Skip to main content

Postgraduate Study

Whatever your reasons for thinking about postgraduate study, at Durham you’ll find an atmosphere that is supportive, enabling and challenging.
Science Site and Bill Bryson Library

Register your interest

Fill in our form to hear more about Durham University, including when open day events are launched.

Register here

Postgraduate Study

You’ll be given the freedom to explore what’s important to you with a diverse group of exceptional peers and supervisors. You’ll be both a challenger and be challenged, pushing the boundaries of current thinking and research.

Whether you’re interested in a taught course offering lecture, seminar based and practical study, want to undertake your own studies under expert academic supervision as part of a research degree, or a professional doctorate which combines taught modules with an extended research thesis, we’re confident Durham has what you’re looking for.

Visit Us
World Top 100 QS World University Rankings 2023
5th Guardian University Guide 2022
19 subjects in the World Top 100 of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022
56th in the world for employer reputation in the QS World University Rankings 2023

Popular searches:
View all courses
This is the image alt text

Postgraduate Study at Durham

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

Our Prospectus

  

  

University student
That feeling of figuring out or understanding something, which once seemed impossible to grasp, is priceless.
Avidesh Seenath
PhD Geography

Postgraduate Taught Degrees

Postgraduate taught study will extend your knowledge and skills and allow you to specialise in a subject beyond undergraduate level. A postgraduate qualification can enhance your career prospects or take your career in a different direction.

A taught route is ideal if you want a structured framework for your studies, with courses delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials. With many courses available on full or part-time basis, you’re sure to find something to fit around your life and preferred style of study.
Taught Degrees
Solar car project students working on the mould

Postgraduate Research

Durham offers a wide range of research degrees which can be studied on a full-time basis for one, two or three years or on a part-time basis for two, four or six years.

As well as conventional research degrees, we also offer innovative professional doctorates, giving you the opportunity to follow a structured programme of taught modules before undertaking an extended research thesis.

You will develop your own timetable of academic study under the supervision of a team of academic staff. Their roles are to help and support you to undertake your research project and complete your degree on time. The University ensures that your supervisory team has appropriate expertise in your area of study, and we have extensive training and mentoring programmes to support them to deliver high-quality supervision. When applying to study for a research degree you should consult with your academic department to check that a supervisor with expertise in your chosen subject area is available to support you.

  • Research Degrees

    As well as conventional research degrees, we also offer innovative professional doctorates, giving you the opportunity to follow a structured programme of taught modules before undertaking an extended research thesis.
    Child participating in an experiment with a researcher

  • Durham Centre for Academic Development

    All research students will have the opportunity to develop their research and transferable skills through the Researcher Development Programmes offered by their academic department and the Durham Centre for Academic Development.
    Teaching and Learning Centre exterior

Research Degrees

As well as conventional research degrees, we also offer innovative professional doctorates, giving you the opportunity to follow a structured programme of taught modules before undertaking an extended research thesis.
Child participating in an experiment with a researcher

Durham Centre for Academic Development

All research students will have the opportunity to develop their research and transferable skills through the Researcher Development Programmes offered by their academic department and the Durham Centre for Academic Development.
Teaching and Learning Centre exterior
Application Guidance

Take the first step to turning your dreams into a reality

International Study Centre

If you are an international student and don’t meet the requirements for entry to a postgraduate degree you may be eligible to take a pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

Located at Queen’s Campus Stockton, the centre provides a supportive environment where you will be introduced to the style of teaching you will experience should you progress on to your degree. Taught over two or three terms depending on your level of English language, the Pre-Masters programme provides the specialist academic and English language preparation you need to succeed as a postgraduate student at Durham University. Once you successfully complete this Pre-Masters programme and achieve the required grades, you can start your chosen Masters degree at Durham University.

This is the image alt text

Visa Information

If you don’t have British (or Irish) nationality and you're planning to travel to the UK to study at Durham, you may need to apply for a visa before you travel. The type of visa / permission you need depends on the course you're coming to study.

Find Out More

Get in Touch

Have a question about applying to Durham University?

  • Ask us a Question
  • Connect with a Student

    • Postgraduate Admissions

    Tel: +44 (0)191 334 1000

    The Palatine Centre
    Durham University
    Stockton Road
    Durham
    DH1 3LE