We encourage applications from all talented students with the potential to succeed at Durham University, irrespective of background. Our admissions decisions are fair and based on published criteria.
We are committed to breaking down barriers for students from less advantaged and underrepresented backgrounds and to helping them succeed.
We have targeted schemes to widen access to higher education for students across North East England, a region that faces some of the deepest and most persistent educational inequalities in the country.
We have agreed with the Office for Students, as part of our published Access and Participation Plan, to increase the proportion of students from less advantaged and underrepresented backgrounds. We will do this through a range of targeted intervention schemes and financial support.
We offer several access programmes of academic study to support less advantaged and underrepresented students in applying to and preparing for university, and in thriving while they are here.
Students must meet published criteria to apply successfully, including demonstrating high academic achievement and potential, and coming from neighbourhoods with low university progression rates.
Almost one in five of our UK undergraduate students join us through a project designed to widen access to higher education. These initiatives support students from underrepresented and less advantaged backgrounds to access, progress, and succeed at university.
We offer a comprehensive range of support and entry routes to help students from less advantaged and underrepresented backgrounds succeed at Durham.
Our research-led education ensures our broad range of courses will challenge and inspire you.
Our taught and research master's programmes will enable you to push the boundaries of current thinking and research.
If you’ve got questions, you can get in touch with us here.
Here are some questions and answers you might find useful:
What are you doing to improve social inclusion?
We’re making rapid progress in diversifying our student body. This work includes targeted outreach to disadvantaged schools; contextual admissions offers; foundation pathways; longstanding collaborative partnerships such as the North East Raising Aspiration Partnership (NERAP); and targeted programmes working directly with school pupils. We also provide a range of financial and practical support to help students succeed.
We remain committed to making further progress and playing our part in improving opportunities for young people.
Where do Durham University students come from?
Our 20,000 students come from over 120 countries. Of UK students, nine per cent come from North East England. Over the past few years, we’ve significantly increased the number of students from low-participation neighbourhoods.
What are you doing to help with the cost of living?
We have introduced a range of measures to support our students, from increasing the Durham Undergraduate Bursary Scheme (one of the most generous in the UK) and our Student Support Fund to offering money advice. Find out more at our Cost of Living Hub.
At Durham, we foster an inclusive and diverse community where every student can excel. We’re fully committed to increasing the proportion of underrepresented students coming to study with us.
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