If you have been invited to interview, (congratulations!) or if you are looking for information should you be invited to interview (fingers crossed!), we hope you find this information useful.
Please confirm that you’ll be attending your interview with us as soon as possible.
We’ve put together some information that we hope you’ll find useful when making your travel and/or accommodation arrangements.
Please note that (unless specifically otherwise informed) all candidates are responsible for booking their own travel and/or accommodation and for requesting reimbursement from the University as outlined below.
Please check the expenses policy and guidance below before you incur any costs. Any additional costs not covered by the expenses policy below will not be reimbursed unless prior approval for these has been agreed. If you are unsure about expenses and bookings, you need to seek approval for additional costs, or there is anything else you need to know, please get in touch with the Recruitment Team at:
Email: e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk
Telephone: (+44) 0191 334 6801
We’d appreciate it if you could submit your expenses as soon as possible. We will not reimburse any expenses that are submitted over 1 month after your interview date and the date on the receipt.
We’ll process your claim as quickly as possible and aim to ensure that you receive payment within 6 weeks.
Interview Expenses Claim Form
If you require any specific arrangements during your stay in Durham - for example this may be if you have a disability and/or are neuro-diverse and require any alternative arrangements or adjustments to enable you to attend interview, dietary requirements or religious observance – then please contact us on e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk to let us know.
Many of our buildings are modern and designed for accessibility but a small number of the colleges and departments in Durham City are in very old, listed buildings where getting around isn't always straightforward.
Visit our AccessAble Access Guide.
Please bring the originals of the following documents when you come for your interview.
Please note, if you have changed your name since the document was issued, we would also require official proof of the name change such as a marriage certificate, decree nisi/absolute or change of name by deed poll.
If successful and you require a visa to work in the UK, we will conduct a follow up right to work check via the Home Office Right to Work Checking Service. before you start work.
You will find further information on the types of evidence on Eligibility to Work in the UK page.
We are also required to view originals and hold copies of the qualifications needed for the role - your highest qualification plus any professional qualifications outlined in the essential criteria.
If you are not able to provide original certificates, please get in touch with the Recruitment Team at:
If you are not successful in being appointed all copies of eligibility documents and certificates will be destroyed.
The Electronic Transfer Authorisation (ETA) has recently been launched for visitors travelling to the UK. Please check if you are required to obtain in advance of you travel.
Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Our guest Wifi partner, Sky Wifi, provides wireless across the whole campus via TheCloud@Durham. TheCloud@Durham is free to access, so you can check emails, meet online and browse the web whilst you’re here.
Whether it’s most convenient for you to come by plane, train or automobile, the University is conveniently situated next to major travel routes and amenities.
By Car and Car Parking
Durham is only 2 miles from the A1(M). Leave the A1(M) at Junction 62 and follow the A690 signposted – Durham City Centre.
Parking permits are mandatory on Campus. If you intend to travel by car on the day of your interview, you will require a visitors parking permit, which you can apply for by completing this form. Please note, for booking purposes the details you will provide in this form will be accessed by the Durham University Visitor Car Parking Team. Information will then be held in accordance with our Privacy Notice.
Please note, not all interview venues have car parking and all requests are granted subject to availability. Requests should be made at least one week in advance of your interview. You will be notified by email with the details of where to collect your permit.
Alternatively, you can park in Durham city centre where there are a range of options including on-street meters and multi stories. And Durham County Council operates a Park and Ride Scheme with large car parks adjacent to 3 major routes into the city and direct buses every 10 minutes from the car parks to the city centre.
By Train
Durham is on the East Coast Mainline, one of the UK’s major rail lines. We’re well serviced by high speed trains, with journey times of under 3 hours from London King’s Cross, 2.5 hours from Manchester, 1.5 hours from Edinburgh, 45 minutes from York and 16 minutes from Newcastle.
When you arrive at Durham station, there are normally plenty of taxis outside. If you’d prefer to pre-book a taxi (including vehicles with disabled / wheelchair access) you could try:
Contact Number
Card Payments
Accessible Vehicles
Airport Express - Durham
+44 (0)191 371 2352
+44 (0)7936585799
+44 (0)7867617266
Accepts cash and card payments.
Please request to pay by card at the time of booking.
No
Dean Taxis (Newcastle based)
+44 (0)191 488 8888
Yes
Pratts Taxis
+44 (0)191 386 4040
Stanley Travel
+44 (0)191 383 2905
Cathedral Taxi
+44 (0)7739295610
Alternatively, you can walk from the train station to the city centre (about 15 minutes) and/or to the University (up to 30 minutes, depending on which part of the University you’re going to) – although please note that Durham is quite hilly.
By Plane
Durham is about 40 minutes’ drive from 2 international airports – Newcastle Airport and Teesside International Airport – both of which have regular international and domestic flights (Newcastle being the bigger of the two).
If you’re flying into Newcastle there’s a Metro train link directly to Newcastle Central Station, where you can catch a train to Durham.
We suggest travelling to Durham by train from any other UK airport such as Heathrow, Gatwick or Manchester (alternatively, we’ll reimburse an internal flight if that’s cheaper).
We’ll only reimburse the cost of a taxi from Newcastle or Durham Tees Valley airports.
If your visit to Durham requires an overnight stay we’ll reimburse you for your accommodation for 1 night. We ask that you arrange your own accommodation, and we’ll reimburse the cost in accordance with the information provided below. If your visit requires more than 1 nights stay, please raise this to us by email for review before making any bookings. We will not reimburse more than 1 nights stay unless this has been reviewed and pre-approved by us in advance.
We’re keen that you have the opportunity to experience our University community and Durham University can offer accommodation during vacation periods. So, we ask that if your interview falls between the below vacation periods and where there is availability, you stay in guest accommodation in one of our 17* colleges (which includes ensuite facilities)
Summer Vacation 2025 10th July - 4th September 2025
To review availability and make a booking, please visit our website.
If you can’t secure suitable accommodation at the University, we suggest the following local hotels:
Durham Travelodge
Budget hotel, within 10 minutes’ walking distance of Durham City Centre, and 20 minutes’ walk to Durham train station.
Premier Inn Durham
Modern budget style hotel, centrally located, close to Walkergate, a hub of restaurants and the Gala Theatre.
The Victoria Inn
Family-run, Victorian public house with a friendly atmosphere offering reasonably priced, good quality ensuite accommodation. Less than 5 minutes’ walk to the Mountjoy site.
The University has local negotiated rates (subject to availability) with:
Durham Marriot Royal County Hotel
To book a stay at the Marriott, simply click here, which takes you to their online reservation tool Marriott online reservation tool.
Hotel Indigo
To book a stay at Hotel Indigo Durham, simply click here to access their online reservation tool.
Durham Radisson
To check availability and to book contact the hotel direct:
Tel: +44 (0)191 372 7200
Email: reservations.durham@radissonblu.com
Please quote Durham University when booking and take along confirmation of your interview letter/e-mail as reception will require this upon check-in to honour the rate.
Good luck with your interview!
*Please note that where we have suggested hotels or modes of transport (including taxi companies), these are third parties not affiliated to the University and we can take no responsibility for the service which they provide and candidates may make arrangements with any other provider.
We ask that you arrange and pay for any travel and accommodation in the first instance (unless you are informed that the Department are making arrangements for you).
As long as your expenses are supported by a receipt/ticket, you’ve completed an Interview Expenses Claim Form and your claim is in accordance with the information outlined in our expenses policy, we will reimburse your reasonable expenses. Claims for expenses, which are not covered by our interview expenses policy will not be processed unless prior approval for these has been received.
If you’re not sure about whether you’ll be able to claim any expenses, please contact us before you confirm your bookings on e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk.
Internal members of staff are not eligible to submit interview expense claims.
We’ll reimburse the cost of meals as detailed below, and only if you provide a receipt. We don’t reimburse any expenditure on alcohol, drinks not consumed with a meal, or ad-hoc snacks.
Breakfast (if your journey begins before 7.30am)
Up to £6 per day
Breakfast included in hotel accommodation as part of your stay is accepted.
Lunch
Up to £8 per day
Dinner (if you’re in Durham or still travelling at 8.30pm)
Up to £17 per day
Please note the maximum claim amount is £35 per 24 hours.
Claims submitted that exceed the above stated amounts will be processed at the maximum amount detailed. For example, where a claim is submitted for dinner at £20, the amount to be paid would be £17. Alcoholic beverages will also be deducted.
As long as you’re travelling from at least 30 miles away (a 60 mile round trip) we’ll reimburse your reasonable travel costs to attend your interview or assessment.
If your return destination differs from your arrival destination and there is a difference in cost, please contact us on e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk before booking. We will be unable to reimburse any travel costs where the return destination differs from the arrival destination unless prior approval from us has been granted.
This includes:
Flights
If you live outside the UK and need to fly to travel to your interview, then we’ll reimburse the cost of your return international flights in economy class.
We ask that you ensure the flight is the most cost efficient and that, when you make your claim, you provide information on the cost effectiveness (such as a printout from the airline on the cost options available).
The maximum amounts for flights we will reimburse are detailed below:
Traveling from within the EU - £350
Travelling from outside the EU - £2000
If the cost of the cheapest flights exceeds these amounts, please contact us before booking.
Claims submitted that exceed the above stated amounts will be processed at the maximum amount detailed. For example, where a claim is submitted for £400 for flights from within the EU, the amount to be paid would be £350.
If you have any queries about flight costs, please contact us on e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk before you book.
Trains / Internal flights
We reimburse standard class train fares (or economy class domestic flights, if cheaper).
Driving
We reimburse mileage at 45p per mile and will pay for parking in Durham if you provide your receipt/ticket (although, if possible, please contact us to arrange a parking permit at the University – as outlined above).
We’ll only pay for a hire car if the dates match with the time that you’re in Durham. You may claim either the reasonable costs of a hire car and the petrol consumed for the journey (with a receipt for fuel) or the mileage – but not both.
Taxis
We’ll cover the cost of taxis from local transport hubs such as Durham train station, Newcastle Airport and Teesside International Airport. Please ensure you get a receipt showing the pick-up and drop off points.
Taxi’s for personal use aside from the above and other than the date of your interview will not be reimbursed.
Other modes of transport
We’ll reimburse any other reasonable transport costs such as trams or buses to airports if you provide your receipt/ ticket.
Where candidates don’t engage in the recruitment process appropriately, we reserve the right not to reimburse their expenses.
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