Durham University was founded in 1837, making it the third oldest University in the UK, after Oxford and Cambridge. With its collegiate system the University has distinct operations between the 16 colleges and the academic departments, where the colleges are responsible for students’ domestic arrangements, while the academic departments perform research and teach.

The college system offers a range of accommodation options for students and they provide activities and facilities for study, sports, the arts, socialising, relaxation and welfare. Across the faculties the University offers approximately 200 undergraduate programmes and over 100 postgraduate programmes. They welcome over 4,000 international students from 150 countries worldwide, the total student population is approximately 17,000 across all levels.

The University is spread across 2 campuses, the main campus is in the city of Durham, where 14 of the 16 colleges and most of the academic schools are located. If students live in university accommodation at Queen’s Campus (located 20 miles from Durham, at Stockton), the academic buildings are all within short walk and a bus service connects with the main campus. Across both campuses, Sport is a key aspect of student life with most students regularly participating recreationally or competitively.

Faculties

• Arts and Humanities
• Business
• Science
• Social Science and Health

University Rankings

• No.5 in the UK by The Guardian University Guide 2022
• No.6 in the UK by The Complete University Guide 2022
• Top 100 globally by QS World University Rankings 2022
• Top 20 for Art & Humanities in the world by Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2021

What courses are Durham University famous for?

• Law
• Art & Humanities
• Archaeology
• Theology & Religion
• Geography
• English Studies
• History
• Classics and Ancient History