Overview of University of Derby Rankings

The University of Derby has established itself as a respected institution in the UK higher education landscape, known for its practical, career-focused programs and strong emphasis on student employability. Rankings provide valuable insights into its performance across various metrics, including teaching quality, research output, student satisfaction, and international outlook. These rankings are compiled by reputable organizations such as QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and national bodies like The Guardian and Complete University Guide. Below, we explore the University of Derby's key rankings in detail, highlighting its strengths and areas of excellence.

Global University Rankings

On the international stage, the University of Derby is recognized for its commitment to applied learning and industry partnerships. While it may not rank among the top global elites, it performs solidly in mid-tier categories, particularly in subjects aligned with vocational training.

• QS World University Rankings 2024: The University of Derby is positioned in the 1001-1200 band globally. This ranking evaluates universities based on academic reputation (40%), employer reputation (10%), faculty/student ratio (20%), citations per faculty (20%), international faculty ratio (5%), and international student ratio (5%). Derby's strengths lie in its employer reputation, scoring well due to robust graduate employability rates.
• Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024: Ranked 501-600 worldwide, Derby excels in the teaching pillar (30% of the score), reflecting its interactive and supportive learning environment. The methodology includes teaching (30%), research environment (30%), research quality (30%), international outlook (7.5%), and industry income (2.5%). Its international outlook score is notable, with a diverse student body from over 100 countries.
• Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2023: Derby does not feature in the top 1000, which is common for many UK teaching-focused universities. ARWU emphasizes research output, with metrics like Nobel Prizes, highly cited researchers, and publications in top journals. Derby's research is more applied, contributing to regional impact rather than global citation dominance.

These global rankings underscore Derby's role as a modern, accessible university that prioritizes real-world skills over traditional research prestige.

UK National Rankings

Within the UK, the University of Derby consistently ranks in the top half of institutions, appealing to students seeking value-for-money education with high employability outcomes. National rankings often focus on student experience and graduate prospects, areas where Derby shines.

Ranking Body	Year	Position	Key Strengths
Complete University Guide	2025	82nd out of 130	Student satisfaction (top 50), entry standards, and research quality
The Guardian University Guide	2024	91st out of 122	Value added score (top 20), teaching quality, and career prospects
The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide	2024	101st	Graduate prospects (top 70) and student experience

Note: These positions reflect Derby's upward trajectory in recent years, with improvements in student satisfaction and employability metrics driving better scores.

• Complete University Guide 2025: This guide assesses universities on 10 indicators, including entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, and graduate prospects. Derby scores 78.5% overall, with a standout 85% in student satisfaction from the National Student Survey (NSS). Its graduate prospects score of 82% highlights strong links with employers in sectors like engineering, business, and healthcare.
• The Guardian University Guide 2024: Emphasizing value added—what universities do with students' entry qualifications—Derby ranks highly here, at 18th for value added. The guide uses NSS data for teaching (33%), feedback (12%), and career prospects (15%), where Derby achieves 4.1 out of 5 for overall satisfaction.
• The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024: This ranking values teaching quality and student experience, giving Derby four stars out of five. It praises the university's modern facilities, such as the £13 million Enterprise Centre, which supports entrepreneurship and innovation.

Subject-Specific Rankings

The University of Derby excels in vocational and professional disciplines, where its rankings often surpass its overall position. This is due to specialized accreditations and industry-aligned curricula.

Business and Management: In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023, Derby's business programs rank in the 401-450 band globally. Nationally, the Complete University Guide 2025 places it 45th in the UK for Business and Management Studies, with a 90% student satisfaction rate. The university's AACSB accreditation for its Derby Business School adds credibility.

Engineering and Technology: Derby is renowned for its engineering courses, ranking 51st in the UK per The Guardian 2024 for Mechanical Engineering. Globally, in THE Subject Rankings 2023, it falls in the 401-500 range for Engineering. Key highlights include partnerships with Rolls-Royce and the Institute of Railway Research.

Health and Social Care: A flagship area, with Nursing ranked 22nd in the UK by The Guardian 2024 and 35th by Complete University Guide 2025. The university's simulation suites and NHS collaborations contribute to its 95% employability rate in this field.

Arts and Design: In Creative Arts and Design, Derby ranks 48th nationally (Complete University Guide 2025), bolstered by its location near the Peak District for inspiration in environmental design.

1. Top-Performing Subjects: Nursing, Criminology (top 30 UK), and Tourism & Hospitality (top 40 UK).
2. Emerging Strengths: Computer Science (60th UK) and Law (70th UK), with recent investments in digital innovation labs.
3. Accreditations: Many programs hold professional body approvals, enhancing graduate employability.

Student Satisfaction and Employability Rankings

Student feedback is a cornerstone of Derby's reputation. The National Student Survey (NSS) 2023 gave the university an overall satisfaction score of 81%, above the UK average of 76%. It ranked in the top 30 for learning resources and top 40 for academic support.

For employability, Derby performs exceptionally:

• Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023: 95% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation, ranking Derby 25th in the UK for graduate prospects (Guardian 2024).
• High Fliers Research 2024: Derby is among the top 20 UK universities targeted by top employers in sectors like retail, engineering, and public services.
• QS Employability Rankings 2022: Positioned 301-500 globally, reflecting strong alumni networks and placement opportunities.

The university's apprenticeship programs and work-integrated learning contribute to these figures, with over 1,000 employer partnerships.

Research and Innovation Rankings

While not a research-intensive university, Derby is climbing in research impact rankings. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021:

• 76% of research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent.
• Strong in allied health, environmental sciences, and digital technologies.
• RANKED 84th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education REF analysis).

In THE Research Quality metrics, Derby scores 3.5 out of 5, emphasizing applied research that addresses regional challenges like sustainability in the Midlands.

Sustainability and Inclusivity Rankings

Derby is committed to green initiatives, ranking in the top 100 UK universities for sustainability (People & Planet University League 2023, position 92nd). It holds a Silver Athena SWAN award for gender equality and is recognized for widening participation, with 40% of students from underrepresented backgrounds.

In the QS Sustainability Rankings 2024, Derby is in the 801-850 band globally, scoring well on environmental impact and community engagement.

Conclusion: Why Rankings Matter for Prospective Students

Rankings for the University of Derby reveal a institution that punches above its weight in practical education, student support, and career preparation. While global standings are mid-tier, national and subject-specific accolades highlight its value, especially for those pursuing vocational degrees. Prospective students should consider rankings alongside personal fit, such as campus location in vibrant Derby city and access to the Derbyshire countryside. With ongoing investments in facilities and digital transformation, Derby's rankings are poised for further improvement, making it an attractive choice for ambitious learners.

For the most current data, always check official sources, as rankings evolve annually based on new metrics and submissions.