City and countryside

Make the most of your free time in our fun-packed city and beautiful countryside.

Whatever you love doing, you’ll find plenty of choice in Derby and beyond. Music, dancing, shopping, sport and culture are all on offer, and it’s only a short step to the gorgeous Peak District for outdoor adventures.

Our city

Nightlife, outdoors, sport, culture, places to unwind – Derby has something for everyone. This short video shows you what our students love about living in our Purple Flag city.

Our city

View Our city video transcript

Is laid back living your thing, or are you an adrenaline junkie always seeking adventure? Are you a culture lover looking to learn new things or do you live for the night? Do your friends see you as a sports fanatic, or are you a frequent gig goer obsessed with music? Whichever of these you identify with, Derby is the place where you can follow your interests as well as explore new passions, all while studying for a top quality degree.

Explore the six profiles below to see which one best describes you - then get our top tips for what to do in Derby and Derbyshire.

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

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