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Postgraduate Open Days

Join us for a day of activities, talks and panels at our upcoming Postgraduate Open Days. Book now for your opportunity to learn more about postgraduate study at Durham, explore Durham city, and experience the University first-hand.

Book now

Postgraduate Taught Degrees

Postgraduate taught study will extend your knowledge and skills and allow you to specialise in a subject beyond undergraduate level. A postgraduate qualification can enhance your career prospects or take your career in a different direction.

A taught route is ideal if you want a structured framework for your studies, with courses delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials. With many courses available on full or part-time basis, you’re sure to find something to fit around your life and preferred style of study.
View more about our taught degrees
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Postgraduate Research

Durham offers a wide range of research degrees which can be studied on a full-time basis for one, two or three years or on a part-time basis for two, four or six years.

As well as conventional research degrees, we also offer innovative professional doctorates, giving you the opportunity to follow a structured programme of taught modules before undertaking an extended research thesis.

You will develop your own timetable of academic study under the supervision of a team of academic staff. Their roles are to help and support you to undertake your research project and complete your degree on time. The University ensures that your supervisory team has appropriate expertise in your area of study, and we have extensive training and mentoring programmes to support them to deliver high-quality supervision. When applying to study for a research degree you should consult with your academic department to check that a supervisor with expertise in your chosen subject area is available to support you.

  • Research Degrees

    As well as conventional research degrees, we also offer innovative professional doctorates, giving you the opportunity to follow a structured programme of taught modules before undertaking an extended research thesis.
    Child participating in an experiment with a researcher
  • Durham Centre for Academic Development

    All research students will have the opportunity to develop their research and transferable skills through the Researcher Development Programmes offered by their academic department and the Durham Centre for Academic Development.
    Teaching and Learning Centre exterior

Research Degrees

As well as conventional research degrees, we also offer innovative professional doctorates, giving you the opportunity to follow a structured programme of taught modules before undertaking an extended research thesis.
Child participating in an experiment with a researcher

Durham Centre for Academic Development

All research students will have the opportunity to develop their research and transferable skills through the Researcher Development Programmes offered by their academic department and the Durham Centre for Academic Development.
Teaching and Learning Centre exterior
A group of students studying with books around a table

Postgraduate Scholarships

We offer scholarships for both postgraduate taught and postgraduate research, including PhD funding by departments.

Check your eligibility

Hear from our students

  • Chat with a student

    Our student ambassadors are here to answer your questions about student life at Durham. They are studying various courses, know our colleges and are from different countries.

    Two students laugh and chat as they cross Kingsgate Footbridge
  • What being a student at Durham is really like

    Read what our students are up to and learn what studying at Durham really looks like. It might surprise you! 

    Students studying and drinking coffee outside

Chat with a student

Our student ambassadors are here to answer your questions about student life at Durham. They are studying various courses, know our colleges and are from different countries.

Two students laugh and chat as they cross Kingsgate Footbridge

What being a student at Durham is really like

Read what our students are up to and learn what studying at Durham really looks like. It might surprise you! 

Students studying and drinking coffee outside
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World-class students. World-class facilities.

We might be one of the UK’s oldest universities, but we have a pioneering mindset and an open, inclusive outlook.

Whether you’re looking to connect with international industry and business through your work, or the global academic research community, you’ll have the freedom and facilities to explore what’s important to you. 

Come and visit us on a Postgraduate Open Day to experience what life as a Durham student would be like. 

More about our Open Days
University student
That feeling of figuring out or understanding something, which once seemed impossible to grasp, is priceless.

Avidesh Seenath
PhD Geography

International Study Centre

If you are an international student and don’t meet the requirements for entry to a postgraduate degree you may be eligible to take a pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

Located at Queen’s Campus Stockton, the centre provides a supportive environment where you will be introduced to the style of teaching you will experience should you progress on to your degree. Taught over two or three terms depending on your level of English language, the Pre-Masters programme provides the specialist academic and English language preparation you need to succeed as a postgraduate student at Durham University. Once you successfully complete this Pre-Masters programme and achieve the required grades, you can start your chosen Masters degree at Durham University.

A group of students sitting talking in a communal area in Ustinov College

Visa Information

If you don’t have British (or Irish) nationality and you're planning to travel to the UK to study at Durham, you may need to apply for a visa before you travel. The type of visa / permission you need depends on the course you're coming to study.

Read more about visa information

Get in Touch

Have a question about applying to Durham University?

Postgraduate Admissions

Tel: +44 (0)191 334 1000

The Palatine Centre
Durham University
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3LE

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