About the university

Durham University is a collegiate public research university in the historic cathedral city of Durham in north‑east England. Founded by Act of Parliament in 1832, it is the third‑oldest university in England after Oxford and Cambridge and a member of the Russell Group. Durham combines a collegiate system (with 17 colleges) and three academic faculties in Arts and Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences and Health. It is highly selective and consistently ranked in the UK top 5–10 and in the global top 100, with particular strengths in subjects such as law, business, politics, theology, English, archaeology, geography and the natural sciences. Around 21,000–22,000 students study at Durham, almost 30% from outside the UK. The university offers a distinctive student experience centred on its colleges, historic setting and strong academic reputation.

Key information

• Location: Durham, UK
• Ranking #17
• QS #78
• THE #198
• US News #309
• National ranking #5
• Institution type: public

Popular faculties

• Faculty of Arts and Humanities
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Social Sciences and Health
• Durham Law School
• Durham University Business School
• Department of Archaeology
• Department of Geography
• Department of Theology and Religion
• Department of English Studies

Programs (29)

• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Business Administration
• Economics
• Finance and Accounting
• Marketing
• Tourism and Hospitality
• Law
• Political Science
• International Relations
• Philosophy
• History
• Linguistics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Environmental Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• Education
• Fine Arts
• Music

Student body

• Total students: 21,500
• Undergraduate: 14,500
• Graduate: 5,500
• International students: 33%

Campus life

Durham’s student experience is built around its collegiate system: each student joins a college that provides accommodation, social spaces, clubs, sport and welfare support. Academic departments and facilities are spread across the city, with historic buildings, libraries and modern labs. The compact city has a cathedral and castle (UNESCO World Heritage), riverside walks and a strong student presence. Colleges organise formal dinners, balls, societies and sport, creating a close‑knit community. International students receive support with visas, arrival, language and academic skills.

Housing & accommodation

Housing cost: £700 - £1,500 / per month

Housing options

• College accommodation (catered and self‑catered)
• Standard and en‑suite rooms within colleges
• Shared houses and flats in Durham city
• Private student residences

Student clubs and organizations

• College clubs and societies
• University-wide academic and subject societies
• Cultural and international student groups
• Volunteering and charity societies
• Arts and performance groups

Sports

• College sports teams (football
• rugby
• rowing
• hockey
• netball
• etc.)
• University performance squads in various sports
• BUCS and inter‑collegiate competitions

Career & internships

Employment rate: 94%

Partner companies

• Procter & Gamble
• Nestle

Internships: Many Durham programmes offer placement years, internships and study-abroad opportunities, especially in business, science and social sciences. The university has strong connections with employers in the UK and abroad, and Careers & Enterprise provides guidance, skills workshops and networking events. International students can undertake placements in line with visa regulations. Durham’s reputation and rankings help graduates enter competitive sectors such as finance, consulting, law, public policy, research and academia.

Admission requirements

Required tests

• IELTS
• TOEFL

Required documents

• UCAS or online application
• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Personal statement
• Academic reference
• Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent)
• Passport copy
• Additional materials for some courses (e.g. written work
• admissions tests
• interviews)

Tuition costs

• £30,000 - £45,000 / per year
• Acceptance rate: 15.00%
• Scholarships available: Durham offers a variety of scholarships and bursaries for international students, including merit‑based awards at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and additional support for certain regions or subjects. Many scholarships are partial fee waivers of several thousand pounds and are competitive, based on academic excellence and sometimes extracurricular achievements or financial need. External funding from governments and sponsors may also be available depending on the student’s country. Full details, eligibility and deadlines are updated annually on the university’s scholarships and funding pages.

Quick facts

• Founded: 1832
• Teaching languages: English, english
• Study formats: offline

Contact

• Website: https://www.dur.ac.uk
• +44 191 334 2000