Skip to main content

A Place to Excel

We want all students with the aspiration, merit and potential to succeed with us to apply and achieve the extraordinary at Durham.
Students in Durham City

Our Priorities for Widening Access and Participation

Our Access and Participation Plan 2025/26 to 2028/29 has been approved by the Office for Students. This will take effect on 1 September 2025.

Our priorities are to:

  • Increase access to Durham for students from low participation neighbourhoods and lower-income backgrounds.
  • Increase enrolment of students from groups underrepresented in higher education.
  • Expand the support we provide for care-experienced students.
  • Close attainment gaps for disabled students and mature learners.

Fair Access and Widening Participation

Find out more about our work to ensure fair access and widen participation.
Students chatting in front of a screen

Opportunities for schools and colleges

Discover the Widening Access and Participation programmes we offer.
Two children drawing during an outreach session
Find out more about our role in North East England

Explore our plan to support students from under-represented backgrounds

One in five of our UK undergraduate students come to us through a project designed to widen access to higher education. The proportion of minority ethic students at Durham has increased by a third in just three years. We’re investing £14 million every year on supporting less advantaged students access and succeed in higher education.

Groups of students sitting and standing on grass with Durham Cathedral in the background

Find out about the support we offer

We have a comprehensive range of support schemes available to help students succeed at Durham.

This includes grants specifically tailored to students from North East England, through to subject-specific scholarships and financial support opportunities. Our Durham Inspired: Black Heritage Scholarships offer financial support to Black Heritage Students as part of a broader programme of Durham Inspired scholarships. We also work with schools, charities and partner organisations to expand access to education for school pupils and the local community.

Options available

Latest news

‘An enormous pleasure’ – UK Government Minister’s joy at Durham return

Our graduate and now UK Government minister Lord (James) Timpson has spoken of his love of Durham during a return visit.

Alumni news
Male in black suite, white shirt and red tie standing behind lectern, speaking, right arm raised and pointing

To America and Back: James Corden tells Durham students his story

Much-loved British actor, writer and comedian James Corden, who achieved US fame with his ‘Carpool Karaoke’ and as the host of The Late Late Show, shared valuable advice on breaking into the business at a high-profile event supported by Durham University.
Durham news
James Corden and David Miliband with students

Durham subjects among world top 100

Four of our subjects have been ranked among the world’s top 100 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025.
Research news
Three young people seated left, looking right, smiling
Read first-hand stories on The Durham Student blog

   

Considering applying to Durham?

  • Undergraduate Study

    Our research-led education ensures our broad range of courses will challenge and inspire you.

    Group of students

  • Postgraduate Study

    Our taught Masters and research programmes will enable you to push the boundaries of current thinking and research.

    Postgraduate Students

Undergraduate Study

Our research-led education ensures our broad range of courses will challenge and inspire you.

Group of students

Postgraduate Study

Our taught Masters and research programmes will enable you to push the boundaries of current thinking and research.

Postgraduate Students

Want to know more?

If you’ve got questions, you can ask our Chatbot HOLLY, or get in touch with us. 

Here are some questions and answers you might find useful: 

What are you doing to improve social inclusion?

We’re making rapid progress in diversifying our student body. A recent commentary on the development of Access and Participation Plans highlighted the progress made by Oxford and Durham in improving the ratio of advantaged to disadvantaged students. Find out more on fair access and widening participation at Durham. 

Where do Durham students come from?

Our 20,000 students come from over 120 different countries around the world. Of UK students, nine per cent come from North East England – second only to South East England (11 per cent). In the past few years, we’ve significantly increased the number of students at Durham from the least advantaged backgrounds. 

What are you doing to help with the cost-of-living?

We’ve introduced a range of measures to support our students, from increasing the Durham Grant Scheme (which is one of the most generous in the UK) and our Student Support Fund to introducing money advice and free breakfast. Find out more at our Cost of Living Hub.

At Durham, we foster an inclusive and diverse community where every student can excel. We’re fully committed to increasing the proportion of underrepresented students coming to study with us.
Professor Karen O'Brien
Vice-Chancellor and Warden