The University of Derby has shown mixed performance across major global and UK university rankings in recent years. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, the university is placed in the #1201–1400 band, slightly lower than its #1001–1200 position in the previous two years. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings show stable performance, with Derby consistently ranked in the #601–800 band from 2024 to 2026.
At the national level in the United Kingdom, the university shows gradual improvement in some ranking systems.
- In the Complete University Guide 2026, Derby improved from #95 in 2025 to #79 in 2026.
- The Guardian University Guide places it at #58 in 2026, reflecting a slight decline from the previous year.
Looking at subject-level performance, several programs at Derby University have shown progress in recent rankings. Fields such as civil engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, accounting and finance, and business and management have shown noticeable improvements in UK subject league tables. Overall, the university’s rankings highlight steady national progress alongside stable global positioning across multiple academic disciplines.
University of Derby World Rankings 2026
- As per the official data from the QS World University Rankings, the overall rank of the University of Derby has decreased. In 2026, it stood at #1201-1400, while it was ranked at #1001-1200 over the last 2 years.
- According to THE World University Rankings, Derby University’s world rankings remain constant from 2024-26 at #601-800.
| Ranked By | 2026 Rank | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS World University Ranking | #1201-1400 | #1001-1200 | #1001-1200 |
| THE World University Ranking | #601-800 | #601-800 | #601-800 |
University of Derby UK Rankings 2026
According to the offiical verified data from the UK rankings guides:
- In the The Guardian University Guide, the university was ranked #55 in 2024, slightly improved to #54 in 2025, and then declined again to #58 in 2026. This indicates an overall drop compared to its 2023 position.
- In the Complete University Guide, the university was ranked #95 in 2025 and improved to #79 in 2026. This shows a strong improvement in its standing in the latest ranking.
| Ranked By | 2026 Rank | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guardian University Guide | #58 | #54 | #55 |
| Complete University Guide | #79 | #95 | #100 |
University of Derby QS Rankings 2026
The subject rankings 2026 of QS Rankings have not been released yet.
- In terms of QS Sustainability, the University of Derby shows upward movement by ranking #1101-1150 in 2026, whereas it was at #1251-1300 in 2025.
- In QS Europe University Rankings- Northern Europe, the rank of Derby University has slightly decreased from #133 in 2025 to #134 in 2026.
- Students can check the subject rankings of the University of Derby in the table mentioned below.
| Ranked For | 2026 Rank | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sustainability Ranking | #1101-1150 | #1251-1300 | #1001-1050 |
| Europe University Rankings- Northern Europe | #134 | #133 | #135 |
| Hospitality & Leisure Management | Not released | #38 | #33 |
| Education & Training | Same as above | #201-250 | #251-300 |
| Business & Management Studies | Same as above | #451-500 | #401-450 |
| Social Sciences & Management | Same as above | #501-550 | #501-550 |
University of Derby THE Rankings 2026
The rankings mentioned below have been taken from the official website of Times Higher Education (THE):
- Business & Economics and Psychology remained stable at #301-400 throughout 2024, 2025, and 2026, indicating consistent global positioning in these areas.
- Medical & Health declined slightly from #601-800 in 2024 to #801-1000 in both 2025 and 2026, showing a drop in ranking.
- Education Studies improved from #501-600 in 2024 to #401-500 in 2025, but then fell back to #501-600 in 2026. Similarly, Engineering moved from #501-600 in 2024 and 2025 to #601-800 in 2026, reflecting a small decline.
- Law also experienced a drop, moving from #251-300 in 2024 and 2025 to #301-400 in 2026.
- Social Sciences improved in 2025, rising from #501-600 in 2024 to #601-800 in 2025, but returned to #501-600 in 2026.
| Ranked For | 2026 Rank | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business & Economics | #301-400 | #301-400 | #301-400 |
| Medical & Health | #801-1000 | #801-1000 | #601-800 |
| Education Studies | #501-600 | #401-500 | #501-600 |
| Engineering | #601-800 | #501-600 | #501-600 |
| Law | #301-400 | #251-300 | #251-300 |
| Psychology | #301-400 | #301-400 | #301-400 |
| Social Science |
#501-600 |
#601-800 | #501-600 |
University of Derby Guardian University Guide 2026
As per the official subject rankings of the University of Derby in the Guardian University Guide, we can see that several disciplines at the university have shown noticeable improvements between 2023 and 2026, while a few have fluctuated.
- Accounting and Finance improved significantly from #47 in 2025 to #41 in 2026.
- Business and Management also improved overall, moving from #74 in 2025 and #51 in 2026.
- Engineering fields show major gains, with Civil Engineering jumping from #32 in 2025 and reaching a strong #5 in 2026, while Electronic and Electrical Engineering improved from #38 in 2025 and surged to #6 in 2026.
- Economics appeared in the rankings at #43 in 2025 but declined slightly to #58 in 2026.
| Ranked For | 2026 Rank | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Finance | #41 | #47 | #56 |
| Business and Management | #51 | #74 | #91 |
| Civil Engineering | #5 | #32 | #26 |
| Economics | #58 | #43 | - |
| Electronic and Electrical Engineering | #6 | #38 | #28 |
| Journalism | #17 | #23 | #23 |
| Law | #65 | #33 | #52 |
| Mechanical Engineering | #49 | #60 | #49 |
| Media and Film Studies | #58 | #18 | #19 |
| Sociology & Social Policy | #24 | #44 | #26 |
University of Derby Complete University Guide Rankings 2026
According to subject rankings published by The Guardian University Guide, several key programs at the university have shown gradual improvement between 2024 and 2026.
- Accounting and Finance improved steadily from #81 in 2025 to #64 in 2026.
- Business and Management Studies also rose from #83 in 2025 to #75 in 2026, showing consistent progress.
- In engineering, Mechanical Engineering improved from #70 in 2025 to #59 in 2026, while Electrical and Electronic Engineering moved from #64 in 2024 to #58 in 2025, before slightly declining to #62 in 2026.
- Civil Engineering experienced a small decline from #46 in 2025 to #50 in 2026.
- Law improved gradually from #71 in 2025 to #66 in 2026.
- Nursing also showed slight progress, moving from #47 in 2024 and 2025 to #43 in 2026.
| Ranked For | 2026 Rank | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Finance | #64 | #81 | #89 |
| Architecture | #46 | #43 | #38 |
| Art & Design | #69 | #70 | #68 |
| Biological Sciences | #82 | #86 | #89 |
| Business and Management Studies | #75 | #83 | #85 |
| Civil Engineering | #50 | #46 | #37 |
| Computer Science | #85 | #89 | #84 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering | #62 | #58 | #64 |
| Law | #66 | #71 | #73 |
| Mechanical Engineering | #59 | #70 | #72 |
| Nursing | #43 | #47 | #47 |
| Psychology | #89 | #89 | #88 |
Also check: Derby University Students’ Reviews
The University of Derby shows stable global performance but improving national standing in 2026. While its position slightly declined in the QS World University Rankings, the university maintained consistency in the Times Higher Education rankings and improved in the Complete University Guide. Several subjects – especially engineering, business, and accounting also recorded notable progress.
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