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University of the Year 2026

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  • Welcome and Orientation Week

    We’re here to help you with the essential next steps as you start your Durham journey.

  • Shaping your future career

    We prepare our graduates for exciting and fulfilling careers around the world. Whether you are looking to stay in the UK after graduation or want to explore global opportunities, we will help you stand out.

    Young man in a business suit stands in front of a digital screen. The screen shows a collage of images and the words

Welcome and Orientation Week

We’re here to help you with the essential next steps as you start your Durham journey.

Shaping your future career

We prepare our graduates for exciting and fulfilling careers around the world. Whether you are looking to stay in the UK after graduation or want to explore global opportunities, we will help you stand out.

Young man in a business suit stands in front of a digital screen. The screen shows a collage of images and the words

Your next steps

Events in the Middle East: support and assistance for students and staff

Read our statement and answers to frequently asked questions.

Find out more
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Research Impact at Durham

We conduct innovative and impactful research to transform lives and make a difference, globally and locally: research to empower and inspire.

Discover more about our research impact

  

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DESI team wins prestigious 2026 Berkeley Prize

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) collaboration has been awarded the 2026 Lancelot M. Berkeley–New York Community Trust Prize for Meritorious Work in Astronomy.

Global research
DESI Y3P Datapoints Flat

Hosting global partners at Matariki Network meeting in Durham

Vice Chancellor and Warden, Professor Karen O'Brien hosted the annual executive board meeting of the Matariki Network this week (16-18 September).
Durham news
A group of people standing on a staircase

Durham University named The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year 2026 

We have been named the UK’s University of the Year 2026 by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide.
Durham news
Three students outside in the sun chatting and smiling with the cathedral in the background

From selection to studio: how our University Challenge team was built

A new student team from Durham is gearing up to compete in the 55th series of seminal quiz show University Challenge.
Durham news

Scientists discover unexpected twist in cosmic wind speeds

An international team of scientists, led by Professor Chris Done of our Physics Department, has made a surprising discovery about powerful winds blasting from around a neutron star.
Global research
A generated image of a swirling cosmic wind with a sun

Durham University to play key role in North East England AI Growth Zone

Durham University welcomes the UK Government’s announcement (Wednesday 17 September) that North East England will become an AI Growth Zone. It is a considerable boost for Durham City and our wider region.
Durham news
Computer generated image of a computer circuit board

Middle East’s Bronze and Iron Age cultures were committed to wine production

Ancient plant samples have shown that farmers in the Middle East prioritised wine production over olive growing during times of climatic change.
Global research
A bunch of red grapes on a metal table top
More news

Parliamentary event highlights the importance of soil health

We recently collaborated on a parliamentary roundtable to discuss the importance of soil health.

Panel of speakers sat at horseshoe shaped table in large room within the Houses of Parliament

Visiting New Zealand professor to study Britain’s ‘skeletons in the closet’

A New Zealand researcher is joining us on a four-year professorship to study the bioethics of the use, curation, and repatriation of anatomical skeletal collections.
Professor Siân Halcrow smiling wearing a dark green blazer and leaning on a table in a seminar room

Polar geoengineering ideas will not help and could harm, experts warn

Five of the most-publicised polar geoengineering ideas are highly unlikely to help the polar regions, according to a new study involving our geographers.
An ice sheet juts out into the ocean.

Renowned conductor Tim Burke named as Principal Conductor of our Choral Society

Newcastle-based conductor and composer, Tim Burke, takes the reigns of our Choral Society (DUCS) following the retirement of John Forsyth MBE.

Hitting a home run for baseball and softball at Durham

Our student baseball and softball club recorded their most successful season this past academic year. We catch up with the club’s outgoing President, Jaryd Mercer, to find out more.
A baseball team wearing medals posing in two lines for the camera

Beyond the runway: flagship student charity fashion show invites alumni to reconnect

Durham University Charity Fashion Show returns for its 43rd year with a renewed focus on alumni engagement, philanthropy, and community.

IPPP marks 25 years of world-leading particle physics research

Our Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology (IPPP) will celebrate its 25th anniversary on 24-25 September, recognising a quarter-century of innovative research, global collaboration, and academic excellence.

IPPP group photo

Call to build asylum housing 'that works'

Professor Jonathan Darling, from our Department of Geography, says that after the Epping Forest case, the UK Government needs to be bold and build asylum housing that works.
A group of women standing around with bags on the floor.

Has immigration led to a new form of labour market protectionism in Europe?

Drawing on a study of legislative changes in Austria, Germany, Ireland and the UK, Omar Hammoud-Gallego, Pat McGovern and Eiko Thielemann identify a new development in immigration control that extends beyond borders into the workplace.
A welder at work wearing a visor with sparks showing.

  • New work-integrated learning toolkit now live

    Our Careers and Enterprise Team launched a new Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Toolkit at the 2025 Teaching and Learning Conference. Developed by academic and professional services staff across the institution, the toolkit provides an innovative, research-informed resource to support staff in embedding employability and real-world learning into the curriculum
    Support Services
    students sitting working at desks

  • Welcome to September’s community newsletter

    In the September edition of our community newsletter, we celebrate the achievements of our students, share opportunities to get involved, and highlight University research and outreach that makes a difference.
    Durham news
    Parents and young children outdoors at a flower stall

  • Heritage and renewal at Durham Castle: step into history this autumn

    Find out about the latest at Durham Castle, including celebrations for this year’s Heritage Open Days, and an update on the revitalisation of the historic Fellows’ Garden.
    Durham news

New work-integrated learning toolkit now live

Our Careers and Enterprise Team launched a new Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Toolkit at the 2025 Teaching and Learning Conference. Developed by academic and professional services staff across the institution, the toolkit provides an innovative, research-informed resource to support staff in embedding employability and real-world learning into the curriculum

students sitting working at desks

Welcome to September’s community newsletter

In the September edition of our community newsletter, we celebrate the achievements of our students, share opportunities to get involved, and highlight University research and outreach that makes a difference.
Parents and young children outdoors at a flower stall

Heritage and renewal at Durham Castle: step into history this autumn

Find out about the latest at Durham Castle, including celebrations for this year’s Heritage Open Days, and an update on the revitalisation of the historic Fellows’ Garden.

Upcoming events

University College Chapel Choir Concert

Monday 22 September 2025 - Monday 22 September 2025
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
St Bartholomew the Great, Cloth Fair, London, EC1A 7JQ
Student choir

The 5th Collegiate Way International conference, CWI 2025 - booking now open

Tuesday 2 December 2025 - Friday 5 December 2025
12:00 AM to 11:59 PM
Durham City, UK.
Aerial View of Palace Green, Durham Castle, and Durham Cathedral

Beasts and Legends: Adventures Through North East Folklore

Saturday 14 June 2025 - Sunday 2 November 2025
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Palace Green Library, Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3RN
A shadow silhouette of a person with a sword fighting off a group of shadowy monsters

Twilight Talks - John Keats Encounters the Shakespeare Folio

Thursday 25 September 2025 - Thursday 25 September 2025
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Museum of Archaeology
The image shows part of a page from Keats’s copy of Shakespeare on which he inscribed a sonnet.
See all events

From our Student Blogs:

Finding support when moving away from home

Archaeology and Ancient Civilisations student, Alex, from Collingwood College, talks about how colleges provide an incredible network of support; so when her Freshers' Week came to an end, she had already made so many new friends.
Read Alex's blog
Students sat chatting in a college junior common room

 

 

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What is life like at Durham University?

At Durham, academic success is only half the story. Our transformative wider student experience will also help you develop as a person. Discover the range of opportunities at Durham University and get an insider's look at the celebrated wider student experience. Whatever you love doing, whatever you might like to try, you will find support and inspiration here.

Join us and be inspired. Be you.

Find out more