Admissions policy

Our main concern in considering your application is that you should have the qualities necessary to cope with the academic demands of the course and gain a good degree whilst still having time and energy for the many other interests and activities which are an essential part of university education.

All applications are reviewed by using a number of well-defined criteria, as stated in the Undergraduate Admissions Policy . For Physics particular attention is given to (a) the GCSE level grades that the student achieved, (b) the progress (i.e. AS-level grades if available) and predicted A-level grades, (c) the school/college reference and (d) the student's personal statement. We look for three key attributes in prospective students: 

• Academic potential: the ability to analyse information, to think logically and to communicate effectively.
• Enthusiasm: a genuine interest in science and technology.
• Commitment: the ability to succeed on a demanding degree programme.

Since Durham is a collegiate university if we wish to make you an offer your application is also allocated to a College. Initially it will be considered by the College you nominate (or if you have no preference, by a College seeking physics applicants). We recommend that you start thinking about your university choice as early as possible. You might like to consider visiting Durham the year before you apply, perhaps when you are passing through the area. We have departmental visits for prospective students and a pre-application open day for Lower Six students in late June. Most students are given a conditional offer on the strength of their application, a small number may be invited for interview. Students holding offers are invited to a university-wide open day.

Please refer to Open days and visits for more information.

The entry requirements are the same for all our courses, and transfer between all our single honours Physics courses, including transfer between the BSc and MPhys degrees, is allowed until the beginning of the third year. There is therefore no need to apply to more than one of these programmes. In most cases, offers are decided on the strength of the application alone. In reaching our decision, we assume that the Personal Statement and the Reference contain all the relevant elements of information we might expect to find in these sections, including, where applicable, any evidence of particular strengths in certain subjects (e.g., prizes, awards, or a gold certificate in a Maths challenge), membership of NAGTY, or mitigating circumstances explaining an underperformance at AS or GCSE level or equivalent.

Deferred Entry

We welcome students who wish to take a gap year before entering higher education. However, we very strongly recommend that students revise and practice their physics and mathematics routinely during their gap year. A special programme (Jump Start) of revisions classes and exercises is organised early in the first term for gap year students wishing to resharpen their mathematical skills.

Oxbridge Applicants

Applying to Oxford or Cambridge does not disadvantage (or advantage) your application to Durham in any way. Invisibility applies within the admissions process. We cannot see the other institutions to which you have applied until you have replied to any offers you have been made and will not ask you for this information. We consider each application on its own merit and make a decision on the academic potential of each applicant.  

Mature students and students without formal qualifications

We welcome applications from students who have experienced a break in their education and from students who do not possess formal qualifications. Mature students are welcome to come and visit the Department as are all other students.

Appeals and Complaints