Durham University welcomes applications from students all over the world. Some country and region-specific entry requirements are listed below, but if you do not see your country/region or qualification please get in touch with us.
If you don’t have the qualifications for entry or need extra help with the English language, then we accept a number of courses for entry to our undergraduate degrees. Discover more about our range of Foundation Courses.
International students who do not meet direct entry requirements have the option of studying an International Foundation Year or a Pre-Masters programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.
Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at Durham University. Find out more about entry requirements for pathway programmes.
Please contact the team at: Africa.Team@durham.ac.uk
Título de Bachiller is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry.
Applicants who have successfully completed Year 1 of their undergraduate degree at good, recognised Argentinian institutions with good grades could also be considered for direct entry on a case-by-case basis.
A Título/Grado de Licenciado/a / Título de [subject area] with a GPA of 7.5 or better.
Completed High School Leaving Certificate plus an ATAR of 92
Completed High School Leaving Certificate plus an ATAR of 90
Completed High School Leaving Certificate plus an ATAR of 88
Note: A grade of A or 75% (for New South Wales) must be obtained for any subject specific requirements.
A Bachelor’s Degree (minimum 3 years) or Bachelor Honours degree (4 years) with a Distinction (75-84%) from an Australian institution.
A Bachelor degree with a grade range from 60% - 70% or GPA 3.1 - 3.8 depending on the awarding institution on the International Office's list.
Diploma de Bachiller is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry.
Applicants who have successfully completed Year 1 of their undergraduate degree at good, recognised Bolivian institutions with good grades could also be considered for direct entry on a case-by-case basis.
A Licenciatura after 4 or more years of study with a GPA of 75% or better.
The Certificado de Ensino Médio is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry.
Applicants who have successfully completed Year 1 of their undergraduate degree at good, recognised Brazilian institutions with good grades could also be considered for direct entry on a case-by-case basis.
A Bacharel or Licenciatura (4 years or more) with a GPA or 7.5 or better.
A Masters’ degree from a recognised institution in Brunei will be considered for postgraduate entry with minimum grade of 70%, Excellent/Very Good or a numeric score of 3.5.
A Master's degree with scores of 80-84% / B+ / 3.50-3.99/ Very Good depending on the awarding institution.
If you have any questions regarding the entry requirements for Canada, please email us at North.America@durham.ac.uk.
Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland Nova Scotia Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Yukon Territory Postgraduate
A Bachelors degree, with one of the following scores (or better): GPA 3.3 out of 4.0, GPA of 6.5 out of 9.0, 85% out of 100, 80% out of 90, or Grade B+.
A Master of Arts / Master of Science (Research) with a minimum of 2 years study, or an MBA.
Grade I in at least one 2-Unit course and Grade II in two additional 2-Unit courses.
The Licencia de Educación/Enseñanza Media is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry.
Applicants who have successfully completed Year 1 of their undergraduate degree at good, recognised Chilean institutions with good grades could also be considered for direct entry on a case-by-case basis.
A Licenciatura after 4 or more years of study, with a GPA of 5 or better.
A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (after 4 or more years of study) with a GPA of 5.5 or better.
Gaokao (National College Entrance Examination) is accepted for direct entry applications of the science faculty - including with minimum 80% overall average, 80% in Mathematics if required at A Level, plus IELTS at departmental level.
Applications from students who pass year one of bachelor’s degree from a recognised university in a relevant subject with an overall grade of 85% will be considered for direct entry.
Ambright Aptitude Scholastic Tests (AST) is accepted for direct entry applications of programmes including Biosciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Education, Engineering, Mathematical Sciences, Physics, Psychology, Criminology, Sociology, Anthropology, Geography, Philosophy, Sport and exercise science, Classics, and Visual arts and film. We will consider applications from students who achieved 220 in English and Mathematics and 230 in Physics (if taken) and Huikao or National Senior High School Certificate (from Provinces where the Huikao is not offered) with a grade average of above 80% (A, Excellent) - including 85% in relevant subjects where required at A level, plus IELTS at departmental level.
“A four-year bachelor’s degree from a recognised university. You will normally need to have a score of 80% or above. Each programme may have a different requirement to the subject applicants are from, please see our programme pages for specific course requirements.”
If you are a prospective student from China who does not meet the admission requirements, you can apply for a pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to degree-level study.
Prospective Chinese students can also visit the Durham University International Study Centre Chinese site for more information.
The Titulo de Bachiller is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry, please visit our Durham University International Study Centre website for more information.
Applicants who have successfully completed Year 1 of their undergraduate degree at good, recognised Colombian institutions with good grades could also be considered for direct entry on a case-by-case basis.
A Licenciatura obtained after 4 or more years of study at a recognised university with a cumulative GPA of 3.8 or better.
Título de Bachiller is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry (please visit our Durham University International Study Centre website for more information).
Applicants who have successfully completed Year 1 of their undergraduate degree at good, recognised Cuban institutions with good grades could also be considered for direct entry on a case-by-case basis.
A Licenciatura after 4 or more years of study with a score of B, 80 or 4 (or better).
Students who are studying for EU qualifications can find European qualification equivalencies linked on the European Country-Specific Information. If any students studying qualifications within the EU are unsure whether they are acceptable for admission, they should visit Ask Us.
HKDSE
A*A*A
5* 5* 5 in three subjects from any combination of Group A Electives, Core Mathematics, and Core English Language.
A*AA
5* 5 5 in three subjects from any combination of Group A Electives, Core Mathematics, and Core English Language.
AAA
5 5 5 in three subjects from any combination of Group A Electives, Core Mathematics, and Core English Language.
AAB
5 5 4 in three subjects from any combination of Group A Electives, Core Mathematics, and Core English Language.
ABB
5 4 4 in three subjects from any combination of Group A Electives, Core Mathematics, and Core English Language.
For subjects requiring a Maths A level.
5* 5* 5* 5 from two Group A Electives plus Core Mathematics and Extended Maths (M1 or M2)
OR
5* 5* 5* 5 one Group A Elective plus Core English Language plus Core Mathematics and Extended Maths (M1 or M2)
5* 5* 5 5 from two Group A Electives plus Core Mathematics and Extended Maths (M1 or M2)
5* 5* 5 5 one Group A Elective plus Core English Language plus Core Mathematics and Extended Maths (M1 or M2)
5 5 5 5 from two Group A Electives plus Core Mathematics and Extended Maths (M1 or M2)
5 5 5 5 one Group A Elective plus Core English Language plus Core Mathematics and Extended Maths (M1 or M2)
5 5 5 4 from two Group A Electives plus Core Mathematics and Extended Maths (M1 or M2)
5 5 5 4 one Group A Elective plus Core English Language plus Core Mathematics and Extended Maths (M1 or M2)
Not Applicable
A Bachelor’s (Honours) degree with a 2:1 or a GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 or equivalent depending on the grading system.
Standard XII
Note: Standard XII from CBSE or CISCE Boards and some State Boards only are accepted for entry. State Boards considered on a case by case basis.
A 3, 4 or 5-year Bachelors degree from an approved Indian university with a score of 60%-70% depending on the institution.
Pass Diploma II (D2) or Diploma III (D3) with GPA of 8 out of 10.
Pass Diploma II (D2) or Diploma III (D3) with GPA of 7 out of 10.
Pass Diploma II (D2) or Diploma III (D3) with GPA of 6 out of 10.
A bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a GPA of 3.3 or above.
The Certificate of Preparatory Education or Sixth Form Baccalaureat are not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry.
A master’s degree from a recognised university with 75% or better.
Matriculation Certificate (Bagrut)
Overall score of 85% and three level 5 subjects with scores of 75% each
Note: The Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry.
A Bachelor’s degree (Gakushi, 4-6 years) with an overall grade of B or a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0.
Note: The Attestat o Srednem Obrazovami is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry.
A Bakalavr from a recognised Kazakh institution with a minimum GPA of 3.4/4.0, 4.3/5.0 or 85%.
The Al-Thanawayaa or Tawjihyah are not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry, please visit our Durham University International Study Centre website for more information.
A Bachelors degree with a GPA of 2.75/4 or higher.
The Lebanese Baccalaureate or Baccalauréat Général are not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry.
A Bachelor degree, Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures / Attestation d'Etudes Approfondies, or Maîtrise with at 16/20 or 80%/B average or a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
The Secondary Education Certificate is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry, please visit our Durham University International Study Centre website for more information.
A 4-year Bachelors degree with a 65% or GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Note: The Certificate of Higher Secondary Education is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry, please visit our Durham University International Study Centre website for more information.
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited University in Macau with a GPA of 3.2 or above.
A bachelor’s degree from a recognised Malaysian University, with a CGPA of 3.2 or higher.
The Bachillerato is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry, please visit our Durham University International Study Centre website for more information.
Applicants who have successfully completed Year 1 of their undergraduate degree at good, recognised Mexican institutions with good grades could also be considered for direct entry on a case-by-case basis.
A Licenciatura obtained after 4 or more years of study at a recognised university with a promedio of 8 or better.
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
Notes: Where Maths A-Level is required level 3 subjects should include Maths and Statistics
A Bachelors (Honours) degree with a B+ / 70-79% / 3.3-3.9 / 6 or better on the 9 point scale.
A Bachelorgrad with Grade B (very good) or better.
The Al-Thanawayaa or Tawjihyah are not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry.
A Bachelors degree with a GPA of 3.3 or better.
The Higher Secondary Certificate is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry, please visit our Durham University International Study Centre website for more information).
A 4-year undergraduate degree in a relevant subject from a recognised Pakistani university. Grade requirements will range from CGPA 2.7-3.5, depending on the institution. Students who have a 2 or 3-year Bachelors degree with a first division pass must also have a 2-year master's degree in a relevant subject with a first division pass (65%+) from an HEC recognised institution.
Certificado de Educación Secundaria Común Completa is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry (please visit our Durham University International Study Centre website for more information).
Applicants who have successfully completed Year 1 of their undergraduate degree at good, recognised Peruvian institutions with good grades could also be considered for direct entry on a case-by-case basis.
A Grado Académico de Bachiller/Título de Licenciado/Título (Profesional) de [subject area] with a GPA of 14 or better (and 13 or better for certain universities).
The High School Diploma is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry.
A Bachelors degree from select universities on the International Office's list.
A Bachelors degree with a 2:1 or GPA of 3.2 or better.
The High School Diploma is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry, please visit our Durham University International Study Centre website for more information.
We require one of the following:
A good Bachelors degree from a recognised Saudi university with an overall minimum GPA of 3.5 out of 5 or 2.75 out of 4.
First year entry to relevant undergraduate programmes, except Engineering (see Engineering requirements below). 3-year Diploma from a recognised Polytechnic in Singapore in a relevant subject with the following grades;
Recognised Polytechnics
Durham’s Department of Engineering will consider applications for 2nd year entry to its BEng General Engineering programme. Applicants must pass the Polytechnic Diploma in engineering from one of the five listed Polytechnics above, with a GPA of 3.3 or higher, plus obtain high grades - B+ or 80% or GPA 3.5, in both mathematics and physics. Please note: Polytechnic Diploma holders are not required to take IELTS. There is exemption in place (see below)
Applicants with a Diploma in Law and Management from Temasek Polytechnic - GPA of 3.3 plus satisfactory LNAT scores, can be considered for year one entry to LLB
Applicants with a Diploma in Management Studies from the Singapore Institute of Management, can be considered for year one entry to Durham University Business School’s BA Business & Management and BA Marketing & Management programmes, providing they achieve a B+ or above average grade from the SIM Diploma in Management Studies and IELTS of 6.5 with no element below 6, or a University approved equivalent
A Bachelors degree with a 2:1 and a GPA of 3.3/4.0 or 4.0/5.0.
Note: The High School Diploma is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry, please visit our Durham University International Study Centre website for more information.
A Bachelor’s degree (Haksa) from an accredited South Korean University with a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.3 or 3.2 out of 4.5.
The Certificate of Secondary Education (Maw 6) is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry.
Students with Bachelor's Special degree or Professional degree with grades of 70% (1st Class honours) from a recognised university will be considered for entry to taught Masters programmes at Durham University.
A Bachelors degree with a 5.0 or better.
Note: The Senior High School Leaving Certificate is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry.
A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited Taiwanese University with a minimum grade of 75% or a GPA of 3.0/4.0.
A Bachelors degree with an overall score of 70% or higher or a GPA of 3.0 - 3.3 or higher depending on the awarding institution.
For information about Entry requirements, please visit Turkey Entry Requirements
A 4-year Bachelors degree with a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
The Atestat pro Povnu Zagal'nu Sersdniu Osvitu (Grade 12) is not suitable for direct entry. We require students to complete an alternative qualification or a foundation programme for direct entry.
Dyplom Bakalavra with a minimum GPA of 4.0/5.0 or 7/12.
Durham University considers a wide variety of qualifications for admission. If you are unsure about any of the information below, please contact us directly at North.America@Durham.ac.uk - we're happy to help.
For 2024 entry, Durham has updated entry requirements for students attending high school in the United States that do not offer AP curriculum. For students attending a school that does not offer AP curriculum, we will consider honours courses or equivalent in place of APs. For students attending a school that has AP curriculum, you will be expected to submit AP exams for admission.
Different degree programmes at Durham will require different exam scores. To find out what these are, please:
If your school offers AP curriculum, you will need to submit a minimum of two AP exam scores in order to meet the academic entry requirements for your degree programme of choice. Please note that you must sit and submit the examinations, we will not accept the course grade. If there is a specific subject required for admission, you must evidence this with an AP exam. For some programmes, one AP may be sufficient alongside two additional qualifications listed below.
A-Level Requirement
Three APs
Two APs and one additional qualification
Three AP test scores of:
5,5,5
Two AP test scores of: 5,5
PLUS one of the following:
Four AP test scores of:
5,5,4,4
5,4,4
Two AP test scores of: 5,4
If your school does not offer AP courses, Durham will consider students who are completing the US High School Diploma with Honours courses. Please note that we will be using the information submitted by your school in the UCAS Reference to confirm that your school does not offer AP curriculum, and if your school does, you cannot be considered with Honours courses alone and will need to complete APs to be considered for admission.
If you are planning to apply via this pathway, you will need to ensure that you have achieved an overall GPA of 3.7, and you will need a minimum of 3 yearlong equivalent honours courses taken in grade 11 and grade 12 in order to be eligible for admission.
Please note: Some degree programmes have subject specific requirements. If you are applying to a programme with subject specific requirements and you are unsure if your honours course will meet the requirements, please contact us.
Three honours
Two honours and one additional qualification
Achieve overall GPA of 3.7 with three honours classes at:
A+, A+, A+
Achieve overall GPA of 3.7
PLUS
Two honours classes of A+, A+, and one of the following:
A+, A, A
Two honours classes of A+, A, and one of the following:
A, A, A
Two honours classes of A, A, and one of the following:
A-, A-, A-
Two honours classes of A-, A-, and one of the following:
B+, B+, B+
Two honours classes of B+, B+, and one of the following:
If you are completing an Associate’s Degree or Year 1 of a Bachelor’s Degree, we can consider these for entry into Year 1 of a Bachelor’s Degree at Durham University.
If you are applying to a Degree Programme at Durham which has subject-specific entry requirements, these must still be met. We may require you to submit a curriculum overview, outlining the academic content covered within your Associate’s Degree / Bachelor’s Degree so we can determine whether it aligns with the subject-specific entry requirements. Typically, you will need to meet the A Level subject requirement with a yearlong equivalent course.
Associates Degree
First Year of Bachelor’s Degree
CGPA: 3.6
GPA: 3.6
CGPA: 3.5
GPA: 3.5
CGPA: 3.4
GPA: 3.4
CGPA: 3.2
GPA: 3.2
CGPA: 3.1
GPA: 3.1
Subject-Specific Requirements
For students applying with a High School Diploma and Honours courses, you will need to have completed your school's equivalent of the above. If you are unsure if your course meets the A Level requirements, please get in touch with us.
Important things to note regarding admission:
Durham’s College Board Code: 5488
Contact us: North.America@Durham.ac.uk
A Bachelors degree from an accredited university with a GPA of 3.3 or better out of 4.0.
The Upper Secondary School Graduation Diploma is not suitable for direct entry. However, it can be considered on a case-by-case basis to fulfil GCSE requirements. Every subject passed in Upper Secondary School Graduate Diploma at grade 5-10 is comparable to GCSE A*C/9-5. English Language is comparable to Second Language only.
A 4-year Bachelors degree (Bang tot nghiep dai hoc) awarded by a recognised institution with a GPA of 7.0 or higher.