A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – a university like no other.
Choose from a wide range of fascinating courses, taught by world-leading experts on our state-of-the-art campus.
Wide range of study options
Whatever your interests, whatever your passion, we’ve more than likely got a course for you. We currently have 27 departments and schools, offering over 120 undergraduate courses, not to mention postgraduate degrees, both taught and research. We think you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Flexible degrees
You can focus on one subject with a Single Honours degree, or develop your interest in two areas with a Joint Honours degree. We also have a number of combined and flexible courses, where you can study subjects from a number of different academic departments, such as our Combined Honours degree in Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, or Natural Sciences.
Research-led learning
Whatever you choose to study, you’ll actively benefit from the world-class research taking place right here in the University. Delivering cutting-edge, research-led education is at the very heart of everything we do.
You’ll have the opportunity to develop:
• The ability to think and understand ideas and information beyond the classroom
• Enhanced skills for employment
• The ability to learn independently and problem-solve
• Creative and critical thinking skills
• The ability to become involved in research.
Our academic staff carry out ground-breaking research that shapes our departments, inspires our courses and directly informs our teaching.
Get work experience with a Placement Year
Work experience will help your CV stand out, showing employers that you’ve not only got a wide range of skills, but that you can put them into practice.
Our placement students are always in high demand and have worked in a range of top companies, including Procter & Gamble, Jaguar Land Rover, J.P. Morgan and GlaxoSmithKline, Bloomsbury Publishing, Public Health England and the Office for National Statistics.
We will assist you throughout the placement process, from finding the best placement opportunities and supporting you whilst you’re out on placement, to fitting back into university life when you return.
Study abroad and global opportunities
Most of our degrees currently offer the chance to spend a year abroad, discovering new cultures, learning in new surroundings, and experiencing a new way of life.
We are part of strong international groups and networks, with approximately 300 exchange partnerships worldwide.
With our global outlook, we participate in the UK’s Turing Scheme to support disadvantaged students to benefit from short-term summer internship and volunteering opportunities in places such as Fiji, New York and Seoul.
College life
Our collegiate system makes Durham exceptional. Here, every student is a proud member of a college, and every college has its own character and traditions. Each is an inspiring and supportive community.
The colleges are the cornerstone of our extraordinary wider student experience. In fact, we guarantee an offer of accommodation from the University to all first year undergraduates who meet the criteria to secure a room, because colleges are where Durham’s outstanding student experience begins.
You will feel at home from the moment you step through the door. Colleges are like extended families: safe, supportive, and inclusive.
It can be easy to feel overwhelmed in a large university. But in your college, you’ll be surrounded by friendly faces and you’ll have the chance to get to know all sorts of extraordinary people.
Open Days
When deciding on whether Durham is right for you, we recommend you think about the degrees we offer, our Colleges, and the wider student experience such as sport, theatre, music and volunteering. All of this, along with the support that is available to you as a student, will help you decide whether to apply to us.
We highly recommend visiting on one of our Open Days if you get the chance, so that you can explore Durham and get a feel for what studying here might be like.
Courses and fees
Tuition fees
The ‘Home’ fee for 2023 is £9,250 per annum. Fees for 2024 are awaiting approval. For information on tuition fees for international and EU students, click here.
College costs
College charges vary depending on the accommodation you choose and the duration of the letting.
College fees usually range from £5,370 to £9,741 depending on whether you choose catered or self-catered accommodation, a single or shared room, and whether you opt for an ensuite or shared bathroom facilities. All bills are included in your college fees.
Remember – if you’re living in a self-catered college, you’ll need to budget for the cost of your meals. As a rough guide, our current students spend up to £40 a week on food.
Loans
• Tuition Fee Loans are available to eligible students. You won’t need to start paying your loan back until you’re earning over £27,295 per year.
• Maintenance Loans to cover your living costs are also available to UK students. Your eligibility and the amount you will receive depends on whether you live in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland and on your ‘household income’ (the income of the adult(s) on whom you are financially dependent).
• If you’ve got a disability or dependents, you might be entitled to additional funding. Find out more at gov.uk/student-finance/extra-help
Durham University funding
We’re committed to supporting students from lower-income backgrounds. A Durham Grant is available to full-time students who don’t already have an undergraduate degree. Those with a household income of less than £30,000 will receive £2,500 and those with a household income of between £30,001 and £47,200 will receive between £2,495 and £780 (reducing as the household income increases).
Scholarships
We also offer a number of scholarships to support our students, including:
• Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships for Sport, Music and the Arts
• The Robert Young Scholarship
• Durham Inspired North East Scholarships
• Weldon-le Huray Scholarship – Music, Sport, and Artsand Humanities.
The availability of these scholarships varies from year to year.
Find out more about scholarships
Financial support network
When you join a college, you’ll become part of a supportive and caring community. So, if money worries are having an impact on your wellbeing or your studies, you’ll always have someone to talk to. Your college’s Student Support Officer will be your first point of contact if you have any concerns.
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is support to cover the study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long-term illness or any other disability. This can be on its own or in addition to any student finance you get.
The type of support and how much you get depends on your individual needs – not your household income.
Term dates (and any other term info)
For information on Term dates, please visit durham.ac.uk/dates
Facilities
Our continual investment ensures that you have access to exceptional lecture theatres, seminar rooms and subject-specific facilities, such as science laboratories and dedicated libraries.
In 2019 we opened our brand new, state-of-the-art Teaching and Learning Centre, with cutting-edge lecture theatres, teaching rooms and education labs. We have invested £40m in the development of a new building for Computing and Mathematics and are also investing £70m in a new home for Durham University Business School. These developments will provide exceptional spaces for learning, teaching and research.
Durham University Library and Collections offer a fantastic range of resources and study facilities, with staff on hand to help you find what you need. The University has many rare and internationally renowned special collections and archives, and the University Museums also provide a unique research resource for study.
As a Durham student, we will ensure you’ve got access to the latest in digital technology, with wireless coverage across campus and in study bedrooms, a free Microsoft Office 365 account, 1TB of cloud storage, lecture capture technology, and access to our virtual learning environment.
At Durham you will also have access to an extensive support network to help you make the most of your time at University. We have a number of professional support services, including counselling, disability support, faith provision, careers and childcare.
Accommodation
The college experience
In your college, you can take part in sport, music, theatre or volunteering. You can join clubs and societies, enjoy parties and dinners, and make friends for life. Your college will be your home from home, the centre of your life at Durham and a constant source of opportunities, challenges and lasting memories.
You will be a member of your college throughout the whole of your time in Durham, and beyond. Students choosing to live in private accommodation at any point during their studies are still involved in college life, enjoying societies and events, making use of facilities, and benefitting from the support and guidance of college staff.
Every college provides:
• A character and spirit all of its own
• Sports, clubs, societies and associations
• Gym
• Library or study space
• Events and activities
• Dedicated Student Common Rooms
• Dedicated staff and support close at hand if you need it
• Accommodation within Durham City, either catered or self-catered.
An inspiring place to live and learn
In your college, you’ll be surrounded by all sorts of different people, studying a wide range of subjects. So you’ll meet people who share your interests, and others who’ll inspire you to develop new ones.
Each college includes students at all stages, from newly arrived undergrads, to graduates and professors. They’re strong, supportive, multi-generational communities.
There are 17 colleges in total, including Ustinov, our postgraduate only college. Each offers the full range of facilities you’d expect to find at a university and more. That means 17 times as many opportunities to develop your team-working, leadership and problem-solving skills. And 17 more chances to get involved in sports, societies, music, arts, associations, and committees.
No two colleges are the same – their architecture and settings are as distinct as their histories and traditions. One thing every college has in common, however, is its commitment to offering support, challenge, participation, teamwork, and leadership opportunities. All of our colleges embrace the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Your college has its own Student Support Office, acting as a point of contact for any welfare and pastoral support you might need during your time here.
A grant of £250 – funded jointly by the University and an alumni donation - is paid automatically to lower-income students from the North-East of England, and to lower-income students from the rest of the UK with disabilities or from Black or minority ethnic backgrounds, to support with the costs of the wider student experience.
A lifelong connection
College membership doesn’t end at graduation. Our students often tell us that their college experience was one of the most important parts of their time at Durham. Friendships made at college often last a lifetime. Many of our alumni return to share their skills and experience long after they have left. Colleges frequently arrange for current students to benefit from the support of alumni through things like careers advice, scholarships, mentoring and internships.
Living here
Durham is no ordinary county, and as we prepare for a year of cultural celebrations in 2025, the region is buzzing with creativity and inspiring places to visit.
From world-class museums and attractions, to beautiful coastline and countryside, there’s never been a better time to explore, discover and learn in the stunning surroundings that wait for you here.
The historic city of Durham is compact, yet varied. Easy to get around, it offers a wide range of cultural and sporting pursuits, as well as a huge number of places to eat, drink and meet friends. So whatever your interests, you are certain to find your place here.
Durham City
Durham is a friendly and welcoming city, with the famous Cathedral and Castle at its very heart.
In the ancient, cobbled streets, you’ll find shops and boutiques, cafés, bars and restaurants, and plenty of culture. From walks and boat trips along the River Wear, to street markets and museum visits, there’s no shortage of things to do!
No matter where you are in the City, you’ll never be far from one of our colleges, academic departments, or facilities. The historic city also offers a huge range of attractions, places to visit and activities, including:
• Sports and Wellbeing Park
• Botanic Garden
• Oriental Museum
• Palace Green Library and Gallery
• Assembly Rooms Theatre
• Gala Theatre and Cinema
• The Riverwalk leisure complex.
Just 17 miles from Newcastle upon Tyne in North East England, it’s also easy to hop on a train to London, Edinburgh, or Manchester. Newcastle International Airport is also close by if you want to explore the rest of the UK and beyond.
What students have to say
“With Durham, the emphasis was on potential. Rather than seeing me as a finished product I was able to make mistakes and learn in the process.” Emily Smith, English Literature
“The best thing about my placement was the opportunity to delve into an industry that is very different to my degree.” Shoaib Ahmed, Geography
“Before joining my college rowing team I had never even seen an oar – I can’t recommend it enough!” Katie Vause, Liberal Arts
“Every member of staff I’ve come across has been so lovely and always willing to help!” Rebecca Cabrera, Modern Languages
“I have learnt from some of the top minds in my field.” Sarah Ellington, Politics
“I never thought that I would be able to write long articles or engage in discussions with some of the best classical researchers.” James Hua, Classics
The Durham Student
To find out more about what Durham Students have to say, check out The Durham Student where you’ll find a wide range of blogs and videos on all aspects of Durham student life, all from a student point of view. You can also follow @thedurhamstudent on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube.
Travel information
Find out more about how to visit Durham