A SELF-PORTRAIT made of 1p coins forms the centrepiece of one of this year's University of Derby end-of-year exhibitions.

Student Mary Nugent, 47, who is completing a BA (Hons) creative expressive therapies course, used 5,500 coins to make her art work.

Her creation, together with that of other students on the MA art therapy course, will be among an exhibition of degree show work at the university's Britannia Mill site in Mackworth Road.

Mary said: "I was interested in exploring the benefits of education versus the cost of education which is why I chose to use penny coins as a symbol of money, to form a key component and material of my final project."

Mary said: "In order to obtain the contrast of colour in the coins to produce the portrait, I separated the shiny coins from those which looked darker in colour.

"I also put some pennies outside on a plastic sheet for several months for the weather to turn them black in colour."

Mary is one of hundreds of students exhibiting work in a number of venues over the next few weeks.

The annual end-of-year shows have become big events for students and Derby people.

And fashion students are already getting their share of the limelight even before one foot has been placed on the catwalk.

For the first time, they have been given a prominent store front at Westfield Derby shopping centre, in which to advertise their forthcoming annual degree show.

More than 300 original designs by students finishing the BA (Hons) fashion studies degree course will be shown off in two glittering shows at Derby Assembly Rooms, at 1.30pm and 7.30pm on Friday.

The Westfield Derby shop front shows examples of fashion students' clothes designs, a film of the 2009 degree show on a permanent loop and gives information about this year's event.

Tickets for the fashion event are now available.

Standard tickets for the afternoon show cost £3 and for the 7.30pm event they are £10 and £5 concessions.

A VIP ticket – for £15 – offers priority seating, entry to a champagne-and-chocolates reception and an exclusive viewing of students' portfolios.

VIP ticket-holders will be entered into a prize draw with the chance to win prizes such as train and hotel tickets, a Paul Smith bag worth £1,400, a year's Quad cinema subscription and Westfield vouchers.

Fiona Hawthorne, joint programme leader for fashion, said: "It's going to be a great event. The students have worked tirelessly on their final collections and static displays."

Student Helen Culver, 23, who has work placements with George at Asda and BC International, said: "I've enjoyed my time at Derby a lot.

"The course is good because it lets you do more than just design."

Shopping centre manager Janine Bone said she was delighted to link up with the university.

She said: "We're really excited to be able to showcase some of the beautiful designs from this year's show in the centre."