Guidance for
international
applicants
and current
students

We know that you will have lots of questions about your arrival in the UK. The information below offers guidance on moving to the UK, how we can support you and what you can expect when you arrive in Derby.

Starting your studies

We are delighted to welcome international students onto our campus. Whether it's your first time coming to Derby or you're returning for a new semester, it's worth checking our guidance.

Take the time to go through the below information to ensure you have a safe and easy arrival in the UK.

Your home away from home

There's a wide choice of student accommodation in Derby so whatever you are looking for, you're sure to find something that suits your needs.

Accommodation in our halls of residence must be booked before your arrival to ensure you have a place to stay during your studies. 

Our award-winning accommodation includes seven halls of residence that are a short distance from campus sites and within easy reach of the city centre – so you’ll soon be finding your way around and living like a local. Most halls are just minutes away from our campus, and the furthest is 25 minutes walking distance. Our Unibus allows you to easily travel between our halls, campus sites, city centre and train station.

Your fixed price rent in halls is all-inclusive, so you won’t have any separate bills for WiFi, electricity, gas and water, helping you to manage your budgets. Living in halls only requires you to pay a £50 deposit upfront to secure a room and we have 3 offers available:

Upon arrival, you will be provided with a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen pack, stocked with essential items to help you settle in. Our accommodation team also host regular activities and events where you can make friends and feel at home.

Please note: University halls of residence do not provide family accommodation​.

Private accommodation is suitable for families arriving in Derby. Private houses and apartments can cost between £70 and £120 per week and are based across the city. Usually, this does not include utility bills such as gas or electricity, so these costs will be added to the price. If you bring a family, costs could be significantly higher, between £200 and £350 per week, depending on the number of bedrooms. See more information about renting in Derby. If you choose to live in private accommodation, you will also have to provide a guarantor, or in most cases pay seven months’ rent in advance.

We strongly recommend living within Derby, close to the University – no further than 30 miles away. Teaching can start as early as 9am and finish as late as 9pm, so being within easy reach will significantly reduce your travel time and you won’t have to spend as much on transport. You will also be able to get to the University without worrying about potential rail strikes or bad weather disrupting your journey. Living close to campus will help you with your studies, as you’ll be able to make use of our library - which is open 24/7 during assessment time - and meet up with classmates for study groups. It also means you can easily get involved with our Union of Students societies and events, helping you to make friends. Not to mention, Derby is one of the most affordable cities in the UK with a lower cost of living than many other areas in the UK.

A photo of international student Mohika Shankar

The UK is very safe for international students, and the university has 24-hour security and CCTV. Most campuses have a special body that ensures safety for international students providing contact numbers to get in touch with officials in case of any emergency

Mohika Shankar
On feeling safe in the UK

Applying for your student visa

The UKVI has released some use guidance on how to apply for your UK student visa, including the application process, useful documents and helpful reminders. Please familiarise yourself with the guidance. 

How to apply for a student visa

Right to study checks

To ensure that you are enrolled in time and ready to begin your studies you must make your way to the University of Derby on the day of your arrival if you arrive before 5pm on a working day, or the following working day between 9am and 5pm. ​

You must bring the following original documents with you:​

  • Passport​
  • Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) – only if your BRP was ready for collection from the post office, otherwise you should only bring your passport​

You must bring the documents above to complete the right to study checks as part of your enrolment and to be officially registered as a student with the University of Derby.​

​You will receive emails regarding your enrolment so please ensure that you read and action as advised. 

In the event of losing your documents at the airport or after you have arrived in the UK you must immediately report this to the police. Make sure you obtain evidence of your report and visit the StudentHub to speak to one of our advisors. We will be able to contact UKVI and ensure your enrolment is complete so you do not lose your place to study.

Once you're here

We have a range of facilities on our campus for you to use during your time at the University: ​

  • Food area - Subway, Starbucks, Eat Central canteen, Union of Students coffee shop, Basecamp
  • Sports Centre
  • Multi-Faith Centre
  • Library
  • Blackwell's book shop

Please note we do not have creche or nursery facilities on campus. These will need to be arranged privately if required.

Take a virtual tour

When you arrive, you should register with a local GP.​ We recommend Park Medical, our on-site GP located at our Kedleston Road site.​

Please also ensure you bring sufficient supplies of any prescribed medication for your time in the UK.​

Olajamoke working on computer

In-sessional English Courses

Derby English Language Centre (DELC) provides free, in-session, language classes to help you perform better in your studies. You can take them at any point during your time at Derby, whether you are studying an undergraduate degree or a masters course.

Find out moreFind out more
Sam Chikowore in the Peak District

Uprooting yourself from your familiar surroundings is daunting; I felt very nervous back when I moved. However, you have made it this far, take each day in your stride, time will whizz by. Have fun on your new adventure!

Sam Chikowore
Business Management and Geology

Finance and budgeting

Make sure you budget appropriately for your time as a student in the UK.

You will need to budget for accommodation, food and other living expenses. A minimum of £1,025 per month is required per person to ensure living standards. This is separate from your tuition fees. ​You will also need to factor in the cost of flights.

As our university sites and accommodation are located close to each other and the city centre, you are within walking distance of many key places. There is also our free Unibus service you can make use of.

You can shop for food at local supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl, as well as world food stores such as Pak Foods. 

September enrolment

£3,000 in advance of enrolment, half of the remaining amount by 1 November and the final instalment by 10 January. You can now pay using our online payment system.

January enrolment

£3,000 in advance of enrolment, half of the remaining amount by 1 March and the final instalment by 1 May. You can now pay using our online payment system.

Working during your studies

If you are a full-time student visa holder you can work whilst you are in the UK and still actively enrolled and engaged in your studies. If you hold a Short-term Study visa, or any other visitor-type visa you cannot work at all.​

Our Student Employment Agency and Careers Service can offer you support, including finding jobs, writing CVs and cover letters.

Undergraduate students: 20 hours a week during term-time, full-time hours during the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays, full-time hours between successfully completing the course and your visa expiring (the wrap-up period).​

Postgraduate Taught: 20 hours a week during term-time, full-time hours during the Christmas and Easter holidays, full-time hours between successfully completing the course and your visa expiring (the wrap-up period). There is no summer break for these students.

Moving from Vietnam to the UK

International student Le Thi Thu Huyen shares how she made her mind up to come to the UK to study MA Careers Education and Coaching despite the global pandemic and how she now feels very happy and secure in Derby after receiving a warm welcome and support from her lecturers, tutor, and academic staff.

Le Thi Thu Huyen

View Moving from Vietnam to the UK video transcript

Osama Qayyum Janjua

Moving from Pakistan to Derby: My experience as an international student

Find out how Osama fulfilled his ambition of experiencing a new culture and meeting new people.

Read Osama's blogRead Osama's blog
Three students enjoying a night out

Fitting in and making friends

When Simona first arrived at University she was afraid that as an international student she would feel alone and that it would be hard to make new friends. Fortunately for her, these feelings didn’t last long.

Read Simona's blogRead Simona's blog