme should give you a really good foundation for your future career.

Alice:
Where do you see yourself going after this phase?

Olivia:
So after this phase, I have already talked about wanting to stay at the university because they offer so many opportunities for you. So just hopefully working my way up in the university. But I know definitely the scheme allows for that because I hope and already I'm getting involved in so many things, and it's just brilliant.

Alice:
That's fantastic. Any piece of advice that you'd give to somebody thinking of coming to study at Derby?

Olivia:
One piece of advice, I say just get involved with absolutely everything you can. The university offers so many things, like I've already mentioned from careers to sports societies. Just have a go at everything, and you'll just develop as you go.

Alice:
Brilliant. Thanks, Liv, it's been really useful.

Olivia:
Thank you.

Alice:
We'll be right back with more Open Day livestream.

 

(WE'RE IN A CLASSROOM AT KEDLESTON ROAD WITH NEW HOST WISIA ROSSI)

Wisia:
Hello. We're here at our Kedleston Road site today to find out more about our Social and Community courses. We're joined by Simon Williams, Head of Public Health and Social Care. Hi, Simon.

Simon:
Hi there.

Wisia:
So can you start by telling us about the courses within your area?

Simon:
Yeah, we have some really exciting courses designed to help students work with individuals and communities on their health and wellbeing journey. The courses are designed to upskill students to engage in that practice.

Wisia:
Wow, that sounds amazing. And what sorts of people are drawn to these courses? Are there any common values that they may have?

Simon:
Yeah, we find there are often shared values. A lot of people who come onto our courses may have experienced their own journey, been involved in care systems, or gone through different health situations. Because of their experience, they want to make a difference and want to make a change. Social justice is really core, and many of our students are passionate about ensuring equal opportunities in society.

Wisia:
Wow, that sounds amazing. And placements are a key part of university and the experience ahead of their careers. How do we make that happen, and what partnerships do we have?

Simon:
Placements are a massive part of our courses. They're essential for developing skills that make students workplace-ready. We have placements with various agencies: voluntary agencies, local authorities, emergency services, faith groups, schools, and more. This diversity gives students a wide range of experiences.

Wisia:
Cool. Lastly, what would you say is the exciting part of a career within the sector?

Simon:
One of the most exciting things is to journey alongside people in their health and wellbeing journey, seeing them grow and grasp opportunities.

Wisia:
Amazing. Thank you, Simon. We're going to head back to find out more about courses.

 

(WE'RE BACK WITH STEVE, NOW AT DERBY THEATRE)

Steve:
Welcome to Derby Theatre, part of the University of Derby. If you're a budding performer or tech specialist, we have two courses on offer. I'm joined by Phil Green and Xristina Penna, course leaders for their undergraduate Theatre area. Thank you for being here.

Phil and Xristina:
Thank you.

Steve:
Theatre is a broad creative industry that enables students to choose a specialism. Can you introduce your two courses?

Phil:
Yes, I'm Phil Green, the program leader for the Theatre Arts course. It's a practical, industry-led course with three strands: performance skills, theatre-making, and employment focused on getting you work in the industry. Most of our work is practice-led in this great building.

Xristina:
The Technical Theatre and Performance Design BA, starting in September 2025, has similar strands. It explores new and traditional theatre technologies. It's industry-focused, with an employability strand, and includes a practice research strand leading to a performance in the final year. In year two, we partner with a tech company for a brief that students can use on their CVs.

Steve:
Thank you. How involved do students get with working in an active theatre?

Phil:
There are five opportunities for public performances over the three years, working on a professional model. We do block weeks, working Monday to Friday, just like professionals. Beyond that, there are opportunities for work placement, paid work as ushers, assistants in youth theatres, casual technicians, and more.

Steve:
What facilities are available for students?

Xristina:
The theatre has excellent facilities. Graduates work as lighting designers using the theatre's technology. Students learn on the equipment here and use facilities at the School of Arts Markeaton Street and Britannia Mill, including the mixed reality lab for VR and AR, sound labs, and radio equipment.

Steve:
Sounds amazing. How do you advise students who aren't sure which course to choose?

Phil:
Come and see us. Visit our Open Days or arrange a visit via email or online. We'll discuss your interests and advise you on the best course. You can also meet former students now employed here.

Steve:
Why should students choose Derby for their theatre studies?

Xristina:
Derby Theatre is a learning theatre, offering students a professional environment from day one. Derby is a mid-sized city with a strong community feel. The Union of Students offers various societies. We're also TEF Gold rated for teaching excellence.

Phil:
Derby Theatre is unique, being a professional producing theatre where students and courses are housed. From day one, students enter through the stage door and work alongside professionals. There's nothing else like it.

Xristina:
I just saw an ex-student working as a designer for the youth theatre, showing the relationship we have with the theatre.

Steve:
Lastly, what careers can students expect with a theatre degree?

Phil:
Our graduates work in various roles: marketing assistants, producers, community program assistants, applied theatre, further education, and more. They find jobs they didn't know existed while here.

Xristina:
Our graduates work as lighting designers, sound designers, stage managers, and costume designers. They emphasize how working in a professional theatre during their studies helped them in the industry.

Steve:
Phil, Xristina, thank you very much. It's been great to hear from you today. We'll be right back.

 

(WE'RE NOW AT ONE FRIAR GATE SQUARE WITH NEW HOST, KELLY SEVERN)

Kelly:
Hello from One Friar Gate Square, home to our Law, Policing, and Social Sciences programs, including Criminology. I'm joined by Dr. Luke Vinter, Programme Leader for Criminology at the University of Derby. Hi, Luke.

Luke:
Hi.

Kelly:
What does a typical day for a criminology student at Derby look like, and how do they use facilities like this one?

Luke:
Teaching is a mix of front-led lecturing, critical discussions, and activities. Beyond that, we use facilities like the custody suite and courtroom, and go on Crime and Punishment tours in Derby, bringing theory to life.

Kelly:
This facility is great for students to learn in. How is research related to the programme?

Luke:
Research is embedded in both how and what we teach. Our staff engage in diverse, applied research, which informs our teaching. We teach students to become competent researchers, progressing to applied research with real-world impact.

Kelly:
What about the different pathways for Criminology?

Luke:
Criminology is diverse, incorporating psychology, criminal justice, sociology, law, and philosophy. We offer joint honours programmes with related subjects like Law and Psychology, and even with Business Management, Media, and a new course on Artificial Intelligence in Criminology.

Kelly:
What careers do students typically pursue after studying Criminology?

Luke:
Graduates go into traditional criminology roles like police, courts, probation, prisons, and roles in rehabilitation, safety, and wellbeing. They also work in government, charities, and research roles in academia and business.

Kelly:
Why should students choose Derby for Criminology?

Luke:
Our practitioners and researchers bring subjects to life. We have a lot of optionality in the third year, allowing students to specialize. We also have high student satisfaction and teaching quality ratings.

Kelly:
Thank you, Luke. You've given us a great overview of Criminology at the University of Derby. Back to you.

 

(WE'RE BACK WITH STEVE AT DERBY THEATRE)

Steve:
Welcome back to the Open Day live stream. And we're still at Derby Theatre, and I'm joined by Caroline Barth, the theatre's Creative Learning Director.
Hi, Caroline.

Caroline:
Hi!

Steve:
So we're here in the city center. Can you tell us what the connection is between the Theatre and the University?

Caroline:
Yeah, absolutely. So the building is actually owned by the University. But we're also an independent charity and professional producing theatre. So the University has its own learning theatre, which is nationally and internationally unique. There's lots of theatres that have connections, but the fact that students are basically studying in our building, in a working theatre, giving them hands-on experience every day is astonishing. And that's really only the start of it, because there's so many more opportunities. Whether you're studying here or not, you can come and see shows, take part in the activities that we do. The learning activities, and particularly if you're interested in connecting and working with young people or communities, there's a load of opportunities for you here.

Steve:
That's incredible. Thanks, Caroline. So thinking about the opportunities students may be looking for alongside their studies, are there any chances to get part-time work?

Caroline:
Yeah, absolutely. We're a working theatre, as you've already said. So you can get bar work, front of house work, but we have a unique opportunity as well for students studying theatre, particularly to come and interview to help us on our youth theatres. So we've got ten different groups that run every night of the week. We have a deaf youth theatre because Derby has a particularly large deaf population. So that's run by a deaf leader and assistant. But we have opportunities for you to come and get paid to do the work that you love, working alongside, using theatre, using those skills to develop young people's confidence and communication. So those are just a few of the jobs. You can also, if you're interested in the technical side of theatre, get on as a casual technician with us too.

Steve:
That's amazing. Thank you, Caroline. So we've heard about the theatre courses today already that are taught at Derby, but could you tell us how the theatre is relevant to all students, regardless of what they're studying?

Caroline:
Yeah. I mean, we work with a lot of different departments. So education, we have students that come here. They're thinking of working with young people through their education, childhood studies, for example. We do a lot of work with early years. So again, links with those different departments. We do work with students who've got live briefs. So some students, Marketing, for example, they might have a challenge that we say, "Great, can you come over here and help us understand, do some market research for us?" So they're working again on real-life challenges and opportunities and getting us the answers through their wonderful research. So everything from that to also, as we said, coming to seeing shows here and taking part in them, we have lots of shows where we have young people and community company as well as the professional actors. So you get—it's just sheer fun and a great sort of family to be part of as well. We're really welcoming and opening to everyone. But our students are particularly welcome here.

Steve:
That's brilliant. Thank you. And so finally, for anyone interested in finding out more about the theatre and what happens here, what should they do next?

Caroline:
Well, as you said, we're right in the city center, so come and see us. It'd be lovely to have you through the doors. And we can get you tickets for shows on our website as well. There's myself and all of the other staff here, so you can always drop us an email. Because sometimes we've got insights that others might not have at the University and being, you know, working in here day in, day out with our students who do volunteering and all sorts with us, we can give you the lowdown and tell you all about it.

Steve:
That's brilliant, that's perfect. Thank you so much, Caroline, and thank you for joining us today and sharing that.

Caroline:
No problem.

Steve:
So that's all here from the Derby Theatre. Let's see what else is going on today.

Alice:
Hi Jo.

Jo: Hi.

Alice:
So you're not just a member of staff here at Derby, but also mum to an 18-year-old who's going through this process. How has it been for you as a parent?

Jo:
It's been quite a mixture of emotions, actually. I'm obviously, you know, very excited and proud of what he's going to go on to achieve and choosing a university. But I'm also quite anxious, quite apprehensive. Part of me wants to just keep him at home forever. But of course, he needs to go out into the big wide world. And I guess this is the next step. So, yeah, lots of emotions, but it's been good. I've enjoyed the experience.

Alice:
And obviously working in the university, you know a lot about how they operate. But have you discovered things through this process that you didn't know before about applying to university?

Jo:
I've learned a lot more about the UCAS application. And so actually being on the other side of it has been quite interesting to see. Obviously, understanding the terminology and what certain things mean, the key deadlines, the important dates that we need to be aware of, those sorts of things. So, and all of that information is out there. So it's really useful to do your research beforehand and have a look at when those important dates are that they shouldn't miss, that kind of thing. So yeah. Yeah.

Alice:
We're now about to enter the clearing period. What should parents do if they've got a child who wants to go to university but hasn't found a place yet?

Jo:
I think it's about just keeping calm and but again, providing that reassurance, it's not too late to apply. There's still plenty of time to find a university. Again, preparation is really important. So, you know, do your research beforehand. Definitely before results day. You don't want that last-minute panic on results day. But yeah, do take your time beforehand. Have a look at other universities, have a look at what they're offering in clearing and make some notes so that on results day you feel really prepared and ready to make some phone calls.

Alice:
Yeah. And is making an application through clearing different to an application somebody might have done perhaps earlier in the year?

Jo:
Yes and no. In some ways it is. So through Clearing, you'll be contacting the university straight away. So you have a conversation first with the Admissions team at the university. And then, once you've got an offer, you'll then need to go on to the UCAS website and refer yourself or put forward your application that way. So in some ways, it's a bit quicker. But yeah, pretty much the same, similar sorts of things.

Alice:
And if you're a parent with a child who isn't sure about university and haven't been able to decide either way, what can parents do in that situation?

Jo:
It's still important to take the time to go and visit a university. There's no better way, really, than actually visiting in person. So around clearing time, universities tend to open their doors and have an open house. So, you know, do go and make the time to go and visit the city, go and visit the campus, have a look around the accommodation. So maybe sort of clear your diaries really around the few days after results day, so you've got time to go and visit places—that'd be a good thing to do.

Alice:
And how involved do you think parents should be in this whole process?

Jo:
I think they should be involved. It's been a very enjoyable experience and you get to know your son or daughter quite well. You know, reading their personal statement can give you a real insight into what their hopes and ambitions are. And that's really nice to see. But also, you know, back off a little bit. It's their decision. They need to make their own decisions in life. So you're going to find that right balance between being involved but not taking over. It's really important to make it their decision.

Alice:
And is there any more general advice you've got for parents supporting their child through this process?

Jo:
Well, something I've been trying to do over the last few months is making sure that my son knows how to prepare a meal. Right from thinking about what do I need to go and buy, how to prepare it, so that he can feed himself when he's away at uni. Managing money is another good thing as well. So, you know, learning to live on a budget and how to spread your money out over the weeks. And, yeah, just general life skills, you know, making sure he knows how to use the washing machine and making his bed, that kind of stuff. So just, you know, making sure that he's got all those skills he needs to be a grown-up.

Alice:
Yeah. And is there anything that children should be asking their parents for help with?

Jo:
Well, those kinds of things would be really good things to ask a parent about, but, you know, pick our brains, ask us about what it's like to live in different cities or ask us what it's like, how we got to where we are in our working lives. So, you know, use us as another source of information. That'd be useful.

Alice:
That's great. Thank you very much, Jo, and good luck to you both with the process.

Jo: 
Thank you very much. Thanks.

Alice:
Thanks. Let's head to a video now and we'll be back with you shortly.

 

(MUSIC: TEACHING EXCELLENCE VIDEO)

(WE'RE BACK IN THE STUDIO WITH LUKE)

Luke:
Welcome back. We've been watching out for your questions this morning, and now we're going to be answering them for you.

We've just got time to run through a few of the questions we've received so far, and we'll reply to everybody else later on today.

So first up, are there options to study abroad? Yes. Many of our courses have the possibility of travel or study overseas.
You may be able to get some funding through the UK Government's Turing Scheme.

Next question are the gym facilities free?
Good question. So there's a well-equipped gym at our Sports Center, which has a low monthly cost, and it's open seven days a week.

Next question. What are the links like with local employers? All of our subjects have links to industry
with work placements and projects for real businesses and organisations. We have career fairs every year where you can meet some of these employers
and start to build links for your future employment.

Next question.
How do we secure halls? So once you've firmed your offer with us, it's just a small deposit.
You don't need to put down several months of rent upfront, as can be the case with many private accommodations.

And next up, do we have accommodation for families? That would need to be arranged privately,
but we have our DASH accredited landlord scheme who can help you with this.

And next question. What career support is available? So our Careers Employment Service is your first port of call.
And you can get as much careers experience as you have time for. Everything from CV writing and interview prep to a year out on placement.
Your course will have industry links and real world industry related projects for you too.

Okay, and final question: how often will we attend classes? So this would vary by course, but this is why we recommend living close
to campus in Derby, as can easily be within reach of classes.

And that's it. A huge thank you to all of the students and staff who have been a part of our event today.
And to all of you joining us for Open Day Live Stream. Today's Open Day is continuing for several more hours on campus.

So if you're on your way, we'll see you soon. If you've liked what you've seen and want to come and visit, you can keep an eye out for upcoming events on our website. But, if you're joining us from overseas or can't make it in person, our Virtual Tour is available whenever you need it, with more to see about our courses, city and accommodation on our website. And from all of us here, it's a good bye for now.

 

(Video of staff in different environments around our campus)

(Text on screen: University of Derby logo and #lovederbyuni in gold confetti effect)

Nat:
Hi, I love working at Derby because I like being part of the college students centre teams. It's great to be able to support our students all the way through from enrolment to graduation. We get a lot of students in the college student centers that may be struggling and it's fantastic when we've been able to help and support them to achieve that degree and see them walk the stage during graduation.

Tola:
As someone who works with international students from all around the world, I love the University of Derby because it presents an opportunity for students to over 50 countries to come and study with us. It's such a melting pot of different nationalities. 

Steven:
What I love about the University of Derby is our relationship with our partner organisations, excellent placement opportunities. It means our students can be the innovators and future leaders in our communities. 

Sonal:
I love coming to work at University of Derby to be part of a team and staff that are dedicated and committed to make sure our students can flourish and grow while they learn here. It's great to support our students, be their best selves, and be part of their onward learning journey.

Jack:
I love how the university prioritises students and tailors the resources towards our needs. I love how my lecturers and tutors are so supportive and helped me achieve my potential as a student. 

Naomi:
I love the University of Derby because it gives so many opportunities for everybody to develop their skills. Working in the Library Skills team, I get to see that every day and it's brilliant.

Kirk:
Why love about the University of Derby is the community feel: I work at the halls of residence and it is such a great place for the students to come and stay, meet other people and I think it really represents the university as a whole, which is a real lovely family environment. 

Emma:
What I love about working at the University of Derby is I get to engage with students from enrolment straight to see that progression to the end of their studies. And then it all ends with graduation and we how we can celebrate with them on their special day. 

Mo:
Some of the main reasons why I love working at the University of Derby as it's a fantastic place to work. It gives amazing opportunities for students and staff. 

Olivia:
I love Derby because we offer amazing opportunities to students. From work experience to part time jobs to graduate careers.

Martin:
I love the University of Derby due to the positive impact it has on the student experience, and their academic journeys. Here at the Union of Students, we have the pleasure of working with the university to deliver a variety of different activities, whether that be supporting the student voice, delivering events and activities such as freshers or providing clubs and societies for those students looking to socialise. It's a pleasure to work with the university on all the things we do. 

Samantha:
I love working at the University of Derby Library because I remember what it was like to be a student. I remember the array of emotions from pure joy to pure panic, and I remember the consistency of the library being there for me. So I really love the fact that I now get to do that for students.

Arvin:
There are many different reasons as to why I love the University of Derby. The main one for me is the different opportunities that you can seize. So being alumni of the university and an ex Student I got involved with becoming a student ambassador, a content creator and academic representative. I now look forward to making a positive impact in the graduate scheme as an associate in marketing.

Uwaje:
What I love about the University of Derby, is the support for diversity and communal living. As an international student, I believe one of our dreams when migrating to a new country is to settle in smoothly and seamlessly and get comfortable as fast as we can. The University of Derby is a great place to be because it supports diversity and communal living, which in the long run not only helps with personal development, but also professional growth, as this is what I am experiencing.

Ian:
The thing I love most about the University of Derby is teaching. When teaching, I can be myself, and by creating a fun and exciting environment for students, I allow them to become the best versions of themselves. 

Amber:
What I love about Derby is that the University has a really strong commitment to ensure that our students are ready for the workplace and to make sure that when they leave university, they're ready to go straight into graduate level employment.

Adam:
What I love about Derby is that it's a community that's big enough to contain a rich diversity of people from a whole range of traditions and backgrounds and perspectives, enabling all sorts of stimulating ideas and initiatives to emerge. But it's a community that's small enough so that you feel you can find a place within it, and a real sense of belonging. That's what I love about Derby. 

Wisia:
I love Derby as a staff member and as a student. I had the opportunity to explore my passion, and that's why Derby's brilliant!

(On screen text: Thanks for joining us!)

(Music)

 

 

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