Durham University Student Contract 2027-28

General Regulations

The General Regulations set out the rules that apply to all members of Durham University. They are made up of 12 sections:

General Regulation I - Definitions
General Regulation II - Admission
General Regulation III - Residence
General Regulation IV - Discipline
General Regulation V - Academic Progress
General Regulation VI - Suspension
General Regulation VII - Academic Appeals
General Regulation VIII - Examinations and Assessment
General Regulation IX - (A) Conferment of degrees, diplomas and licences; wearing of academic dress
General Regulation IX B: Payment of Fees and Charges
General Regulation X - Intellectual Property Rights
General Regulation XI - Regulations for the use of University IT Facilities
General Regulation XII - Library Regulations

By accepting a place at Durham University, You agree to comply with all of the General Regulations, so it is important that You familiarise Yourself with the General Regulations in full, in advance of accepting an offer with Us.

Core Regulations

The Core Regulations specify the core rules and requirements for each level of study (e.g. undergraduate, postgraduate etc). They should be read in conjunction with the annual programme regulations, which detail the programme-specific rules and requirements for Your programme.

Programme Regulations

The Programme and Module Handbooks include the programme regulations, and individual module outlines for all undergraduate and postgraduate degrees We offer. Module contents are reviewed, updated and agreed annually in light of student and external feedback, and academic best practice.

Please note that We will publish the Programme and Module Handbooks for Your year of study before you select your modules. Please note that when You apply, the available Programme and Module Handbooks may relate to an earlier academic year. Therefore, modules shown at the time of application are not guaranteed to be available in Your years of study. Please refer to the online course listing for the most up to date programme information relating to Your year of entry.

Your Offer Letter will provide You with important information regarding:

• the tuition fees payable by You to Durham University (see also Section 5);
• any particular conditions which will apply to You, including whether Your offer is conditional upon You meeting specific conditions (for example, achieving particular qualifications, additional tests, interviews, obtaining clearance in relation to criminal records checks, health checks and immigration clearance).

You will also receive an Offer Guide containing useful information and important dates and deadlines, including details of how to accept Your offer. Please read this carefully as it also forms part of Your terms and conditions.

We will deliver Your programme in accordance with the information provided to You before You accepted Your offer. We regularly review programmes to maintain academic standards, keep the curriculum current and improve the student experience.

We may make minor changes where these do not materially alter the overall content, learning outcomes, award, method of delivery or educational experience described to You. Examples may include updating reading lists, adjusting the order of teaching or replacing optional modules with suitable alternatives.

Only in exceptional circumstances, will We make a substantive change. A substantive change includes a change to programme content, a change to the previously advertised location of the programme or method of delivery, assessment arrangements, a compulsory module, professional accreditation or the availability of a compulsory placement. A substantive change will only be made where it is reasonably necessary, for example:

• to comply with a change in law or the requirements of a regulator or professional body;
• to maintain academic standards or the quality of the programme;
• in response to student feedback;
• to respond to a serious health and safety concern;
• because a placement provider or other essential delivery partner can no longer participate despite reasonable efforts to replace them;
• because essential staff, facilities or specialist resources are no longer available despite reasonable efforts to replace them; or
• because an event is beyond Our reasonable control prevents Us from delivering the programme as originally described (see Events Beyond Our Reasonable Control below).

We will assess the likely effect of any substantive change and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption. We will tell affected applicants and students as soon as reasonably possible, explain the reason for the proposed change and, wherever practicable, consult them before making a final decision.

Where a proposed change materially affects the information on which You accepted Your offer, We will explain Your options. Depending on the circumstances, these may include:

• continuing on the programme with appropriate arrangements;
• offering You the opportunity to transfer to another suitable module or programme at Durham University;
• receiving support to transfer to another provider;
• deferring Your entry;
• receiving an appropriate refund or compensation under Our Student Compensation Policy.

Nothing in this section limits Your rights under consumer law. If Your express agreement to a change is legally required, We will ask for it before implementing the change in relation to You.

If We are unable to continue Your programme, We will follow Our Student Protection Plan and Student Compensation Policy.

Events Beyond Our Reasonable Control

We are not legally responsible if We cannot provide, or are delayed in providing, Your courses, research opportunities, facilities, or other services due to events outside Our control. Such events may include, but are not limited to:

• any governmental or local authority action;
• civil and/or international commotion;
• national emergencies, including health epidemics;
• failure of public utilities or transport systems/networks (including, for example, power failure or cyber attack);
• terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack;
• fire;
• flood;
• war;
• act of God.

Where such events beyond Our reasonable control occur, We will notify You and We will take all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant disruption to those applicants or students who are affected.

Actions which We may take to minimise disruption will include, but are not limited to:

• providing alternative forms of teaching delivery and/or location;
• providing alternative forms of assessment;
• providing substitutions for teaching staff;
• making modifications to the programme content;
• offering You the opportunity to transfer to another suitable module or programme.

Where, as a result of events beyond Our reasonable control it is necessary to close or cease to deliver a programme, We will follow Our Student Protection Plan.

Key documents

• Our Student Protection Planoutlines risks to programmes delivered by Durham University, measures in place to mitigate those risks, and action We will take in the event of substantial programme change or closure.
• Our Student Compensation Policy sets out the circumstances in which Durham University will consider refunds and compensation in the event of substantial programme change or closure;
• The Exceptional Regulations detail the variations to Our regulations which will be enacted in circumstances where Our standard regulations are no longer sufficient to enable Us to meet Our obligations to students (for example, in the event of a cyber-attack or marking boycott).

Cancelling Your acceptance

After You have accepted Your offer of a place at Durham University You have the right to cancel Your acceptance within the cancellation period without giving Us any reason. The cancellation period runs for 14 days from the date We receive Your application. You must notify Us in writing with a clear statement communicating Your decision; details of how to do this are provided within Your Offer Guide.

If You have paid any fees to Us prior to the date of cancellation, provided You comply with the above requirements You will be entitled to a refund, in accordance with the terms of the University’s Student Debt Policy.

Withdrawing from Your programme

If You withdraw from Your programme, the amount of tuition fees You must pay will depend on Your official withdrawal date. The Student Debt Policyexplains the relevant dates and How we calculate the amount. Before withdrawing, You can ask the Finance Service (studentbilling.query@durham.ac.uk) to confirm the amount You would have to pay.

Compensation

Our Student Compensation Policy sets out the circumstances in which We will consider refunds and compensation in the event of substantial programme change or programme closure.

Tuition Fees

You are required to pay Tuition Fees at the start of Your programme and throughout Your time with Us. The Tuition Fees You pay depend on whether We classify You as a Home or International student. We assess Your fee status using the UK government fee regulations for Higher Education in England and guidance provided by UKCISA, based on the information provided to Us on Your application.

Your Offer Letter will set out the fees You will have to pay to Us, and whether You have been classed as a Home or International student. Up-to-date information about Tuition Fees and funding is available on the following pages:

• Undergraduate Fees and Funding
• Postgraduate Tuition Fees and Charges
  • Postgraduate Taught Degrees Fees and Funding
  • Postgraduate Research Degrees Fees and Charges
• International Students Fees and Funding

As a general principle, You should expect the Tuition Fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of Your programme, subject to government regulations on fee increases and/or in line with the Consumer Prices Index measure of inflation.

If We intend to increase Your Tuition Fees as set out above, We will notify You by email of the increased Tuition Fee payable from the beginning of Your next academic year, by June of Your current academic year. The Tuition Fee You will have to pay will also be visible at the point at which You re-enrol for Your programme.

You are advised to check the website for details of any increases in Tuition Fees in future years.

All postgraduate taught programmes require International Applicants to pay a deposit towards their Tuition Fees, once they are holding an unconditional offer at Durham University. Please see the Tuition Fee Deposit Policy for more information.

No deposit is required for Home postgraduate taught applicants, undergraduate, foundation, or PGCE applicants.

Non-Payment of Fees

It is Your responsibility to make sure Your fees and all expenses relating to Your programme are paid in full and on time. If You do not pay Your Tuition Fees in full or on time, We may impose penalties which are set out in the Student Debt Policy, and governed by the General Regulation IX B: Payment of Fees and Charges.

If You do not pay Your Tuition Fees, We may prevent You from progressing to the next stage of Your programme or may withdraw You from the University. If You have any outstanding Tuition Fee debt owed to Us at the end of Your programme, You will not be permitted to attend a graduation ceremony or receive a degree parchment.

If You do not pay any other (non-tuition) fees or other sums You owe, We may take action to recover those sums. This may include withholding any service for which You owe money (for example, if You do not pay library fines You may not be allowed to access the Library or use some or all of its facilities) or taking legal action against You.

Additional Charges

There are additional costs that will be incurred for some or all students which are not covered by Your Tuition Fees. To make sure that You budget accurately for university life, please check this information carefully to see which extra costs apply to You.

Any costs listed are indicative based on information at time of writing, and are subject to inflation and other price fluctuations.

You will be responsible for:

• Charges for residential accommodation - see Section 6: Accommodation.
• Charges which are specific to Your programme. These may include compulsory trips such as fieldwork or placements, specialist equipment or clothing, textbooks, or fees and subscriptions. Please refer to the online course listings to see which extra costs apply to You.
• Printing costs – it is likely that You will have to print documents at some point during Your studies, which will incur a small cost. Depending on Your programme and assessment types this may include posters, presentation handouts or dissertations.
• Fees and fines – You may incur fines or fees during Your studies, including library fines for overdue or lost items, charges for replacing a lost campus card, or administrative charges for late payment of tuition fees and accommodation licence fees.
• Postgraduate Research students may be subject to additional administrative charges for re-examination, late payments and continuation fees. Please see Administrative charges for PGR students.

Durham University is a collegiate university. Most students live in college accommodation for their first year, moving into private accommodation for the rest of their studies. Even if You don’t choose to live in a College, You must be a member of a college if You study full time for one or more terms.

Whilst every college has accommodation available, because of Our varied and historic estate, there may be different types of accommodation available depending on the college You are allocated. Our college allocation process is designed to be fair, open and transparent. We try to meet an applicant’s preference wherever possible but We cannot guarantee this in every instance as demand for some colleges exceeds the places available. Please see Our Colleges pages for more information.

Requirements relating to College membership and residence are set out in General Regulation III - Residence.

College accommodation costs are set annually, and based on whether Your allocated college is fully catered or self-catered, and then by the room type the college offers. Our Residence Charges pages contain details of the accommodation and catering charges for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Fees are usually inclusive of water rates, gas/electricity and broadband internet, and are likely to increase each year in line with inflation (CPI-X).

If You choose to live in college accommodation, You will be required to sign an Accommodation Licence Agreement.  This is an additional contract between You and the University; please read the terms carefully: Licence to Occupy University Accommodation Terms.

It is Your responsibility to make sure Your college accommodation fees are paid on time. Your Licence to Occupy University Accommodation may be terminated by the University for non-payment of Accommodation Licence Fees. Please see the Student Debt Policy for more detail.

By accepting an offer and registering with Us, You will be subject to the following misconduct rules and disciplinary policies and procedures:

• General Regulation IV - Discipline
• Academic Misconduct
• Non-Academic Misconduct
• Sexual Violence and Misconduct
• Bullying and Harassment Policy and Procedure

Academic requirements and progress

You are responsible for engaging with Your programme and meeting its academic requirements. This includes submitting coursework, completing assessments, and attending required teaching sessions and examinations by the relevant deadlines.

We will explain these requirements clearly and tell You where to find further information. If You are experiencing circumstances that may affect Your studies, contact Your academic department or student support team as soon as possible so that they can discuss the support and options available to You. If You do not meet Your programme’s academic requirements, We may use the procedures set out in General Regulation V: Academic Progress.

Fitness to study and support

We have a Fitness to Study Policy for circumstances where there are concerns about a student’s ability to engage safely and effectively with their studies or other University activities. The policy explains how We will respond and provide appropriate support where there may be an impact on the student or other members of the University community.

We provide a wide range of support. If personal circumstances or other non-academic matters are affecting Your studies or academic progress, You should contact Your academic department or student support team as soon as possible.

Student Support

We have a range of specialist services, such as mental wellbeing support, disability support and student money advice, and each college and academic department has a dedicated Student Support Team, who provide proactive and reactive support.  Please see Our Student Support and Wellbeing pages for more information.

Students with Disabilities

The Disability Support Service works to support disabled students to engage fully with their learning experience and achieve academic success. We encourage You to contact Disability Support Service before You accept an offer of a place to find out what type of support is likely to be available to You. All offer holders will be provided with the opportunity to tell Us about any disabilities or medical conditions before they arrive, and what support they think they need. It is important that We have this information at the earliest opportunity so that We can ensure appropriate support is in place. You can contact the team directly by emailing  disability-support@durham.ac.uk.

We value freedom of speech and academic freedom and are committed to promoting and positively encouraging free expression and debate amongst Our staff, students and visitors. Our Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech outlines Our core values and responsibilities in relation to freedom of speech, and the procedures for organising events and other activities. By accepting a place with Us, You agree to comply with the Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech.

We will collect information from Your application when You register and during Your studies and university life at Durham University. This will be used to create and maintain Your student record, to support Your studies and enhance the student experience, for Your health and safety and for the administration and management of Durham University, including statistical analysis.

• The Student Privacy Notice provides general information on how We will process your personal data
• The Privacy Notice for Applicants and Prospective Students provides tailored information on how We will process personal data collected during the application process

For further information please contact the Information Governance Unit.

Student Complaints

We have a Student Complaints Procedure to ensure that We consider student complaints fairly and transparently. The relevant complaints processes are as follows:

• Complaints Procedure for Students: University Services  - complaints regarding academic departments, colleges, societies and University services, and (for postgraduate students) complaints about supervision, teaching or assessment prior to the final examination;
• Complaints Procedure for Students: Individuals and Behaviour - complaints relating to harassment or bullying by other students;
• Complaints Procedure for Applicants - complaints about how Your application has been processed.

Student Appeals

If You wish to appeal against an academic decision made by Durham University related to Your studies, You must follow the academic appeals process. Academic decisions could include decisions made by exam boards, such as the classification of a degree, penalties applied to exam results, or a notification for You to withdraw from the programme.

The appeals process is governed by the General Regulation VII - Academic Appeals.

Office of the Independent Adjudicator

We subscribe to the independent scheme for the review of student complaints. If You are unhappy with the outcome of a complaint You may be able to ask the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) to review Your complaint/appeal/disciplinary case. Visit the OIA website to find more information about making a complaint to the OIA, what it can and can’t look at and what it can do to put things right. Please also see the Student Conduct pages for further information.

Our Admissions Policy explains how We consider applications and manage the admissions process from application through to enrolment.

You must provide complete, accurate and truthful information during the application and admissions process and tell Us promptly if relevant information changes. We may ask You to provide evidence of Your qualifications, identity, immigration status or other information relevant to Your application, and We may verify the information and documents You provide. If You provide false or misleading information, omit significant information or fail to provide required evidence, We may withdraw Your offer, prevent You from enrolling or take action under the procedures outlined within the policy.

You must meet the academic, English language and any other conditions set out in Your Offer Letter by the relevant deadlines. Depending on Your programme or circumstances, You may also need to complete criminal-record, occupational health, immigration, Academic Technology Approval Scheme or other checks. If You do not meet Your offer conditions or complete a required check satisfactorily, We may be unable to admit You to the programme.

Additional requirements apply to some applicants, including Applicants under 18 years of age, Applicants with relevant unspent criminal convictions and applicants who require immigration permission to study in the UK. Further information is available on Our Admissions Policy webpage and in the policy links below.

Other Admissions Related Policies

These policies should be considered alongside the Admissions Policy:

• Tuition Fee Deposit Policy for Postgraduate Taught Programmes
• Notification of Academic and Personal Details for Admission, Matriculation and Registration Purposes
• Regulations for Undergraduate Matriculation and Regulations for Postgraduate Matriculation (Matriculation is the formal process by which Your name is added to the University’s register of members. To matriculate, You must meet the applicable academic, English language and other admission requirements set out in these regulations).
• Policy for applicants under 18
• Criminal Convictions Policy
• Privacy Statement (UG)

• While We take reasonable care to ensure the safety and security of its students while on Our campus and/or whilst using Our services, We cannot accept responsibility, and expressly excludes liability, for loss or damage to Your personal property (including computer equipment and software). You are advised to insure Your property against theft and other risks.
• We shall not be held responsible for any injury to You (financial or otherwise), or for any damage to Your property, caused by another student, or by any person who is not an employee or authorised representative of the University.
• We shall not be liable to any person for any failure or delay in performing its obligations where the event is beyond Our reasonable control as described in Section 3 above.
• We are responsible for services provided by Durham University-affiliated student associations and clubs. Where such organisations are independent of the University, We are not responsible for the acts or omissions of those independent organisations.
• We do not exclude or limit in any way Our liability to You where it would be unlawful to do so. This includes liability for death or personal injury caused by Our negligence or the negligence of Our employees, agents or subcontractors, or for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.

The terms and conditions are reviewed annually by Durham University with the aim of making any substantive changes  taking effect at the start of the new academic year. These terms and conditions may be altered or withdrawn due to circumstances beyond Our reasonable control, changes in government policy or law, or where the change is deemed by Us to be to the benefit of students.

A summary of changes which have been agreed before the start of the new academic year will be published at the top of this webpage. You will be informed as soon as possible of any substantive changes to Your specific programme of study.

Applicant means a person who has applied for a place on a programme at the University but has not yet enrolled as a student.

Assessment means any work used to assess Your academic performance. This may include examinations, coursework, dissertations, presentations, practical work, performances or other assessed activities.

Cancellation period means the period of 14 days beginning on the date on which the University receives Your acceptance of its offer. During this period, You may cancel Your acceptance without giving a reason.

College means the Durham University college of which You are or will become a member. Colleges provide student communities, accommodation and support but do not normally deliver or manage Your academic programme.

Compulsory module means a module that You must complete as part of Your programme.

The Consumer Prices Index is an official measure of inflation that tracks changes in the prices of goods and services typically purchased by households.

Contract or Student Contract means the legally binding agreement between You and the University.

Core Regulations means the University regulations setting out the core academic requirements that apply to a particular level or type of study.

Degree parchment means the formal document confirming the award made to You by the University. This may also be referred to by the University as a degree parchment.

Durable medium means a format in which information can be stored and accessed without alteration for an appropriate period. This normally includes an email or a document attached to an email.

Enrolment means the process through which You formally register as a student of the University at the beginning of Your programme and, where applicable, in each subsequent academic year.

Fee status means the University’s classification of You as a home or international student for Tuition Fee purposes.

Home student means a student whom Durham University has classified as eligible to pay Tuition Fees at the Home rate under the applicable UK fee regulations. (See Undergraduate Fees and Postgraduate Fees)

International student means a student whom Durham University has classified as required to pay Tuition Fees at the international rate. (See Undergraduate Fees and Postgraduate Fees)

Matriculation means the formal process by which Your name is added to the University’s register of members. To matriculate, You must meet the applicable academic, English language and other admission requirements set out in Durham University’s Regulations for Undergraduate or Postgraduate Matriculation.

Module means an individual unit of study that forms part of Your programme.

Offer means Durham University’s formal offer of a place on a programme.

Offer Guide means the document provided with or following Your Offer Letter that contains information about accepting Your offer, relevant dates and deadlines, and other requirements relating to admission.

Offer Letter means the communication setting out Durham University’s offer of a place to You. It includes information about Your programme, tuition fees, start date, duration and any conditions You must meet.

Online course listing means the webpage advertising Your programme on Durham University’s website. It contains important information about the programme, which may include its content, structure, duration, location, method of delivery, compulsory modules, typical optional modules, entry requirements and additional costs.

Optional module means a module that You may be able to choose as part of Your programme. The availability of a particular optional module is not guaranteed unless Durham University has expressly confirmed otherwise.

Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body or PSRB means an external organisation that regulates a profession or accredits programmes that prepare students to enter that profession.

Programme or programme of study means the degree, qualification or course of study for which Durham University has offered You a place.

Programme information means the information provided or made available to You about Your programme before You accepted Your offer. This includes relevant information in the online course listing, Your Offer Letter and other communications from Durham University.

Programme Regulations means the regulations setting out the academic structure and requirements of Your particular programme, including the modules that You must or may take.

Suspension or interruption of studies means an approved temporary pause in Your studies during which You remain registered with Durham University but are not actively studying on Your programme.

Student means a person who has accepted an offer and enrolled on a programme at Durham University. Where the context requires, references to students may also include applicants who have accepted an offer but have not yet enrolled.

Student Protection Plan means Durham University’s published plan explaining the steps it will take to protect students if it is unable to continue delivering a programme, part of a programme or another significant aspect of their studies.

Tuition Fees means the Tuition Fees payable to Durham University for the delivery of Your programme. Tuition Fees do not include accommodation charges or other additional charges unless expressly stated.

We, Us and Our mean Durham University.

Withdrawal means permanently ending Your registration on Your programme before You have completed it.

You and Your mean the person who accepts an offer of a place on a programme at Durham University.

Additional Terms (WDJ)

• Additional Terms and Conditions for Students of the Wuhan University Durham University Joint Institute for 2026/27: Wuhan Additional Terms.pdf