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.

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

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.

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?

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your undergraduate Open DayBook your undergraduate Open Day