Durham University

Durham University is a public research university in Durham, England. It is a collegiate university, a member of the Russell Group and one of the UK's most recognised academic institutions, with a history dating back to 1832.

The university is known for subjects such as business, law, computer science, economics, engineering, psychology, natural sciences, physics, mathematics, geography, politics, international relations, archaeology, theology and humanities. Its main advantage is the mix of strong academic reputation, college-based student support, historic campus setting and employer recognition.

For students planning the September 2026 intake, Durham University can be a strong fit if the goal is to study at a high-ranking UK university with a traditional collegiate experience, strong graduate outcomes and a quieter student city compared with London, Manchester or Birmingham.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
University type	Public research university
Main location	Durham, England, United Kingdom
University group	Russell Group
Founded	1832
Student experience	Collegiate university with 17 colleges
Popular intake	September 2026
Academic year pattern	Induction is usually late September; teaching runs from October to June
Known for	Research, collegiate life, law, business, science, humanities, social sciences and employer reputation
Career support	Careers & Enterprise Centre, employer events, vacancies, workshops, appointments and international student support

Why Durham University Can Be A Good Fit

Durham is useful for students who want a high-ranking UK university but do not want a large-city campus experience. The university has a strong academic brand, a compact city environment and a college system that helps students build a community outside their academic department.

For international students, this can make settling in easier. Students join an academic department for their course and a college for accommodation, activities, pastoral support, societies, events and day-to-day community. This gives the university a more personal feel than many large city universities.

Durham is also attractive for students who care about employability. The university reports that 87% of graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduation, and it is ranked 64th in the world for employer reputation in the QS World University Rankings 2026.

2026 Tuition Snapshot

Tuition fees vary by course, level, year of entry and fee status. Durham states that international fees are shown in its course database and should be checked on the exact course page before applying.

Study area	What to expect for 2026 planning
Undergraduate degrees	Overseas fees are course-specific and listed in the Durham course database
Postgraduate taught degrees	Fees depend on programme, full-time or part-time mode and international fee status
Business School postgraduate taught courses	Some programmes require a postgraduate application fee and a higher tuition fee deposit
Postgraduate research	Fees vary by subject area and research mode
International Study Centre pathways	Foundation and Pre-Masters fees are listed separately by Durham University International Study Centre
Scholarships	Inspiring Excellence Scholarships for 2026/27 offer GBP 5,000 or GBP 10,000 tuition fee discounts for eligible international students

Fee And Admission Snapshot

Area	What students should check
Academic requirement	Depends on course, country and previous qualification
English requirement	Course-specific; many courses ask for IELTS Academic or an accepted equivalent, with higher scores for some subjects
Undergraduate application	Usually through UCAS for full-time undergraduate study
Postgraduate taught application	Usually through Durham's online postgraduate application portal
PGT application fee	Required only for selected Business School taught programmes such as Management, Marketing, Accounting, Economics, Finance and Business Analytics
PGT tuition deposit	International self-funded students who need a visa usually pay a tuition fee deposit after offer; standard PGT deposit is GBP 1,000 and MSc Business School programmes are listed at GBP 2,000
CAS and visa	Students must meet offer conditions, pay the required deposit or show exemption, and complete university checks before CAS
Scholarships	Check course eligibility, nationality rules, deadlines and whether awards can be combined

Application Snapshot

Study level	Application route
Undergraduate	UCAS for most full-time undergraduate courses
Postgraduate taught	Apply online through Durham University
Postgraduate research	Choose a research area, check department requirements and apply online
Pathway programmes	Apply through Durham University International Study Centre

Students should apply early for competitive courses, especially business, law, computer science, economics and popular postgraduate routes. International applicants should also leave enough time for offer conditions, deposit payment, CAS documents, accommodation and visa processing.

Campus And Student Life

Durham's student life is shaped by its colleges. Colleges are not just accommodation blocks; they support community, events, wellbeing, societies, sport and student identity. This is helpful for students who want a close-knit experience and a clearer social starting point after arriving in the UK.

The city of Durham is smaller than many UK student cities, but it is well connected by rail to Newcastle, York, Leeds, Edinburgh and London. Students get a historic university setting with access to libraries, sports, societies, volunteering, cultural events, cafes, retail, hospitality and part-time work in the local area.

Who Should Consider Durham University?

Durham University can suit students who want:

• A Russell Group university with strong global recognition
• A high-ranking UK university outside London
• A collegiate student experience
• Strong subjects in law, business, economics, sciences, humanities and social sciences
• A September 2026 intake route
• A quieter, traditional UK student city
• Strong employer reputation and structured career support
• Access to scholarships for high-achieving international students
• A university experience built around both academics and college community

Things To Check Before Applying

Before finalising Durham University, students should confirm:

• Whether the chosen course is open for September 2026 entry
• Exact international tuition fee on the course page
• Academic and English language requirements
• Whether a Business School application fee applies
• Tuition deposit amount and payment deadline
• CAS and visa document requirements
• Scholarship eligibility and deadline
• College and accommodation options
• Whether the course includes placement, study abroad, professional accreditation or fieldwork
• Part-time work rules on the UK Student visa

Durham University is popular with international students who want a prestigious UK degree, a collegiate student experience and strong recognition from employers.

Popular area	Why students choose Durham
Russell Group education	Durham is a research-intensive UK university with strong academic recognition
Collegiate student life	Students belong to one of Durham's colleges, which supports community, events, wellbeing and social life
Law and social sciences	Durham has a strong reputation in law, politics, international relations, sociology, geography and related subjects
Business and economics	Durham Business School attracts students interested in management, finance, marketing, accounting, economics and business analytics
Computer science and data	Students can explore computing, artificial intelligence, data science, scientific computing and business analytics routes
Science and engineering	The university is known for physics, mathematics, natural sciences, biosciences, chemistry and engineering-related study
Humanities and culture	Durham has strengths in history, theology, archaeology, classics, philosophy, English and modern languages
Employer reputation	Durham is ranked 64th globally for employer reputation in the QS World University Rankings 2026

Key Highlights For International Students

• Top 100 global profile: Durham is ranked joint 94th in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
• Strong UK ranking: Durham is ranked 3rd in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 and 5th in the Complete University Guide 2026.
• Collegiate support: The 17-college system gives students a ready-made community alongside their academic department.
• Scholarship options: Inspiring Excellence Scholarships for 2026/27 offer GBP 5,000 or GBP 10,000 tuition fee discounts for eligible international students.
• Career preparation: Students can access one-to-one appointments, vacancies, workshops, employer presentations, fairs and international student career resources.
• Traditional student city: Durham offers a historic, compact and student-focused environment, with larger cities accessible by train.
• September 2026 planning: Many degree routes follow the late September arrival and October teaching pattern, but students should confirm the exact course calendar.