Durham University

In the cobbled streets of a cathedral city, Durham is one of Britain’s most historic and competitive universities. This academic big hitter is The Times and Sunday Times University of the Year 2026.

Given its collegiate structure and high entry requirements, comparisons with Oxbridge are hard to ignore. But unlike at Oxford and Cambridge, Durham’s teaching takes place in central academic facilities. Sport remains a big part of student life at Durham, which has twice been crowned our Sports University of the Year. There is intense rivalry between college teams and high participation rates in a range of sports. All colleges have a gym and access to multi-use sports areas. Music is another forte: students can choose from more than 30 musical societies. 

Although bijou, Durham offers a range of student-friendly nights out, while nearby Newcastle has nightlife on a grander scale.

What is Durham University’s reputation?

Up two places to rank third in our main academic table’s top ten, Durham is a research-intensive university. It is 94= in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and reaches 172= in the Times Higher Education global rankings for 2025. In our UK research quality index, based on REF 2021 results, Durham is 23rd. Some of the best results were in education and geography; archaeology; and forensic science. Classics and ancient history; theology; and sports science also did well. Teaching is all in person rather than online. 

The latest Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023) rated Durham gold for student outcomes. Feedback from Durham students in the latest National Student Survey (NSS) 2025 is positive and a significant year-on-year improvement: ranking 24= for teaching quality and 46th for the wider experience. Durham needs to save £20 million over the next two years to ensure a “sustainable financial base” after an £8 million deficit. Two hundred job cuts have been forecast in professional services roles.

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What are Durham University’s entry requirements — and my chances of getting in?

Durham’s entry requirements are A*A*A to ABB. The rates of offer-making are published by the university and show how much variance there is among subjects.

The university attracted almost 35,000 applications for 2024 entry for just 5,580 places. A fifth were eligible for Durham’s contextual offers, which reduce the standard entry requirements by two grades. 

What are the graduate prospects? 

The university is in the top ten of our graduate prospects measure (5th) and the top ten universities targeted by the largest number of top graduate employers, according to High Fliers 2025. It is joint Runner-Up for University of the Year for Graduate Employment 2026. Recruitment activities, careers fairs, and employability workshops are aligned with students’ career aspirations and a new online EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion) hub provides tailored careers information for students and graduates from diverse backgrounds. 

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What is Durham University’s campus like?

Durham is not a campus university, but the city’s small size creates a campus-like atmosphere. Buildings range from the historic to the contemporary. University College (also known as Castle), was the first to be established in 1832. While the historic College of St Hild and St Bede is being redeveloped, students have moved into new accommodation at Rushford Court. 

Durham has poured about £75 million into the Faculty of Science, adding a new Mathematics and Computer Science Building and more laboratories for the Department of Psychology. The university also has a purpose-built space for entrepreneurship: the Hazan Venture Lab.

When can I visit? 

durham.ac.uk

Everything you need to know about Durham University’s student life and wellbeing support

Societies, university-wide balls, and sport — from Pilates to rugby — are the backbone of social life. Durham has invested £35 million in its Sports and Wellbeing Park, and there are 15 boathouses, a five-lane cricket centre, six grass rugby pitches and five full-size indoor sports courts. 

Durham’s varied societies include more than 30 theatre companies and a different show is staged every week. Palatinate is the student newspaper, and Purple Radio, the university station, broadcasts 24/7 in term time. Students can self-refer for mental health and wellbeing support, and staff also refer anyone with complex, chronic or high-risk conditions to see mental health advisers and NHS professionals.

What do the students say?

“Durham University offers a contrasting yet complementary presence to the wider city’s heritage. An ambitious access and participation plan has recently been designed to break down barriers underrepresented students face when applying to and succeeding at Durham. It’s tangible stuff that makes Durham a better university across the board. Durham graduates go on to change the world. In our students you can glimpse the future.”
Dan Lonsdale, sociology, Durham students’ union president 2023-2025

What about student accommodation at Durham University?

First-years live in their colleges, most in prime spots near campus. Facilities vary — from Trevelyan’s sports court and gym to St John’s modern three-storey library and 12th-century chapel, St Mary the Less. Durham’s colleges offer accommodation for all first-years who apply by the deadline, with more than 7,600 places available. A new code of practice between the university and letting agents has been devised to improve a chaotic and expensive private housing system.

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How diverse and inclusive is Durham University?

Durham’s low proportion of students from non-selective state schools — 48.8 per cent — makes it one of only three universities with more than half its intake from selective schools. However, Durham invests £14 million a year to support less advantaged students.

The university is also teaming up with a local sixth-form centre to establish the Durham Mathematics School in 2026.

Everything you need to know about scholarships and bursaries at Durham University

About 20 per cent of students receive some form of financial help. The uncapped Durham Grant Scheme cost the university £80 million a year, and is the main source of bursary provision. Grants have been increased to a maximum of £2,721 a year for students from households with incomes below £30,000, and down to £714 for household incomes up to £62,377. 

Scholarships are also awarded in a range of disciplines. 

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