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Learning and Teaching Handbook

1.2.1.2: Specific Circumstances

Specific Circumstances

1. Overseas Candidates

       It is University policy to encourage the admission of properly qualified students who will pay the overseas student fees, i.e. generally those whose normal residence is outside the UK or, in the case of an EU national, the European Economic Area.

2. Graduate Applicants

       Applicants for a first degree course at Durham University, who are already graduates of this or another University, must apply through UCAS.

3. Students Applying from other Universities

       Students of another UK University who wish to transfer to Durham University into the first or any other year of the same or a different course must apply through UCAS.

4. Internal Transfer Students

       Durham University students who wish to transfer to another programme within Durham University, without applying elsewhere, must apply direct to the department(s) concerned and inform their College.  To ensure the quality of student experience, we have a target quota for each of our degree courses and winning a place on these degree courses is very competitive.  It is possible for students to change degree programmes in exceptional circumstances, but there is no automatic right to do so and such transfers are not common.

5. Late Applicants

       Colleges and departments may consider candidates whose application form was received by UCAS after the official closing date (15 January).  Initially, departments may be dealing direct with the candidate but if an offer is to be made the candidate must be told to apply formally through UCAS if they have not already done so.

6. Applicants not holding any offers from any HEI

       Colleges and departments may consider applicants who are in the UCAS scheme but who are not holding any offers from any HEI after the consideration of their original applications.  In such cases an informal offer may be made to the candidate, subject to there still being spaces available when the applicant applies formally.  All such activity must be made formal through the UCAS scheme, such as through UCAS Extra, Clearing or a Record of Prior Acceptance.

7. Students with Special Needs

1. The University has a stated obligation towards its students with disability, as set out in the University Disability Statement, and this also applies to applicants registering a disability. DUSSD (the Durham University Service for Students with Disabilities) provides a monitoring and advisory service for disabled applicants.

2. This service is well established but its success relies on Admissions Selectors, and all other members of staff working in admissions, being aware of the procedures and liaising with DUSSD if and when necessary.

8. Applicants who do not meet the requirements of the Matriculation Regulations

1. All members of staff involved in admissions work should be familiar with the University's Regulations for Matriculation.

2. Applicants who do not meet the requirements of the Regulations for Matriculation, but who, in the opinion of the admitting department(s), still hold the academic knowledge and potential to succeed on their chosen degree programme, may still be admitted to the University subject to the approval of a Matriculation Concession.

3. All queries concerning Matriculation should be referred to the Head of Admissions in order to achieve a common response from the University as a whole.

9. Fraudulent Applications

1. All staff dealing with admissions should be alert to the possibility of fraudulent applications. There is an established procedure whereby the UCAS Verification Unit will investigate possible fraudulent applications on behalf of the University. Any cases of suspected fraudulent application should be brought to the attention of the Head of Admissions as soon as they are detected. No offer of admission should be made to any applicant suspected of being fraudulent without the agreement of the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office.