Durham / How to get in
How to Get Into Durham
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. Here is the academic profile that keeps you in the running, what Durham weighs most, and where to put your energy.
- AAA-A*AA at A-level (typical offer range)
- GPA (middle 50%)
Every college publishes how heavily it weighs each part of your application in its Common Data Set. Here is how Durham reads applicants, most important first.
- Course rigor
- Grades (GPA)
- Test scores
- Class rank
- The application essay
- Recommendation letters
- Talent or ability
- First-generation status
Durham requires SAT or ACT scores.
Equal consideration deadline (most courses) 14 January, 18:00 UK time · Oxford, Cambridge, medicine, dentistry, vet 15 October (does not apply to Durham courses) · Late applications Considered space-permitting until 30 June. Applying early (Early Action or Early Decision, where offered) can modestly improve your odds and signals commitment.
Your grades and course rigor are mostly set by now. The highest-leverage things left are your essays and how you frame your activities. Durham reads holistically, so a specific, well-told essay is where you separate yourself from other qualified applicants.
How to get into Durham: FAQ
Is Durham hard to get into?
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, applicants clear a high academic bar first, then stand out through essays, activities, and character.
What GPA do you need to get into Durham?
Admitted students at Durham typically have a GPA around AAA-A*AA at A-level (typical offer range) (middle 50 percent). A strong GPA in demanding courses is the foundation, though it never guarantees admission.
What does Durham look for in applicants?
Durham weighs course rigor, grades (gpa), and test scores most heavily, alongside a strong academic record. The parts you most control late in the process are your essays and how you present your activities.
See your real chances at Durham and every school.
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