About the university
Durham University opened its first college in 1832 and is one of the UK's leading research universities. It is a collegiate university: every student belongs to one of 17 colleges, which provide accommodation, social life and support alongside academic departments.
Durham is known for its Business School, computer science, law, and the sciences, with 22 subjects in the world top 100 of the QS subject rankings 2026. It is 6th in both the Complete University Guide 2027 and the Guardian University Guide 2027.
Indian students choose Durham for its reputation and its one-year master's courses in business, finance, data and AI. Fees are high (about £34,500 to £37,000 a year for 2027/28), but Business School master's applicants are automatically considered for scholarships of up to £10,000.
Durham is a small, historic city in North East England. Student life centres on the university and its colleges, which suits students who want a close-knit, traditional university town rather than a big city.
- Founded
- 1832, when the first Durham college opened
- Type
- Public, collegiate university with 17 colleges
- Total students
- 21,588 in 2023/24 (Durham); 21,240 in THE World University Rankings 2027 data
- International students
- 36% of students (THE World University Rankings 2027 data); 120 countries represented by staff and students
- Student–staff ratio
- 12.8 to 1 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- Intakes
- September or October for taught master's and bachelor's courses (no January intake on the courses listed here)
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
85 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
=157 in the world
Complete University Guide (UK) 2027
6th of 130 UK universities
Guardian University Guide (UK) 2027
6th in the UK
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £36,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September/October 2027
- English
- Durham Band B: IELTS 6.5 (no component under 6.0)
- Postgraduate
MSc Applied Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
- Fee / year
- £35,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- Durham Band B: IELTS 6.5 (no component under 6.0)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £35,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- Durham Band B: IELTS 6.5 (no component under 6.0)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £34,500
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September/October 2027
- English
- Durham Band B: IELTS 6.5 (no component under 6.0)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £37,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September/October 2027
- English
- Durham Band B: IELTS 6.5 (no component under 6.0)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £35,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September 2027
- English
- Durham Band B: IELTS 6.5 (no component under 6.0)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- £34,500
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September/October 2027
- English
- Durham Band B: IELTS 6.5 (no component under 6.0)
- Postgraduate
MSc Finance (Accounting and Finance)
- Fee / year
- £37,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September/October 2027
- English
- Durham Band B: IELTS 6.5 (no component under 6.0)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (GBP) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Business Analytics | 1 year (full time) | £36,000 | ≈ ₹43.9 lakh |
| MSc Applied Artificial Intelligence and Data Science | 1 year (full time) | £35,000 | ≈ ₹42.7 lakh |
| MSc Advanced Computer Science | 1 year (full time) | £35,000 | ≈ ₹42.7 lakh |
| MSc Management | 1 year (full time) | £34,500 | ≈ ₹42.1 lakh |
| MSc Finance | 1 year (full time) | £37,000 | ≈ ₹45.1 lakh |
| MSc Artificial Intelligence | 1 year (full time) | £35,000 | ≈ ₹42.7 lakh |
| MSc International Business | 1 year (full time) | £34,500 | ≈ ₹42.1 lakh |
| MSc Finance (Accounting and Finance) | 1 year (full time) | £37,000 | ≈ ₹45.1 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Durham University with similar universities in the UK.
Scholarships
- Business School master's, 2027 entry
Master's Achievement Scholarship (Business School)
Value: Up to £10,000 off tuition for overseas students
Eligibility: Fully self-funded offer holders for October 2027 entry are considered automatically. Cannot be combined with other Durham tuition discounts.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Postgraduate, September 2027 start
Durham Inspiring Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship
Value: £5,000 or £10,000 off tuition
Eligibility: Competitive award for self-funded international applicants. Apply with your Applicant ID after submitting a programme application; first-round deadline 7 December 2026.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Taught master's
GREAT Scholarship – India
Value: £15,000 off tuition (one award for India each year)
Eligibility: Students from India, through the British Council GREAT scheme. Very competitive.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Taught master's
Chevening Scholarships
Value: Various, up to £18,000 at Durham
Eligibility: Citizens of Chevening-eligible countries, including India, who will return home for at least two years after the award.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- CBSE and ISC (and some state boards, case by case): A*A*A equals 89%, A*AA 87%, AAA 85% and AAB 80%, each as the average of the best four academic subjects (excluding Physical Education).
- BSc Computer Science asks for A*AA, so about 87% in your best four subjects.
- Apply through UCAS.
Postgraduate
- Most master's courses on this page ask for a UK 2:1 (or first) or equivalent.
- From India, Durham asks for a 3, 4 or 5-year bachelor's degree from an approved Indian university with 55% to 65%, depending on the institution.
- Computer science and AI courses need a computing or strongly computing-related degree; Applied AI and Data Science and Health Data Science accept any subject.
- The Durham University International Study Centre offers a Pre-Masters programme if you do not meet direct-entry requirements.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Degree certificate and transcripts (or Class 10 and 12 mark sheets for bachelor's)
- English test score or Class 12 English marks
- Personal statement
- References
- CV for Business School courses
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Band B) | 6.5 with no component under 6.0. Band B applies to Business School, Computer Science and Engineering master's courses. |
| PTE Academic (Band B) | 62 with no less than 59 in each skill. Online PTE is not accepted. |
| TOEFL iBT (Band B) | 80 with no component under 20 (tests before 21 January 2026); 4.5 with no component under 4 (from 21 January 2026). |
| Duolingo (Band B) | 120 overall with no sub-score under 110. |
| Class 12 English | 80% or above at first attempt in Standard XII English (Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, CBSE, Goa, ISC, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu boards). For master's entry you also need a degree from a recognised English-medium university. |
Accommodation and living costs
Every Durham student belongs to a college, and postgraduates can apply for college accommodation, either catered (21 meals a week in catered colleges) or self-catered. Most postgraduate lets are 43 to 50 weeks. Prices below are weekly equivalents from Durham's postgraduate residence charges for 2026/27.
| Item | In GBP | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Self-catered standard room with shared bathroom (50 weeks) | £171–185per week | ≈ ₹20,895 – ₹22,577 |
| Self-catered en suite room | £202–217per week | ≈ ₹24,698 – ₹26,506 |
| Catered standard room, including meals (50 weeks) | £238–246per week | ≈ ₹28,997 – ₹29,968 |
| Self-catered studio | £242–250per week | ≈ ₹29,567 – ₹30,472 |
Campus and location
Durham's colleges and academic departments are spread across the small city of Durham, so most students walk between college and lectures.
- 17 colleges, each with its own community, events, sport and welfare support.
- The Business School runs a large portfolio of one-year master's courses in management, finance and analytics.
- Over 300 undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
- The Durham University International Study Centre runs foundation and pre-master's routes.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Durham's departments and Business School run careers support alongside the university careers service, and some bachelor's degrees offer a placement or year abroad. After graduating you can apply for the UK Graduate visa; see our UK guide for the current rules.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Subjects in the world top 100 | 22 | QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, quoted by Durham |
| UK league table position | 6th | Complete University Guide 2027 and Guardian University Guide 2027, quoted by Durham |
Studying in the UK
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much is a master's at Durham?
For 2027/28, most Business School management master's courses cost £34,500, finance and accounting courses £37,000, business analytics £36,000, and computing, AI and data courses £35,000 for international students.
What percentage do I need in my bachelor's?
Durham asks for 55% to 65% from an approved Indian university, depending on the institution, for courses that need a UK 2:1.
Can I use Class 12 English instead of IELTS?
For master's entry, 80% at first attempt in Class 12 English from listed boards (including CBSE and ISC) can count, together with a degree from a recognised English-medium university.
Is there a January intake?
Not for the courses on this page. Durham master's courses start in September or October.
Are there scholarships for Indian students?
Business School master's applicants are automatically considered for up to £10,000 off. The Inspiring Excellence scholarship (£5,000 or £10,000) needs a separate application by 7 December 2026 for the first round.
Sources
- Durham University: MSc Business Analytics (opens in a new tab)
- Durham University: MSc Advanced Computer Science (opens in a new tab)
- Durham University: MSc Management (opens in a new tab)
- Durham University: BSc Computer Science (opens in a new tab)
- Durham University: English language levels required (opens in a new tab)
- Durham University: Direct Entry Band B (opens in a new tab)
- Durham University: other English language qualifications (opens in a new tab)
- Durham University: international scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- Durham University Business School: Master's Achievement Scholarships 2027 (opens in a new tab)
- Durham University: postgraduate residence charges 2026/27 (opens in a new tab)
- Durham University: about us (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: Durham University (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.durham.ac.uk (opens in a new tab)
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