More examples of our work towards SDG 5

Tracking access measures 

Tracking women’s application, acceptance, and entry rates at Durham University 

Durham University leverages Power BI reporting capabilities to track and analyse application, offer, and acceptance rates for women, supporting strategic goals set out in the institutional Access & Participation Plan (APP). This recruitment and admissions data, captured in the ‘APP Female Application, Acceptance, and Entry Rates’ dataset, provides insights across undergraduate, postgraduate taught (including distance learning), and postgraduate research study levels. 

By identifying barriers to accessing higher education, Durham can use this data to inform strategies for addressing these challenges. Our comprehensive Access & Participation Plan outlines key strategic objectives for fostering access to a globally recognised, highly selective institution with challenging academic programmes. Durham acknowledges that while indicators of academic success are often high, they may also pose barriers to students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. Enhancing access for such groups, including those who identify as female, remains a priority within Durham’s commitment to widening participation for all. 

APP Female Application Acceptance and Entry Rates

Student access measures 

Access & Participation Plan detailing Durham University’s policy toward measuring women’s applications, acceptance, and entry rates 

Durham University is a globally prominent, highly selecting institution, with demanding degree programmes. Durham recognises that many of its indicators of success can also be barriers to students traditionally under-represented in higher education. Demanding entry standards and a perception of high cost may discourage students who are already likely to become disaffected with formal education or lack confidence in their academic ability. 

This analysis examines each key underrepresented group across the three phases of the undergraduate student lifecycle: access, student success, and progression, before exploring intersections among these groups. Unless specified otherwise, data is sourced from the Office for Students (OfS) Access and Participation dataset. 

Durham University’s strategy is grounded in principles and values that commit us to attracting the most capable students, regardless of background, and providing a rigorous, rewarding educational experience that nurtures each student's potential. The commitments outlined in the University’s Access & Participation Plan (APP) are integral to a broader strategy aligned with Durham's core values and goals. The APP serves as a guiding policy for welcoming students from diverse backgrounds, fostering their development, and providing a strong foundation for success. 

Data-driven decision-making remains central to Durham’s efforts to attract students from varied backgrounds. Recognising that traditional metrics of success can inadvertently act as barriers to higher education access, we take a targeted approach to measuring women’s application, acceptance, and entry rates, ensuring that our performance in this strategic area is both informed and impactful. 

Access-and-Participation-Plan-2020-21-to-2024-25.pdf 

Fair Access and Widening Participation - Durham University 

Durham-University-Admissions-Policy-2024---FINAL-(3).pdf 

Admissions Policy - Durham University 

APP Female Application Acceptance and Entry Rates

Policy of non-discrimination against women 

Durham University’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Policy highlights the commitment to providing equality of opportunity, valuing diversity and promoting a culture of inclusion. 

Durham wants its staff and students reflect the diversity of regional, national, and international communities that we serve and influence. We aim to be a place where people can be free to be themselves no matter what their identity or background. 

Through the implementation of the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Strategic Framework, Durham University will ensure that equality is embedded in all its activities, policies and decisions and will work with our partners to share best practice. 

The scope of the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Policy extends to and protects all student and staff populations, whether on a paid or voluntary basis, as well as external examiners, consultants, and visitors or contractors on campus. 

Durham University is committed to providing equal opportunities and safeguarding its community by addressing gender bias in attitudes, practices, and structures that impact access, participation, and progression across its multidisciplinary operations. Achieving gender equity requires understanding and addressing historical imbalances in the treatment of all genders. Recognising that women continue to face inequities in both learning and working environments, Durham’s comprehensive EDI Policy is designed to embed principles that promote meaningful change and mitigate the different ways discrimination impacts individuals. 

The EDI Policy is regularly reviewed and updated to consider any additional barriers that may continue to affect our community. 

 Microsoft Word - EDI Policy March 2024 Reviewed SM.docx 

Policies and Resources - Durham University 

Women's Academy - Durham University 

Women’s mentoring schemes 

Durham University has a wealth of mentoring schemes in place for our students. The proportion of all students who identify as female at the University easily exceeds 10% of our female cohorts who engage with the mentoring schemes. Examples of Durham University’s mentoring schemes are: 

• Aurora Leadership Programme | nurturing and empowering over 10,000 women across the Higher Education section in the last decade. 

• Women in Engineering Society (WES) Durham | a group based in the Department of Engineering and an education partner of the Women Engineering Society (WES), which is the largest organisation of professional female engineers in the UK. 

• Women@DU | a network for staff from across Durham University who identify as women, in order to share experiences, opportunities, mentoring, knowledge, and offering mutual support to discuss issues that are important to women. 

• Mothers and Mothers-to-be Support (MAMS) Network | a network which exists for mothers and expectant mothers at the University. Membership is drawn from across the University’s departments and divisions, including staff and students. 

Track women’s graduation rates 

Tracking the graduation rates of women at Durham University 

 Durham University measures the likelihood of women completing their degrees in comparison to men, and there are schemes embedded within the University to close any gaps which are identified. The most recent data sources available for our undergraduate student cohorts, which is published in the Office for Students (OfS) Access & Participation Dashboard, indicates that female completion rates are 98% over a four-year aggregated period compared to 97.4% for males. Durham University continue to monitor and use insights to inform decision-making when tackling continuation rates for all genders. Programmes of support are in place across the institution to raise awareness, proactively manage, and help develop and nurture women to reach their potentials whilst studying at Durham University. 

Office for Students (OfS) Access & Participation Dashboard 

Transitioning to Higher Education Support and Information - Durham University 

Tracking Women's Completion Rates

Paternity policy

paternity leave and pay policy