Durham University, in a historic cathedral city in the north-east of England, is one of the UK’s most popular Russell Group universities. Like Oxford and Cambridge, it’s a collegiate university: every student belongs to a college, which gives you a close community, social life and often accommodation. Durham is competitive, especially for subjects such as economics, law, history and the natural sciences.
For most Durham courses starting in September 2027, the UCAS deadline is 13 January 2027. Here are 10 things you can do to give yourself the best chance, based on Durham’s own guidance. If you’re applying for a master’s or PhD instead, see the section near the end.
1. Choose your course
Durham’s course pages give a standard offer and a lower contextual offer, as well as the required subjects. Some courses also have additional selection steps, such as tests or interviews, so check the details early. Durham also offers foundation programmes for students who don’t meet the direct entry requirements.
2. Aim for the standard offer
For example, Economics (L100) asks for A*AA including Mathematics, and you don’t need to have studied Economics before. The contextual offer is ABB with an A in Mathematics. Across Durham’s courses, IB offers usually range from 34 to 38 points. Use the entry requirements tool on the course page to find the grades for your country’s qualifications. Durham Economics.
3. Write a strong personal statement
Since 2026 entry, the UCAS personal statement has been split into three questions: why this course, how your studies have prepared you, and what else you’ve done outside education. Together they must fit into 4,000 characters, and each answer needs at least 350. Durham’s top courses receive many applications from students with excellent predicted grades, so a thoughtful, subject-focused statement really matters. Be specific: one book, project or problem you’ve explored in depth says more than a long list of activities.
4. Understand how Durham’s colleges work
You don’t choose your college on your UCAS form. Once you have an offer, Durham asks you to list your college preferences. Each offer holder is then given a provisional college based on these preferences, places available and a random order, so your first choice isn’t guaranteed. Research the colleges, including their location, size, traditions and accommodation, but remember that every college gives you the same academic course.
5. Show what you’ll bring to college life
Durham’s colleges run sport, music, drama, volunteering and many other activities. You don’t need a long list of achievements, but it helps to show in your statement how you’ve contributed to your school or community, especially if it links to your subject. Be honest and specific.
6. Get a strong reference
Your school’s reference and predicted grades carry real weight with Durham, because most offers are made before you sit your final exams. Talk to your teachers early, share what you’re planning to write in your personal statement, and make sure your predicted grades are realistic but meet the typical offer.
7. Apply by 13 January 2027
For September 2027 entry, most Durham courses have a UCAS equal consideration deadline of 6pm UK time on 13 January 2027. Applications sent in October and in January are treated the same, so take the time to get your personal statement and reference right. If you’re hoping to study medicine or dentistry, note that the UCAS deadline for 2027 entry was 15 October 2026, and you’d also have needed to sit the UCAT, so you’d now be planning for 2028 entry.
8. Meet the English requirement
Durham’s English requirements depend on the course, generally between IELTS 6.5 and 7.0 overall, with no part below 6.0. Check the exact score on your course page. Practise with our free IELTS, TOEFL and PTE practice tests.
9. Plan your budget
For 2027 entry, Economics costs £32,500 a year for international students, compared with £10,050 for home students. Durham says fees for international students will be subject to an annual inflationary increase and are expected to rise throughout your course, so budget for higher fees in later years. Living costs in Durham are usually lower than in London, but check your college’s accommodation charges.
10. Get ready for your Student visa
If you need a UK Student visa, Durham will send you a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) after you’ve firmly accepted your offer and met its conditions. Apply for your visa as soon as you have it, and keep evidence that you can pay your tuition fees and living costs. The Graduate Route, which lets you work in the UK after your degree, is due to drop from two years to 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027. Rules can change, so always check GOV.UK.
Applying for a master’s or PhD at Durham?
Durham offers one-year master’s degrees and PhDs across its faculties, including programmes at Durham University Business School. Postgraduate students also join a college. You apply directly to the university, not through UCAS. Most programmes ask for a good first degree (often a UK upper second-class degree or the equivalent), a personal statement, references and, for international applicants, an English test. See our 50 sample SOPs, free GRE and GMAT practice tests, and our guide to the best AI master’s degrees in the UK.
Be ambitious, but apply to a balanced list
Durham turns down many strong applicants every year, because there are more excellent students than places. Use your five UCAS choices wisely: apply to Durham if it’s right for you, and include universities where your chances are good. Read our guides to other Russell Group universities, including York, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Oxford. Our guide to studying in the UK explains how UK universities work, and our free study abroad assessment can help you build a shortlist.
Information was taken from Durham University’s official course, entry requirement and college allocation pages, and checked in October 2026. Entry requirements, deadlines, tests, fees and visa rules can change, so always confirm the details on Durham’s undergraduate website before you apply. StudyAbroadMarket is not affiliated with Durham University.