University profile

Durham University in profile

Durham University is a public university with around 19,500 students. Profile, courses, entry and funding at a glance.

19,520
Students
1832
Founded
Silver
TEF award
133
Programmes listed

Published outcomes & experience

Comparable indicators for Durham University, calculated from published official datasets. This is not an overall university ranking.

Continuation
Students continuing after their first year
Relative position95th percentile
Official source →

Provider percentiles are StudySmarter calculations across providers with sufficient comparable coverage. Missing or stale dimensions are omitted, and small differences should not be overinterpreted. No commercial review scores are used.

Subject strengths

Durham University ranks in the UK top 10 for 32 subjects. UK subject ranks from the Complete University Guide league tables.

#1 Theology & Religious Studies#2 History#2 Music#3 Archaeology#3 Asian Studies#3 Classics#3 Education#3 Geography & Environmental Science#3 Russian & East European Languages#3 Sports Science

Complete University Guide subject league tables. Only subjects where Durham University ranks in the UK top 25 are shown.

About Durham University

Durham University is a public university with around 19,500 students, founded in 1832. It is a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities.

It is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, so its degrees are nationally recognised. It holds a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. It is based in Palatine Centre, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE.

Numbers & facts

The key facts about Durham University at a glance.

1832
Founded
19,520
Students
Durham
Location
133
Programmes listed
Public university
Institution type
Silver
TEF award
I am a …

Applying from school or college

With A-levels, Scottish Highers or Advanced Highers, a BTEC, T-level, IB or another accepted Level 3 route, you apply to Durham University through UCAS, up to five choices in one application, by the late-January equal-consideration deadline. Offers are usually conditional on your predicted grades, confirmed on results day.

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Programmes at Durham University

133 programmes at Durham University. Search live or filter by subject, level and study mode:

CourseAwardSubject
ChemistryBSc (Hons)Physics & Chemistry
Ancient HistoryBA (Hons)History
AnthropologyBA (Hons)Sociology & Social Sciences
Engineering (Civil)BEng (Hons)Engineering
Music and PhilosophyBA (Hons)Philosophy & Religion
Education Studies - PsychologyBA (Hons)Psychology
Business and ManagementBA (Hons)Business & Management
Chinese StudiesBA (Hons)Modern Languages
CriminologyBA (Hons)Law
Economics and PoliticsBA (Hons)Economics
Education StudiesBA (Hons)Education & Teaching
EnglishBA (Hons)English & Literature
Ancient History and ArchaeologyBA (Hons)History
Ancient, Medieval and Modern HistoryBA (Hons)History
AnthropologyBA (Hons)Sociology & Social Sciences
Anthropology and ArchaeologyBA (Hons)History
Anthropology and SociologyBA (Hons)Sociology & Social Sciences
ArchaeologyBA (Hons)History
ArchaeologyBA (Hons)History
Archaeology and Ancient CivilisationsBA (Hons)History
Business and ManagementBA (Hons)Business & Management
Classical CivilisationBA (Hons)History
ClassicsBA (Hons)History
ClassicsBA (Hons)History
Combined Social SciencesBA (Hons)Sociology & Social Sciences
Combined Social SciencesBA (Hons)Sociology & Social Sciences
CriminologyBA (Hons)Law
Education StudiesBA (Hons)Education & Teaching
Education Studies - GeographyBA (Hons)Sociology & Social Sciences
Education Studies - SociologyBA (Hons)Sociology & Social Sciences
English LiteratureBA (Hons)English & Literature
English Literature and HistoryBA (Hons)English & Literature
English Literature and PhilosophyBA (Hons)English & Literature
GeographyBA (Hons)Sociology & Social Sciences
GeographyBA (Hons)Sociology & Social Sciences
Historical ArchaeologyBA (Hons)History
HistoryBA (Hons)History
HistoryBA (Hons)History
International RelationsBA (Hons)Politics & International Relations
Japanese StudiesBA (Hons)Modern Languages
Liberal ArtsBA (Hons)General Studies
Liberal ArtsBA (Hons)General Studies
Marketing & ManagementBA (Hons)Business & Management
Marketing and ManagementBA (Hons)Business & Management
Modern European Languages and HistoryBA (Hons)History
Modern Languages and CultureBA (Hons)Modern Languages
MusicBA (Hons)Music & Performing Arts
PhilosophyBA (Hons)Philosophy & Religion
PhilosophyBA (Hons)Philosophy & Religion
Philosophy and PoliticsBA (Hons)Philosophy & Religion
Philosophy and PsychologyBA (Hons)Psychology
Philosophy and TheologyBA (Hons)Philosophy & Religion
Philosophy, Politics and EconomicsBA (Hons)Economics
PoliticsBA (Hons)Politics & International Relations
PoliticsBA (Hons)Politics & International Relations
Politics and International RelationsBA (Hons)Politics & International Relations
Primary EducationBA (Hons)Education & Teaching
Primary EducationBA (Hons)Education & Teaching
Religion, Society and CultureBA (Hons)Philosophy & Religion
SociologyBA (Hons)Sociology & Social Sciences
SociologyBA (Hons)Sociology & Social Sciences
Sport, Exercise and Physical ActivityBA (Hons)Sport & Exercise Science
Sport, Exercise and Physical ActivityBA (Hons)Sport & Exercise Science
Theology & ReligionBA (Hons)Philosophy & Religion
Theology and ReligionBA (Hons)Philosophy & Religion
Visual Arts and FilmBA (Hons)Art & Design
Engineering (Electrical)BEng (Hons)Engineering
Engineering (Electronic)BEng (Hons)Engineering
Engineering (Mechanical)BEng (Hons)Engineering
General EngineeringBEng (Hons)Engineering
AccountingBSc (Hons)Accounting & Finance
AnthropologyBSc (Hons)Sociology & Social Sciences
AnthropologyBSc (Hons)Sociology & Social Sciences
ArchaeologyBSc (Hons)History
ArchaeologyBSc (Hons)History
BiochemistryBSc (Hons)Biological Sciences
Biological SciencesBSc (Hons)Biological Sciences
Biological SciencesBSc (Hons)Biological Sciences
Biology and ChemistryBSc (Hons)Biological Sciences
Chemistry and PhysicsBSc (Hons)Physics & Chemistry
Climate ScienceBSc (Hons)Environmental Science
Computer ScienceBSc (Hons)Computer Science
Computer ScienceBSc (Hons)Computer Science
Computer Science and MathematicsBSc (Hons)Computer Science
Economics and MathematicsBSc (Hons)Economics
Environmental GeoscienceBSc (Hons)Environmental Science
FinanceBSc (Hons)Accounting & Finance
FinanceBSc (Hons)Accounting & Finance
GeographyBSc (Hons)Sociology & Social Sciences
GeologyBSc (Hons)Environmental Science
GeophysicsBSc (Hons)Physics & Chemistry
GeoscienceBSc (Hons)Environmental Science
Health & Human SciencesBSc (Hons)Nursing & Health
Health and Human SciencesBSc (Hons)Nursing & Health
MathematicsBSc (Hons)Mathematics
Mathematics and PhilosophyBSc (Hons)Physics & Chemistry
Mathematics and PhysicsBSc (Hons)Physics & Chemistry
Mathematics and StatisticsBSc (Hons)Mathematics
Natural SciencesBSc (Hons)Physics & Chemistry
Philosophy and PhysicsBSc (Hons)Physics & Chemistry
PhysicsBSc (Hons)Physics & Chemistry
Psychological and Behavioural ScienceBSc (Hons)Psychology
Psychological and Behavioural ScienceBSc (Hons)Psychology
PsychologyBSc (Hons)Psychology
PsychologyBSc (Hons)Psychology
Psychology and AnthropologyBSc (Hons)Psychology
Sport and Exercise SciencesBSc (Hons)Sport & Exercise Science
LawLLB (Hons)Law
LawLLB (Hons)Law
BiosciencesMBiol (Hons)Biological Sciences
ChemistryMChem (Hons)Physics & Chemistry
Chemistry (Industrial Route)MChem (Hons)Physics & Chemistry
Chemistry (International Route)MChem (Hons)Physics & Chemistry
Computer ScienceMEng (Hons)Computer Science
Engineering (Aeronautical)MEng (Hons)Engineering
Engineering (Bioengineering)MEng (Hons)Engineering
Engineering (Civil)MEng (Hons)Engineering
Engineering (Electrical)MEng (Hons)Engineering
Engineering (Electronic)MEng (Hons)Engineering
Engineering (Mechanical)MEng (Hons)Engineering
Engineering (Renewable Energy)MEng (Hons)Engineering
General EngineeringMEng (Hons)Engineering
MathematicsMMath (Hons)Mathematics
Mathematics and StatisticsMMath (Hons)Mathematics
PhysicsMPhys (Hons)Physics & Chemistry
Physics and AstronomyMPhys (Hons)Physics & Chemistry
Theoretical PhysicsMPhys (Hons)Physics & Chemistry
Biology and ChemistryMSci (Hons)Biological Sciences
Chemistry and PhysicsMSci (Hons)Physics & Chemistry
Computer Science and MathematicsMSci (Hons)Computer Science
Earth SciencesMSci (Hons)General Studies
Mathematics and PhysicsMSci (Hons)Physics & Chemistry
Natural SciencesMSci (Hons)Physics & Chemistry

Complete programme list for Durham University; full-time, part-time and delivery variants are grouped (133 programmes, 2026).

Campus & locations

Durham University is a campus-based public university in Durham.

Teaching runs on campus: lectures, seminars and labs alongside libraries and study spaces, with a student community of societies, sport and events around them. The day-to-day exchange with tutors and coursemates is a big part of the experience.

On campus
Libraries & study spaces Labs & teaching facilities Students’ union & societies Sport & fitness Support services
Locations
Durham

Typical campus facilities; the university’s own pages are authoritative.

Students & campus life

Who you’d study alongside at Durham University in Durham. The student body in numbers, from official HESA data.

21,150
Students
enrolled (HESA, 2024/25)
33%
International
students from outside the UK
11%
Mature students
aged 25+ on entry
UK students by ethnicity
White85%
Asian6%
Black2%
Mixed6%
Other1%

Ethnicity of UK-domiciled students (HESA); international students not shown here.

Is Durham University right for you?

A particularly good fit if you …

  • want a recognised UK degree with student finance eligibility
  • are aiming for a research-intensive Russell Group environment
  • like the idea of student life in Durham
  • prefer campus teaching with societies, sport and people around you

Less suitable if …

you need a fully flexible, distance-learning degree alongside a job. Check whether the individual programme offers online or part-time study.

For parents

The questions parents ask most about Durham University, answered briefly.

A recognised UK degree

Durham University awards its own degrees and is regulated in the UK higher-education framework. Its degrees are nationally recognised and a basis for postgraduate study.

Regulated fees & student finance

For eligible undergraduate courses at English providers, the 2026/27 standard cap is up to £9,790 a year. If you normally live in England, eligible tuition and maintenance loans can cover costs up front; repayment starts only above the income threshold.

Independently quality-assessed

Teaching quality holds a Silver award in the Office for Students’ TEF, an independent national assessment of teaching, learning and student outcomes.

Support from day one

Personal tutors, wellbeing and careers services accompany students from enrolment to graduation.

Career prospects

Graduate outcomes are tracked in the national Graduate Outcomes survey. Every course page here shows real earnings and employment data where available.

Structure & campus life

A fixed term rhythm in Durham with in-person teaching, exchange and campus life gives structure and motivation.

Accreditation & recognition

How to read Durham University’s formal standing, the seals and what they mean:

Recognised degree-awarding body TEF Silver Russell Group
Recognised UK degree-awarding body

Durham University awards its own degrees, which are accepted nationally and are the basis for Master’s and doctoral study.

TEF Silver for teaching quality

Independent national assessment by the Office for Students of teaching, the learning environment and student outcomes (TEF 2023).

Russell Group member

One of 24 research-intensive UK universities, a marker of research strength and strong employer recognition.

Student finance eligible

Courses at recognised providers may qualify for tuition and maintenance support; eligibility depends on the student, course and home-nation system.

Admissions & entry routes

Apply through UCASUndergraduate applications run through UCAS, up to five course choices in one application.
Check the entry requirementsCheck the course’s accepted route: A-levels, Scottish Highers or Advanced Highers, BTEC, T-level, International Baccalaureate, Access qualifications or an international equivalent.
Mind the deadlinesThe main UCAS equal-consideration deadline is in late January; Clearing runs from July for remaining places.
Offers & resultsUniversities respond with conditional or unconditional offers; places are confirmed on results day.

Fees & funding

For eligible undergraduate courses at English providers, the 2026/27 standard cap is up to £9,790 a year. Eligible students who normally live in England can apply for student finance; students from elsewhere use their ordinary-residence body. Check the course page for the exact fee. The main routes:

Tuition Fee Loan

Eligibility and the maximum depend on ordinary residence, course and provider nation; paid directly to the university when awarded.

Maintenance Loan

Helps with living costs; the amount depends on household income and where you study.

Scholarships & bursaries

University-specific awards for grades, subjects or circumstances. Check the university’s funding pages.

Repayment

Starts the April after graduation, only above the income threshold, and is written off at the end of the plan term.

Tuition fees vary by course and fee status (Home vs International). Please check the university's own course page.

Frequently asked questions about Durham University

Is Durham University officially recognised?
Yes. Durham University is a recognised UK degree-awarding body; its degrees are nationally recognised and it is a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities.
Durham University is holds a Silver TEF award for teaching quality.
Around 19,520 students, founded in 1832.
133 programmes are listed on this page, each with entry requirements, outcomes and fees. Use the filter above to find your subject.
Undergraduate applications run through UCAS, with up to five course choices in one application. Each course page lists the typical entry requirements.
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