How to Get Into Durham University

Getting into Durham University requires a strong academic record and clear evidence of genuine interest in your chosen subject. Durham is one of the UK’s leading universities, so students need to understand its admissions criteria and prepare strategically to maximise their chances of an offer.

In this guide, our expert team at The Profs explains how to get into Durham, including the grades you need, what the university looks for and how to make your application stand out. We’ll also share insider information and practical tips based on our experience supporting students applying to top-tier universities.

Many of our team members have worked in admissions at leading universities, giving them the know-how to help you target Durham’s specific requirements. Our expert Tutors for Durham University students can provide tailored support throughout your preparation, and 99% of our students secure an offer from their first or second-choice university.*

Read on for expert advice, admissions insights and practical strategies to strengthen your application and improve your chances of getting into Durham University.

*Based on respondents to The Profs Client Feedback Survey 2025.

Contents

• What is the Durham acceptance rate?
• What are Durham’s entry requirements?
• Is Durham a Russell Group university?
• Does Durham give contextual offers?
• Is Durham a collegiate university?
• 6 tips for getting into Durham
• 1. Have a strong academic record
• 2. Go beyond your school syllabus
• 3. Establish a solid 5-year plan
• 4. Engage in extra-curriculars
• 5. Invest in your personal statement!
• 6. Ace your admissions test
• Get 1-to-1 guidance from an expert admissions tutor
• FAQ

What is the Durham acceptance rate?

For the 2023 entry cycle, Durham received approximately 29,500 undergraduate applications and made around 19,800 offers, giving an overall offer rate of approximately 67%. However, only around 15–18% of applicants ultimately enrolled, with roughly 4,500 new undergraduates joining Durham each year.

What are Durham’s entry requirements?

Durham University’s entry requirements vary depending on the course you’re applying to study and the country you’re applying from. The table below shows the UK qualifications and some of the most common international qualifications accepted by Durham, and the entry requirements for each.

The University of Durham accepts a wide range of international qualifications. It displays international qualifications on its individual course pages, so always check there before applying. For more information on how to apply to Durham as an international student, check on the university’s own support page, and read their guide for international applicants, or get in touch with The Profs for one-to-one support from one of our University Tutors.

Is Durham a Russell Group university?

The University of Durham is one of the 24 Russell Group universities. It is also a leading research university in the UK, especially in the arts and humanities. The Complete University Guide also ranks Durham as the 8th best Russell Group university behind only Oxbridge, LSE and Imperial.

Does Durham give contextual offers for programmes?

Durham does take into account information from applicants’ individual backgrounds, considering the impact these might have on their qualifications, when making offers. A contextual offer from Durham will be lower than its standard entry requirements. The majority of students won’t meet this criteria and will be made standard entry offers ranging from A*A*A to BBB depending on the course, but it’s still worth checking if you are eligible for Durham’s contextual admissions.

Is Durham a collegiate university?

Like Oxford and Cambridge and just a handful of other UK universities, Durham is a collegiate university. This means that the university is made up of several, smaller colleges of which students belong to. Each college offers a smaller community for students to socialise and attend events in, such as ‘formals’ (dinner evenings).

Durham has 17 colleges in total. It’s worth paying particular attention to the different locations and accommodation options (including the number of rooms available to first-year students) of each college. Familiarise yourself with the different colleges and their distinctive features.

You could mention (or hint) how you’re in step with a specific college and how it aligns with you as well as your academic interests. This is a good way to demonstrate that Durham is your first or second choice and that you’re genuinely enthusiastic about the university as you’ve conducted your own research. On this note, you could mention attending open days or virtual events to prove further commitment. More importantly, these occasions are a good method of deciding whether Durham is the right university for you. Note that you don’t apply to a college like you do with Oxbridge, you can only submit college preferences once you have received an offer.

Navigate your path to academic success with the expert University Admissions Tutors at The Profs, and open doors to unparalleled career opportunities.

6 tips for getting into Durham

Durham takes a holistic approach to its application process. However, it claims to mainly consider the following factors:

• Merit and potential
• Predicted achievement
• Achieved results
• Personal statement

1. Have a strong academic record

The entry requirements for Durham differ greatly between courses – not just in terms of grades, but also the specific subjects required. For example, the A level entry requirements for Computer Science are A*AA, or 38 with 766 in higher level subjects in the IB, and both of these qualifications must include Mathematics.

There are also instances where an admissions test is required or recommended. For example, Durham requires Law applicants to sit the LNAT, while it recommends that Mathematics applicants take the TMUA or STEP (see tip 5 for more on admissions tests) in order to showcase your mathematical ability and be eligible for reduced entry requirements (from A*A*A without an admissions test to A*AA with an admissions test).

If you’re applying to study Mathematics, Durham also specifies that Further Mathematics A level is required, and you will need to achieve an A* in at least one of Mathematics and Further Mathematics to be considered. If your school does not offer Further Mathematics A level, get in touch with the university to ask how you can satisfy the entry requirements without it. This might include taking a particular Maths admissions test or scoring particularly highly in your Mathematics A level.

If you need support improving your grades to meet Durham’s competitive entry requirements, then reach out to The Profs’ Admissions Tutors today. We’ll offer a free discovery call to determine your likelihood of achieving a place at Durham and set up any additional support you may need.

Insider tip 1: Durham is a particularly grade-focussed university. They are looking for strong academic track records so you should aim high, improve on any weak grades and highlight your academic achievements, such as exceptional grades, awards, or relevant coursework.

Insider tip 2: Though specific GCSE requirements are not listed on course pages, Durham is known for paying more attention to your GCSE grades than many other universities in order to differentiate applicants. Therefore, if your GCSE grades are particularly strong, especially in relevant subjects for your course (e.g. you got an A* in GCSE Mathematics and are applying for any Maths-based degree course), you should consider highlighting these in your application. You can either do this in your personal statement or by asking your referee to note it in their reference for your application. Note that Durham has been known to reject applications based on poor English and/or Maths GCSEs.

2. Go beyond your school syllabus

Durham is one of the best universities in the world and values grades highly, however, it also values well-read students who go beyond the confines of their textbooks. Durham even specifies that they are looking for students who can think independently and have conducted independent work. Therefore, if you want to get into top universities like Durham, it’s best to start expanding your reading list early on.

One of the best ways to do this is to look at the modules you might cover on your chosen course at Durham and start reading around topics that particularly interest you. Durham also publishes every reading list for every course on its website, so you can use this as a helpful starting point.

You should reference a couple of specific readings related to your course in your personal statement. You could do this by name-dropping them or going a step further and showcasing your analytical abilities by critically evaluating the reading or a specific piece of text in your statement. Read our guide to writing your UCAS personal statement for more tips on how to stand out. Prove that you have a genuine passion for your subject and are already considering your discipline at university level.

Insider tip: Don’t mention obvious materials that most other students will reference. You should certainly be branching out of your school’s syllabus. Stand out. The more niche and specific your wider reading is, the better!

3. Establish a solid 5-year plan

Getting into Durham is a great goal to have, but it’s also important to think about the long-term plan. Like Oxbridge, LSE, and other top UK universities, Durham will not only want to see a genuine passion and commitment to studying your chosen course but also a plan of how the skills and knowledge you will develop on the course will help you achieve longer-term goals.

For example, consider how a degree in your chosen subject from Durham will help you to achieve your future academic or career goals. You may want to go on to study a Master’s or PhD, follow a specific career path, or land a graduate job at your dream company. Have a look at the industry links Durham has, its reputation amongst employers in different sectors, and what previous graduates (alumni) have gone on to achieve as inspiration.

Ultimately, having your own career goals in mind will help you enhance your personal statement and prove to Durham that you are motivated and committed to your academic future, and are therefore likely to secure a job post-graduation. For more support on coming up with a career plan and making the most of this in your application, get in touch with our team.

4. Engage in extra-curriculars

Extracurriculars are not to be overlooked. If they are related to your discipline or demonstrate skills that are valued by Durham then they could boost your application. This is especially because Durham looks for more than just good grades – they emphasise extra-curricular activities as well as great academics. Durham states outright that it is looking for evidence of extra-curricular experience.

Durham values well-rounded individuals who are interesting, unique team players who engage with activities outside of school. Highlight any relevant experiences, extracurricular activities, research, or projects that demonstrate your commitment and enthusiasm for your subject.

Outside of academia, Durham particularly likes students who have carried out leadership roles, or been involved in cultural activities or community service. Durham is also impact-driven. So, remember to explain the impact you had within these positions, as well as the impact these experiences had on you.

5. Invest in your personal statement

It may seem obvious considering the tips above, but making sure that you’re investing plenty of time into writing your personal statement is crucial to your application’s success. For many of Durham’s most competitive courses, lots of applicants will achieve the grades required for entry. In these cases, personal statements are one of the only factors Durham has to differentiate applicants and decide who to offer places to, so it’s really important to submit the best personal statement possible.

Use your personal statement as a chance to express what makes you unique. Describe your academic and career ambitions, detail your skills and experience, and explain why you would be an excellent candidate for your chosen course. Durham also particularly looks for students who have a clear passion for their subject area that extends beyond the bounds of the school curriculum. This can include anything from wider reading to extracurricular activities at school and work experience.

When it comes to personal statements, Durham specifies that their selectors consider why applicants want to study the subject and what applicants have done in the past that makes them particularly suitable to study the subject.

The Profs’ experienced Personal Statement Tutors can provide further guidance on how you can write a stand-out statement that is tailored to the University of Durham and your specific course.

Insider tip 1: Your personal statement MUST be personal to you. If it can be read without it being undeniably tied to you individually, it needs reworking. Better yet, try to make your statement personal to your course at Durham university. How are you suited to this discipline, how have you shown that you excel in this subject, and why are you a good fit for Durham? Try to hit Durham’s criteria. For example, Durham claims to inspire and challenge their students so you should show curiosity, enthusiasm to learn and enjoyment of being challenged.

Insider tip 2: Choose your referee wisely; their statement is almost as important as yours. A good referee is important. Obviously, you want them to speak highly of you, but ideally, they will highlight your skills and qualities that are relevant to your chosen degree. For this reason, as well as for the general impression of your application, it is best to choose a referee who teaches your chosen subject or within your discipline. It is also a good idea to choose a referee who knows you well enough to write you something of quality. Also, if you can’t fit something into your personal statement but you think it could bolster your application, ask your referee to mention it for you!

Note that all students applying to university for 2023, 2024 or 2025 will still be required to submit a UCAS personal statement as normal. However, from January 2025 onwards (October 2024, for Oxbridge applicants), there will be changes to the UCAS application process and students will no longer be required to write a personal statement. Instead, all applicants will answer a series of shorter, more tailored questions provided by UCAS.

6. Ace your admissions test

Most of Durham’s undergraduate courses do not require an admissions test. However, for Law and Maths, applicants are strongly advised to sit the LNAT, TMUA and/or STEP. If you are applying to Law or Maths, taking one of the appropriate admissions tests will make your application more competitive. If you’re a Maths applicant, achieving a high score on the admissions test could entitle you to a reduced offer!

Once you know which admissions tests and interviews you will be required to do, it’s important that you prepare adequately and in advance. Just like your A level (or equivalent) grades, any tests and interviews will play a crucial role in whether or not you are considered for a place on your chosen course, so it’s important to treat them with as much attention as your final exams.

How long you’ll need and how best to prepare for your admissions test or interview will depend on which one you are taking/attending. The following guides give you the key information and steps to start preparing for some of the additional stages used by Durham:

• Preparing for the TMUA (Mathematics)
• Preparing for the STEP (Mathematics)
• Preparing for the LNAT (Law)
• Applying for Law (Law)

The Profs also advise working with a specialist Admissions Test Tutor who can guide you through the exact content you’ll need to learn, explain how to meet the mark scheme requirements, as well as provide tried-and-tested tips on how to succeed in the exam. The Profs’ admissions test tutors have years of experience successfully preparing students for the test they specialise in, and many have even been university admissions officers and exam markers themselves, so they know just what universities like Durham are looking for.

Elevate your potential and carve a path to success with the specialised knowledge of Admissions Test Tutors from The Profs, ensuring your academic and professional future is as bright as your ambitions.

Durham does not usually conduct interviews for undergraduate applicants. The main exception to this is BA Primary Education. Always double-check your specific course page.

Also, if English is not your first language you might be asked to take an English language proficiency test. So, ensure that you are adequately prepared. 

Get 1-to-1 guidance from an expert admissions tutor

At The Profs, we have many Undergraduate Admissions Tutors who can guide you through the process of applying to the University of Durham, as well as Oxbridge, UCL, and other top universities in the United Kingdom. Whether you need support choosing Durham courses, strengthening your personal statement, preparing for an admissions test or demonstrating your engagement with the subject, our specialists can provide personalised 1-to-1 guidance throughout the university and college admission process.

The Profs is a multi-award-winning private tutoring provider and recipient of The King’s Award for Enterprise 2026. Our network includes experienced academics, university lecturers, former admissions officers and subject specialists who understand what competitive universities look for at undergraduate level. Around 70% of our tutors have at least 10 years of teaching experience, while only 3% of tutors who apply to join our elite network are accepted.

So, whether you’re applying for Economics, Philosophy, Durham Law or another competitive undergraduate degree, we can match you with a specialist who understands the subject and the admissions process. Better yet, 2 in 3 students receive an offer from a top 10 UK university after working with us.*

*Based on respondents to The Profs Client Feedback Survey 2025.

FAQs

What are the most competitive courses at Durham?

Durham is particularly well known for arts and humanities degrees, including Theology and Religion, English Literature, History, Geography and Philosophy, alongside highly sought-after courses such as Economics and Durham Law. The university consistently performs strongly in UK league tables and is one of the best-known universities in England for academically demanding undergraduate education.

Entry requirements vary considerably by course. Applicants should check the relevant department page carefully to identify the minimum academic requirements and any required subjects. For some quantitative degrees, for example, strong performance in A Level Maths may be important. Meeting the published minimum does not necessarily guarantee an offer, particularly for courses that attract a high proportion of applicants with excellent predicted grades.

Law applicants are also required to take the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT). Admissions tests such as the LNAT allow universities to assess skills beyond A-level grades, including critical reasoning and written argument.

If you need support reaching the grades required for entry, The Profs’ subject tutors can help with areas including A-level Economics, Philosophy, Mathematics and other competitive subjects.

Does Durham offer Medicine?

Durham no longer offers a Medicine degree programme. The university closed its medical school in 2017 and it became part of Newcastle University’s Faculty of Medical Sciences.

Students interested in Medicine should therefore consider other medical schools in the United Kingdom, including Newcastle University, rather than applying to Durham for an undergraduate Medicine course.

Is Durham University good?

Yes. Durham is one of the UK’s leading universities and regularly places highly in domestic rankings of universities in the United Kingdom. It is a member of the Russell Group and is known internationally for its research, teaching and distinctive collegiate experience.

For students comparing Durham with the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge and other leading universities in the United Kingdom, rankings can provide useful context, but they should not be the only factor in a decision. Course content, teaching style, location, the college system, costs and overall student life can be equally important.

Durham reported a student population of 21,588 for 2023/24 and was ranked fifth in the Complete University Guide 2026.

Where is Durham University?

Durham University is based in the city of Durham in the north east of England. Unlike a self-contained campus university, its academic buildings, colleges and student accommodation are distributed across the city.

This layout is closely connected with Durham’s collegiate system. Students belong to a college while receiving their academic teaching through their university department, giving them access to both a smaller college community and the resources of the wider university.

How many students are at Durham University?

Durham University reported a total student population of 21,588 in 2023/24, comprising both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Students undertaking undergraduate study at Durham also become part of its wider collegiate community, meaning their experience is shaped not only by their course and academic department but also by college activities, societies, sport and other aspects of student life.

Is Durham a campus university?

Durham is not a traditional campus university. Its academic buildings and accommodation are spread around the city, while students are also members of individual colleges.

The college system is one of the most distinctive features of studying at Durham. The university currently describes 17 colleges as forming its collegiate system, with colleges providing communities, activities and support alongside students’ academic studies.

This gives students a university experience that sits somewhere between a conventional city university and a residential campus environment.

When was Durham University founded?

Durham University was founded in 1832 by Bishop William Van Mildert and the Dean and Chapter of Durham Cathedral. Its oldest college, University College, became established in Durham Castle in 1837.

This makes Durham one of the oldest universities in England and gives the university – particularly its historic colleges and city-centre buildings – a distinctive character.

What is Durham University known for?

Durham is known as one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities, with particular strengths across the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences. Subjects such as Theology and Religion, English, History, Geography, Philosophy, Law and Economics attract students from across the United Kingdom and internationally.

It is also known for its collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, which provides a smaller community within the wider university. Academic teaching, however, generally takes place within the relevant department rather than the colleges.

For many applicants, this combination of academic reputation and distinctive student life is a major reason for choosing undergraduate study at Durham.

Does Durham University do Clearing?

Durham may have places available through Clearing in some admissions cycles, but applicants should not assume that highly competitive courses will be available. Availability depends on the particular year, course capacity and the number of offer holders who take up their places.

If you’re considering Durham through Clearing, check the university’s official website and UCAS when Clearing opens for the relevant admissions cycle. Durham has previously admitted students through Clearing to programmes including Law with a Foundation Year.

Does Durham University do interviews?

Most Durham undergraduate applicants should not assume that an interview forms part of the standard admissions process. Requirements vary by programme, however, so applicants should always check the current course page for their chosen degree.

Where an interview or additional assessment is required, preparation should focus on demonstrating academic thinking, clear communication and genuine engagement with the subject, rather than trying to memorise model answers.

What are classes like at Durham?

Teaching methods vary according to the course and department, but students can expect a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work and independent study depending on their programme.

Seminars tend to involve smaller-group discussion and give students opportunities to analyse material, test arguments and demonstrate engagement with the subject. At undergraduate level, independent reading and preparation also become increasingly important compared with school or A-level study.

How does Durham’s collegiate system work?

Durham’s collegiate system gives students a smaller community within the wider university. Students belong to a college, but their degree is taught by their academic department rather than by the college.

Colleges play a major role in student life, providing social activities, societies, sport, events, facilities and support. Durham currently has 17 colleges in its distinctive collegiate structure.

This college system is one of the main differences between Durham and many other universities in England.

What happens if I receive a Durham offer?

After receiving an offer from Durham, you should carefully check its conditions through UCAS and the university’s applicant information. Conditional offer holders will need to satisfy the academic and any other conditions specified in their offer.

If you receive a Durham offer and subsequently meet its conditions, your place can be confirmed once the university receives the relevant results. Durham advises applicants whose results are sent through UCAS that confirmation is automatic once the offer conditions have been met.

Applicants should therefore ensure that they have achieved the conditions attached to their particular offer rather than relying only on the course’s general entry requirements.

Does Durham have an International Foundation Year?

International applicants who are not yet eligible for direct entry may be able to explore pathway options associated with the Durham University International Study Centre, including an International Foundation Year.

Foundation routes are designed to prepare eligible international students for progression to an undergraduate degree, combining academic development with study skills and English-language preparation. Requirements can differ from direct undergraduate entry, including English-language criteria such as IELTS, so applicants should check the current pathway and progression requirements carefully.

How much does it cost to study at Durham?

Fees depend on factors including your fee status, course and year of entry. For 2025/26, Durham listed the full-time first-degree fee for new home entrants as £9,535, while international fees vary by programme.

Students should also budget for accommodation, food, travel, study materials and other living expenses. Various forms of funding may be available, including student finance, scholarships and bursaries. For example, Durham’s undergraduate bursary for 2025/26 provided eligible home undergraduates with support based on household income.

Because tuition fees and funding arrangements can change, applicants should always check the university’s current information for their intended year of entry.