How to apply

You can apply to most of our postgraduate programmes via our online application process, below. However, if you wish to apply for:

• Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE), contact the School of Education
• Master of Social Work, contact the School of Applied Social Sciences

Online application process

1. Contact the department
2. Complete the application form
3. We process your application
4. Our response

Stage One: Contact the department

Before you apply, ensure that you meet:

• The Department's entry requirements and, if applicable, any English language requirements
• The financial requirement of the programme you are interested in (including tuition fees and living costs).

For further information on fees and funding your studies see www.durham.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/fees.

If you would like to study a research degree, check the Department has a suitably qualified supervisory team and appropriate academic facilities.

Stage Two: Complete the application form

Applications should be made using the online application form. If you are unable to use the online form, please contact the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office for advice: pg.admissions@durham.ac.uk.

You will be asked for the following information:

• Personal details
• Academic qualifications and career to date
• An outline of your research interests (for higher degree by thesis)
• The names and addresses of two academic referees
• Your chosen college.

All postgraduates are members of one of our colleges, as well as being accepted by a department. Each college is individual, and offers a wide range of support, accommodation and facilities. You can find out more information on our colleges within the Colleges and Accommodation section of this website.

The Colleges Postgraduate Office will contact you after you have accepted your offer from the University with an online application for membership only or membership and accommodation. Queries should be directed to the Colleges Postgraduate Office at colleges.postgrad@durham.ac.uk.

Stage Three: We process your application

• We will process your application on the basis of all the information provided and will let you know the outcome as soon as possible
• In certain circumstances we may contact you to request further information.

Stage Four: Our response

Once your application has been considered by the Department, it will be sent to the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office along with a recommendation for approval. (The Department will contact you directly if they are unable to recommend your application for approval.)

The Student Recruitment and Admissions Office is responsible for approving all postgraduate applications. You should be aware that approval by the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office is not a formality and that in some cases where a department has recommended approval, the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office will be unable to support this. Until you receive an offer from the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office, you have not received a formal offer of a place.

We aim to deal with your application as quickly as possible and most forms are processed within four to six weeks of receipt.

The Durham University Student Recruitment and Admissions Office is available to provide assistance if you have any queries in relation to your application. Please contact the team at pg.admissions@durham.ac.uk or 0191 334 6492.