Overview

Established in 1832, Durham University is one of the oldest universities in the UK. Built next to a medieval world heritage site, Durham University connects a rich history with modern values to create a well-respected and forward-thinking institution. Today, Durham hosts over 18,000 students from across the world.

　　Durham has 28 academic departments and schools which offer over 200 undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Many of the lecturers at the university are at the forefront of their fields. By using prominent research and subject expertise, staff at the university deliver outstanding levels of teaching to all students. At present, Durham has 17 subjects ranked in the top 100 universities, including nine in the world top 50.

　　As well as academic excellence, the university strives to support students in gaining meaningful employment following their studies. Currently ranked 88th in the world for graduate employability, the Careers and Enterprise Centre works to develop student's professional skills and provide business contacts and opportunities for work.

　　Durham University is currently ranked 78th in the 2020 QS World University Rankings, which places it firmly among the top 100 universities in the world. The institution prides itself on creating a welcoming and diverse social environment for both staff and students. Currently 28 per cent of students studying at Durham are not from the UK.

　　College communities are at the heart of the distinctive Durham student experience, each offering a diverse, multidisciplinary community of academics, students and staff from different backgrounds and cultures. With this, and the excellent support systems in place at the university, students can expect a warm welcome and an abundance of exciting projects to get involved with.

　　

What's new

With 83 per cent of Durham university research recognised as internationally excellent or world leading, the university has much to recommend it.

　　

Hosting the Supercomputer

In 2020, the university will be hosting a new GBP 3.1 million supercomputer facility. Addressing challenges in subjects from artificial intelligence to advanced X-ray imaging.

　　Based in Durham, the NICE (Northern Intensive Computing Environment) supercomputer will be used by N8 research partnerships of leading universities in the North of England.

　　NICE will be co-located within the Science and Technology Facilities Council DiRAC Memory Intensive Supercomputer (COSMA), which will be used across physics, cosmology, astronomy and nuclear physics programmes.

　　NICE will have a greater understanding of data, by providing a platform where machine learning and simulations are combined, allowing better explanations of artificial intelligences. The supercomputer will help scientists to advance imaging techniques in order to produce the next generation of X-ray instruments.

　　Professor Colin Bain, Vice-Provost (Research), said, ''Durham is already an international centre for supercomputer technology, hosting the COSMA supercomputer, which is at the forefront of research that is unravelling the mysteries of the universe.''

　　

New Facilities

The university has invested GBP 40 million in building new facilities for mathematical and computer sciences. Work on the new state-of-the-art learning, teaching and study spaces has commenced, and will be ready for academic use for the academic year 2020/2021.

　　The departments aim to double their intake of undergraduates, and increase numbers of postgraduate research. The building will be designed to facilitate greater interactions between students and staff, creating more synergies between mathematical science and computer science.

　　

Teaching Quality

Offering over 200 undergraduate courses and 130 postgraduate and taught and research courses, Durham University provides a huge range of study options. The courses available are developed using world-leading research. For many departments, lecturers have worked closely with postgraduates to get feedback and as a result create a curriculum which is instructive and challenging.

　　Durham is consistently recognised in league tables that compare universities based in the UK with high rankings. Durham University is placed in the top ten Universities across the UK. The institution is ranked fifth in the Guardian University Guide 2020 and sixth in the Complete University Guide 2020. Durham has been acknowledged for the following:

　　Student support systems that ensure students from all backgrounds achieve excellent results. Research-led courses and supervision which develop and increase student's employability skills. Systems to monitor academic progress to guarantee outstanding teaching standards and examination results.

Russell Group

Durham University is one of 24 universities in the Russell Group. This group promises to complete leading research and maintain the highest teaching standards for students. Being a member of the Russell Group means that Durham has many 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 seven universities from around the world. As a member of the MNU, Durham has committed to delivering excellence in teaching, research and scholarship programmes.

　　

Department structure

Durham University is split into four different faculties:

　　

Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Students have seven departments to study from in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. 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 specialise in a number of different languages.

　　

Faculty of Science

The Faculty of Science offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses, within eight different departments. These include postgraduate research degrees. The departments available to study from include Biosciences Chemistry Computer Science Earth Sciences Engineering Mathematical Sciences and Physics and Psychology.

　　

Faculty of Social Sciences and Health

There are ten different schools and departments in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health for undergraduate and postgraduate study. Areas of study include anthropology archaeology business education geography government and international affairs law sociology and sport and exercise sciences.

　　

Durham University Business school

There are a number of featured programs within the school, including MBA, masters, undergraduate, DBA, PhD and part time study programme options. Programmes within this school combine academic excellence and incisive research, whilst offering students exceptional global business collections.

　　

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. Students must check the requirements and admissions section of the course database for details and exact requirements on the Durham website.

　　Details included under each country are for future undergraduate and postgraduate taught students. Students interested in postgraduate research must 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.

　　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 or Pre-Master's pathway programmes.

　　

Scholarships & funding

Durham University helps students from around the world to apply for scholarships and bursaries to help with funding whilst studying.

　　Scholarships are most commonly awarded to students based on academic excellence, as well as financial need and potential to progress and develop. Scholarships are often awarded for skill shown in sport, musical ability and academic study. Scholarships for international students offered by Durham University include:

　　Durham Doctoral Studentships (Human Geography and Physical Geography) Christopher Moyes Memorial Foundation Scholarship (Human Geography and Physical Geography).There are also a number of external scholarships available to international students. These include:

　　The British Council Scholarship programme for international study Commonwealth Studentships (Human Geography and Physical Geography) The Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth ScholarshipsEach scholarship programme has specific conditions for applications. Students are asked to read all the requirements before applying for any of the suggested funding.

　　

Facilities

At Durham University, students have access to modern lecture theatres, classrooms, research labs, sports facilities and libraries. Other facilities available for students to use are:

　　

Library services

The library facilities at Durham provide an excellent selection of resources for study. There are six different university libraries located across the city of Durham. Students can use any of the library study spaces, as well as silent and group study areas with PCs and Wi-Fi. The library has millions of online resources and journals for students to access, as well as books, DVDs and journals that can be borrowed. Each of the libraries have extended opening hours.

　　

Sports facilities

At the Graham Sports Centre, students have use of an athletics track, netball and tennis courts, a sports hall and multiple sports pitches including football, rugby and lacrosse. The centre also has a modern gym, with changing room and shower facilities and a restaurant. Students can pay for membership of the gym, attend fitness classes and book personal training sessions with a member of staff.