International Students

Durham University Business School is a truly diverse and multi-cultural working environment. With over 100 nationalities currently studying at the school, we warmly welcome international students.

Overseas students who wish to study in the UK on a full-time basis will find that the Durham University's International Office can provide both information and assistance. The office publishes a handbook containing practical advice on issues such as immigration procedures, planning and preparation, and travelling to, arriving at, and living in Britain.

Accommodation

All full-time students belong to one of our colleges. All the colleges provide excellent pastoral support and a secure and supportive learning environment.  The colleges are ideal living and working environments, each with their own sporting and social scenes. They are an ideal way to mix with other postgraduates, as well as staff and undergraduates.

Find out more about the College System and How to apply

If you prefer to live in privately-rented accommodation, we have an Accommodation Office who will be happy to help you find something suitable.

Support services

The Business School will offer all the support you need in helping you settle in and during your time with us.  There is also a wide range of University services that can help, including a Service for Students with Disabilities and a Counselling Service.

Faith

Durham University is a multi-cultural, multi-faith community that provides access for individuals to maintain their faith and beliefs.

Durham, with its magnificent Cathedral, is a major Christian centre, and provides an ideal ambience for those students and staff who require peaceful moments for contemplation or joyous moments of community worship, whatever their faith. 

The University has close links to the many and varied religious groups in the local community. In addition the University provides many central facilities for its religious communities, such as the provision of a Muslim Prayer room for use by the University's Islamic Society.

If you have special requirements relating to accommodation or diet linked to your faith and want advice on which colleges may be best suited to your needs, then please do contact the individual colleges who will be happy to provide information and guidance.

Pre-Sessional Language Courses

For those students whose IELTS/TOEFL scores fall slightly short of our requirements, or alternatively for those students who wish to advance their English skills, pre-sessional courses in English are run by the University's English Language Centre.

• The 4-week Preparatory Academic Research Skills & English (PARSE) programme will be of particular interest to students who have IELTS 6.5 or higher, but have little or no experience of studying at a UK university. The programme prepares students for their course by integrating library-based research skills, critical approaches to reading and thesis-based academic essay writing.
• The 2 and 3 month Pre-Sessional programmes at Durham are high-level, academic English language & literacy programmes for students wishing to improve their language awareness and performance.

You will find full details of these courses on the English Language Centre website.

Please note: Admission to masters degree studies is subject to attaining the English exam pass mark and not merely to course attendance

Support for International Students interested in working in the UK after their studies

The UK government aims to reduce overall numbers settling in the UK from outside the EEA/Switzerland, and closed the Tier 1: Post-Study Work (PSW) scheme to all new applications in April 2012. However the UK Border Agency is committed to helping the 'brightest and the best' and its reforms are supportive of graduates of UK business schools and universities.

Up to date information can be found on the UK Border Agency website. 

Durham University's Student Immigration & Financial Support Office provides information related  to immigration and has advisers dedicated to helping our students understand the requirements and restrictions of their visas during their studies and can provide limited advice on post-study visa requirements. Durham University Business School Careers team works closely with this Office to provide information and support to our students.