What to expect

Before you commit, you might want to know a little more about what studying with the University of Derby Online Learning will be like.

A genuine UK university degree

We’ve been an established educational institution since 1851, so you can be confident you’ll receive the same university-standard teaching our students enjoy on-campus in Derby.

We have more than a decade’s experience in the design of online degrees, so we know how to deliver material to support your online learning success.  We don’t sell other people’s courses and you deal directly with us at all times for a genuinely personal learning experience.

Start when you’re ready

Most of our courses allow you to start your studies in September, January or May.  So you don’t have to wait until the next academic year, which always begins in September to start studying for your online degree or professional qualification.

Structured, supported learning

Although online learning allows you to choose the best time and place to study, there are deadlines for assignments and you will need to submit your course work (or sit exams where relevant) at the end of each trimester. 

Our experience shows that this structured learning environment is the best way to help you stay on track to succeed.  And you’ll get all of the support you need from your dedicated Online Tutor and Online Learning Advisor who will guide you throughout your course.

Everything you need is online

Once you have successfully enrolled, we’ll give you a unique student ID number.  This gives you access to Blackboard Collaborate, our virtual learning environment (VLE) and Course Resources, where you’ll find all of your course content and materials including e-journals and e-books.  It is also how you’ll submit your coursework. 

You can even stay up to date with announcements, discussions and course information on the move with our Blackboard App for mobiles phones and tablets.

Get Connected

Log on to your virtual classroom and take part in live discussions, debates and lectures with your tutors and fellow students.  And if your time zone makes it difficult to join in at the time, you can still participate by watching a recorded version when it suits you.  We also encourage you to engage with your fellow students on discussion forums and in online student communities so you never feel like you’re studying in isolation.

Stuart Sutherland provides a helpful insight into what you can expect from online learning with us.