Durham University
Durham, United Kingdom • Founded 1832 • World Rank #486
Overview
Founded in 1832, the Durham University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Durham (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), North East England.
This institution also has a branch campus in Stockton-On-Tees. Officially recognized/chartered by the Privy Council, Durham University (DU) is a large-sized coeducational UK higher education institution.
Durham University (DU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 192-year-old UK higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.
DU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Durham University's address, phone, email, and social presence. Department-level scholarship enquiries route faster through the specific faculty rather than central admissions.
Academic Details
Enrolment scale, staff balance, and accreditation context for Durham University are below. Female student percentage signals admissions reach and shapes the student-life environment.
Academic Structures
The departmental layout below shows how Durham University groups subjects, faculties, and teaching units. Subject grouping reflects institutional priorities, research strengths, and historical evolution.
Unit 3 items
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- Faculty of Science
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Health
Degrees
Durham University's qualifications, sorted by level, give a quick overview of study routes. Use this view to scan from foundation through to research-level options before drilling into specific names.
Master's 50 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Accountancy
- Anthropology
- Applied Linguistics
- Archaeology
- Behavioural Sciences
- Bible
- Business Administration
- Christian Religious Studies
- Civil Engineering
- Classical Languages
- Commercial Law
- Criminology
- Developmental Psychology
- Earth Sciences
- Economics
- Education
- Educational Testing and Evaluation
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Finance
- Geography
- Government
- Heritage Preservation
- History
- International Business
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- International Studies
- Law
- Literature
- Management
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Medicine
- Mediterranean Studies
- Modern Languages
- Museum Studies
- Music
- Neurosciences
- Peace and Disarmament
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Primary Education
- Religion
- Social Work
- Sports
- Theology
- Translation and Interpretation
- Transport Management
- Visual Arts
- Writing
Doctoral 20 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Ancient Civilizations
- Biology
- Biomedicine
- Chemistry
- Classical Languages
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Engineering
- English
- Health Sciences
- History
- Mathematics
- Modern Languages
- Music
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Psychology
- Religion
- Social Sciences
- Theology
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Privy Council.
Arts and Humanities (Faculty) 17 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Ancient Civilizations
- Anthropology
- Arabic
- Arts and Humanities
- East Asian Studies
- Eastern European Studies
- Educational Sciences
- French
- History
- Italian
- Linguistics
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Music
- Philosophy
- Russian
- Spanish
- Theology
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Editor
- Cultural Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science (Faculty) 11 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Engineering
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Natural Sciences
- Physical Therapy
- Psychology
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Social Sciences and Health (Faculty) 15 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Education
- Finance
- Geography
- Government
- Health Sciences
- Islamic Studies
- Law
- Medicine
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Social Policy
- Sociology
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Durham University's programme catalogue is grouped by level below — use the filter to narrow your shortlist. Programme entry windows and admissions criteria typically appear on each programme's dedicated page.
Master of Business Administration
2 programmes
Durham University's 2 programmes at this tier lead to a master's qualification, valued for the focused, research-informed depth they add beyond undergraduate study.
The Durham MBA (Full-time) Business & Management
Durham Executive MBA (EBS) Business & Management
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
46 programmes
Durham University's 46 programmes at this tier lead to a master's qualification, valued for the focused, research-informed depth they add beyond undergraduate study.
MSc Management and Finance Finance, Banking & Insurance
MSc Finance (Economics and Finance) Finance, Banking & Insurance
MSc Marketing Marketing
Master of Laws (LLM) Law
LLM International Dispute Resolution Politics & International Relations
LLM Corporate Law Law
MSc Law and Finance Finance, Banking & Insurance
Medical Law and Ethics Law
MJur (Master of Jurisprudence) Shariah & Islamic Law
MA Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
MA Translation Studies Translation & Interpreting
MA Languages, Literatures and Cultures Literature
MA TESOL and Applied Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
MA Taught (General)
MA Archaeology Archaeology
MA in Medical Humanities Humanities & Cultural Studies
MA History History
MA Classics and Ancient History History
MA in Music Music
MA Music Psychology Psychology
MA Ethnomusicology Music
MSc Risk Masters (Climate Change, Environmental Processes and Sustainable Futures) Law
MA Environmental Hazards and Risk Environmental Sciences
MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice Criminal Law & Justice
Master of Social Work Social Work
MA Social Research Methods Social & Cultural Studies
MSc Psychology (Conversion) Psychology
MSc Behavioural Science Natural Sciences
MSc Neurodiversity and Development
Master of Data Science Data Science & Analytics
Master of Data Science (Digital Humanities) Data Science & Analytics
Master of Data Science (Health) Data Science & Analytics
MSc Advanced Computer Science Computer Sciences
MSc Scientific Computing and Data Analysis (Artificial Intelligence for Engineering) Data Science & Analytics
MSc Scientific Computing and Data Analysis (Astrophysics) Data Science & Analytics
MSc Scientific Computing and Data Analysis (Financial Technology) Data Science & Analytics
MSc Scientific Computing and Data Analysis (Computer Vision and Robotics) Data Science & Analytics
MSc Civil Engineering Civil Engineering & Construction
MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering
MSc Electrical Engineering Electrical Engineering
MA International Relations Politics & International Relations
MSc Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding
MA Politics and International Relations of the Middle East Politics & International Relations
MA by Research
MA by Research (English Studies) English Language Studies
MSc by Research (Postgraduate Research Degrees)
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master of Philosophy
3 programmes
Durham University's 3 programmes at this tier lead to a master's qualification, valued for the focused, research-informed depth they add beyond undergraduate study.
MLitt (Master of Letters) Humanities & Cultural Studies
Creative Writing MLitt Liberal Arts
MPhil (Master of Philosophy) Philosophy & Ethics
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Professional Doctorate
1 programme
At the highest level, Durham University runs 1 programme. These doctoral programmes are built around a sustained research project rather than taught coursework.
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Business Administration
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
11 programmes
At the highest level, Durham University runs 11 programmes. These doctoral programmes are built around a sustained research project rather than taught coursework.
PhD Programme (Research Degree)
PhD Law Law
PhD Classics and Ancient History History
PhD English Studies English Language Studies
Creative Writing PhD Liberal Arts
PhD Archaeology Archaeology
PhD Mathematical Sciences Mathematics
PhD Physics Physics & Astronomy
PhD Earth Sciences Earth Sciences & Geology
PhD Sport and Exercise Sciences Sport and Exercise Science
PhD Engineering General Engineering
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
110 programmes
These 110 programmes cover Durham University's associate, certificate, diploma, and foundation options — qualifications valued for fast, targeted, or pathway-oriented study.
PGCE Education (Primary) Education & Teaching
PGCE Secondary - English English Language Studies
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Applications Education & Teaching
Philosophy and Psychology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Chemistry Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Chemistry (International Route) Natural Sciences & Mathematics 4 years On-campus
Chemistry Natural Sciences & Mathematics 4 years On-campus
Chemistry (Industrial Route) Natural Sciences & Mathematics 4 years On-campus
Physics Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Physics Natural Sciences & Mathematics 4 years On-campus
Theoretical Physics Natural Sciences & Mathematics 4 years On-campus
Archaeology Humanities & Cultural Studies 3 years On-campus
Historical Archaeology Humanities & Cultural Studies 3 years On-campus
Geology Agriculture & Environmental Sciences 3 years On-campus
Environmental Geoscience Agriculture & Environmental Sciences 3 years On-campus
Geoscience Agriculture & Environmental Sciences 3 years On-campus
Earth Sciences Agriculture & Environmental Sciences 4 years On-campus
Climate Science Agriculture & Environmental Sciences 3 years On-campus
Geophysics Agriculture & Environmental Sciences 3 years On-campus
Geography Agriculture & Environmental Sciences 3 years On-campus
Chemistry and Physics Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Chemistry and Physics Natural Sciences & Mathematics 4 years On-campus
Physics and Astronomy Natural Sciences & Mathematics 4 years On-campus
Natural Sciences Natural Sciences & Mathematics 4 years On-campus
Mathematics Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Mathematics Natural Sciences & Mathematics 4 years On-campus
Mathematics and Statistics Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Mathematics and Statistics Natural Sciences & Mathematics 4 years On-campus
Computer Science Computer Science & IT 3 years On-campus
Computer Science Computer Science & IT 4 years On-campus
Computer Science and Mathematics Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Computer Science and Mathematics Natural Sciences & Mathematics 4 years On-campus
Mathematics and Physics Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Mathematics and Physics Natural Sciences & Mathematics 4 years On-campus
Mathematics and Philosophy Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
General Engineering Engineering & Technology 4 years On-campus
General Engineering Engineering & Technology 3 years On-campus
Engineering (Civil) Engineering & Technology 4 years On-campus
Engineering (Civil) Engineering & Technology 3 years On-campus
Engineering (Mechanical) Engineering & Technology 4 years On-campus
Engineering (Mechanical) Engineering & Technology 3 years On-campus
Engineering (Aeronautical) Engineering & Technology 4 years On-campus
Engineering (Electrical) Engineering & Technology 4 years On-campus
Engineering (Electrical) Engineering & Technology 3 years On-campus
Engineering (Electronic) Engineering & Technology 4 years On-campus
Engineering (Electronic) Engineering & Technology 3 years On-campus
Engineering (Renewable Energy) Engineering & Technology 4 years On-campus
Engineering (Bioengineering) Engineering & Technology 4 years On-campus
Economics and Mathematics Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Politics Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
International Relations Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Politics and International Relations Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Sociology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Criminology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Anthropology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Health & Human Sciences Social Sciences & Education 4 years On-campus
Liberal Arts Multi-Discipline 4 years On-campus
Anthropology and Archaeology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Economics and Politics Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Anthropology and Sociology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Combined Social Sciences Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Philosophy and Politics Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Law Law 3 years On-campus
Business and Management Business & Management 3 years On-campus
Finance Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Accounting Business & Management 3 years On-campus
Marketing and Management Business & Management 3 years On-campus
Marketing & Management Business & Management 4 years On-campus
English Literature Humanities & Cultural Studies 3 years On-campus
English Humanities & Cultural Studies 4 years On-campus
Classics Humanities & Cultural Studies 3 years On-campus
Classical Civilisation Humanities & Cultural Studies 3 years On-campus
English Literature and History Humanities & Cultural Studies 3 years On-campus
English Literature and Philosophy Humanities & Cultural Studies 3 years On-campus
Modern Languages and Culture Humanities & Cultural Studies 4 years On-campus
Modern European Languages and History Humanities & Cultural Studies 4 years On-campus
Chinese Studies Humanities & Cultural Studies 4 years On-campus
Japanese Studies Humanities & Cultural Studies 4 years On-campus
History Humanities & Cultural Studies 3 years On-campus
Ancient, Medieval and Modern History Humanities & Cultural Studies 3 years On-campus
Ancient History Humanities & Cultural Studies 3 years On-campus
Philosophy Humanities & Cultural Studies 3 years On-campus
Theology & Religion Humanities & Cultural Studies 3 years On-campus
Theology and Religion Humanities & Cultural Studies 4 years On-campus
Religion, Society and Culture Humanities & Cultural Studies 3 years On-campus
Visual Arts and Film Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Ancient History and Archaeology Humanities & Cultural Studies 3 years On-campus
Philosophy and Physics Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Philosophy, Politics and Economics Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations Humanities & Cultural Studies 3 years On-campus
Philosophy and Theology Humanities & Cultural Studies 3 years On-campus
Music Arts, Design & Architecture 3 years On-campus
Music and Philosophy Humanities & Cultural Studies 3 years On-campus
Primary Education Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Education Studies - Psychology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Education Studies - Geography Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Education Studies Social Sciences & Education 4 years On-campus
Education Studies - Sociology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Health and Human Sciences Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Biological Sciences Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Biosciences Natural Sciences & Mathematics 4 years On-campus
Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Sport and Exercise Sciences Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Biochemistry Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Psychology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Psychological and Behavioural Science Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
Biology and Chemistry Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Biology and Chemistry Natural Sciences & Mathematics 4 years On-campus
Natural Sciences Natural Sciences & Mathematics 3 years On-campus
Psychology and Anthropology Social Sciences & Education 3 years On-campus
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Durham University
A practical five-step guide to applying to Durham University, from programme research through submission and follow-up.
- 1 Identify the right programme
Durham University's catalogue includes 173 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.
- 2 Check entry requirements
Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Durham University's admissions process.
- 3 Prepare your application documents
Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.
- 4 Submit via the institution
Submit your completed application through Durham University's official website at www.durham.ac.uk. Most institutions use an online portal — register an account, complete the application form, and upload your prepared documents. Keep copies of all submissions and confirmation receipts.
- 5 Get in touch with admissions
Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +44 (191) 334 2000. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.
Frequently Asked Questions about Durham University
Below are the key facts most prospective students ask about Durham University, drawn directly from institutional records.
How old is Durham University?
The institution opened in 1832 (approximately 194 years ago).
In which city is Durham University?
Durham University is based in Durham, United Kingdom.
Is Durham University a public or private institution?
Durham University operates as a public institution.
How many students study at Durham University?
Durham University has approximately 15,000-19,999 students.
Where does Durham University stand in university rankings?
Durham University holds rank #486 globally and #30 in United Kingdom.
What programmes are available at Durham University?
Durham University offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
What is Durham University's academic structure?
Durham University has 3 academic units.
Who recognises Durham University?
Durham University is accredited by Privy Council.
Where can I learn more about Durham University?
The institution's website is www.durham.ac.uk.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom
Looking for the strongest names in the United Kingdom? These are the highest-ranked institutions nationally — useful context for benchmarking Durham University against the country's most established universities. National benchmarks also signal the upper bound of academic prestige in the United Kingdom.
Members of European University Association (EUA)
Sabbatical exchange agreements among European University Association (EUA) members create faculty mobility patterns. Students benefit indirectly through visiting-faculty courses and cross-institutional supervision arrangements.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Other institutions in Durham University's region offer similar admissions cycles and overlapping subject areas, listed below for comparison. Regional clusters often share employer networks and post-study career pathways.
Where Else to Study Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Below: institutions across the United Kingdom that offer Natural Sciences & Mathematics, providing comparison points for Durham University's programme. Variations in elective range, placement support, and credential portability are worth examining carefully.
Universities Often Compared with Durham University
Faculty mobility between Durham University and peer institutions is common — academics often move within a comparable tier. This signals shared academic standards and salary structures.
