News

Durham University’s admissions policy

(4 June 2009)

Durham students benefit from research-led teaching by some of the world’s leading scholars combined with the distinctive social and pastoral experience of our collegiate system and superb access to extra-curricular activities such as sport and cultural events.

Our admissions policy is fair and transparent and we seek to recruit the most able and most motivated students who can best benefit from a Durham University education. Every application is important to us and we welcome applications from all students irrespective of background. Multiple factors are taken into account to identify the most able candidates and this is determined by academic staff who are experts in their field and actively involved in teaching their subject. These factors include a personal statement, the school’s reference, study skills, motivation for the degree, independence of thought, achievements in non-academic activities and how applicants perform in relation to other leading students in their school. The latter is based on teachers' comments and data on their school's performance (the GCSE standardisation measurement score). Introduced in October 2008, the score is based on data about school performance at GCSE. This is one of a number of items of information used when assessing merit and potential. It is likely to be considered by departments where GCSE achievement is required to differentiate between similar applicants. A list of the departments that use this information can be found at: http://www.dur.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/faqs/?faqno=1482. In no way are we biased towards or against any school type. You can calculate your own score at http://www.dur.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/faqs/?faqno=1697. Durham University is a hugely popular choice for prospective students and as a result we receive considerably more high quality applications than the places we have available. In some subjects Durham is now as competitive as Oxbridge for entry and in many subjects three As is the minimum entry qualification. If students do not apply they will not gain entry, so even though it is competitive the most able students from all schools are strongly encouraged to apply and compete for entry. Information on Durham’s admissions policy is available publicly. For more information please visit: *Undergraduate Admissions Policy: http://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/undergraduate/apply/UndergraduateAdmissionsPolicy2008_9onwards.pdf *Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.dur.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/faqs/?faqno=1697 and http://www.dur.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/faqs/?faqno=1482 * How to apply: http://www.dur.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/ Alternatively please contact our Undergraduate Admissions Office on +44 (0)191 334 6128 or email admissions@durham.ac.uk.