Durham University operates a September (primary) intake with a limited January intake for select Master's programs. The university has an estimated acceptance rate of 40 to 45%.
UG applicants apply through UCAS with the Equal Consideration deadline, while PG taught applicants apply through the Durham Application Portal on a rolling basis. MBA admissions follow multiple rounds, and PhD applications remain open throughout the year with a recommended early submission.
Indian students applying to Durham University must meet specific academic and English language requirements.
- UG admission: 80% to 89% in Class 12 (CBSE/ICSE or equivalent).
- PG admission: Bachelor’s degree with 55% to 65%, depending on the course requirement.
English language requirements include:
- IELTS 6.5 for most UG and PG taught programs.
- IELTS 7.0 for some competitive courses and MBA admission.
- Minimum band requirement: 6.0 for most programs; MBA generally expects 6.5 per band.
Durham does not provide a Class 12 English waiver, so Indian applicants must submit a valid English language test score. Required application documents include academic transcripts, SOP, reference letters, CV/Resume, passport copy, work experience documents (MBA), and research proposals for PhD applicants.
Also read: Study in the UK: Complete Guide for Indian Students
- Durham University Application Deadlines for Indian Students 2026
- Durham University Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students
- Durham University English Language Requirements
- Durham University Courses for Indian Students
- Durham University Application Process Step-by-Step
- Durham University Documents Required for Indian Applicants
- Durham University Acceptance Rate and Profile of Admits
- Durham University Application Tips for Indian Students
- Durham University Admission FAQs
Durham University Application Deadlines for Indian Students 2026
Durham University operates a September (primary) intake with a limited January intake for select Master's programs.
- UG applicants apply through UCAS (fee: GBP 28.95 | INR: 3,731) with the Equal Consideration deadline.
- PG taught applicants apply directly through the Durham Application Portal (fee: GBP: 60 | INR: 7,734) on a rolling basis.
- The MBA uses four rounds.
| Intake | UG via UCAS | PG Taught | MBA Rounds | PhD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 14 Jan 2026 (Closed) 30 June 2026 (late) |
31 July 2026 (rolling) | Round 4: 10 June 2026 | Rolling, 3-6 months ahead |
| September 2027 | 13 Jan 2027 (Equal Consideration) |
Rolling, recommend 31 May 2027 | Round 1: 13 Nov 2026 (tentative) | Rolling |
Source: Durham University international how-to-apply page and UCAS equal consideration calendar.
Durham University Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students
Durham requires Class 12 at 80% to 89% (CBSE/ICSE or equivalent) for UG entry and a Bachelor's at 55% to 65% for PG entry. An MBA with 3 years of work experience is required in a relevant role.
| Program Level | Indian Academic Requirement | UK Equivalent | Work Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| UG (Bachelor's) | Class 12: 80% to 89% | A-Level AAA to A*A*A | Not required |
| PG taught (MSc, MA, LLM) | Bachelor's: 55% to 65% (UK 2:1) | UK 2:1 | Not required |
Source: Durham University international entry requirements page.
Indian Bachelor's degrees from UGC-recognised universities are accepted without separate credential evaluation. 3-year Indian Bachelor's degrees are accepted for direct PG entry.
Also read: Courses and Fees of Durham University for Indian Students
Durham University English Language Requirements
Unlike some other UK universities, Durham University does not offer a Class 12 English waiver.
- Indian applicants must submit a valid English test score.
- Some PG programs have higher English requirements: LLM Law, MSc Finance, and MA TESOL may require an overall IELTS score of 7.0.
- Indian applicants with IELTS slightly below the requirement can apply for Durham's Pre-Sessional English Program (4 to 10 weeks) at around £3,000 to £5,500 (₹3.87 to ₹7.10 Lakhs).
| English Proficiency Route | UG Score | PG Taught Score |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall (6.0 each band) | 6.5 to 7.0 overall (6.0 each band) |
| TOEFL iBT | 92 overall | 92 to 102 overall |
| PTE Academic | 62 overall | 62 to 68 overall |
Source: Durham University English language requirements page.
Durham University Courses for Indian Students
Durham UG international tuition for 2026/27 ranges from £28,500–£31,000/year (₹36.7–₹40 Lakhs), while most one-year PG programs charge tuition within a similar international fee range for a single year of study.
- Durham has not confirmed 2027 fees yet. Most taught Master’s programs do not require GRE or GMAT scores, though a GMAT can strengthen MBA applications.
- The 12-month Durham MBA costs around ₹52.9 Lakhs and is offered through Durham University Business School, which holds AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA accreditation.
| Program | Courses Duration | Annual Tuition (GBP) | Annual Tuition (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Finance | 1 year | £36,500 | ₹47.1 Lakhs |
| MSc Business Analytics | 1 year | £35,000 | ₹45.1 Lakhs |
| MSc Management | 1 year | £33,500 | ₹43.2 Lakhs |
| MSc Data Science | 1 year | £34,500 | ₹44.5 Lakhs |
| Durham MBA (full-time) | 12 months | £41,000 | ₹52.9 Lakhs |
| BS Finance | 3 years | £31,000 | ₹40 Lakhs |
| BA Accounting and Finance with Study Abroad | 4 years | £31,000 | ₹40 Lakhs |
| BA Archaeology | 3 years | £29,250 | ₹37.7 Lakhs |
| BA Economics with Management with Business Placement | 4 years | £29,256 | ₹37.7 Lakhs |
| BA Modern Languages and Cultures | 4 years | £ 28,500 | ₹36.7 Lakhs |
Also read: Cost of living in the UK for Indian Students
Durham University Documents Required for Indian Applicants
Durham requires a detailed document set typical of Russell Group universities. Indian applicants need original transcripts plus certified English translations where applicable.
-
Class 10 mark sheet and certificate
- Class 12 mark sheet and certificate (CBSE/ICSE/state board, with best 4 subjects highlighted)
- Bachelor's degree mark sheets (all semesters) and final degree certificate (for PG)
- Statement of Purpose (500 to 1,000 words; for MBA: 2 to 3 essays of 500 words each)
- Two academic references (institutional letterhead; one from a Bachelor's faculty member, one optional from an employer for MBA)
- CV / Resume (required for all PG taught, MBA, and PhD; max 2 pages)
- Work experience certificates (mandatory for MBA; optional for PG taught)
- Passport bio-data page (scanned colour copy)
- Research proposal (mandatory for PhD; 1,500 to 2,500 words)
- GMAT score (optional but recommended for MBA; 650+ improves scholarship odds)
Durham University Acceptance Rate and Profile of Admits
Durham's overall acceptance rate is approximately 40 to 45%. Indian admits typically present Bachelor's CGPAs of 7.0 to 8.5/10 (or 70 to 85%), an IELTS overall of 7.0 to 7.5, and a focused SOP linking past coursework to Durham faculty research. The MBA cohort averages 5 to 7 years of work experience beyond the 3-year minimum.
| Programme | Acceptance Rate | Typical Indian Admit Profile |
|---|---|---|
| UG (Bachelor's) | ~40% | Class 12: 85 to 92%; IELTS 7.0+ |
| MSc / MA | ~45% | Bachelor's CGPA 7.0 to 8.5/10; IELTS 7.0; SOP with research alignment |
| MBA | 30 to 35% | Bachelor's 60%+; 5 to 7 years work exp; IELTS 7.0; interview |
| PhD | ~20% | Master's first-class; published research or strong proposal |
Source: Durham University admissions data and admitted Indian student profiles from past intakes.
Check out: Scholarships Offered by Durham University for Indian Students
Durham University Application Tips for Indian Students
Indian applicants improve their chances at Durham, particularly for the Inspiring Excellence Scholarship, with these specific steps:
- Apply early: October to mid-January submissions get faster offers and a better chance at the Inspiring Excellence Scholarship 1st round review.
- Submit Inspiring Excellence application separately: This scholarship requires a separate application form on the Durham portal, with a personal statement explaining your potential for positive impact.
- SOP research alignment: 500 to 1,000 words citing specific Durham faculty research and module names; avoid generic UK SOP templates.
- Reference quality: Choose 2 Bachelor's faculty members who can detail academic strengths in detail; Durham references carry significant weight.
- Bachelor's transcript clarity: For first-class equivalent, the transcript must clearly show 70%+; Indian universities with CGPA scales need a conversion certificate.
- MBA interview prep: Durham MBA interviews are competency-based; prepare 5 to 7 STAR-format examples covering leadership, conflict, and impact.
- IELTS at first attempt: Durham does not waive English. Target 7.0+ to be safe; LLM Law and MSc Finance specifically need 7.0 overall.
- College choice: Durham's collegiate system lets you nominate a college preference; research each one's culture (e.g., Hatfield for sports, Hild Bede for community feel, Trevelyan for music).
Durham admission for Indian students is competitive but structured, with clear academic requirements, rolling PG admissions, and defined UCAS timelines for UG applicants. Most successful applicants combine strong academics (70%+ for competitive programs), IELTS 6.5–7.0 scores, and an application submitted early in the cycle. Costs remain significant, with tuition ranging from £28,500–£41,000 (₹36.7–₹52.9 Lakhs), making scholarship planning and early applications important. Since Durham follows a collegiate system and course-specific requirements, applicants should check program-level criteria rather than relying only on general university requirements.
Durham University Admission FAQs
Ques. What is the admission deadline for the Durham University September 2026 intake?
Ans. UG via UCAS Equal Consideration closed on 14 January 2026; late UG applications accepted till 30 June 2026, space-permitting. PG taught is rolling till 31 July 2026. MBA Round 4 closes 11 June 2026. For Sept 2027 UG, the UCAS EC deadline is 13 January 2027.
Ques. What is the minimum percentage required for Durham University admission?
Ans. UG requires 80% to 89% in Class 12 (CBSE/ICSE). PG taught requires a Bachelor's at UK 2:1 (55% to 65% Indian equivalent). MBA requires 60%+ Bachelor's plus 3 years of work experience.
Ques. Is IELTS mandatory for Durham University admission?
Ans. Yes, IELTS is mandatory. Durham does not waive IELTS via Class 12 English. Required scores: IELTS 6.5 (6.0 each band) for UG, 6.5 to 7.0 for PG taught, and IELTS 7.0 (6.5 each band) for MBA. TOEFL iBT 92 (102 for MBA) and PTE 62 (68 for MBA) are also accepted.
Ques. Does Durham accept 3-year Indian Bachelor's degrees?
Ans. Yes. Durham accepts a 3-year Indian Bachelor's degree from UGC-recognised universities for direct PG entry. No bridging year is required. Applicants targeting the £10,000 Inspiring Excellence PG Scholarship need a first-class equivalent (70%+).
Ques. What is the application fee for Durham University?
Ans. UCAS UG application fee is £28.95 (₹ 3,731). Direct PG taught application fee at Durham is £60 (₹7,734), same as MBA. The tuition deposit after offer is £2,000 for PG (₹2.58 Lakhs) and £3,500 for MBA (₹4.52 Lakhs).
Ques. How long does it take to get an offer from Durham?
Ans. Offers typically arrive in 6 to 10 weeks after submission. Russell Group selectivity means longer review times than non-Russell universities. Conditional offers convert to unconditional after final transcript submission. Applying from October to December gives the fastest decisions and best Inspiring Excellence Scholarship odds.
Ques. Does the Durham MBA require GMAT?
Ans. GMAT is recommended but not mandatory for the Durham MBA. A GMAT 650+ improves funding eligibility (Durham Business School Scholarship). The MBA needs a Bachelor's at 60%+ plus 3 years of work experience, plus IELTS 7.0 and a competency-based interview.
Ques. What documents are required for a Durham University application?
Ans. Class 10 and 12 certificates, Bachelor's transcripts and degree, 500 to 1,000-word SOP (2-3 essays for MBA), 2 academic references, CV (max 2 pages), work experience certificates (for MBA), passport copy, IELTS scorecard, and research proposal (for PhD; 1,500 to 2,500 words).
Ques. Is there an interview round for Durham admissions?
Ans. Interviews are required for MBA (mandatory), PhD, and select PG programmes like MA Theology, MSc Finance, and certain creative writing programmes. Most UG and PG admissions are based on documents only. MBA interviews are competency-based, typically 30 to 45 minutes via Zoom.
Ques. What is the visa rejection rate for Durham students?
Ans. Durham's visa refusal rate for Indian applicants is approximately 2 to 4%, well below the UK average. Major rejection causes are insufficient financial proof and a weak SOP-programme fit. Durham's international team supports CAS applicants with pre-visa advice.
College Student Profiles
Durham University Program Fees & Deadlines
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Application Fees | Eligibility | Financial Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MBA 1 year | Round 4 Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake (10th Jun 2026) Round 3 Application Decision Date For September 2026 Intake (10th Jun 2026) Round 4 Application Decision Date For September 2026 Intake (5th Aug 2026) | USD 55,350 /Yr GBP 41,000 /Yr | 60 | 65%, TOEFL: 102, IELTS: 7.0, PTE: 68 | |
B.S Finance 3 years | USD 41,850 /Yr GBP 31,000 /Yr | 29 | XII 84%, IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 80, Duolingo 120 | - | |
| USD 41,850 /Yr GBP 31,000 /Yr | 29 | XII 84%, IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 80, Duolingo 120 | - | ||
B.A Archaeology 3 years | USD 39,488 /Yr GBP 29,250 /Yr | 29 | Grade- 80%, IELTS- 6.5, TOEFL- 80, PTE- 62, Duolingo- 120 | ||
| USD 39,496 /Yr GBP 29,256 /Yr | 29 | XII 87%, IELTS 6.5 | - | ||
| USD 38,475 /Yr GBP 28,500 /Yr | 29 | XII 85%, IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 80, Duolingo 120 | |||
B.A Politics 3 years | USD 33,413 /Yr GBP 24,750 /Yr | 29 | XII 85%, IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 80, Duolingo 120 | ||
| USD 35,417 /Yr GBP 26,235 /Yr | 29 | XII 84%, IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 80, Duolingo 120 | |||
B.S Computer Science 3 years | USD 43,875 /Yr GBP 32,500 /Yr | - | - | - | |
M.B.A Entrepreneurship 1 year | Round 4 Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake (10th Jun 2026) Round 3 Application Decision Date For September 2026 Intake (10th Jun 2026) Round 4 Application Decision Date For September 2026 Intake (5th Aug 2026) | USD 55,350 /Yr GBP 41,000 /Yr | - | 65%, TOEFL: 102, IELTS: 7.0, PTE: 68 |
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Important Alerts
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Master of Business Administration [MBA] Round 4 Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake | Closing in 9 days |
| Master of Business Administration [MBA] Round 3 Application Decision Date For September 2026 Intake | Closing in 9 days |
| Entrepreneurship Round 4 Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake | Closing in 9 days |
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Reviews
6 Reviews Found
Likes
- College system (under university several colleges)
- Catered and self catered options
- Small university town - easy to make friends
Dislikes
- Expensive groceries in city centre (UKs most expensive tesco express)
- Public transport not as good
- Rents are expensive (around £10,000+ per annum)
Scholarship
- I received a £10,000 scholarship in my first year for academic excellence in my 12th boards. I did not apply for this scholarship; the university granted it by themselves.
- £10,000
- British Citizens are entitled to student loans, but Indian students can take loans from Indian banks for education abroad.
- I am unsure how many students receive scholarships per year.
Likes
- The timings for lectures are flexible. There are hardly 3-5 lectures in a week for 2-3 hrs / day. This gives you time to work part-time and prepare well for the lectures.
- During my course, a lot of emphasis was on research. The essay topics were neutral and there was no right or wrong answer. The marking was dependent on your research, clarity of thoughts, style of argument etc., The feedback by lecturer was also transparent.
- Durham is very cheap in terms of accommodation costs. When you compare with QMUL, you will easily save 8-10 lakhs in terms of accommodation expenses.
Dislikes
- Nothing much really. However, now when you consider the cost, they become a huge factor. A lot of my friends were not able to land a job, which made them come back to India and with the salaries which were offered not much of the fees could be recovered. However, I did manage to crack at a law firm, where I could easily repay my education loan.
- Lastly, the system is quite liberal so if you expect very difficult studies, examinations or passing then you will be under the wrong presumption.
Scholarship
- No, I did not have any scholarship. I had taken an education loan of 16 lakhs from Bank of India with a moratorium of 16 months. ROI was 11%. My monthly Emi was 18,500 payable for a tenure of 15 years.
Likes
- Research focused: we have papers/modules to learn about how to conduct international level research, what tools and tricks we need, types and reasons for research and so on
- Resources: We have free access to almost all journals, academic portals and publications both offline and online. Our libation is also well equipped with all academic resources, 24/7 operational, books can be demanded for free as well if not available. Professors are available via email or in office hours for anything. Welfare and support staff is also available in each college and department. And of-course state of art infrastructure and technology, year abroad schemes etc.
- Collegiate: Durham University comprises of multiple colleges and each student is assigned a college randomly on admission. That college becomes the home and first socialising place for most students. All students attend events there and represent it on a university level. This collegiate system is different from academic spaces where students from all colleges come together.
Dislikes
- Reputation for being elitist: There is tendency for many students to be from affluent backgrounds to join Durham for its traditionalist and thus university has gained a reputation for being “snob” and “elite” which is not particularly true and depends from person to person.
- Archaeology fieldwork: The Archaeology department thought ranked top 4 in the entire world rarely provides actual field work except, specifically for masters students and scholars are just taught research.
- Complicated Information infrastructure: Though it gets easier over time, days are filled with confusion regarding LearnUltra blackboard, Microsoft account, Outlook mail and so on.
Scholarship
- Yes. 5000 GBP for international students. So almost all “exemplary” International students received it. It depends on your tuition fee as well so students with more tuition fee got more scholarship, going up to 18000 GBP for MBA
- And there are other scholarships as well ranging from 2000 GBP to full scholarships. An example is the Hatfield Lioness Scholarship which is a 100 percent scholarship which includes tuition and accommodation and even travel expenses for one female student per year in Hatfield College.
Likes
- Durham comes under very few universities which comes under collegiate system, where all colleges are based upon different cultures and historic events. Basically these colleges are accommodations which students choose according to their preference. All colleges host formal dinners events, balls in their own traditions.
- Matriculation event, one of the best event which takes place in the Durham cathedral, which is one of the oldest cathedral in UK. In this event, one of the student who is the representative for all other students is asked to sign against their batch year and all the students are officially announced as students of Durham University.
- About the academic part of the university, there’s a reason Durham University ranks so high. University has many societies like finance society, marketing society, law society, etc, for students to take part im different events and also where companies come to tell about organisations, work culture and also we can connect with them on LinkedIn and network with a lot of people. DUFS(Durham University Finance Society) is considered as UK’s one of the biggest finance club. Where students also help us enhance our resume, they guide us through applications, interview processes while applying for a job or an internship. Also, we are taken for many industry visits, they arrange guest speakers for us who are founders, directors of big companies. Like we had an interaction with Houlihan Lokey’s managing director and then we were also taken at Nissan’s factory where we literally saw a car built from nothing to the whole car getting taking a test drive which was an amazing experience.
Dislikes
- As a pure jain vegetarian person, it is difficult for me to see non vegetarian food getting cooked. And as I have taken an ensuite(room with only personal washroom) room, my kitchen is sharing with 4 other flatmates(3 Chinese, 1 Bangladeshi) so I am trying to blend in with them. So those who are pure vegetarian and if can afford to rent a studio room should go for that or else be prepared to cook vegetarian food besides other cooking non-vegetarian food.
- Other problem that I face is that as the transport in UK is expensive like they charge £1.5 a day bus pass for the whole Durham which is quite expensive so we usually all prefer to walk only. The business school is like 25-30 mins walk from my college, so the main problem is not walking that is quite the nice as we’re doing something healthy regularly. The main problem is the uphill and downhill part. The whole city is uphill and downhill which makes it quite difficult to walk.
- Another problem that I faced was that as my admission was in September intake, I came on 25th September, that time it was rainy. But later on during late Octobers and the whole winter, it starts to get dark at 4 p.m. and you see sunrise quite less, like once or twice in a week. Which sometimes gets a little depressing kind of. Many students even eat Vitamin-D pills due to lack of sunlight.
Scholarship
- I didn’t receive any scholarship.
- Some of my friends who are studying LLM (Masters in Law) receive £5000 scholarship due to work experience.
- I’m not sure how many students receive scholarships but on an average students receive £5000-7000 scholarship amount. It all basically depends on your grades, work experience and the course which you are applying to.
Likes
- The university has a great Environment, it’s very much peaceful and silent, the one required to study
- The university has great Infrastructure, the classes and buildings are humongous
- The People here are very much kind and polite
Dislikes
- The Teaching system is not good as it is displayed by the university
- The professors are good enough in knowledge but not in teaching
- The curriculum is not set as per to increase knowledge level of the students but just to show it on a degree
Scholarship
- There’s a scholarship based on merit, which this year for finance was 9.5 CGPA. It had a deduction of 5000 pounds. One of my batchmates received it; he had a CGPA of 9.8 something. I don’t know of any other such financial aid provided; I think there are scholarships for the disabled ones but I don’t know of any such. Scholarship amounts are varied and can be 2000 to 7000 .
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Likes
- Infrastructure, research, high profile professors
Overview
I chose this university due to high ranking in my course, beautiful town, good FT ranking for MBA, good QS ranking.
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