How to Apply

Admission Requirements

General

All students applying for the exchange programme must be registered at one of Durham University's partner universities. If you wish to apply to Durham as an exchange student then your application must be accompanied by a nomination letter from your home university.

Undergraduate

• must be registered for a Bachelor degree at their home institution
• minimum G.P.A of 3.0 (out of 4.0 on the US scale) or equivalent
• minimum of one year of their degree at the home university before the start of the exchange period at Durham University
• must prove English language proficiency if not a native speaker of English (see below for details)
• must show commitment and enthusiasm to studying abroad

Postgraduate (taught programmes)

• must be registered for a Bachelor degree at their home institution
• must be in good academic standing
• minimum of one year of their degree at the home university before the start of the exchange period at Durham University
• must prove English language proficiency if not a native speaker of English (see below for details)
• must show commitment and enthusiasm to studying abroad

Postgraduate (research degrees)

• must be registered for a postgraduate degree at their home institution
• must have a good understanding of the objectives of the research period at Durham University
• must proof English language proficiency if not a native speaker of English (see below for details)

To apply

Undergraduates

The following documents need to be supplied together with the application form:

• an official academic transcript (aka transcript of records)
• a certified copy of English language test (TOEFL or IELTS) if applicable (see Language requirements)
• two sealed references
• an example of written work in the main subject area you wish to study
• a copy of the personal details page of your passport (please make sure the passport is valid for the duration of the exchange)
• a nomination letter from the International Office of your home University.

Applications for 2013/14 are now open! The deadline is 29 March 2013.

Postgraduates (taught degrees)

 The following documents need to be supplied together with the application form:  

• an official academic transcript (aka transcript of records)
• a certified copy of English language test (TOEFL or IELTS) if applicable (see Language requirements)
• two sealed academic references
• an example of written work in the main subject area you wish to study
• A copy of the personal details page of your passport (please make sure the passport is valid for the duration of the exchange)

Applications for a placement in 2012/2013 have now closed.

Postgraduates (research degrees)

The following documents need to be supplied together with the application form: 

• an academic reference from the supervisor at the home institution
• a personal statement about the research objectives of the exchange period
• a certified copy of English language test (TOEFL or IELTS) if applicable
• a copy of the personal details page of your passport (please make sure the passport is valid for the duration of the exchange)

Applications for a placement in 2012/2013 have now closed.

Course information

In order to select the modules you wish to study at Durham, please use the online Faculty Handbook.

A normal full module load at Durham University is 120 credits per year, which equates to 6 modules per year. The final decision for admission onto modules rests with the School or Department. Official module enrolment takes place at the start of the academic year upon arrival in Durham. Please note that all modules at Durham run for the full academic year.

Please note that module availability in English Studies is very limited. Modules can be selected from more than one department, but from not more than three different departments. Please note that the greater the number of departments you wish to take modules from the higher the chance that there will be clashes in your timetable.

English language proficiency

Durham University requires students who are non-native English speakers to provide proof of their English language ability. Please enclose a copy of a relevant English language test certificate with your application.

It is vital that you read the Durham University English Language requirements before applying to study here.

If necessary you can apply for a pre-sessional English language course run by Durham University Language Centre. Please contact the Exchanges & Study Abroad Team for more information and an application form.

College accommodation

Durham is collegiate university and every student at the University is a member of one of the 15 Colleges (please note that John Snow and George Stephenson Colleges are at Queens Campus Stockton. Ustinov College is for postgraduates only.)

Colleges normally provide accommodation and all meals for their members. Josephine Butler College is a self-catered College. Before admitting a student, a College will require a financial guarantee that the student can pay the full cost involved.

Students can apply for accommodation in the above 13/14 application form.

Criminal convictions

In order to help the University reduce the risk of harm or injury to its students, we must know about certain relevant convictions that you may have. Relevant convictions are only those convictions for offences against the person and convictions for offences involving unlawfully supplying controlled drugs or substances where the conviction concerns commercial drug dealing or trafficking. Convictions that are spent (as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) are not considered to be relevant and should not be revealed. All applications are considered on the basis of academic merit, and the declaration of a previous criminal conviction will not automatically exclude you from the application process. However, the University may want to consider the application further or ask for more information before making a decision.

Data protection

It is necessary for the University to hold information on past, present and potential students. The information is processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Information on individuals may be disclosed outside the University either at an individual's request or in furtherance of an individual's interest.