Durham University

History

• Established in 1832, Durham University is England's third oldest Higher Education Institute after Oxford and Cambridge.
• In 1987 Durham Cathedral and Castle became a World Heritage Site, of which the university is a joint guardian.
• In 2012 the opera singer, Sir Thomas Allen was appointed as the university's Chancellor.

Location and transport

• The university operates in two locations: in the city of Durham and at Queen's Campus, Stockton-on-Tees, both of which have excellent transport links to the rest of north east England.
• Both are located 2¾ hours from London and have two international airports close by: Newcastle International and Durham Tees Valley.
• Local amenities are within walking distance at both locations.

Entry standards

• Durham asks for a range of different entry requirements, depending on the programme applied for.
• More information on entry standards at Durham University is available on the website.

Student mix

• 50-50% split of  female and male.
• 59% of undergraduates are from state school.
• Overseas students make up 21% of the total student body.
• Applications to places ratio 7:1.

Course flexibility

• Over 200 undergraduate degree programmes in arts, health, humanities, sciences and social sciences.
• Several degree routes including Single or Joint Honours, named routes in Natural Sciences, Combined Honours and four-year honours programmes in some sciences.
• The modular degree system enables students to tailor degrees to meet their needs by combining subjects or studying one or more subjects in depth.

Teaching standards

• In the 2011 National Student Survey, 90% of Durham's students said they were satisfied with their Durham University experience (sector average 83%).
• 5th in The Complete University Guide 2012.
• The UK Quality Assurance Agency external review praised the university’s comprehensive approach to defining and developing research-led teaching.
• Ranked 15th globally for employer reputation in the 2011 QS World University League Rankings following an extensive survey of 17,000 organisations across the world.
• 98% of our undergraduates successfully complete their degree – the second highest completion rate in the UK.

Research standards

• 90% of our staff are carrying out research that of international quality (RAE 2008).
• Durham is among the Top 20 institutions in the UK for research income, despite being one of the smallest.
• Leading staff have been awarded Fellowship of Royal Society, and Fellowship of the British Academy as well as many other bodies which recognise scholarly excellence.

Academic strengths

• English, History, Mathematics, Chemistry, Geography, Theology and Religion, and Archaeology.
• Durham attracts the high quality students, bucking the trends for recruitment in areas such as Modern Languages and core Sciences.

Student facilities, including library and computing

• A wide range of support services, including student financial support, Careers, Employability and Enterprise Cenre, Durham University Service for Students with Disabilities and the University Nursery.
• Libraries are located throughout the university with generous opening times, seven days a week.
• The Computing and Information Services offer networked services in both campuses, with over 1,200 personal computers in classrooms and open access locations.

Disability services

Students' Union

• Cafés, shops and events on both campuses.
• As well as representing students, the union organises social events, including the Freshers Fair and Ball, live music, BBQs and comedy.
• The union Advice Centre, staffed by professional advisors and the student Education and Welfare Officer, offers academic, financial, personal and health related support.

Sport

• Durham was 4th in the 2010–11 BUCS Sport League Table.
• 92% of Durham's students participate in university sport, learning vital skills such as leadership, which enhance employability.
• Durham is a hub for community sport at all levels and has the largest outreach programme in the UK, for which it is highly acclaimed.
• There are over 50 affiliated clubs, from rowing to croquet, football to trampolining.
• A £1-m powered rowing tank – one of only three in the UK – was installed in 2011, offering a safe environment to train beginners.
• Durham graduates who havegone on to the highest levels of achievement in sport include Will Carling, Phil de Glanville, Will Greenwood, Andrew Strauss, Nasser Hussain and Jonathan Edwards. 

Recent/prospective new builds

• The Durham Project: £60 million project that will transform and enhance the university and the city. A brand new student services building, with a library extension, and a new Law School are currently under construction adn are due for completion in the summer of 2012. The project also incorporates the pedestrianisation of the science site.
• Sports Centres: a new, multi-million pound Sports Centre opened at Queen’s Campus in 2011, with a fully-equipped fitness suite and an impressive range of state-of-the-art facilities. New and enhanced facilities were also opened at Maiden Castle in Durham City, including a performance analysis suite, an indoor rowing tank and fencing stiles.

Availability of part-time work

• Our Student Employment Service assists students with securing part-time work during study.
• Guidelines are provided and agreed between the service, students and employers to ensure that work does not affect academic performance.

Notable alumni

• Richard Adams
• George Alagiah
• Biddy Baxter
• Will Carling
• General Sir Richard Dannett
• Jonathan Edwards
• Sir Harold Evans
• Will Greenwood
• Paul Hawkins
• Lorraine Heggessey
• Chris Hollins
• Nasser Hussain
• Vice-Admiral Tim Laurence
• Tony Laithwaite
• Gaby Logan
• Mo Mowlam
• Mark Pougatch
• Kate Silverton
• David Sproxton
• Andrew Strauss
• Jeremy Vine