We accept a wide range of qualifications from the UK and the rest of the world for entry to our undergraduate courses. You can find the entry requirements for your chosen degree on UCAS Course Search or the Durham Courses Database.
All courses require you to achieve certain grades in your qualifications, and some require prior study and knowledge of specific subjects, which we’ll ask you to achieve at a particular grade.
Choosing your subjects at A level (or equivalent) is really important, especially if you aspire to study at a leading university. The Russell Group guide, Informed Choices, has advice about the subjects you might choose if you have a particular degree in mind, or if you want to keep your options open. These won’t be essential for all universities, not even Russell Group universities, but are intended to give you an idea of the most likely ones you might need (for example Informed Choices indicates that Geography is often essential to study Geography, but it isn’t an essential subject to study Geography at Durham).
When choosing which subjects to study, please be aware that some courses have an overlap in content and we may only be able to consider one of these courses as part of your three A levels (or equivalent). Some examples of courses which have overlapping course content include:
Please Ask Us if you have any further questions.
We accept a wide range of qualifications from the UK and the rest of the world for entry to our undergraduate courses.
If you aren’t studying in a majority English speaking country, then you will need to demonstrate English language proficiency through an accepted English language test.
International students who do not meet entry requirements for your undergraduate study have an option to study a pathway programme at Durham University International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you will progress to your chosen degree at University.
Some courses also have additional selection criteria, such as tests or interviews that you must complete in order to be considered for a place.
Primary Education and Foundation courses include an interview.
For most undergraduate courses at Durham, you won’t need to sit an additional test as part of the selection process. For courses in Law and Mathematics however, you are strongly encouraged to sit the subject specific test as these are used to help us select candidates to receive an offer.
Have a question about applying for Durham University?