FAQs

We'll be coming by car, is open day parking available?

If you're visiting our Derby Campus:

You can park for free at the main site - Kedleston Road. This is where most of the open day activities are held. If you want to go and see our other sites - Markeaton Street or Britannia Mill - or the halls of residence, we'll take you to these by coach or minibus.

If you're visiting our Buxton Campus:

You can park for free on the surrounding streets.

Do I need to book or can I just turn up?

You can just turn up, but if you book you'll be sent an open day guide about a week before your visit which includes details of what’s happening on the day and maps/directions on how to find us. It will also speed up the process when you arrive because we'll already have all your details and won't need to take them from you on the day.

What time does the open day start and finish?

Derby Campus open days

They run from 10am until 3pm, but the day is designed to be flexible. We recommend that you arrive early (9.30am) to attend one of the welcome talks and then plan the rest of your visit around your subject talk, as not all of these are repeated. Other general talks tend to get repeated and tours of the campus or halls of residence run throughout the day, so it's easy for you to plan out your day. Don't worry if some talks clash - you can always talk to the academic at the faculty stand on a one to one basis.

Buxton Campus open days

These take place from 10am until 3pm for university courses (higher education), and between 4.30pm and 7.00pm for college courses (further education).

I've had an offer and I've already been to a general open day - is there one just for applicants?

Derby Campus

We offer the same great experience for you at all our events. Our open days are available to everyone, regardless of whether you've applied already or not. But we think it's a really good idea to come back and see us again after you've applied - you could see some of the things you ran out of time to see last time, or just refresh your memory.

Buxton Campus

You’ll be invited to a taster day once you've applied. This day gives you the chance to find out a lot more about your course and have a go at subject specific activities.

I've already booked, can I bring one more guest?

Of course you can! There's no need to inform us beforehand. We just like to get a rough idea of how many people to expect in advance.

I'm coming by train, how do I get to the campus?

If you're coming to the Derby Campus

We provide a free minibus shuttle service which will take you to and from the train station. The first minibus leaves the station at 9am and the service continues until 4pm. It's a white minibus with our name on the side. At the station, look out for our friendly student helpers in bright orange University of Derby t-shirts and sweatshirts.

If you're coming to the Buxton Campus

Our campus is just a five minute walk from the train station. Turn right outside the train station, walk past the Palace Hotel and turn right up Devonshire Road. You'll see the entrance of the Dome building (the main building on our campus) on the left, through the car park.

I booked online, but I haven't received anything

If you booked on a Derby Campus open day

If you gave an email address on your booking form, you will have been sent an automatic response confirming your booking. If your inbox is empty, try checking your Junk folder in case your spam filter has intercepted the email from us. If there's still nothing there, it may be you entered an invalid address. Make a new booking, taking care to enter the right email address. Or phone us instead.

If you booked on a Buxton Campus open day

You should receive a letter and a map in the post, plus an email reminder. If it gets to a few days before the open day and you haven't received any of these, make a new booking or phone us.

I've booked but my guide hasn't arrived by post

Derby Campus

We normally post guides out one week before the date of the open day. If you've received nothing by post within a week of the event, or if you've made a last minute booking, you'll be able to download the Derby Campus open day guide and a map of the site from this website.

Or you can just come along and we'll give you a copy when you arrive.

Buxton Campus

We don't send guides out before the event but you'll be able to pick one up on the day.

I've already been, do I have to come again?

If you've already been on an open day you're more than welcome to come back again. You might have more questions to ask, or maybe you missed a tour or talk on your last visit. Whatever the reason, we'd be delighted to see you again!