Durham University

Durham University (legally the University of Durham) is a collegiate public research university in Durham, North East England, founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832 and incorporated by royal charter in 1837. It was one of the first universities to commence tuition in England for more than 600 years, after Oxford and Cambridge, and is one of the institutions (along with University College London, King’s College London, and the University of London) to be described as the third-oldest university in England. As a collegiate university its main functions are divided between the academic departments of the university and its 17 colleges. In general, the departments perform research and provide teaching to students, while the colleges are responsible for their domestic arrangements and welfare.

The university is a member of the Russell Group of British research universities after previously being a member of the 1994 Group. Durham is also affiliated with the regional N8 Research Partnership and international university groups including the Matariki Network of Universities and the Coimbra Group. The university estate includes 83 listed buildings, ranging from the 11th-century Durham Castle to a 1960s brutalist students’ union. The university also owns and manages the Durham World Heritage site in partnership with Durham Cathedral. The university’s ownership of the World Heritage Site includes Durham Castle, Palace Green, and the surrounding buildings including the historic Cosin’s Library.

Among British universities, it had the tenth highest average UCAS Tariff for new entrants in 2021 and the third lowest proportion of state-school educated students starting courses in 2016, at 62.9 per cent (fifth lowest compared to its benchmark). The university is currently ranked 8th out of 130 in  League Table Ranking of The Complete University Guide.

The chancellor of the university is Fiona Hill, who was appointed in November 2022 in succession to Sir Thomas Allen and took office in June 2023. Current and emeritus academics as of 2018 included 15 Fellows of the Royal Society, 18 Fellows of the British Academy, 16 Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences, 5 Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 3 Fellows of the Royal Society of Arts, 2 Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering and 2 Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences. Durham graduates have long used the Latin post-nominal letters Dunelm after their degree, from Dunelmensis (of, belonging to, or from Durham).

TEF Rating

TEF Silver is awarded to institutions that deliver high-quality teaching, learning and outcomes for their students, and consistently exceed "rigorous national quality requirements" for higher education in the UK.

Courses Available

• Accounting, Business, Management and Marketing
• Biology and Biomedical Sciences
• Computer Science and Information Technology
• Engineering
• Foreign Studies (Language, Literature and Linguistics)
• Health Professions
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Law and Legal Studies
• Mathematics and Statistics
• Natural Sciences
• Recreation, Sports and Fitness Studies
• Theology
• Visual and Performing Arts

How to Apply?

Accepts UCAS

For International Students

Types of Scholarships Available

Scholarships