The impact of your gifts

Your gifts really are an investment in the future. We would like to share some of the incredible and transformational projects that you have funded.

The Student Opportunities Fund

At Durham, we believe that every student should have the opportunity to realise their potential, no matter their background or circumstances.

As a world top 100 University, we are renowned for our world-class teaching and exceptional student experience. Our students go on to do great things – they are the leaders and thinkers of tomorrow. But for some students from low-income backgrounds, financial concerns get in the way of them pursuing their goals.

With your support, we can change this.

The Student Opportunities Fund was created to support students when they need it the most, so that no student is held back by financial worries. Thanks to the collective support of our valued alumni community, the fund has raised more than £2.5 million since its launch.

Most recently, the Student Opportunities Fund has supported:

The Covid-19 Emergency Fund

Launched in 2020 to provide a rapid response to the pandemic, the Covid-19 Emergency Fund provided bursaries to more than 1,500 students and graduates who experienced a hardship due to loss of part time work or reduced employment opportunities. 

The fund also contributed to research projects in support of the Covid-19 response.

The Student Employability Fund

Designed to help students cover costs associated with career development, the Student Employability Fund, offer bursaries for practical expenses, such as travel or appropriate clothing for interviews or professional development, including conferences and training courses.

The Durham Inspired Scholarship for UK Black Students

Introduced in 2021, this scholarship is specifically for UK students of African, Caribbean, dual or mixed heritage from low-income backgrounds. Thanks to generous donations from alumni, we are currently able to fund two of these scholarships per year.

Thank you so much for supporting the Student Opportunities Fund, your donation will make an incredible difference to lives of current students.