Frequently Asked Questions
The Student Recruitment and Admissions Office is responsible for managing the admissions process within Durham University for full and part time undergraduate courses. Academic Departments are responsible for considering each application and making offers and passing successful applications to one of the sixteen colleges for consideration, whilst the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office ensures that this process occurs as fairly and as transparently as possible and that decisions are communicated to UCAS within agreed deadlines.
The questions below have all been asked by our applicants or their parents at one time or another, and are intended to provide further information regarding the application process, some of our requirements, our collegiate system, the University and life as a student.
If you find that your query is not addressed or if you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Student Recruitment and Admissions Team directly. Our email address is admissions@durham.ac.uk.
Can I change the year I begin my course?
All requests to change a year of entry will be considered provided they are received either before you receive notification of our decision via UCAS or the 15th January, whichever date is sooner. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to consider requests to change your year of entry if you have received a decision on your application through UCAS except in very exceptional circumstances, where evidence of mitigation will be required, or where it is beneficial for the University to allow the change. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the departmental admissions selector and the Head of Admissions.
Requests received after the 15th January from applicants who have not yet received their decision through UCAS will be considered at the discretion of the department and Head of Admissions and will only be granted if places are still available at that time.
Therefore, if you would like to take a gap year or bring forward your year of entry, we would strongly advise that you contact us as soon as you are aware that your plans might change.
Requests to change the year of entry should be made in writing to admissions@durham.ac.uk.
