Durham University Admissions Statistics: What You Need to Know

Getting into a top university like Durham can feel overwhelming. You want to know your chances, understand what the statistics mean, and figure out if you've got a realistic shot at securing a place. 

The problem is, admissions data can be confusing. This guide banishes that confusion and explains Durham's admissions statistics in plain English, helping you to understand how competitive your chosen subject might be.

All data in this article has been sourced from Durham University’s own admissions data (opens in a new tab).

Top 3 Durham Admissions Statistics 

• Overall in 2023, 32,995 students applied to Durham University for an undergraduate course.

• Of those, 23,600 students received an offer.

• The department with the greatest number of applications in 2023 was Law, with 1,535.

Durham Admissions Statistics: By Department

Below is a table showing the number of UK-based 2023 applicants and offers made for all of Durham University’s departments. 

Statistics are from Durham’s own application data (opens in a new tab):

Key Trends from 2023

1. Some courses are extremely popular and competitive

Some subjects have huge numbers of applicants, but far fewer offers compared to demand:

• Law

• Computer Science

• Government and International Affairs

• Economics

Lots of people want to secure places on these courses, so Durham University can be picky. Even strong students might not get an offer because competition is high.

For example, Computer Science had 1,170 applications, but Durham only made 315 offers. That’s roughly 1 offer for every 4 applicants.

2. Some subjects offer a high chance of getting in

Some subjects have almost as many offers as applications:

• English Studies

• Engineering

• Geography

• Maths

• Natural Sciences

• Psychology

• Chemistry

This means, if you apply and meet the entry requirements, you’re very likely to get an offer.

For example, English Studies had 995 applications and Durham University made 950 offers.

3. Business-style courses are popular, but selective

Management, Finance, Marketing, and Accounting and Finance have lots of applicants but fewer offers.

This shows that Durham University is attracting students who want “career-focused” degrees, so competition is tough. 

Offer Rate vs Acceptance Rate: What's the Difference?

This is where things can get confusing.

Offer rate means the percentage of applicants who receive a conditional or unconditional offer from Durham.  (opens in a new tab)

Acceptance rate means the percentage of applicants who actually end up taking a place at the university. This is published less often and can be harder to find.

For you as an applicant, the offer rate is probably more useful. The offer rate tells you how competitive it is to get an offer in the first place. The acceptance rate shows how many of those offers actually convert into students starting their courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Percentage of Durham Applicants Get Accepted?

In 2023, around 72% of Durham applicants received offers for their chosen course. However, as demonstrated by the table above, offer rates vary considerably between different departments.

What Percentage of Durham Students Drop Out?

According to The Guardian (opens in a new tab), Durham has a low drop out rate of 2.5%. This accounts for students who drop out of their course during the first year only.

Is the University of Durham a Russell Group University?

Yes. The University of Durham is a member of the Russell Group. This is a group of leading UK universities known for strong research, teaching quality, and links to employers. Being in the Russell Group often makes a university more competitive, especially for popular courses.

Get Into Durham with Save My Exams

Durham University is highly respected, and admission is competitive. If you’re keen to apply, check department-specific figures. This will give you a much clearer sense of how competitive your chosen course actually is.

While statistics are useful for trends, they can't predict your individual chances. Maximise your chances of getting an offer by using Save My Exams examiner-written revision resources. They’re built around what actually comes up in exams, helping you boost your grades and stay in control of your revision - without the overwhelm.

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References

Durham - Applications receiving offers (opens in a new tab)

The Guardian - University Rankings 2025 (opens in a new tab)