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Welcome to all our new students

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

    Explore your course options, learn about our colleges and discover Durham with our Undergraduate Open Days on 19 and 20 September.

    Students walking at St Mary's College

  • 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

Undergraduate Open Days

Explore your course options, learn about our colleges and discover Durham with our Undergraduate Open Days on 19 and 20 September.

Students walking at St Mary's College

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.

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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

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.
Global research
An ice sheet juts out into the ocean.

Durham Researcher Wins European Criminology Award

Dr Nikki Rutter has been awarded the European Society of Criminology’s Young Criminologist Award 2025.
Research news
Dr Nikki Rutter faces the camera, in the sunshine, holding a framed award certificate with a conference banner in the background

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.
Student news
A baseball team wearing medals posing in two lines for the camera

Twenty Durham researchers appointed to REF 2029 sub-panels

Twenty of our researchers will take important roles in assessing UK universities’ research quality.
Research news
Woman in lab coat holding microscope-like device

Durham professor honoured for pioneering contributions to death studies

Professor Douglas Davies, one of the world’s leading scholars in the field of death studies, has been recognised with a prestigious lifetime achievement award from the Association for the Study of Death and Society (ASDS).
Durham news
Douglas Davies sitting outside wearing a nave blazer and red shirt

Study highlights cultural differences in parenting and reveals that how babies are soothed matters more than how fast 

The way in which babies are soothed could be more important than how quickly mothers respond, according to new research revealing cultural differences in how babies are comforted.  
Research news
A Ugandan mother in a bright dress sitting outside holding her baby
More news

Scientists develop breakthrough drone swarm system

Scientists from our Computer Science department have created a new system that allows groups of drones to fly together more quickly and safely than ever before.

Drone light trails

Study shows the lack of ‘me time’ for new mothers

New mothers only have about an hour out of their waking day for rest, according to new research by our psychologists.
A mother kissing her baby's foot whils the baby is lying on the bed

Scientists map stress response system in plants

Scientists from our top-rated Biosciences Department and partner institutions have created the first ever complete map of a hidden system that helps plants survive when the world around them changes.
Max SUMO cover

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.

Alumnus Jonathan Edwards CBE celebrates 30 years of his world triple jump record

Olympic gold medallist and Van Mildert alumnus, Jonathan Edwards (Physics, Van Mildert College,1984-87) has celebrated 30 years of his 1995 triple jump world record, which remains unbroken.
Alumnus Jonathan Edwards robed in Hon Grad robes, sitting in the Cloisters

New Career Mentoring Programme bridges the gap between lecture theatres and Careers

A pioneering career mentoring programme aimed at connecting recent university graduates employed within Atom Bank and EY with first-year students, has concluded its latest cycle with remarkable success, strengthening early-career support and professional development across disciplines.
Two colleagues meeting

Professor Jonathan Darling on the use of hotels in housing asylum seekers

The UK Government is seeking to end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers. Professor Jonathan Darling, from our Department of Geography, explains the situation and how ‘asylum hotels’ became so contentious.

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.

Enslaved Africans, an uprising and an ancient farming system in Iraq: study sheds light on timelines

Written accounts tell the story of the Zanj rebellion – a slave revolt that took place in the late 9th century in southern Iraq. Some of the rebels were enslaved Africans working in various sectors of the local economy. Here Honorary Fellow in Archaeology, Peter Brown sheds new light on the timelines.
In southern Iraq, a massive agricultural system was likely built by enslaved Africans who ended up staging a revolt. Courtesy the authors/Cambridge University Press

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

Chancellor Fiona Hill to launch new podcast at Durham Book Festival

Durham’s annual Book Festival will return from 10 – 12 October, welcoming a host of writers and thinkers from across the world, including our Chancellor, Dr Fiona Hill.
Image of Dr Fiona Hill with Durham Book Festival 2025 logo

New partnership brings Durham University research to life at Raby Castle

We’ve formalised our already productive collaboration with Raby Castle, connecting world-class research with one of the North East’s most iconic heritage sites.
Lord Barnard and Karen O'Brien sitting at a table signing the MoU document

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

Undergraduate Open Day

Friday 19 September 2025 - Friday 19 September 2025
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Durham University
Image of a student ambassador holding an ask me sign during an open day
See all events

From our Student Blogs:

To all incoming freshers...

Law student Himieka shares her top advice for new students to hit the ground running at university - from meeting new friends through societies and online spaces, to getting prepared for your studies on a budget.
Read Himieka's blog
A group of students walking down a cobbled street in Durham

 

 

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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