Durham University is a globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, with over one third of our students coming from an international background.
We're offering a range of new International Scholarships to students from Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Vietnam. The scholarships consist of a £5,000 per year tuition fee discount for most of our undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes starting in 2025.
We understand that it can be challenging knowing where to start when applying to an overseas University. At Durham there is a wide range of support available to students who live in Middle East & Africa and are considering applying to Durham. We have a dedicated team who are on hand to answer any questions you have.
The Africa and Middle East student recruitment team are there to help with any aspect of the application process. They would be happy to hear from you to assist with any questions you have.
They would be happy to hear from you to assist with any questions you have.
We invite all prospective students and current applicants at all levels of study to join us and find out more about courses, entry requirements, scholarships, and student life at Durham University.
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Even though I am an international student, my thoughts are valued, and I am treated with respect. A Durham University education is best experienced than described. You will not regret your choice to come here, I assure you.
You can book one of our personalised Campus Visits to find out more about our academic degree programmes and student life on campus. Visits start with a presentation from a member of staff from the International Office, followed by a guided tour from one of our student ambassadors.
For any other queries, contact the Africa team at africa.team@durham.ac.uk
Undergraduate
The Baccalauréat de l'Enseignement Secondaire (School Certificate) qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
Postgraduate
Students holding the following qualifications can be considered for entry to Postgraduate Taught programmes:
The Angolan High School Certificate (Ensino Geral Certificado de Habilitações) qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
Please contact the team at: Africa.Team@durham.ac.uk
The Benin High School Certificate qualification is not suitable for direct entry into first year of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The Cambridge Overseas School Certificate and Botswana General Certificate of Education (BGCSE) Certificate qualification are not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The Burkina Faso Secondary School Certificate is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The Burundian Diplôme d’État and Diplôme d’Humanités Générales high school qualifications are not suitable for direct entry into first year of an undergraduate degree. 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 accept the following qualifications for direct entry to Undergraduate courses:
Qualification Accepted:
A Level
Cameroon GCE A-levels
A*A*A
17
A*AA
16
AAA
15
AAB
14
ABB
13
A-level single grade equivalencies:
A Level Grade
Equivalent Cameroon GCE Advanced Level Grade
A*
A at Advanced Level
A
B
B at Advanced Level
GCSE single grade equivalencies:
GCSE subject requirement
Equivalent qualification Cameroon GCE Ordinary Level
A* or A
A at Ordinary Level
B at Ordinary Level
C
C at Ordinary Level
The Certificado de Habiltações Literárias 3°Ciclo is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
Students holding the following qualification can be considered for entry to Postgraduate Taught programmes:
The Côte d'Ivoire Baccalauréat (School Certificate) qualification is not suitable for direct entry into the first year of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The DRC high school certificate qualifications such the Diplôme d'État d'Études Secondaires du Cycle Long are not suitable for direct entry into first year of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The Egyptian Al-Thanawaya Al-Amah (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) is not suitable for direct entry into first year of an undergraduate degree. 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).
Note: Bachelor’s degrees from a Higher Institute will not be accepted.
The Eritrean Secondary Education Certificate Examination fis not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
Note: A bachelor’s degree from Eritrea is not sufficient for entry to postgraduate programmes.
The Eswatini General Certificate of Secondary Education qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
Note: A bachelor’s degree from Eswatini is not sufficient for entry to postgraduate programmes.
The Ethiopian Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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 completed two years of a bachelor’s degree from an Ethiopian university in a relevant subject can be considered for entrance to undergraduate programmes.
Qualifications accepted:
Two years of a bachelor’s degree from Ethiopian university
‘A’ grade or 4.0/4.0 GPA
Note: A bachelor’s degree from Ethiopia is not sufficient for entry to postgraduate programmes.
The Gambian School Certificate qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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 the first year of a Gambian university bachelor’s degree can be considered for admission to the first year of our bachelor’s degree programmes.
Year one of bachelor’s degree from a Gambian University
90% average
80%
70%
65%
60%
Note: A bachelor’s degree from The University of the Gambia is not sufficient for entry to postgraduate programmes.
The Ghanian Senior School Certificate or the West African Senior School Certificate qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The high school qualification from Lesotho is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The Liberian Senior High School Certificate Examination qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
Note: A bachelor’s degree from Liberia is not sufficient for entry to postgraduate programmes.
The Libyan Secondary Education Certificate qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The Madagascar high school certificate qualifications such the Diplôme de Bachelier de l’Enseignement Secondaire qualificationa are not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The Malawi School Certificate of Education qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
Note: A bachelor’s degree from Malawi is not sufficient for entry to postgraduate programmes.
The Brevet d'Aptitude Professionnelle from Mauritius qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The Diplôme du Baccalauréat / Diplôme du Baccalauréat Technique (School Certificate) qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The Mozambique General Secondary Education Certificate qualification (Certificado de Habilitções Literarias) qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The Senior School Certificate (SSCE/WAEC/ NECO) qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The Advanced General Certificate of Secondary Education qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The Diplôme de Bachelier de l'Enseignement due Second Degré / Baccaluareat de l'Enseignement Secondaire qualification qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE/WAEC/ NECO) qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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 the first year of a bachelor’s degree in Sierra Leone will be considered for admission to the first year of our bachelor’s degree course.
Bachelor’s Degree (1st year grade)
Over 90%
The Somalian High School Certificate qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
Please note that the Lawriyada/Shahaadada BA and BSc are not sufficient and may not be used for entry to a master’s degree
The National Senior Certificate (NSC) can be accepted for entry to year one of undergraduate programmes:
National Senior School Certificate (including delivered by the IEB boards)
77777
77776
77766
77666
76666
A-Level Grade
NSC
7
6
Percentage equivalent
80-100%
70-79%
Subject specific equivalencies
Matriculation programme
Exam Grade
A Level Biology
NSC Biology
A Level Chemistry
NSC Physical Sciences
A Level English
NSC English
A Level History
NSC History
A Level Mathematics
Core Mathematics
A Level Music
NSC Music
A Level Physics
GCSE Mathematics
Mathematics Literacy
Note: Life Orientation is not accepted as an A-Level equivalent.
The Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The Sudanese Secondary School Certificate is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The Tanzanian Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ACSEE) exams can be considered for direct entry onto our undergraduate courses.
Award of the Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (ACSEE) with the following grades in principal level subjects will be considered:
Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education (ACSE)
The Togolese Baccalauréat qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
The Tunisian High School curriculum (Diplôme de Baccalauréat) qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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 accept one of the below:
The Zambian High School Certificate qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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).
Note: A bachelor’s degree from Zambia is not sufficient for entry to postgraduate programmes.
We accept applicants with Zimbabwe General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level (ZIMSEC A-Levels) for direct entry into undergraduate programmes.
Qualiication accepted:
ZIMSEC A-level
ZIMSEC A-level Certificate with AAA
ZIMSEC A-level Certificate with AAB
ZIMSEC A-level Certificate with ABB
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
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 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 2:1 or GPA of 3.2 or better.
The General Secondary Education Certificate (Tawjihyah) qualification is not suitable for direct entry into year one of an undergraduate degree. 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 GPA of 3.2 or higher.
