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Durham University

Durham, United Kingdom

  • Cost of Living£ 17,112
  • Tuition Fee From£ 6,700
  • Country Rank-
  • Batch Strength17,724
  • Global Diversity27%
  • Gender Ratio54 : 46

Overview

About

Durham University is a collegiate public research university situated in Durham, England. It was founded in the year 1832 and is the third oldest university in the UK, following Oxford and Cambridge. The university is part of a 563-acre land which has two of its campuses, namely the Durham City and the Queen’s Campus Stockton. The campus experience also includes various world heritage sites such as Durham Castle, Palace Green, etc.

 

At Durham University, a student can engage with close to 200 organizations and clubs in a multitude of fields. The student union of the university are highly active in developing the lives of the students and the local community with events, volunteering services, workshops, etc.

 

The Durham Student’s Union (DSU), was initially founded in 1842 and has been running strong since then with support not only from the university but even local and corporate groups. They host regular events like the vintage fashion fair, Comedy Café, Silent Discos and Fresher's Ball.

 

The distinguished alumni of the university have their presence in high positions that impact society and the people of the UK, from writers, politicians, athletes and much more. The university has a rich and strong history that has shaped it to be what it is today and will continue to be a source for many aspiring students.

Ranking

US News & World Report 2024:

Durham University achieved a notable position on the global stage, securing #277 position.

 

QS World University Ranking 2024:

Durham University has shown excellence by securing 174 spot on the global scale.

 

Durham University is a highly reputable university for a long time and its awards and accolades keep growing over the years. The Times and Sunday Times as part of their Good University Guide for the year 2023 have been awarded the sports university of the year. In addition, even The Complete University Guide has ranked the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences as 2nd among UK institutes for the year 2023. As per a ranking system conducted by Complete University Guide in 2020, 90% of the courses at Durham are part of the top 10 ranks. Some of the Durham University rankings in recent years.

 

  • ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Universities Rankings (2022) - #301-400
  • QS - World University Ranking (2023) - #92
  • THE (Times Higher Education) - University Ranking (2023) - #198
  • The Complete University Guide - University Ranking (UK) (2023) - #6
  • The Guardian - University Rankings (2023) - #6
  • US News & World Report - Global Universities (2023) - #277


Course Rankings:

In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022, 19 subjects at Durham University are rated in the top 100. Programs in the field of Accounting and Finance stand out and are preferred by many students. They are ranked in the top 10 by many publications. Durham University's MBA programme has continually been ranked in the top 100 by QS Global MBA rankings. It is currently ranked 78th in the world as of 2022. The Masters in Business Analytics programme is ranked 47th in the QS subject rankings. Some of the course rankings from 2023 are mentioned below - 

 

Business Courses Rankings 

  • QS - Masters in Supply Chain Management Rankings (2023) - #21
  • THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Business and Economics (2023) - #101-125
  • The Complete University Guide - Accounting & Finance Ranking (2023) - #3
  • The Complete University Guide - Business & Management Studies (UK)  (2023) - #13
  • The Guardian - Accounting & Finance Rankings (2023) - #8
  • The Guardian - Business, Management & Marketing (2023) - #16
  • The Guardian - Guardian Economics Rankings (2023) - #7

 

Engineering Courses Rankings 

  • QS - Engineering and Technology (2022) - #281
  • QS - Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering Rankings (2022) - #251-300
  • THE (Times Higher Education) - Engineering  (2023) - #301-400

 

Computers Courses Rankings 

  • THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Computer Science (2023) - #301-400
  • The Complete University Guide - Computer Science (2023) - #6


 

Science Courses Rankings 

  • The Complete University Guide - Biological Sciences Rankings (2023) - #5
  • The Complete University Guide - Physics & Astronomy Rankings (2023) - #6
  • The Complete University Guide - Psychology Rankings (2023) - #9
  • The Guardian - Guardian Physics Rankings (2023) - #2

 

Humanities Courses Rankings 

  • THE (Times Higher Education) - Arts & Humanities Rankings (2023) - #33
  • The Complete University Guide - Sociology Rankings (2023) - #5
  • The Guardian - Guardian Politics Rankings (2023) - #19
  • The Guardian - Guardian Sociology and Social Policy Rankings (2023) - #6

 

Law Courses Rankings 

  • THE (Times Higher Education) - THE - Law Rankings (2023) - #42
  • The Complete University Guide - Law Rankings (2023) - #5
  • The Guardian - Guardian Law Rankings (2023) - #6

Year

QS Ranks

US News Ranks

2025

#89

-

2023

#92

#277

2022

#82

#277

2021

#82

#263

Facilities

Part of a wholesome student experience at a university is the facilities they have and provide. Durham University takes into complete account the importance of good facilities and has invested a great deal into them. The university has spaces that are dedicated to leisure like pubs, clubs, coffee houses, etc and other areas solely for work and studying. The institute also has two historic chapels that students can visit. The popular Castle Theatre Company, the university’s theatre group frequently hosts performances in multiple venues, including the Undercroft bar and atmospheric Norman chapel. Below are some more of the Durham University facilities are -

 

  • Durham University Library is a system of five different libraries branched out on the campus. They in total house close to 1.5 million printed materials and other historical and cultural items.
  • The Durham University Oriental Museum accommodates artefacts from all over the world.
  • The Drama Studio is a theatre room that accommodates, plays, performances and other theatrical displays. Apart from that, the room can also be used for other activities.
  • The MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) is an outdoor sports facility which has tennis, basketball, and football courts to name a few.
  • The Wolfson Research Institute is part of Durham University which is dedicated to health and wellbeing research.
  • University offers a free bus service that runs between the two campuses throughout the week.

Notable Alumni

Carlos Frenk
Carlos Frenk
Cosmologist
Elizabeth J. Tasker
Elizabeth J. Tasker
Astrophysicist
Leslie Peter Wenham
Leslie Peter Wenham
Archaeologist

Courses

Admission

Durham University Entry Requirements

Durham applicants need to have an excellent profile for a chance at admission. The university accepts applications throughout the year since it is offered on a rolling basis. There is an application fee of 18 GBP for undergraduate programs where the UCAS portal needs to be utilized for submission. For graduate programmes, the university’s Graduate Application portal needs to be used with only specific programmes having a 60 GBP application fee. Below is the Durham University entry requirements for undergraduate and graduate programmes -

 

Undergraduate Entry Requirements

  • Official transcripts (Average score 85% which depends on the preceding institute)
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • SAT/ACT (If applicable)(Minimum scores SAT - 1300, ACT - 29)
  • Language proficiency scores (Minimum scores TOEFL - 92, IELTS - 6.5)
  • Essays or SOP
  • Proof of financial funding
  • Passport copy

Graduate Entry Requirements

  • Academic transcripts (Minimum of 60% or 70% depending on the institute and course)
  • Language proficiency scores (TOEFL - minimum score of 92, IELTS- minimum score of 6.5)
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • GMAT/GRE scores. (if applicable)(Minimum scores GMAT - 600, GRE - 299)
  • An essay or SOP
  • Admission interview
  • Work experience (if applicable)
  • CV/Resume

 

Also Read: Durham University Admission Guide

 

Durham University Fees

Durham university offers some of the most quality education in the UK and prioritizing a good education is vital. The tuition fee for most of the courses is based on duration and type of course. The university provides multiple ways to avoid fee payment through scholarships and financial aid which are applicable to selected students only. Education loans are also a secure way to fund tuition fees. Below is a list that shows the Durham University fees for some popular courses -

 

  • Master of Science [M.S] Management - 27,000 GBP/Yr
  • Master of Business Administration [M.B.A] - 35,000 GBP/Yr
  • Bachelor of Laws [L.L.B] - 24,500 GBP/Yr
  • Bachelor of Science [B.S] Computer Science - 28,500 GBP/Yr

 

Placements

At Durham University job opportunities are created for students in collaboration with top employers and businesses. The university takes every moment to improve student skills with workshops, seminars, presentations, etc. Besides this, the Durham University placement includes a 9-12 month work experience as part of the degree. Students can gain valuable work experience along with salaries too. This in turn would enhance the student’s employability at reputed establishments.

Scholarship

Regardless of the programme you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by Durham University as well as other organisations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can greatly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at Durham University through UniScholars. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:

 

  • Merit-based scholarships
  • Need-based scholarships
  • Country-specific scholarships
  • College-specific scholarships
  • Student-specific scholarships

Finances

Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the university. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal abroad education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!

 

Accommodation

There are several student accommodations in Durham near Durham University that are fully equipped for your needs. Student accommodation near Durham University offers a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.

UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from an array of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are inexpensive and fully furnished with 24/7 staff support.

Cost of Living

Expenses is part of staying away from home and understanding the cost of living at a place is crucial in financial management. Durham is an affordable city to live in with quality facilities and a great community. During their stay there students must consider factors such as accommodation, food, entertainment, clothing, transportation, and more as part of their cost of living in Durham. The table below comprises a breakdown of the average monthly expenses of an overseas student in Durham -
 

Particulars

Cost (Monthly)

Off-Campus Accommodation 

£ 760

On-Campus Accommodation

£ 876

Transportation

£ 65

Food Cost

£ 390

Entertainment

£ 32

Groceries

£ 128

Clothes

£ 51

Total Cost of Living with Off Campus Accommodation 

£ 1,426

Total Cost of Living with On Campus Accommodation 

£ 1,542

Annual Cost of Living

£ 17,112

FAQs