Getting Started
Before you begin your application make sure you have:
- Your qualification details including grades and dates taken. You will have the opportunity to upload scanned copies of your qualification certificates/transcripts in the application. If you have no formal qualifications, you can also state this in your application to us
- A scanned copy of your passport or other official photographic ID e.g. photo driving licence. This will help us verify your application to study with us. If you do not have any photo ID, we will accept a scanned copy of your birth certificate. International applicants can only provide a copy of their passport for visa assessment purposes
- Your work experience – this is optional for you to provide and could be in the form of a CV which you can upload into your application or you can provide the company names and addresses of your employers (maximum of three)
- A personal statement showing your interest for the course/subject. This is a mandatory requirement and you will be able to upload it into your application. You may want to include your reasons for applying for the course, your experience in the field, how you feel you would benefit from studying and relevant information about your previous studies. You could also tell us about your non-academic experiences such as hobbies, interests, participation in any clubs, societies or voluntary work
- A relevant reference for the course you have applied for. The reference should be in written format and supplied on company headed paper, signed and dated from either a manager, supervisor, tutor or teacher
- If you need to supply two references, this usually means you need to provide one academic reference from any recent study and one employer reference
- If you are applying as an international applicant and are using an agent you will need to provide the agent number in the application. Your agent will have a 9 digit ID number from the University of Derby International Office. Please contact your agent to obtain this number
Making an application
To make an application you will need to:
- Find your course using our ‘course search’
- Scroll down to ‘How to Apply’ - this will tell you which application route you can take as this can sometimes vary depending on what month you want to start and whether you want to take a full-time or part-time route
- Click 'apply directly to the University'
As part of the application process, you will be asked to create an account or log-in if you already have one. You will then be directed through a simple five-stage process to complete your application. This will include attaching the above documents as evidence to support your application. Failure to submit this may result in your application being withdrawn as we will be unable to assess it without these.
Look out for the "information symbol" next to some questions where we have provided some helpful information to assist you in completing your application. Please ensure you click on “Save and Continue” to ensure your data is saved at each stage.
Important Application and Enrolment deadlines
Our aim is to support all students to have the best possible opportunities to succeed and so our application and enrolment deadlines are in place to ensure you stand the best chance of doing so.
Joining the programme later may harm your chances of success on your course. It is therefore vital that you take note of the dates and ensure you accept your offer, submit all required documents to meet any outstanding conditions and where a 'Student Route Visa' is required you submit all of the required documents by the deadlines outlined.
Please note deadline dates vary by intake so please see the key dates for your intake.
Disabilities and learning differences
As part of your application, we ask that you inform us about any long-term health condition, disability, or specific learning difference. Your application will be handled in the same way irrespectively, but this information will help us assess any support needs you may have. The University will treat your information confidentially.
We have further explained some of the listed disabilities to help you select the most appropriate condition:
- Long-standing Illness e.g. cancer, HIV, diabetes, chronic heart disease or epilepsy
- Mental Health Condition e.g. depression, schizophrenia or anxiety disorder
- Physical or Mobility Issues e.g. difficulty using your arms, using a wheelchair or crutches
- Blind or serious visual impairment which isuncorrected by glasses
- Specific Learning Disability e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D
- Social/Communication impairment e.g. Asperger’s syndrome / other autism spectrum disorder
Care Leaver
If you have lived in care, either with foster carers or in a children’s home, we encourage you to tell us so that we can let you know of any additional support you could be entitled to. The University will treat your information confidentially.
Criminal Convictions / Cautions
The University of Derby seeks to admit the widest range of students who may benefit from our courses, seeing value in a broad range of talents, backgrounds, and opportunities. We are aware of our responsibility both to consider the needs of each applicant, ensuring you can receive the support you require and also protect and support the community within the university.
If you are made an offer to study at the University of Derby and have an 'unspent' criminal conviction, you must provide us with details of the incident(s). You will be provided with further information about how you can do this within the offer letter that we send to you. Please note: we do not need to know this information unless we make you an offer.
Our policy page gives guidance on what determines a relevant 'unspent' criminal conviction/caution as well as information about how we manage your declarations. While some criminal convictions are 'spent' (forgotten) after a certain period according to the offence, other offences are never spent and these should be declared. For independent guidance, you can contact Unlock or Nacro so that you are not disclosing any information we do not need to know.
Please note, courses that involve working with children or vulnerable adults are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 which means ‘spent’ rules normally do not apply. If you are offered a place for courses of this nature, in order for you to enrol you will be required to obtain University clearance following completion of an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certificate.
The University will treat your information confidentially.
Further information
Find out more about our policies and procedures for admissions.
Contact us
If you would like further information please contact the relevant Admissions Team.
