Durham University | Rankings, programs, fees

Founded in 1832 by a Parliamentary Act and incorporated in 837 by royal charter, Durham University is a coeducational, public research university in Durham, England. After Oxford and Cambridge, it was the first recognized university to open in England in more than 600 years, making it one of the organizations that can be referred to as the third-oldest university in England. The academic divisions of the university and its 17 colleges carry out their primary duties as a collegiate institution. In general, colleges are in charge of the students’ living accommodations and welfare, whereas departments conduct research and impart knowledge to the students.

Rankings

According to Durham University’s Strategic Plan 2017–2027, the university aims to be among the top three UK institutions regarding the number of citations made per academic staff member. It aims to be among the top five universities nationally, according to the Times/Sunday Times league table and has 50% of its eligible subjects ranked among the top 50 worldwide. 

Durham University is one of the best public universities in Durham, England. According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, it is at 92 overall and 41 in the QS WUR Ranking.

Programs

Bachelor programs 

• International relations 
• Philosophy
• Politics and economics 
• Marketing and management with business placement 
• Accounting and finance
• Arts and Humanities
• Business & Management 
• Engineering and Technology
• Life Sciences and Medicine 
• Natural Sciences
• Social Sciences and Management 

Master’s degrees

• Medieval and early modern studies
• Spirituality, theology, and health
• Archeology 
• Social work 
• Arts and Humanities 
• Business & Management 
• Engineering and Technology 
• Life Sciences and Medicine 
• Natural Sciences 
• Social Sciences and Management 

Ph.D.

• Arts and Humanities 
• Business & Management 
• Engineering and Technology 
• Life Sciences and Medicine 
• Natural Sciences
• Social Sciences and Management 

MBA

Research 

The university belongs to the N8 Group of Universities, the Virgo Consortium, and the Russell Group of Universities. Durham is placed 89th in the world percentage-wise of its academic articles that are in the top 10% for impact (the “PP(top 10%)” criterion), according to the most recent CWTS Leiden Ranking 2018, which evaluates the scientific performance of major universities worldwide.

The Durham Energy Institute, the Institute for Hazard and Risk Research, the Institute for Advanced Study, the International Boundaries Research Unit, and the Institute for Computational Cosmology are only a few of the university’s research centers.

Tuition Fees

UK applicants

The UK government has set a maximum tuition cost of £9250 for students beginning their courses in the fall of 2022. Every year of your course (including placement and study abroad) will need payment of tuition, which is subject to annual modification based on any government-determined increments (often in line with inflation). The tuition charge for a year of placement is £1850, while the fee for a year of study abroad is £1,385.

EU candidates

Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, students from the EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals will no longer be qualified for home fee status or financial assistance from Student Finance England. You will have to pay abroad unless you are an EU, EEA, or Swiss national entitled to Citizens’ Rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement. This includes the EEA EFTA Separation Agreement or the Swiss Citizens’ Rights Agreement.

International applicants

You can find the course cost you want to apply for on our course database on the website. Every year of your study requires payment of tuition, which typically increases yearly in step with inflation.

Student Life

Students at Durham University are members of a college for the duration of their studies there. Most undergraduate students spend their first year at their institution, choose to ‘live out’ in their second year, and then have the option of returning to the college for their final year, typically via a ballot system. With each administering a college tutorial system, JCRs providing activities and societies for undergraduate members, MCRs serving as a center for postgraduate students, and SCRs housing college officers, fellows, and tutors, the colleges play a crucial role in the pastoral care and social center of students. An executive committee, usually headed by a President, manages these common areas.

Key takeaways

• Durham University is a part of the distinguished Russell Group of Universities.
• According to the QS World University Ranking, Durham is among the top  universities in the world.
• Durham University has the highest graduate employment rate in the UK, with 97.9% of graduates employed or enrolled in further study three and a half years after graduation.

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FAQs

Q1. Is Durham a challenging institution to get into?

Ans. The Durham undergraduate admittance rate was 19% in 2021. (based on data by UCAS).

Q2. Is Durham University Ivy League?

Ans. The University of Durham is a part of the esteemed Russell Group, the country’s version of the “Ivy League.” 

Q3. Does Durham give scholarships?

Ans. Scholarships are offered for programs starting in 2022/23, 2023/24, or 2024/25. Please be aware that scholarships (tuition discounts) cannot be transferred or postponed.