Studying part-time

Many of our undergraduate and postgraduate courses can be studied part-time, providing you with the opportunity to broaden your skills and knowledge in a way that works for you.

Flexible study

The flexibility of part-time study allows you to fit your degree into your current lifestyle, enabling you to balance your degree with your existing commitments. You may also have the option to study your chosen subject online.

Achieving your goals

The modern workplace is competitive so stand out from the crowd and gain a professional qualification whilst working. Improve your career prospects or pursue a passion and develop skills in a new area to open up new opportunities.

Our expert teaching team will challenge your thinking, encourage you to develop new perspectives and push you to achieve your goals. You'll also benefit from the high academic standards, quest for knowledge and expanding horizons created by our ambitious approach to research. With a focus on advancing your skills, we'll prepare you to take the next step in your career.

Funding your study

Part-time fees are charged by module and, if you’re paying for yourself, we make it easier for you by automatically spreading the cost of your course over equal payments across the academic year.

Government loans to cover tuition fees are available for eligible undergraduate and postgraduate part-time students, whether you are studying on campus or online.

Undergraduate student loans

As a part-time student, you can currently apply for a tuition fee loan if you are a UK national or have 'settled status' and normally live in England. You can apply for a tuition fee loan as long as you will complete at least 25% of the credits needed for a full-time course, whether you are studying on campus or online. This percentage is known as course intensity and, if you’re not sure what your course intensity is, check with your course leader (listed on the course page).

If you are studying on campus, you can also apply for a loan for living costs. The amount you get depends on your household income, where you live while studying and your course intensity. Find out more about loans for part-time study

Postgraduate masters loans

If you normally live in England and are under 60 when you start your course, you may be eligible for a Postgraduate Master’s Loan to study at masters level. This loan is available whether you are studying full-time, part-time or online.

You can use this loan to pay for your tuition fees or living costs while you are studying a taught or research-based postgraduate course at masters level, eg MA, MSc, MBA, LLM, MRes or MPhil.

You have to meet certain eligibility criteria. Check the Postgraduate Master's Loan information on the gov.uk website.

Postgraduate doctoral loans

If you are under 60 when you start your course, you may be able eligible for a Doctoral Loan to study a doctoral level course, eg PhD and EdD. This loan is available whether you are studying full-time or part-time.

You can use this loan to pay for your tuition fees or living costs. You have to meet certain eligibility criteria. Check the Postgraduate Doctoral Loan information on the gov.uk website.

Why choose Derby?

You'll be taught by our expert academics who bring together industry expertise with a passion for helping you to achieve your best
We've invested £200 million in the last ten years to ensure we have some of the best facilities in the UK
In the heart of the UK, Derby's central location offers you the best of city and countryside

Expert teaching

We are recognised for the quality of our teaching. At Derby, you’ll meet passionate and committed lecturers who harness the very latest thinking, from their professional lives and ground-breaking rese...

A group of students socialising at the Brooklyn Social, a bar in Derby

City

Our focus on employability, state-of-the-art facilities, expert teaching and vibrant city are just some of the benefits of choosing to study at the University of Derby.

Students walking outside the Sports Centre

Facilities

We have invested £200 million in the last ten years to ensure that we have some of the best facilities in the UK. Our industry-standard facilities include a fantastic new sports centre, forensic house...

Useful information

Undergraduate fees and finance

Going to university is a real investment in your future. Here’s our detailed guide to what studying at the University of Derby costs and the help that’s available to pay for it.

Postgraduate fees and finance

Explore your options for funding your postgraduate study at Derby.

A student working at a computer, assisted by a member of staff.

Student support

Find out about all of the support available to our students. We offer a range of services that can help you during your application and once you get here.