Entry requirements

What you need to get into university

You can come to study at the University of Derby straight from school or college – or you could have little or no recent academic experience. We’ll help you get on to the undergraduate course that’s right for you.

Show us your strengths

You will be asked to show evidence that you have the motivation and knowledge to benefit from your studies.

Each course has its own entry requirements – it’s a certain number of UCAS points. You can find the number of UCAS points that you will need for your chosen course on the appropriate course page.

If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team by email askadmissions@derby.ac.uk or by phone +44 (0)1332 591167.

The UCAS tariff points are a guide – we’ll also consider all of the information you’ve included in your application and personal statement. We’ll want to see that you’re enthusiastic and motivated to take the course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.

When you apply for university, you have to include a personal statement as part of your UCAS application. It’s your opportunity to stand out from other applicants, so you’ll need to say:

  • Why you want to study your chosen course
  • What extra-curricular activities you’ve been involved in
  • Skills and qualities you’ve developed
  • Work experience you’ve done
  • Details of any other of your achievements

Even if you have few or no formal qualifications, you may be able to gain entry to the course if you have the required communication and learning skills as well as the knowledge, experience and motivation to succeed.

You may need to take an Access course or Foundation course first.

If you've been away from academic study for a while, these courses are a great way to get you back into studying. Or if you've never studied before, they help you learn new study skills, essential for success in higher education.

If you require advice on Access or Foundation courses please contact the Guidance Team at the Access and Further Education Centre on +44 (0)1332 591080 or email access@derby.ac.uk

We seek to promote flexible entry routes into our courses and may be able to recognise higher education learning you have already achieved to give you entry to a course after its normal starting point.

Therefore if you have achieved a qualification such as a foundation degree or HND, or have gained credit at another higher education institution, you may be able to enter the course at level 5 or level 6.

Other qualifications and relevant work experience may also count for academic credit. To see if this is possible for the particular course you are interested in, and for further information, please contact our Admissions Team.