Durham University

Established in 1832, Durham University is one of the UK's oldest universities, yet has a pioneering mindset and an open, inclusive outlook. Durham is home to a UNESCO World Heritage site, with the famous Cathedral and Castle at its very heart.

The University prides itself on creating a welcoming and diverse social environment for staff and students, with 120+ countries represented. Durham was named in the world's top 50 international universities by Times Higher Education (THE) in 2026, currently hosting over 21,000 students from across the world.

Durham has 26 academic Departments and Schools, which offer over 330 undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Teaching is research led and delivered by some of the world's leading experts in their fields. Durham has 22 subjects in the World Top 100 (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026), including three in the top ten and a further seven in the top 50.

Durham graduates are highly employable and progress to exciting and fulfilling careers across the world. Durham is ranked 49^th in the world for employer reputation in the QS World University Rankings 2027. A dedicated Careers and Enterprise Centre supports students with career planning from the very start of their time at Durham, offering services to help students explore opportunities, engage with employers, build up valuable experiences, and prepare for the recruitment process. Students and graduates also have access to the Hazan Venture Lab, a dedicated space for entrepreneurship available to those working on new ventures or enterprising projects.

Durham's colleges are the cornerstone of the extraordinary wider student experience, each offering a diverse, multidisciplinary community of academics, students and staff from different backgrounds and cultures. With each College and academic Department having a dedicated Student Support team, support is available throughout every student's journey.

Durham University is ranked 85^th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.

Offering over 330 undergraduate and postgraduate courses across a broad spectrum of disciplines, Durham University provides a huge range of study options, many of which cut across traditional subject boundaries. The courses available are developed using world-leading research, and provide a curriculum which is instructive and challenging.

Durham University is a world top 100 university, ranking 85^th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Durham is also a UK top 10 university in all three major UK league tables (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027, The Guardian University Guide 2027, The Complete University Guide 2027). At an individual subject level, The Guardian University Guide 2027 ranked 19 of Durham's subjects in the UK top 5. Durham's outstanding achievements across these rankings reflect how students are equipped with a unique blend of knowledge, skills and experience developed through first-class teaching, world-leading research and our transformative wider student experience.

Russell Group

Durham University is one of 24 universities in the Russell Group. This group completes leading research and maintains the highest teaching standards for students. Being a member of the Russell Group means that Durham has many different contacts within the private and public sector to benefit students in search of employment following graduation.

Matariki Network of Universities (MNU)

The Matariki Network of Universities (MNU) is a network of six universities from around the world. As a member of the MNU, Durham has committed to delivering excellence in teaching, research and scholarship programmes.

Durham University is split into four different faculties:

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

The Faculty's seven departments produce highly-ranked and influential research within and across disciplines, languages and cultures. These include Classics and Ancient History; Music; Philosophy; English Studies; Theology and Religion; Liberal Arts; and History. This faculty also includes the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, which specialises in several different languages.

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science is home to a diverse community of staff and students across eight departments with undergraduate and postgraduate courses plus postgraduate research degrees. It is recognised for research impact that directly benefits society and seeks to empower and inspire.

The Departments available to study from include Biosciences; Chemistry; Computer Science; Earth Sciences; Engineering; Mathematical Sciences; and Physics and Psychology. There is also the broad-ranging undergraduate Natural Sciences Degree Programme, which allows students to study science alongside two or more other subjects.

Faculty of Social Sciences

There are nine academic departments and schools in the Faculty of Social Sciences for undergraduate and postgraduate study. Areas of study include Anthropology; Archaeology; Education; Geography; Government and International Affairs; Law; Sociology; and Sport and Exercise Sciences.

Durham University Business School

Founded in 1965, Durham University Business School is triple-accredited and offers MBA, masters, undergraduate, DBA, PhD and part-time study programme options in the departments of Accounting, Economics, Finance, and Management and Marketing. Programmes combine academic excellence and incisive research, whilst offering students exceptional global business connections.

Collegiate system

The colleges are the cornerstone of Durham's extraordinary wider student experience. Many students choose to live in their college, where Durham's outstanding student experience begins.

Durham University is widely known for its unique collegiate system. Alongside membership of an academic department, students become a member of a college, where they can mix with students from a broad range of academic disciplines and levels of study. This gives students the opportunity to learn and discuss topics from outside of their individual areas of study.

Ask any Durham graduate about the University and they will mention their college, as this is where many lifelong friendships begin.

What do colleges provide?

• An international community: a small and friendly college community, with students from around the world and international representatives in every college.
• Accommodation: a variety of room and catering options.
• A multidisciplinary, scholarly community: inspiring intellectual debate both informally and formally in a friendly atmosphere.
• Support: a comprehensive support system, helping students to settle into university life and providing the first point of contact for issues as they arise, with the option of being referred to specialist services as needed.
• Extracurricular opportunities: a range of activities, including sports, societies and volunteering, that will enhance students' personal development, complementing the skills developed through their degree programmes.
• Leadership opportunities: giving students relevant roles and responsibilities that help them fully engage with their college and develop many of the skills valued by employers.
• Excellent facilities: for academic study, socialising, sport/fitness, music, drama and arts performances.
• Events: regular college and student-led events, including seminars, lecture series, balls, concerts, theatre productions and more.

Durham University is committed to supporting the best students, irrespective of financial circumstances.

Durham's Inspiring Excellence Scholarships recognise outstanding international students, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. The Scholarships award an annual tuition fee discount of £5,000 or £10,000. This highly competitive, application-based scholarship is open to self-funding international applicants. Learn more about Durham University's Inspiring Excellence Scholarships.

Durham's international scholarships webpage lists a range of scholarships, awards and bursaries that are dedicated to supporting students from countries around the world. These are either funded by the University, through partnerships with external organisations, or through generous donations from alumni and friends of the University. Students should check specific application requirements and criteria before applying.

Other options for funding your studies may also be available.

Entry Requirements

Durham University welcomes applications from students all over the world. Entry requirements per course will differ, and some courses may require previous study in certain subjects. For details and exact requirements, students must check the entry requirements and admissions section of any course they're interested in via the University's courses database.

Details included under each country are for future undergraduate and postgraduate taught students. Students interested in postgraduate research should visit the postgraduate study pages and the academic department's website.

Students will be required to submit an English Language qualification if they are not native English speakers. Students can view standard English Language requirements by course and country of origin.

International Study Centre

If students do not meet the requirements for direct entry to an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, they may be eligible to take a pathway programme at the International Study Centre.

Pathway programmes aim to improve academic knowledge, study and English language skills. Completing their pathway programme at the International Study Centre and achieving the required grades means that students can progress to their degree at Durham University City Campus.

Students can choose from the International Foundation Year, International Year One, Accelerated International Foundation Year or Pre-Master's pathway programmes.

At Durham, students have access to purpose-built lecture theatres and seminar rooms, as well as labs, libraries, and excellent sports facilities. 85% of Durham students are involved in sport, music, theatre, volunteering or student enterprise.

Library services

There are several university libraries located across Durham. Students can use any of the library study spaces, as well as silent and group study areas with PCs and Wi-Fi. Each have extended opening hours so students can study at a time convenient to them.

Sports facilities

Sport at Durham University is open to everyone. Physical activity is a cornerstone of the student experience, from international representation and University and College sport, right through to fitness and wellbeing. £47 million has been invested in sporting facilities since 2012, and Durham has one of Britain's largest student participation programmes in sport.

The Sports and Wellbeing Park offers a wide range of facilities, including an athletics track, netball and tennis courts, a sports hall and multiple sports pitches including football, rugby and lacrosse. The centre also has a gym, bespoke personal training, changing room/shower facilities, and cafe. Students can access discounted rates for the gym and classes.

Performing Arts

Durham offers over 30 music societies, with many more groups available within colleges. This ranges from orchestras, brass bands, gospel and chamber choirs to rock bands, P'ungmul, and the award-winning A Cappella group Northern Lights. Durham is also an All-Steinway School, with beautifully-crafted pianos accessible to all students across the University.

Students can enjoy a broad range of theatre societies, and a programme of around 90 productions each year. Many take place in the University's own theatre, the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms. This 175-seat theatre is in the heart of Durham and has recently undergone a £2 million renovation. Many student-written performances go on tour across the UK.

Student support

Students at Durham have access to a wide range of support throughout their time at Durham to enable them to succeed. Each college and academic department has a designated student support team who can provide proactive and reactive support. They can also direct students to a range of specialist support services, including mental wellbeing support, disability support, and student money advice.

Chaplaincy and Faith Provision

The University is a multicultural and multi-faith community. Their network of Chaplains welcome students of all faiths, beliefs and worldviews. They provide pastoral and spiritual wellbeing support and activities, e.g. the Listening Service and Mindfulness sessions. The University provides dedicated facilities for their main religious communities.

Academic Skills Centre

As well as offering pre-sessional English courses, the Academic Skills Centre is available for students who would like a little extra support alongside their studies with academic skills or their academic English language.

Durham conducts innovative and impactful research to transform lives and make a difference, globally and nationally. 90% of Durham University's research is rated as ‘world-leading' or ‘internationally excellent' (UK Research Excellence Framework 2021).

The academic staff conduct forward-thinking, interdisciplinary research that has an impact on communities all over the world. Research at Durham brings together the leading minds in their fields who work collaboratively across departments and with our partners to develop new ways of thinking that have a positive impact on societal and global challenges. 

International collaboration is key to Durham's excellence in teaching and research, with partnerships and affiliations with many institutions and organisations worldwide.

Discover Durham's latest research and news.