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Durham

Durham University

Durham applicants apply through UCAS with a personal statement built from three structured questions, not a US-style Common App essay.

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Application route

UCAS (not the Common App)

Written work

UCAS personal statement, 3 questions

Length

4,000 characters total, 350 min per answer

Interview

Not required for most courses

What Durham rewards

If you are applying to Durham from the US or anywhere outside the UK, the first thing to understand is that Durham does not use the Common App and does not want a US-style personal essay. You apply through UCAS, the single UK system that sends one application to all five of your UK choices. The written piece is the UCAS personal statement, and for 2026 entry it is now three structured questions rather than one open essay. You get 4,000 characters total (including spaces) across all three answers, with a 350-character minimum on each.

The core challenge for international applicants is one of register. The UCAS personal statement is an academic argument for why you should study one specific subject, not a story about who you are. Durham reads it to judge your enthusiasm for and readiness in your chosen course. There is no "show your personality through a quirky anecdote" expectation here. Most Durham courses make decisions on grades, predicted grades, and this statement, so the writing has to do real academic work in a small space.

01Genuine subject obsession, shown not stated. Durham wants to see that you actually engage with your subject beyond the syllabus. Naming a specific book, paper, lecture, or problem you chased down on your own counts for far more than saying you are 'passionate.' The reader is asking: would this person thrive in a Durham seminar on this topic?
02Super-curricular evidence, not extracurricular lists. The reward goes to wider reading and academic exploration tied to the course (a journal article, a MOOC, an essay competition, a relevant project), not to unrelated achievements. Sports captaincy or music grades matter only if you can link them to skills the course needs, and even then keep them brief.
03Reflection over recitation. Durham explicitly asks you to explain why an experience is useful, not to list it. The move that earns marks is the sentence after the fact: what it taught you, how it changed your thinking, why it prepares you for this degree. A claim with a 'because' beats three claims without one.
04Relevance to the specific course. Because one statement goes to all five choices, it should foreground the subject, not a single university. But Durham reads it for fit with the course as Durham teaches it. Knowing your course's actual structure (its modules, its emphasis) lets you aim your evidence precisely instead of writing a generic subject statement.

Essay prompts for 2026-2027

3 prompts for Durham, each broken down with annotated examples.

Why this subjectPart of the 4,000-character total; minimum 350 characters

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

How your studies prepared youPart of the 4,000-character total; minimum 350 characters

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

Preparation outside educationPart of the 4,000-character total; minimum 350 characters

What else have you done to prepare outside of formal education, and why are these experiences useful?

See all 3 prompts and get a read

Your chance

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Add your GPA, test scores, and profile to estimate your odds at Durham and build a balanced list.

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Deadlines

Equal consideration deadline (most courses)14 January, 18:00 UK time
Oxford, Cambridge, medicine, dentistry, vet15 October (does not apply to Durham courses)
Late applicationsConsidered space-permitting until 30 June

Cost

Sticker price$47,400
Avg net after aid$47,400
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Explore Durham
How to get inAcceptance rate, the GPA and SAT profile, and what Durham weighs most Supplemental essays3 prompts, each broken down with annotated examples Cost & financial aidAverage $47,400/yr after aid · net price by income + calculator InterviewDoes Durham interview? Format, tips, and practice The Durham Reader ProScore your draft against Durham's exact prompts
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Durham FAQ

What is Durham's acceptance rate?

Durham reported roughly 23,657 offers from 32,995 applications in the 2023/24 UCAS cycle, an offer rate near 72%. Because offers are conditional on final exam results, the share of applicants who actually enrol is lower, around 40%. Selectivity is far tighter for high-demand subjects. At Durham, a strong application essay and a well-balanced school list matter alongside your grades and test scores.

What supplemental essays does Durham require?

Durham requires 3 supplemental essays on its application. On EssayLens each prompt is broken down with annotated examples, and you can get a free admissions-style read of your draft against the exact prompt.

How much does Durham cost?

Durham's published sticker price is about $47,400 per year, but the average family pays $47,400 after financial aid. Your net price depends on your family income; use the calculator to estimate yours.

Does Durham require SAT or ACT scores?

Durham requires SAT or ACT scores as part of the application.

When are Durham's application deadlines?

Durham's application deadlines are Equal consideration deadline (most courses) 14 January, 18:00 UK time. Add Durham to your plan on EssayLens to track its deadlines automatically.

Campus photo via Wikipedia.

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