Durham University

Durham University was established by Act of Parliament in 1832 and received its Royal Charter in 1837, making it the first recognised university to open in England after Oxford and Cambridge. It is a collegiate university based in the historic city of Durham in north east England, where the cathedral and castle together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Academic departments deliver teaching and research, while 17 colleges provide accommodation, pastoral care and much of the social and sporting life.

The university has around 21,000 students. It is a member of the Russell Group and is recognised for research-intensive teaching across the arts and humanities, sciences, social sciences and business, and it performs strongly across a wide range of subjects. Durham holds a Silver overall rating in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework, with Gold for student outcomes. Student involvement in sport, music, theatre and volunteering is high, and the college system gives the university a distinctive, close community character.

Information for International Students

Around a third of Durham University students come from outside the UK. The Student Immigration Service advises international students on entering and remaining in the UK, and the university issues the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) needed for a Student visa. A free meet and greet service operates at Newcastle Airport for first-year international students arriving in September, followed by an International Orientation Day and college-based welcome events.

English language requirements are set by subject, typically ranging from IELTS 6.5 to 7.5 overall, with higher component scores for some programmes. Offer holders who need further preparation can take pre-sessional English courses of 6, 10 or 20 weeks. The Durham University International Study Centre, operated by Study Group at the university's Queen's Campus in Stockton-on-Tees, offers an International Foundation Year (including an accelerated option), International Year One, Pre-Masters and English language preparation, with progression to Durham degrees on meeting the required grades. All new undergraduate students who return the accommodation preference form by the deadline are guaranteed an offer of university accommodation, normally in their college. Graduates may be eligible for the UK Graduate Route.