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University Strategy

As we approach our 200th anniversary in 2032, we’ve been taking some time to reflect on our purpose, mission and objectives resulting in a revised strategy.
Students walking on a cobbled street

University Strategy Refresh 2022-27

At the half-way point of our ten-year strategy, our purpose remains the same: to enrich lives and change the world through the advancement of learning – virtually unchanged from when we were founded in 1832.

We achieve this through world-leading research and engagement, inspiring our staff and students to create and translate knowledge, and providing an inclusive education that promotes social wellbeing and prosperity for the benefit of present and future generations.
View our refreshed strategy document
Three international students sat talking
7th Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
7th Guardian University Guide 2024
8th The Complete University Guide 2024
19 subjects in the World Top 100 (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023)

Refreshed strategy

Since the launch of our 10-year University Strategy 2017-27 there has been significant change in the external environment. Our fundamental goals, and many other aspects of our University Strategy, continue to be our focus for the remainder of the Strategy period. However, reaching the midway point has provided us with an opportunity to review our progress, celebrate our achievements and refresh our priorities.  

Engaging with our University community and gaining their feedback was a key part of refreshing our Strategy, which was approved by Senate and Council in May 2023. We also undertook focused consultation with numerous stakeholder groups to develop our revised statement of purpose and core lived values.

Strategy updates 

Many of our activities are already well developed and will continue to progress as planned. Our core goals remain unchanged, which are to deliver: 

  • World-leading and world-changing research and engagement across all core academic departments and institutes. 
  • Education that is challenging, enabling, research-led and transformative.
  • A transformative wider student experience delivering long-lasting benefits for graduates and society. 

Our Finance Strategy is critical to the success of our refreshed Strategy. We will organise our finances to enable the realisation of our strategic goals on a financially sustainable basis.  

New priority areas

  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Sustainability
  • Civic and Regional Partnership 

Strengthened focus

  • Research performance, including income and impact 
  • Business engagement
  • Widening access 
  • Skills for a changing world 
  • Student wellbeing 
  • Digital 
  • Donor, alumni and supporter development

University student
This refresh has given us all the chance to re-examine the direction of the University and examine our impact as a world-leading institution as well as a key player in the local economy. Our refreshed Strategy will enable us to transform lives through education and deliver long-lasting benefits for our graduates and wider society.
Professor Karen O'Brien
Vice-Chancellor and Warden

Our purpose and values

As part of our strategy refresh, we have developed a revised statement of institutional purpose. This will guide our strategic direction, operations and decision making.
Learn more about our purpose and values
A group of students by a river in front of Durham Cathedral

 

 

Find out more

Our refreshed University Strategy is made up of 13 strategic areas and is our roadmap up until 2027. It includes three academic core strategies, four transversal strategies and six enabling strategies.

Academic core

Research

We conduct innovative and impactful research to transform lives and make a difference, globally and locally: research to empower and inspire.
Person studying an artefact under a ring light

Education

Our research-led education ensures our students are challenged and inspired, pushing the boundaries of current thinking and research.
Seminar using a whiteboard and students with laptops

Wider Student Experience

Alongside the outstanding education we offer to students, we believe that participating in every aspect of university life is fundamental.
Students singing in Gospel Choir at Durham Cathedral

 

 

Transversal strategies

Enabling strategies

A group of students walking down a cobbled street in Durham

Graduate Attributes

In 2023, we refreshed our Graduate Attributes. Students, staff and alumni contributed ideas about the attitudes and approaches (or “mindsets”) we would like our students to develop during their time at Durham.

Graduate Attributes

 

 

Read our updated strategy document

Engaging with our University community and gaining their feedback was a key part of refreshing our Strategy, which was approved by Senate and Council in May 2023. We also undertook focused consultation with numerous stakeholder groups to develop our revised Statement of purpose and core lived values.

 

 

 

University Strategy 2017 - 2027

As with all strategies, our University Strategy is continually reviewed, updated and refreshed. View or download our original University Strategy 2017 - 2027 document.

Learn more about our original 2017 - 2027 strategy