Overview

Durham University is a well-regarded UK university that regularly attracts international students from the Gulf and Southeast Asia, particularly for its flagship programmes.

Rankings snapshot (latest major league tables)

Durham is usually in the global top 100–150 and often in the UK top 10, especially strong in Law, Business and Humanities.

Popular degrees for GCC and Southeast Asian students

• Particularly strong and popular for: Law, Business, Natural Sciences, Psychology and English/History.
• Less commonly chosen (from this region): Fewer engineering/computing options than big technical universities.

Campus type and location

• City: Durham
• Type: Collegiate university with multiple colleges spread around a small historic city.

Student demographic and culture

Durham teaches roughly 18,000–20,000 students, split across its colleges and academic departments.

High proportion of students from selective UK schools plus a noticeable international cohort; smaller GCC/SEA intake but growing.

Male to female balance

Balanced overall, with some humanities more female and physical sciences more male.

Accommodation options

College-based accommodation for first years; many students live in college or private housing in later years.

Academic intensity and social life

Demanding, especially in Law and Natural Sciences; strong tutorial and college support networks.

College system shapes social life; a strong sense of community with regular formals, events and traditions.

Sports, societies and wider profile

Very active sports culture at both college and university level.

Careers and employer reputation

Durham is well known among UK employers and often seen as a target university, particularly for law, finance and consulting.

How Tutopiya helps

Tutopiya works with students aiming for Durham University and other top UK universities by:

• Strengthening grades in IGCSE and International A‑level subjects that these courses care about.
• Preparing for admissions tests and interviews where required.
• Providing university counselling, helping GCC and Southeast Asian families understand fit, competition and strategy.

If you’d like tailored advice for your child’s situation, you can talk to Tutopiya’s team about a joined‑up plan covering both exam preparation and university admissions.