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Major Iron Age discovery unearthed

Discovered in 2021, the Melsonby Hoard is a highly significant trove of Iron Age metalwork consisting of over 800 artefacts. Find out how Durham's Department of Archaeology and Archaeological Services team have been working with Historic England and the British Museum to excavate, preserve and analyse this incredible find.
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Find out more about our range of exciting and innovative Master's programmes across many subject areas.

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Outstanding international students looking to start a postgraduate programme in September 2025 are invited to apply for scholarships of £10,000 and £5,000.

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Events in the Middle East: support and assistance for students and staff

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Research Impact at Durham

We conduct innovative and impactful research to transform lives and make a difference, globally and locally: research to empower and inspire.

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Final findings from Kilo-Degree survey confirm cosmology model

A major international research effort has confirmed the standard model of cosmology using data from 41 million galaxies.

Research news
The Kilo-Degree Survey has taken images of 41 million galaxies in its eight years of observation. This image shows a section of the data set.

European universities launch major declaration on tackling climate change

Thirty-nine European universities have come together to launch the Durham Declaration, which will shape our joint efforts towards sustainable development.
Global research
Coimbra Group members holding the Declaration

New book explores domestic abuse-related deaths and how to bring change

A new book by Dr James Rowlands of our Department of Sociology focuses on the complex issue of domestic abuse-related deaths.
Research news
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Building on an impactful partnership, from research to culture

Our long-standing relationship with Japan has been furthered, with a recent diplomatic visit focusing on research collaborations, language and cultural activities, and the local community.
Global research

Hitting all the right notes: student vocal group remains undefeated at national competition

Northern Lights A Cappella, our award-winning student vocal group, has come away from the Open A Cappella Competition in Warwick with a swathe of accolades including first place.
Student news
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Broaden your horizons with our Postgraduate Support Scholarships

We are delighted to announce 100 Postgraduate Support Scholarships to support eligible UK students from low and middle income backgrounds who apply for postgraduate study starting in September 2025.
Durham news
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How graduates are driving economic growth

A new report reveals the critical role that university graduates play in driving growth, including by starting their own businesses.
Business and Partnerships
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Pioneering research to support digital innovation in pharmaceuticals

We along with Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC) have secured funding as part of an Innovate UK grant to advance sustainable pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Digital tools help scientists to predict crystallisation outcomes

Scientists help create biggest 3D map of the universe and it’s changing what we know about Dark Energy

Our scientists have played a leading role in creating the largest-ever 3D map of the universe, using data from 15 million galaxies and quasars.
DESI maps distant objects to study dark energy. The instrument is installed on the Mayall Telescope, shown here beneath star trails.

‘Undercover anthropologist’ recognised for exceptional potential

Dr Sheina Lew-Levy, from our Department of Psychology, has been awarded a prestigious Philip Leverhulme Prize for Psychology.
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Durham subjects among world top 100

Four of our subjects have been ranked among the world’s top 100 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025.

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New online hub provides EDI careers advice and support

Careers & Enterprise has launched a new, online 'EDI and your Career' hub, providing tailored careers information and support for students and graduates from diverse backgrounds.
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Choral Society set to fill Newcastle Cathedral with the sounds of Baroque masterpieces

Our critically acclaimed student Choral Society and conductor, John Forsyth MBE, will bring a programme of energetic Baroque music to audiences in Newcastle Cathedral for the first time.

How our bodies react when we use social media – and when we stop

Dr Niklas Ihssen, from our Department of Psychology, explores what happens to our bodies when we social media - and what happens when we stop.

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Ukraine must not capitulate to a forced deal with Russia

Whether Kyiv’s resistance remains morally justifiable is fundamentally a matter of how much Ukraine and its people value their freedom and are prepared to sacrifice for it, writes Christopher Finlay, professor in political theory.
A girl holds a Ukrainian flag

Ilona Maher and the myth of feminine fragility – how one rugby player is reshaping sport

Professor Stephen Mumford from our Department of Philosophy and Associate Professor Sheree Bekker discuss the impact that Ilona Maher is having on women's sports and perceptions of femininity, fragility.
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Opening doors to talent with new student support initiatives

We are opening our doors to an ever greater range of students. In her monthly column, our Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O’Brien explores some of the student support packages recently launched to make Durham even more accessible.

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Durham City Run Festival: preparing to welcome a big summer of sport

The annual running festival will return to Durham City streets from Wednesday 16 to Saturday 19 July this year with our support as a major partner.

Report calls for more creativity in schools to boost opportunities for all

A new report warns that the UK’s creative industries are at risk because arts education is being neglected.
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Upcoming events

Shakespeare Recovered: Durham's First Folio

Friday 4 April 2025 - Sunday 2 November 2025
11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Palace Green Library Palace Green Durham DH1 3RN
Portrait of William Shakespeare

Easter Chick Hunt

Sunday 20 April 2025 - Monday 21 April 2025
10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Botanic Garden
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Durham University Business School MBA Q&A (online)

Tuesday 8 April 2025 - Tuesday 8 April 2025
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
This session will take place online.
The Durham MBA OIS event

Celebrating Eid Al-Fitr

Saturday 5 April 2025 - Saturday 5 April 2025
12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Oriental Museum
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From our Student Blogs:

Coimbra Climate Symposium: Eyes of the Future

As part of the lead-up to the Coimbra Group Climate Symposium 2025, students around the globe took part in Eyes of the Future, a competition tasking participants with creatively meeting Sustainable Development Goals. Find out how M.Sc. in Sustainability, Energy, and Development student Shatakshi and her team took on the challenges on the streets of Durham.
Read Shatakshi's blog
Three students and a supervisor posing for a selfie in front of Durham Cathedral during the Eyes of the Future competition.

 

 

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The Melsonby Hoard – Archaeologists unearth one of the UK’s largest Iron Age hoards

Found in late December 2021 by metal detectorist Peter Heads in Melsonby, North Yorkshire, and excavated in 2022 by archaeologists at Durham University, the Melsonby Hoard is a vast deposit of over 800 Iron Age items.

The find was made with advice from The British Museum and support from Historic England. Researchers say the hoard is a significant discovery which will lead to a major re-evaluation of our general understanding of Britain in the Iron Age.

Find out more about the Melsonby Hoard