International Student Support

We are here for you

Going to university is not just about your studies, there are lots of other considerations, especially for international students. Moving to another country, a different language, a new currency, a different style of learning and a diverse culture are all things that may affect you. For a lot of students, this is also their first time living away from home so you may find that you are not only adjusting to being a new student but to living independently too.

You may already have an idea of the support you will need before you arrive, or it could be that when you get here you find you need help with a certain area.

You are not on your own, the University has an extensive support network in place to help you with all aspects of your student life. We offer an integrated approach to the support we give to our international students which means that you can access a wide range of support services from across the university including:

Once you are here

Induction and enrolment

Welcome week, induction and enrolment will take place at the start of your first semester. Find out more about induction and enrolment

Banking and finance

Before you come to the UK you must calculate how much money you think you will need and know where your money will come from. Find out more about banking and finance

Health care

In the UK we have a National Health Service (NHS) that provides free medical treatment to permanent residents. Find out more about health care

Working while you study

Casual work is generally easy to find, but you shouldn't rely on it to support yourself, especially if you're from outside the EEA. Find out more about working while you study

Your mobile phone

It's easy to get a UK SIM card, or sign up to a UK mobile phone contract. When you get here, you will probably want to use a UK SIM card in your mobile phone. Find out more about setting up a UK SIM and mobile phone contract

Help with your career

If you need information and guidance about your career, our Career Development Centre will be able to help you. Find out more about our careers and employability support

Visa information

If you're entering the UK on a Tier 4 visa, you must understand the conditions attached to it. Find out more about visas and immigration

What support services are available?

Alice explores the teams in place around the University that help our students feel welcome, supported, and on track to do their best. Sarah Richardson shares the broad support offered by Student Services, and Natalie Clarson introduces the first point of contact (the College Student Centres mentioned in this video are now incorporated into the StudentHub@Derby.

The support offered hasn't changed, just the name and the place where you find it!

Student walking up to the main entrance at Kedleston Road

View What support services are available? video transcript

Nigerian student Mercy O. Okorie

A home away from home

From the big cities in Nigeria to the community spirit of Derby. Find out how Mercy learned to navigate her new home, and how she's learning how to 'Be the Boss' through one of our initiatives.

Read Mercy's storyRead Mercy's story
Smiling student with arms crossed

Being an international student

Moving to the UK was a life-changing experience for Sam Chikowore, who was awarded the Vice-Chancellor’s scholarship. Hear about his time as an international student in Derby.

Read Sam's blog about starting university and feeling welcomeRead Sam's blog about starting university and feeling welcome
Girl walking amongst other students through Sports Centre

Contact us

Our dedicated enquiry team can help to answer any questions you have about studying with us.

Contact us for international supportContact us for international support