Applying for an undergraduate course

If you are from the UK and want to apply for an undergraduate full-time degree course at the University of Derby, there are two ways to do this.

You can apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, known as UCAS - or you can apply directly to the University of Derby if you’re not applying to any other UK university in the same year.

To apply through UCAS, you need to:

1. Register with UCAS
2. Login and complete your details
3. Choose your course and select the University of Derby by using the institution code D39
4. Write a personal statement
5. Get a reference
6. Pay the application fee
7. Submit your UCAS application

To apply directly to the University of Derby, you need to:

1. Use our undergraduate course search or browse our range of undergraduate courses to find the course you wish to apply for
2. Click on the 'Apply directly to the University' button in the 'How to apply' section on your chosen course page
3. Follow the instructions to complete and submit your application

You can go to our Apply online page to find out what information you need to complete your University of Derby application.

If you want to apply for a part-time undergraduate degree, you need to:

1. Use our part-time study course search to find the course you wish to apply for
2. Click on the 'Apply directly to the University' button in the 'How to apply' section on your chosen course page
3. Follow the instructions to complete and submit your application

1. Use our undergraduate course search or browse our range of undergraduate courses to find the course you wish to apply for
2. Click on the 'Apply directly to the University' button in the 'How to apply' section on your chosen course page
3. Follow the instructions to complete and submit your application

You can apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, known as UCAS, an independent charity which helps to organise applications to UK universities and colleges.

To apply through UCAS, you need to:

1. Register with UCAS
2. Login and complete your details
3. Choose your course and select the University of Derby by using the institution code D39
4. Write a personal statement
5. Get a reference
6. Pay the application fee
7. Submit your UCAS application

You can get help with your University of Derby application from one of our overseas representatives. We have a network of representatives throughout the world who will also guide you in obtaining a visa and making travel arrangements. These agents will usually use our direct application process.

If English is not your first language you must have an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all areas (speaking, listening, reading, writing) or we may be able to accept one of the equivalent qualifications below:

• Oxford English Language Level Test (ELLT)
• Pearson Test of Academic English: 52
• LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2: Listening: 33/50, Reading: 33/50, Writing: 33/50, Speaking: 33/50
• Michigan English Assessment Battery (MELAB): Score 80
• Michigan Test: Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE): Pass
• Cambridge English Scale: B2 
• International GCE O Level English Language: Grade C
• International GCSE English or English as a Second Language: Grade C
• Completion of University of Derby Pre-sessional English language course: Pass

Please note when clicking onto the Oxford English Language Level Test, you will be leaving the University of Derby website. Any data you submit to this website will be subject to that company’s privacy terms and will not sit under the University's privacy policies. Please use caution when sharing your personal data. If you have any queries, you can contact the Data Protection Officer at gdpr@derby.ac.uk.

We also accept a number of qualifications from other countries as evidence of English Language proficiency so please check our international entry requirements for each country.

Some courses have higher English language entry requirements and in some cases will strictly only accept IELTS, please check the specific course details for more information.

Find out more about English language tests for entry

If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0, we recommend you consider our Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

If you've studied in a country where English is the first language (such as the UK, the USA, Canada or Australia) you may not need a formal English language qualification, we will look at everyone's application individually.

Please note that if you need an IELTS test for UK visa applications, you can only take them at a UKVI approved IELTS test centre. 

Find out more about student visas

If you are applying for a Tier 4 visa to study any of the following courses, then you must have an IELTS for UKVI Academic Test Report Form. Without this we will not be able to issue you a Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies (CAS) for a visa application.

• English for Academic Purposes pre-sessional course
• International Foundation Programme
• Engineering and Technology Year Zero
• Year Zero Arts
• Any HND / FdSc / FdA

International Foundation Programme

To start the International Foundation Programme in September, and in order to meet new visa requirements, you will need to have completed your secondary school education and have a UKVI IELTS (UK Visas and Immigration International English Language Testing System) with a minimum score of 4.5 overall with no less than 4.0 in all areas (speaking, listening, reading, writing). In order to meet new visa requirements, your IELTS must be the UKVI IELTS taken at a UKVI-approved test centre.

If you don't think you have the correct requirements, please contact us so we can check on your behalf.

1. Use our online course search or browse our range of online courses to find the course you wish to apply for
2. Click on the 'Apply now' button in the 'How to apply' section on your chosen course page
3. Follow the instructions to complete and submit your application

Visit our main University of Derby Online Learning pages for more information on our diverse selection of online courses, including free online courses (also known as MOOCs – massive open online courses).