New UCAS data shows that some universities offer places to over 90% of those who apply %E2%80%93 but less than a fifth of Oxford applicants get an offer
Some universities are more difficult to get into than others. Places at Oxford and Cambridge are famously competitive. It becomes easier as you move down the university league tables. Or so you might think.
We’ve crunched the numbers to determine the percentage of applicants who receive offers after submitting applications to each university in the UK, demonstrating definitively which universities are the hardest to get into.
View the offer rate for each university using the list and table below. There are some surprises in there. Join Save the Student for your chance to.
What is the Durham acceptance rate?
In 2021, the undergraduate Durham acceptance rate was 19% (based on data by UCAS) Just 6,160 students received acceptance letters from the university after receiving more than 32,570 applications. You can stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of being one of the top students to receive an offer with the assistance of The Profs’ knowledgeable Durham consultants. To improve your chances of enrolling in Durham this year, contact our team.
What are the most competitive courses at Durham?
Behind Oxford and Cambridge, Durham is ranked third best in the UK for degrees in the arts and humanities, particularly in the fields of theology and religious studies, English literature, history, and geography. It is ranked fourth in the UK for both History and Anthropology. Some of these courses require higher grades than those offered by Oxbridge, such as History, which calls for an A*AA (as opposed to an AAA at Oxford). Find out more about how The Profs’ subject tutors can assist you if you need assistance in achieving the grades required for entry. Many traditionally competitive subjects are also particularly competitive at Durham. Candidates for the practice of law must take the Law National Admissions Test (LNAT) and appear in an interview. The entry requirements for subjects like Mathematics and Computer Science are also very high, ranging from A*A*A-A*AA, and applicants for Mathematics are advised to take an admissions test (TMUA, MAT, or STEP). LNAT, TMUA, MAT, and STEP are just a few of the admissions tests that The Profs’ tutors can assist with. Contact our team today to learn more. Notably, Durham no longer offers one of the most competitive degree programs in the UK, medicine, unlike the majority of universities. In 2017, it merged with Newcastle University and shut down its medical school. As a result, it is now a part of Newcastle’s Faculty of Medical Sciences.
Is Durham a Russell Group university?
Yes, the University of Durham is one of the 24 institutions in the Russell Group. It is also a leading research university in the UK; in the most recent assessment of research quality, 90% of its research was rated as being %E2%80%98world-leading%E2%80%99 or %E2%80%98internationally excellent%E2%80%99 In addition, Durham is ranked by The Complete University Guide as the fifth-best Russell Group university, trailing only Oxbridge, LSE, and Imperial.
What are the Durham entry requirements?
Depending on the course you’re applying for and the nation you’re applying from, Durham University has different entry requirements. The table below lists the UK credentials, some of the most popular international credentials, and Durham’s entry requirements for each.
| Qualification | Entry requirements |
| A Levels | A*A*A-BBB, depending on the course. |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | Range from 38 total points, including 776 in Higher Level subjects, to 32 total points including 555 in Higher Level subjects, depending on the course. |
| European Baccalaureate | 85%-70% overall, depending on the course. Specific subject grades may also be required. |
| Abitur (Germany) | 1.2-2.1 overall, depending on the course. A 13 or 12 may also be required in specific subjects. |
| Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) | 5* 5* 5-5 4 4 in three subjects from any combination of Group A Electives, Core Mathematics, and Core English Language. Extended Maths (M1 or M2) also required for Mathematics courses. |
| Other international qualifications | Check the full list of international qualifications accepted by Durham. |
The University of Durham accepts a variety of foreign credentials. It lists international credentials on the pages for each of its courses, so always check there before applying. Check out the university’s own support page, read our guide for international applicants, or contact The Profs for one-on-one assistance from one of our international admissions experts for more details on how to apply to Durham as an international student.
Does Durham give contextual offers?
Durham does take into account information from applicants’ individual backgrounds, considering the impact these might have on their qualifications, when making offers. A contextual offer from Durham will be lower than its standard entry requirements. The majority of students won’t meet this criteria and will be made standard entry offers ranging from A*A*A to BBB depending on the course, but it’s still worth checking if you are eligible for Durham’s contextual admissions.
Is Durham a collegiate university?
Like Oxford and Cambridge and just a handful of other UK universities, Durham is a collegiate university. This means that the university is made up of several, smaller colleges of which students belong to. Each college offers a smaller community for students to socialise and attend events in, such as ‘formals’ (dinner evenings). Durham has 17 colleges in total and, when you apply, you’ll have the option of specifying one of these colleges you’d like to apply to. Though many students choose not to specify a college, it is worth having a look at which colleges there are and comparing them to see which might suit you best. It’s worth paying particular attention to the different locations and accommodation options (including the number of rooms available to first-year students) of each college. Find out more about Durham’s colleges here.
5 tips for getting into Durham
The Durham entry requirements vary significantly between courses, not just in terms of grades but also in terms of the particular subjects needed. For instance, A*AA or 38 with 766 in IB higher level subjects are required for entry into Computer Science at the A level, and both of these prerequisites must include Mathematics. Additionally, there are situations where an admissions test is required or advised. If you want to demonstrate your aptitude for mathematics and qualify for reduced entry requirements (from A*A*A without an admissions test to A*AA with an admissions test), Durham, for instance, requires law applicants to take the LNAT while advising mathematics applicants to take the TMUA, MAT, or STEP. Durham also states that a Further Mathematics A level is necessary if you’re applying to study mathematics, and that you must receive an A* in at least one of those subjects in order to be taken into consideration. Contact the university to find out how you can meet the entrance requirements if your school does not offer Further Mathematics as an A level. This could involve taking a specific math admissions test or performing especially well on your math A level. Contact The Profs’ admissions consultants right away if you require assistance raising your grades to satisfy Durham’s stringent entry requirements. We will provide a free initial consultation to assess your chances of getting accepted to Durham and to set up any additional support you might require.
Do wider reading related to your subject
The best university in the world, Durham, places great value on grades as well as the reading skills of students who go beyond the pages of their textbooks. Therefore, it’s best to start extending your reading list early on if you want to enroll in prestigious universities like Durham. Looking at the modules your chosen course at Durham might include and starting to read about subjects that particularly interest you are two of the best ways to achieve this Additionally, Durham makes all of its reading lists available online, so you can use this as a helpful starting point. In your personal statement, you should make reference to a few specific readings pertinent to your course. This could be accomplished by mentioning them by name, or you could take it a step further and demonstrate your analytical skills by analyzing the reading or a particular passage of text in your statement. For more advice on how to stand out, read our guide to writing your UCAS personal statement. Get in touch with us to get started if you need assistance creating your personal statement, creating a reading list, or applying to Durham in advance.
Think about the long-term plan
Although getting into Durham is a fantastic goal to have, it’s also critical to consider the long-term strategy. Like Oxbridge, LSE, and other prestigious UK universities, Durham will look for applicants who have a genuine passion for and commitment to their chosen courses as well as a strategy for how the knowledge and skills they will gain on the course will help them reach longer-term objectives. Consider, for instance, how a degree in your chosen field from Durham will assist you in realizing your long-term academic or professional objectives. You might want to continue your studies for a Master’s or PhD, pursue a particular career path, or get hired as a graduate at your dream company. Take inspiration from Durham’s connections with industry, its standing with employers in various industries, and the accomplishments of its previous graduates (alumni). In the end, knowing your own career objectives will help you improve your personal statement and demonstrate to Durham that you are driven and committed to your academic future, and are therefore likely to land a job after graduation. Get in touch with our team for more advice on developing a career plan and maximizing this in your application.
Invest plenty of time into writing your personal statement
It may seem obvious in light of the aforementioned advice, but giving your personal statement plenty of time to write is essential to the success of your application. Many applicants will obtain the entry-level grades for many of Durham’s most competitive courses. It’s crucial to submit the strongest personal statement possible because in these circumstances, personal statements are one of the only criteria Durham uses to distinguish applicants and decide who to offer places to. Put your uniqueness on display in your personal statement. Give a brief overview of your educational and professional goals, your background and experience, and why you would make a strong candidate for the course you have chosen. Durham also pays special attention to applicants who demonstrate a passion for their field of study that goes beyond the requirements of the academic program. This can range from additional reading to school extracurriculars and work experience. The Profs’ knowledgeable personal statement instructors can offer you additional advice on how to write a compelling statement that is customized to the University of Durham and your particular course.
Prepare for any admissions tests and interviews in advance
It’s crucial that you adequately and in advance prepare for any admissions tests and interviews you will have to take. It’s critical to treat any exams and interviews with the same level of attention as your final exams because they, along with your A level (or equivalent) grades, will be a major factor in whether you are given a chance to enroll in your desired course. Your admissions test or interview preparation time and strategy will vary depending on which one you are taking or attending. The guides below provide you with the necessary details and instructions to begin getting ready for some of the additional Durham stages:
- Preparing for the MAT (Mathematics)
- Preparing for the STEP (Mathematics)
- Preparing for the LNAT (Law)
- Applying for Law (including information about Law interviews)
The Professors also suggest working with an admissions test specialist who can show you the precise material you need to learn, explain how to meet the mark scheme requirements, and offer tried-and-true advice on how to ace the exam. The Profs’ admissions test instructors have years of experience helping students prepare for the tests they specialize in, and many of them have even served as exam markers and university admissions officers, so they are well-aware of what universities like Durham are looking for. To learn more about how we can assist you, get in touch with our team today.
How can we help?
The Profs has a large number of admissions consultants who can assist you with the University of Durham application process as well as applications to Oxbridge, UCL, and other prestigious universities. We offer our students the very best tuition in the business %E2%80%93 in fact, only 3% of tutors who apply to our network are accepted to work with us As a result, more than 90% of our applicants receive an offer from their first or second choice universities at undergraduate level Reach out to our helpful staff right away to receive our committed support.
Does Durham offer Medicine?
Durham no longer offers a Medicine degree programme. In 2017, the university merged with Newcastle University and closed its medical school. As a result, it is now a part of Newcastle’s Faculty of Medical Sciences.
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FAQ
Is Durham University difficult to get into?
Just 6,160 students received acceptance letters from the university after receiving more than 32,570 applications.
Is Durham as good as Oxford?
Obvious in that Durham is ranked 82nd in the world while Oxford and Cambridge are currently ranked second and third. Oxford and Cambridge are both over 600 years older than their northern neighbor.
Is Durham University prestigious?
Durham University is a university unlike any other. It is a globally renowned center of teaching and research excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, and a unique and historic setting.
Is Durham University an Ivy League?
The prestigious Russell Group, the UK’s version of the “Ivy League,” includes the University of Durham. a university with a strong focus on research that excels in a wide range of academic fields