Student Regulations, Policies and Codes of Practice
Details of Durham University’s Student Regulations, Policies and Codes of Practice can be found via the links below. It is important that you read and understand the Student Regulations, Policies and Codes of Practice as they set out the terms of the contract that you agree to comply with when accepting a place at Durham University.
We are aware that the Student Regulations are detailed and that there are a number of documents that make up the Student Regulations as this reflects the different ways in which you may interact with the Durham University environment. To help you to navigate the Student Regulations, we have summarised them below, together with a direct link to the relevant page of the University website. We strongly encourage you to familiarise yourself with all of the Student Regulations, Policies and Codes of Practice.
The first section – Information specific to applicants and potential applicants (pre-entry) – is of relevance to applicants and pre-applicants only (i.e. the information does not apply to registered students). The remaining sections are of relevance to both current and prospective students.
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Our Admissions policies are based on the core principles of fairness, transparency, consistency and operating a professional admissions process to select the most able and motivated applicants who can best benefit from a Durham University education. Every application is important to us and we welcome applications from all students irrespective of background. |
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Provides details on courses, fees, and admissions requirements. |
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Provides a list of our research qualifications. |
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We aim to provide a high standard and quality of service for applicants and to deliver an admissions process that is consistent, fair and professional, but recognise that occasionally things may go wrong. |
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We are committed to providing a high-quality Enquiries Service to applicants, prospective applicants and their parents, teachers, agents and other supporters. However, we also recognise our duty to ensure the safety and welfare of our staff. |
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The General Regulations of the University provide the rules that have been laid down by Senate and Council for the conduct of members of the University under the authority accorded to those bodies by the Statutes of the University. The Regulations are divided into the following 12 sections: General Regulation I. Definitions General Regulation II. Admission General Regulation III. Residence Point of note:All undergraduate students, postgraduate students and all students engaged in periods of full-time study for one or more terms must be members of a College.(General Regulation III – Residence, paragraph 1). General Regulation IV. Discipline General Regulation V. Academic Progress General Regulation VI. Suspension General Regulation VII. Academic Appeals General Regulation VIII. Examinations and Assessment Point of note:Includes a definition on what constitutes plagiarism (General Regulation VIII - Examinations and Assessment, section 4 Plagiarism). General Regulation IX. (A) Conferment of degrees, diplomas and licenses; wearing of academic dress (B) Payment of Fees and Charges Point of note: No degree or other qualification shall normally be conferred upon a student while he/she has a tuition fee debt owing to the University. Results will be published to undergraduates and postgraduates with tuition fee debts to the University but such students will not normally have their degrees conferred until the debt has been cleared (General Regulation IX B: Payment of Fees and Charges, paragraph 2). General Regulation X. Intellectual Property Rights General Regulation XI. Regulations for the use of IT Facilities General Regulation XII. Library Regulations |
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When using any University IT facility you are bound by the University’s IT Regulations, which outline your responsibilities when accessing and using University IT networks, systems and services. |
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Provides links to relevant Codes of Practice. |
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The Core Regulations specify the core rules and requirements for each level of study (e.g. undergraduate, postgraduate etc). They should be read in conjunction with the annual programme regulations, which detail the course-specific rules and requirements for your individual programme of studies. Point of note:at Durham resit opportunities are limited. For example, there are no resits in undergraduate courses at Level 6 or 7. |
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The Handbooks include the programme regulations, and individual module outlines for all undergraduate and postgraduate degrees offered by Durham University. You can use the Handbooks, which are updated annually, to check which modules are compulsory and which are optional, and the availability of each module, with regard to your individual programme of studies. Point of note:module contents are reviewed, updated and agreed each year in light of student and external feedback, and academic best practice. Not all modules run every year. |
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Our Student Protection Plan explains the likelihood of substantial course change or closure at Durham, and the action which we would take in the event of substantial course change or closure to ensure that students could continue and complete their programme of study. In the (unlikely) event that continuation of study was not possible, or if continuation of study was preserved but at additional cost, our Student Compensation Policy (Continuation of Study) outlines our processes for considering compensation. |
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Durham University is a collegiate University and there are 17 colleges in total. Whilst every college has accommodation available, because of our varied and historic estate, there may be different types of accommodation available depending on the college you are allocated. Our college allocation process is designed to be fair, open and transparent. We try to meet an applicant’s preference wherever possible but we cannot guarantee this in every instance as demand for some colleges exceeds the places available. |
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The charge for a student to live in University accommodation is set annually and published here. There are a range of other charges that may be levied in a College or by other Student Groups for optional memberships, services or products. These include membership fees for student common rooms, theatre groups or sports teams, bedding packs, gym memberships etc. |
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The Counselling Service is a team of University trained and experienced practitioners who can offer advice with managing difficulties that are impacting successful engagement with your studies and with University life. |
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Student Support in College |
There is a Student Support Office in every College. Please see the respective College for further information. |
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The University supports all students, including those who need support in fitness to study and those with mental health difficulties. |
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The Careers and Enterprise Centre provides access to extensive and relevant careers advice and information. |
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Disability Support offers advice and guidance to both prospective and current students within the University. |
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The Student Immigration Office:
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Student Complaints |
The Student Complaints Procedure has been established to ensure complaints from students are undertaken in a fair and transparent manner. The relevant complaints processes are, as follows: |
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Student Discipline |
All registered students of the University agree to be subject to misconduct rules and disciplinary processes and, where misconduct is substantiated, be bound by the conclusions and any reasonable sanctions imposed General Regulation IV – Discipline)
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An Academic Appeal is a request from a Durham University student for formal review of an academic decision relating to their academic progress or award. |
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Through Colleges, the Student Funding Office and Durham Students' Union provide Durham students with information and guidance on the following:
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The Policy explains in an open and transparent way how the University will treat students who have outstanding debt owed to the University. |
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Durham University is a multi-disciplinary, research-intensive, collegiate university which is committed to providing excellent value for money to its students. Value for money will be enhanced by our ongoing efforts to strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of our operations, and will be complemented by the prioritisation of staff resource in relation to the core academic objectives of the University. |