Undergraduate Scholarships at Durham University for IGCSE, A Levels & IB Students
Why Durham is a high‑quality, scholarship‑aware choice
Durham University is a collegiate university with strengths in Law, Business, Economics, Natural Sciences, Engineering and Humanities. It is especially popular for its collegiate environment and strong graduate outcomes, and offers several scholarships for international students.
1. Durham International Scholarships
Most popular for:
Overseas‑fee undergraduates across multiple faculties.
Coverage
- Typically provide partial tuition fee reductions.
Eligibility
- Classified as an international student.
- Offer of a place on an eligible undergraduate programme.
- High academic achievement (e.g. A*AA or higher or IB high 30s+).
How to apply
- Some awards are automatic based on academic strength.
- Others require a short online application and possibly an essay.
2. College‑Level & Subject‑Specific Awards
Certain Durham colleges and departments offer small scholarships or prizes for:
- High‑performing new entrants.
- Continuing students with strong academic results.
Coverage
- One‑off payments or small annual stipends.
Application
- Often by nomination or simple internal application once you are at Durham.
3. Bursaries for Home‑Fee Students
Durham also provides:
- Bursaries and access awards for UK home‑fee students based on income and educational background.
These schemes are not usually open to overseas‑fee students.
4. External & Home‑Country Funding
As with other top UK universities, many Durham students from South East Asia, South Asia and the Middle East rely on:
- Home‑government or corporate scholarships that can be used at any leading UK institution.
These may cover:
- Full tuition
- Living expenses
- Travel
often in return for post‑study service in the sponsor country.
Realistic expectations on coverage
- Durham’s internal scholarships are usually partial, not full.
- For strong students with additional home‑country funding, Durham can become an excellent value proposition compared with London‑based options.
Strategy & timelines for IGCSE, A Level & IB students
- Aim for A*AA–AAA or IB 38–40+, particularly in:
- Maths/Economics for Business/Economics
- Sciences for Natural Sciences/Engineering
- Essay subjects for Law and Humanities
- Apply via UCAS by January.
- Monitor Durham’s international scholarships page for updated:
- Awards
- Eligibility criteria
- Application deadlines
How Tutopiya can help
Tutopiya supports Durham‑focused students by:
- Strengthening performance in relevant A Level/IB subjects.
- Mapping out where Durham sits in a wider mix of UK and non‑UK scholarship options.
If you are looking for a collegiate, academically rigorous alternative to Oxbridge, Durham—with partial scholarships and lower living costs—can be a very smart choice.
Ready to Excel in Your Studies?
Get personalised help from Tutopiya's expert tutors. Whether it's IGCSE, IB, A-Levels, or any other curriculum — we match you with the perfect tutor and your first session is free.
Book Your Free TrialWritten by
Tutopiya Team
Related Articles
How Families Can Use the University Shortlist Builder When Germany and Switzerland Both Look Rational but the Student Is Not Equally Energised by Both
A practical guide for families using the Tutopiya University Shortlist Builder when Germany and Switzerland both make sense on paper but the student is clearly more energised by one route.
How Students Can Use the University Shortlist Builder When Germany and Switzerland Both Seem Affordable Enough but the Student Still Cannot See Which Route Feels More Natural
A practical guide for students using the Tutopiya University Shortlist Builder when Germany and Switzerland both look viable on cost but one path still does not feel naturally right yet.
How Families Can Use the University Shortlist Builder When German and Swiss Universities Look Attractive but the Entry Routes Feel Less Familiar
A practical guide for families considering German and Swiss universities, using the Tutopiya University Shortlist Builder when the destinations look strong but the admissions routes feel unfamiliar.