University of Derby Online Learning

University of Derby Online Learning are experts in online education. We deliver a wide range of part-time online courses for ambitious professionals who aspire to be more, and to achieve more.   

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region. ​

We want everyone to receive the high-quality education they deserve, regardless of age, background or location. We were named University of the Year at the UK Social Mobility Awards 2020 and Higher Education Institution of the Year at the 2020 NEON (National Education Opportunities Network) Awards. And we have won the Guardian University Award 2020 for Social and Community Impact.

We’ve been a leader in online education for almost two decades, over 13 thousand students have done an online course at Derby, at undergraduate or postgraduate level, or one of professional development short courses.  They have come from all over the world – from over 150 different countries. ​

Additionally, over 130,000 learners have signed up for our free online courses too.​

Teaching quality and student experience are at the heart of everything that we do and our academic strength is backed up by practical experience to ensure our students are ready for a successful career.

Online learning is a unique way to further your skills and qualifications. With a busy life to juggle, home, work, family, friends and of course ‘you time’, it can be difficult fitting in a weekly visit to a local university. Studying online allows you to manage your studies around your commitments.

At University of Derby Online Learning, our academic team is heavily invested in research across a huge variety of disciplines. They have extensive research backgrounds and relationships with professional industry organisations and many engage in cross-disciplinary collaborations to break new ground in research.

Professionally accredited courses 

Our close relationship with industry-specific professional bodies and employers means that you can be confident that our courses will support your professional progress.

Our courses are accredited by a range of professional bodies including:

• The British Psychological Society (BPS)
• The Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
• The Royal College of Nursing (RCN)
• The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)

While studying with us you will engage with your course materials, your tutor and fellow students through the virtual learning environment and your student portal.  Through our distinctive approach to online learning design, we are dedicated to ensuring that your study experience is rich and engaging, with highly current study materials and opportunities for you to engage with your fellow students to share knowledge, experience and best practice. Our approach is designed to enrich your learning and understanding and will help you in your assignment and assessments. Our students enjoy the flexibility which enables them to study alongside their career or other commitments, without the need to attend traditional university fixed lectures that are held on campus.

How does it work?

We provide a structured online learning environment with assessment deadlines based around trimesters. As a part-time, online student you will study one module per term and have three, 10 week terms per academic year.

You will typically need to dedicate 20 hours per week to study. In some cases there is the option to study at an accelerated pace of 2 modules per term and 40 hours per week, thereby completing the programme in a quicker timeframe.

For many of our courses, you can choose to start in January, May or September.

You'll have the opportunity to engage with your tutors and fellow students from around the world, through online discussion boards, cafe forums, wikis, blogs, Skype and online live taught sessions.

Support at your fingertips

We are a university of open doors.  We aspire for all of our students to have the guidance, support and resources they need to succeed in every step of their student journey. As a Derby online student you will have access to a wealth of student services that are in place to help you when you need it.

You will have access to our extensive e-library and resource centre, which is available to you 24/7 as an online student. Here you can access the digital texts and e-journals on your reading list at any time, as well as a range of online databases.  You also have the option to join a live webinars on topics such as study skills or using the virtual library enquiry desk.

Our Wellbeing Team are available to offer support and guidance for anything that may have an impact on you, your academic performance or your experience as a student. They offers support on a variety of issues such as disabilities, mental health, finance and welfare.