University of Derby Centre (now renamed ‘University Library’) was officially opened, having been built on a former car park. The University of Derby was fully invested, and in 1998 welcomed a synthesis of efforts with the High Peak College of Further Education, Buxton on Harpur Hill – a synthesis to eventually be amalgamated as the Devonshire Campus of the University of Derby Buxton, Derby's second campus, based at the Devonshire Dome. In October 2008, Peregrine Cavendish, 12th Duke of Devonshire was appointed as the third Chancellor of the University. In August 2012 the university merged with Leek College. The merger has created Buxton
Devonshire Royal Hospital floor area of . Further changes were undertaken, with the clock tower and lodge completed in 1882, surgical wards in 1897, spa baths in 1913, and the dining room and kitchens in 1921. The building became known as the Devonshire Royal Hospital in 1934. It was the last of the eight hydropathic hospitals in England to close, in 2000. On 31 January 2001, the University of Derby acquired the Devonshire Royal Hospital. The University received £4.7m Heritage Lottery Fund backing for the restoration and redevelopment project. Refurbished and reopened in 2003, the main building and its surrounding Victorian era villas