An Introduction to Durham University
Durham University is a small university located in the north east of England. It was established in 1832, making it one of the oldest universities in England. Since its inception Durham has grown in size and stature to its current position as one of the UK's leading education institutions, regularly placed in the top 10 of most comprehensive league tables in the UK.
Durham University - A Small Research-led University
Durham University is internationally renowned for the quality of its teaching and research. During the most recent independent research assessment exercise world-class research was assessed to be taking place in every single area of assessment across the sciences, social sciences and humanities, with 78 per cent of our research rated as either internationally excellent or world leading.
Durham sets high standards for entry, the result of which is high levels of achievement from graduates. Indeed, 95 per cent of students complete their period of study and gain a degree, 98 per cent at first or second class honours level, which makes its graduates very attractive to employers.
Academic Strengths
The University has a broad portfolio of academic strengths. In science these include the Departments of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematical Sciences. Similarly in Arts and Humanities, the Departments of History, Theology and Religious Studies and English Studies have established international reputations for the excellence of their teaching and research.
Among the social sciences, the Department of Geography, considered the best in the country, is internationally leading in its research. The Business School has particular strengths in Finance, SMEs and Executive Education. The Department of Law is known for its expertise in areas as diverse as Human Rights Law, European Law and Commercial Law.
Durham University opened its Queen's Campus at Stockton in October 1992. This enabled the University to grow in size and offer a number of new vocationally focused degrees, including Business, Biomedical Sciences and Medicine.
The Durham Difference - A Collegiate University
Durham is a collegiate university, there being 14 colleges in Durham city and two at the Queen's campus in Stockton. Durham University’s college system is arguably the most distinctive feature of the University. Colleges are small enough to foster a strong sense of community, whilst still allowing students to enjoy all the academic and other benefits of a large University.
Every student at the University belongs to a college. They remain a member of their college throughout their time at Durham and beyond. The colleges are not teaching bodies, but they are more than just places to eat and sleep. Instead, each college is a small community providing a wide range of activities and facilities for study, sports, the arts, socialising, relaxation and welfare.
Key facts
Our flagship research institutes are:
- Biophysical Sciences Institute
- Institute for Computational Cosmology
- Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology
- Institute of Advanced Study
- Institute of Hazard and Risk Research
- Institute of Energy
- North East England Stem Cell Institute
- Wolfson Research Institute
