Student voice improvements

• In direct response to student feedback, we have increased the opening hours at our Kedleston Road Library. Throughout 2025, the Library will be open from 7am to midnight Monday to Friday and 9am until 10pm Saturday and Sunday.
• We have invested in the resources to support studies, adding over 5,834 print books and 10,309 eBooks. We have also invested in updates to some of the most popular collections and platforms including 518 Sage Knowledge titles, 200 Springer SDGO titles, 7,992 Taylor and Francis SDGO titles, 3,268 Springer Chemistry and Materials Science
• In the last year, 153 titles have been added to the Library collection based on student requests via our Books For You
• We have invested in our digital library and the vast majority of the library’s collections are now available online 24/7 and can be accessed directly via Library Search or resource lists.
• We have enhanced access to the Library's physical collection via our reservation service which provides access to the full and entire collection of loanable library resources. There are now additional collection and drop off points at Britannia Mill and St Helena, Chesterfield.
• We have also invested in our Scan and Deliver service which provides digital extracts of books and journals that are not available in an electronic format so that students can get hold of information from our physical collection quickly and easily.
• We have improved our Inter Library Loan service and in the last academic session, 6153 requests were satisfied with an average turnaround time of 24 hours. 
• We have increased our academic librarian presence at different university sites through ‘Your Library is Here’, meaning that students will see us more visibly no matter where you are predominantly based. Our Academic Librarians can support you with researching our library collections, accessing our library collections, building your academic skills with Develop@Derby, referencing and library account queries, to name just a few things.
• We have enhanced our Develop@Derby platform, subject guides and online Develop@Derby workshops providing opportunities for students to develop the skills to support studies and future employment. 

Safety

• We have implemented SafeZone, a free safety app available to all students. The mobile app can be used to alert the University Security if you ever need urgent assistance or first aid while on campus

Catering

• We now have a self-service till point at Kedleston Road to help alleviate unnecessary queuing.
• We have reviewed our ‘Concept’ food bar and as a result, have introduced more African and Indian themed offerings.
• We have changed supplier and have improved the range of sandwiches available in the deli at Kedleston Road, including a greater variety of halal options.
• We have a pizza offer at Kedleston Road that provides better value for money and a wider variety of products.
• We have implemented a Peri chicken-based offer at Markeaton Street.

Sustainability enhancements

• The Sustainable Travel Hub, which will be launched soon, has been designed to encourage greater access to sustainable modes of travel. The Sustainable Travel Hub will include a new secure cycle storage space, further electric vehicle charging spaces, landscaping and way-finding signage.
• A full LED and emergency lighting replacement scheme at our Kirtley building has resulted in significant energy saving and boosting of the University’s green credentials. The intelligent lighting system also provides cost saving measures with reduced demand for labour; the savings can be directed elsewhere to support the University.
• Over the summer, we refurbished the Atrium at Kedleston Road, with new carpet throughout, decoration and new wayfinding installed, providing a more modern and professional look to the space. With sustainability at the forefront of the specification, the carpet is recyclable.

Campus facilities

• The Doctoral College opened on the Upper Ground Floor of the Library. The space comprises of extensive social, networking, and casual working space. It has facilities for individual and group working, supervision meetings, a Viva Voce Examination room, bookable meeting rooms, as well as kitchen facilities, providing a dedicated space to support PGR Students and a home for a vibrant research community. 
• In response to student feedback, we’ve created a social study space on the lower ground floor of Britannia Mill and a quiet study area with small group rooms on the second floor. We’ve also re-opened the student kitchen (aka Heat ‘n’ Eat) so students have a place to prepare food and drinks whilst working.  
• A secure cycle storage compound was created at Kedleston Road near the Cycle Hub in the Kirtley building. The store features a service stand and tools station so individuals have the correct facilities to make any urgent repairs or adjustments.
• Within the Kirtley building, we also added changing facilities that include a number of showers, hairdryers, and mirrors.
• The University has created a Changing Places facility at our Markeaton Street Campus. This large inclusive facility is fully furnished with the latest specialist equipment to ensure all individuals can have privacy and dignity whilst on site.
• We also installed a Changing Places facility at One Friar Gate Square, improving the accessibility of the site.

• Feedback from students has shaped the development of our digital learning environment. All programmes have moved to the new-look, user-friendly version of Blackboard. This enhanced learning environment delivers a simplified, mobile-friendly user experience which supports connectivity, collaboration and inclusion. 
• We have introduced LinkedIn Learning, which offers free access for University of Derby students to over 21,000 professional development courses taught by industry experts. 
• We have enhanced our support for developingdigital skills, as part of Develop@Derby, including a wide range of new guides for Blackboard and digital learning. 
• Wi-Fi 6 and Windows 11 are being rolled out across sites.
• All high-performance machines, such as CAD and Games machines, have been replaced across labs and social spaces at Markeaton Street.
• We have worked with the supplier to offer a free IT Support chat service for students out of hours: no more chargeable calls are needed to use the out of hours service.

• We established the Student Hub (and Student Hub Express) to provide a one-stop-shop service for students requiring guidance from a variety of university services. 
• We have implemented onboarding for International students through the CAS Shield platform to empower students and streamline the process.
• We have enhanced our visa and immigration webpages to provide a more user-friendly experience, tailored to the student journey. There are also drop-in sessions available to assist with the e-visa switch process.
• We have partnered with National Express to provide an Airport Transfers scheme. This scheme supports more new international students to travel from their destination airports to Derby flexibly and free of charge.
• We created a ‘Ready, Set, Enrol’ tracker that provided an update on your enrolment progress and information on the next steps. 
• We enhanced the support available in the Enrolment Hub including more of the key teams to provide support in one place and specialised accessible enrolment stations.

• To help students keep track of attendance, we introduced a system called MyAttendance. It allows students to view their attendance for timetabled modules, log absences on the day, and update and review previous absences.
• We have made bank and Council letters automated and these are readily available to download in UDo.
• We have introduced a new and efficient booking system for group and individual Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) sessions. Information about PAT tutors can be found in the PAT tile in UDo.
• Develop@Derby has enabled academic, personal and professional progression for students to facilitate better learning experiences. It also allows development of holistic skills and attributes for increased employability and onward progression. Students can showcase their competencies and achievements to future employers and stakeholders.
• Based on graduation feedback, more photo opportunities and back drops have been provided at graduation ceremonies at both Pride Park and the Arena.

• We have removed lengthy forms to access mental health support and moved to online and in person conversations with students instead. We have a range of drop-in appointments, emergency appointments and staff on hand in the Student Hub.
• We have recruited additional members of staff across our Student Services teams and are committed to keeping waiting times for appointments to under 2 weeks. We have also developed a host of new self-help resources designed to support students whilst they are waiting for an appointment.
• We have improved communication around Student Services support available, including introducing over 50 hours of induction talks at the start of the year; creating new webpages with a whole host of advice and guidance and updating marketing materials across campus so support is more visible.
• We have invested in our peer-to-peer support app (Talk Campus), which provides 24/7 mental health support. In addition, we have new wellness appointments and other workshops and focus groups available throughout the year.
• Student support plans have been redesigned so that they are student centred and easier to read, focusing on key information. Students also now have direct access to their plan so they can always see the current version.

• We introduced programme induction sessions to highlight the Careers and Employment Service and opportunities for students to develop their career. 
• To support students with their career planning, tailored communications have been introduced throughout the student journey. 
• At Careers Fairs, we have a ‘quiet hour’ at the start of the event. This is for students who want to attend the event in a less busy environment.
• In response to student feedback, the Careers and Employment Service and alumni have been working with programme leaders to increase workshops with guest lecturers and links to industry.