Overview

Durham University is a highly respected institution of higher education located in Durham, England, UK. It is one of the oldest universities in the country, founded in 1832, and is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK and worldwide.

Durham University offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs across many academic disciplines, including arts, sciences, business, and law. The university has a reputation for academic excellence, with world-class faculty and research facilities that provide students with access to cutting-edge research and teaching methods.

As an international student, Durham University provides many resources and services to support your academic and personal needs. The university offers a range of accommodation options, including both catered and self-catered options, as well as a range of social and cultural activities through its many student clubs and societies. The university also offers language support services, visa advice, and other support services to help international students adjust to life in the UK.

Durham University is located in the historic city of Durham, which is known for its stunning architecture, rich cultural history, and picturesque countryside. The university is situated on a hill overlooking the city and the River Wear, providing a beautiful and inspiring environment for study and research.

History

Durham University, based in the UK, is a public research university established in 1832 and a member of the prestigious Russell Group. The university campus is split between the main Durham City campus and the Queen’s Campus in nearby Stockton, situated in the cathedral town of Durham in the North East of England.

For nearly 600 years, Durham was the first known university to open in England. Its major roles were distributed between its 16 colleges and the university’s academic departments. In addition, in 2018, it was granted the Queen’s Anniversary Award. The university is well known for its history, which stretches over 180 years. In 2015, Durham was named the Sports University of the Year by the Times and Sunday Times. It is also one of the leading public universities in Durham, UK.

The university recorded the highest level of graduate jobs of any UK university in 2017. More than 200 undergraduate, 130 postgraduate, and research programs are offered at Durham.

Ranking & Achievements

  • Ranked 92 in the QS World University Rankings 2023
  • Ranked 6th in the Complete University Guide 2023,
  • Ranked 277 in “Best Global Universities”
  • Ranked 198 in the World University Rankings 2023
  • Ranked #101–200 Impact Rankings 2022
  • Ranked #126-150 in the World Reputation Rankings for 2022
  • Ranked in the Top 100 universities in the world in 2023
  • Ranked 6th in the UK in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide

Faculties

  • Business School
  • Faculty of Arts and Humanities
  • Faculty of Science
  • Faculty of Social Sciences and Health

Courses

Student Statistics

  • Undergraduate – 75%
  • Postgraduate – 25%
  • Full-time students –95%
  • Part-time students –5%
  • UK students– 68%
  • EU students- 5%
  • International students –27%
  • Female – 54%
  • Male –46%

Breakdown of Fees Structure

International fee range: £17,400-22,000

Scholarships

A number of scholarships and bursaries are offered by the Durham University. Most are for students taught by postgraduate and research students. Many are fully funded, covering tuition costs and cost of living support for eligible students. Besides various internally funded opportunities, the university also has collaborations with Chevening, the Commonwealth Scholarships Board, Marshall and Fulbright.

Facilities & Services

A broad range of general support services are available, including student financial support, a Careers Advisory Service, a university nursery, and the Durham University Service for Students with Disabilities. Libraries with generous opening hours, seven days a week, are located around the university. With more than 1,200 personal computers in classrooms and open access sites, the Information Technology Service provides networked services on both campuses.

To enhance a wide variety of academic skills, workshops and classes are run frequently. Specialist support for students with disabilities and advice are also available. The counselling service can be used by students during their time at university. Welfare and pastoral care are also provided by each college.The SU has a dedicated advisory service that provides free, confidential and unbiased advice to students.

Student Support

A broad range of general support services are available, including student financial support, a careers advisory service, a university nursery, and the Durham University Service for Students with Disabilities. Libraries with generous opening hours, seven days a week, are located around the university. With more than 1,200 personal computers in classrooms and open-access sites, the Information Technology Service provides networked services on both campuses.

To enhance a wide variety of academic skills, workshops and classes are run frequently. Specialist support for students with disabilities and advice are also available. The counseling service can be used by students during their time at the university. Welfare and pastoral care are also provided by each college. The SU has a dedicated advisory service that provides free, confidential, and unbiased advice to students.

Student Life

Situated in northeast England, Durham is one of the UK’s most picturesque towns. The skyline is dominated by the Cathedral and Castle of the 11th Century, a world heritage site. With a popular cathedral and castle at its very heart, Durham is a small, quaint, and welcoming city. You can find stores, boutiques, cafés, bars, and plenty of culture in its ancient, cobbled streets. There are many shops, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and a flourishing culture of cafes in the area. There’s also the Gala Theatre, with its cinema, and the Riverwalk leisure complex.

The cathedral and castle in Durham are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Events and festivals range from books and drama to jazz, plus a city-lighting Regatta and Lumiere. The university has its own museums, which regularly host a number of exhibits, the 175-seat Assembly Rooms Theatre, and a botanical garden that is free for all students.

Around 200 student clubs and associations operate on the campuses of Durham, covering the interests of academics, arts, culture, and religion, hobbies and sports, the outdoors, politics, law, and music. The Durham Students’ Union (DSU) provides funding for these events and organizations.

Accommodation

Colleges are served or self-serviced. Everyone has a dining hall to host formal dinners and activities. There are a number of shared or single study bedrooms, some en suite, in historic buildings and modern purpose-built houses. For any welfare or pastoral assistance students may need, each college has its own Student Support Office as a point of contact.

The Durham University provides a number of housing options for undergraduate and graduate students. Activities and facilities for training, sports, the arts, socializing, leisure, and welfare are provided as well. Nearly all Durham University colleges have fully catered accommodation, with excellent study, socialization and exercise facilities. From historical buildings to new purpose-built residences, there are a variety of shared or single study and ensuite rooms available.

Each college also has its own Student Support Office as a point of contact for any welfare or pastoral assistance students may need. Catered accommodation costs £7640–£8130 per year, and self-catered costs £5385–£5874 per year.

Transport

Durham is a relatively small town and university campus and other facilities are all within walking distance. With cheap day tickets available, students can travel by bus to surrounding areas. . Likewise, the academic buildings are within a five-minute walk if students live in university accommodation at Queen’s Campus.

With cheap day tickets available, students can travel by bus to neighbor towns and cities. Durham is on the mainline railway with several services operating daily. It is a 12-minute drive to nearby Newcastle, offering all the amenities of a big city, including an international airport. By road, Durham also provides quick easy access from the north or south by the A1(M) motorway.

 FAQ

Is Durham University hard to get into?

According to UCAS data from 2022, the acceptance rate for undergraduate programmes at Durham University was 19%. The university received over 32,570 applications and offered places to only 6,160 students.

Is Durham a prestigious university?

Durham University is recognized as one of the UK’s distinguished and top-ranked universities. Its reputation is built on a long and impressive history of academic excellence, exceptional research, and the high quality of its graduates.

What rank is Durham University in the UK?

Durham University has been placed 6th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023, solidifying its position among the top-ranking academic institutions in the UK.

Is Durham University Ivy League?

Durham University is a member of the prestigious Russell Group, often referred to as the UK’s equivalent of the Ivy League. It is a research-oriented university that consistently achieves high rankings across a wide range of academic disciplines.

What subjects are Durham University best for?

Durham University is known for offering popular courses in subjects such as physics, economics, law, psychology, and geography. In addition, the university provides a variety of facilities for its students, including libraries, computer labs, sports amenities, and study areas.

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