City and countryside

We understand that as well as wanting to find your study fulfilling, you also want to enjoy your free time outside of studying with many activities. 

Derby has loads to offer! Whether you want to enjoy music and nightlife, dance, go shopping, get involved in sports, or be adventurous whilst exploring the Peak District, you’ll find plenty to do in our fun-packed city and beautiful countryside. 

Our city

Derby is a vibrant and diverse city with fantastic history and many places to have fun and unwind. 

Our city is also recognised as a Purple Flag City, meaning we are recognised as a safe city, meeting the five core standards needed to be seen as excellent in managing the evening and night-time economy. 

Watch our short video below to discover what our students love about living in Derby! 

Our city

View Our city video transcript

Below we have come up with six key profiles that best describe a lot of the students that come to the University of Derby, along with top tips for what to do in Derby and the surrounding countryside. 

At the University of Derby, you can follow your passions and interests whichever of these profiles you identify with, all whilst studying to receive a top quality undergraduate or postgraduate degree. 

Let us know which profile best describes you on social media using the hashtag #DerbyUni 

Scroll further down this page to see a selection of blogs featuring opinions from our very own students about things such as favourite places to eat, top five places to visit and more.

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Adrenaline Junkie

If you live life at full speed and always chase new and exciting experiences, then Derby and the surrounding countryside is a great base for adventures that will get your adrenaline going.

Performing arts students on stage in our own Derby Theatre
Culture Lover

If culture and local history spark your interest, you’ll love what Derby has to offer. Derby’s Museum and Art Gallery in the heart of the city is the perfect place to while away a rainy afternoon...

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Gig Goer

If you live and breathe music, Derby’s exciting music scene is the place for you. Whether you idolise world-famous stars or champion up-and-coming bands, Derby has all the gigs and fest...

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Serenity Seeker

Not everyone is a 24/7 party animal, so if your general approach to life is more laid back or you’re in need of a break from your hectic schedule, you’ll find Derby a great place to relax.

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Night Owl

If you’re just getting started when the sun goes down, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for big nights out. Whether you’re visiting the typical student haunts around campus with course mates or goi...

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Sports Fanatic

If you’re so sports obsessed that the thought of going a day without knowing how your team is performing or squeezing in a workout leaves you in a cold sweat, you’ll meet lots of like-minded...

International student Ioana Batcu

Derby is a compact but versatile city, the ideal size. Located in the Midlands, it’s in the heart of the UK, so you can explore the rest of the country. Just get in the car, jump on the bus or take the train to start your new adventure.

Ioana Batcu
On where Derby is in the UK

Tamzin's favourite places to visit in Derby city

Undergraduate student Tamzin Burch

View Student Tamzin's favourite places to visit in Derby city video transcript

Blogs by our students

Students enjoying socialising over drinks and food
Our students’ favourite places to eat

Our Derby students love to meet up in the city to share time over delicious food, the odd drink, and some much needed coffee. They’ve come together to share their favourite places to eat across Derby.

A view of a big event taking place in Derby City's Marketplace
A few of my favourite things to do

Student Thomas Berrington takes a look at his favourite spots in Derby for socialising, having fun and grabbing a bit of culture.

A view of Chatsworth House in Derbyshire
A mature student’s view

For a mature student, university can be a different experience from that of a student just leaving college or sixth form. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be a rewarding learning and living experience,

Two students walking down Sadler Gate in Derby City
Student cost of living in Derby

International student Ioannis-Thomas Dimakopoulos explains how Derby is one of the most affordable UK cities he has been to.

A view of Derby Museum and Art Gallery
My top five places to go

Undergraduate student Nigel Dufus shares his top places to go for food, shopping and leisure activities in the city.

A student relaxing in nature in Derbyshire
How Derby took me by surprise

Foundation student Charlotte Pearson was taken by surprise when she first moved to Derby. Here, she gives us her first impressions and explains what it’s like to live in Derby city centre.

Students chatting in a coffee shop

Your top five questions about living in Derby

We've answered the top five FAQs we receive about living in Derby so you can catch up on what there is to know about being a student here.

Read our FAQsRead our FAQs
Students sat on a bed in halls

Cost of living

With the fast rise in the cost of living, it's more challenging to balance spending. Learning how to be clever with your money has become necessary, so here are several ways that the University of Derby can support you.

Find out moreFind out more