Durham is one of the UK’s most historic and highly competitive universities. Looped by the River Wear, the university has a collegiate structure similar to Oxford and Cambridge, with 17 colleges in total. The foundational college, University College (also known as Castle), was established in 1832. First-years live in their colleges, most of them in prime spots near the university campus and which serve as important social hubs, but teaching at Durham takes place centrally rather than in college. 

Societies, university-wide balls and sport form the backbone of social life in the cobbled cathedral city. Although bijou in size, 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 5th in our main academic table’s tightly-packed top ten, Durham is shortlisted for University of the Year 2025. A research-intensive institution, it ranks 89th in the 2025 QS World University Rankings and is in the top 200 of Times Higher Education’s 2024 global rankings. In our domestic research quality index, which is based on results of the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), Durham is 23rd, a drop of seven places compared with its performance in the previous national assessment, REF 2014. 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 done in person. The university’s Academic Skills Centre offers training in academic writing, maths and statistics. The latest Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF 2023) gave Durham gold in student outcomes, with assessors commending the university’s “tailored approaches that are highly effective in ensuring all groups of students (including underrepresented students) succeed in and progress beyond their studies”. 

In our latest National Student Survey analysis, the university dropped from 77= to 82nd in the student satisfaction rankings, but rose to 56th (from 71=) for teaching quality.

What degree courses have been discontinued and what new courses are available? 

New for 2025 entry is a four-year integrated masters in engineering (bioengineering). No courses are scheduled to close. 

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

Durham’s entry requirements start at ABB and rise to A*A*A. The university attracted more than 34,000 applications for 2023 entry, when just over 4,600 new students were accepted onto courses.The rates of offer-making are published by the university and show how much variance there is among subjects.

For students who qualify for Durham’s contextual offers, there is a two-grade reduction from the standard requirements, which just under a fifth (18 per cent) of 2023’s UK applicants received.

Recruitment of international students increased from 16 per cent to 27 per cent of the intake between 2016 and 2022.

What are the graduate prospects? 

The university remains in the top ten in our graduate prospects measure, rising another two places this year (sixth). Durham is among the ten universities targeted by the largest number of top graduate employers in 2023, according to High Fliers. Over the past 12 months the university has facilitated 995 employer events and advertised more than 10,000 graduate jobs and work experience opportunities across a range of sectors. 

Durham’s Graduate Attribute Development Framework, which 85 per cent of students opt into, delivers workshops hosted by professionals to support their personal growth beyond their degree studies. There is also a Leadership Academy, which offers a speaker series, mentorship and immersive training programmes. 

What is Durham University’s campus like?

Renovations have begun on the College of St Hild and St Bede, meaning its students are now in temporary, purpose-built, self-catered student accommodation within walking distance of the city centre. Eight chemistry laboratories have recently been refurbished and the business school is expanding. The university has a purpose-built space for entrepreneurship: the Hazan Venture Lab. Durham has invested £35 million in its Sports and Wellbeing Park, a ten-minute walk from campus, and there are 15 boathouses, a five-lane cricket centre, six grass rugby pitches and five full-size indoor sports courts with seating for 1,600. 

What about student accommodation at Durham University?

The colleges occupy prime spots near the university campus. Facilities vary — from Trevelyan’s sports court, lively bar, prayer room and gym to St John’s three-storey library, modern dining area and 12th-century chapel. Durham’s colleges offer accommodation for all first-years who apply by the deadline, with more than 7,600 places available. Applicants list their preference, but an algorithm now allocates students to colleges, with principals having a reduced say in who goes where. 

Pressure on private housing caused by lack of properties and rising prices for those living out in their second and third years has caused chaos in previous years; however, a new code of practice between the university and letting agents has been devised to improve the system.

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

Durham was our Sports University of the Year for 2023 and sport continues to be a big part of student life. The collegiate structure leads to intense rivalry, and participation rates are high locally and nationally, in the British University and Colleges Sport (Bucs) league. All colleges have a gym and access to multi-use sports areas. 

There are more than 80 musical societies, a busy schedule of concerts, performances and masterclasses, and more than 30 student-led theatre companies. A different show is staged every week during term time at the Assembly Rooms theatre. There is also an annual drama festival. 

Support services for students’ mental health and wellbeing can be accessed by self-referral or referral by staff. Wide-ranging help includes counselling and links with specialist NHS services. 

What do the students say?

“We have an award-winning student newspaper (Palatinate) and phenomenal student groups which are a source of community, friendship and exploration. Whether you’re interested in politics, pursuing a hobby, sports, or something more academic, we have something for everyone.”
Dan Lonsdale, Durham students’ union president (2023-25) and sociology graduate

How diverse and inclusive is Durham University?

Durham has jumped two places from the bottom (113th) in our latest social inclusion index and remains one of three universities with less than half its intake from non-selective state schools: at 48.4 per cent it has a bigger contingent than Cambridge but smaller than Imperial College London. Durham is working to redefine its culture as “inclusive, open and socially engaged”. Progress can be seen in increased numbers of students from areas of low participation in higher education (7.5 per cent, 81st). The university reports a 70 per cent rise in black British undergraduates between 2018 and 2023, albeit only to 1.7 per cent. 

The university is teaming up with a local sixth-form centre to establish the Durham Mathematics School in 2026, to provide a stream of students into Durham’s maths, science and engineering departments.

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

In 2022-23 about 20 per cent of students received some form of financial help, including from hardship funds. The Durham Grant Scheme is the main source of bursary provision for UK students. Grants have been increased to a maximum of £2,500 a year for students from households with incomes below £30,000. Those with household incomes between £30,001 and £47,200 qualify for grants ranging from £2,495 to £780 per year. The number of grants is uncapped. 

Scholarships target talented students with limited incomes from the local area and are awarded in a range of disciplines including law, music, arts and humanities, sport and computer science.