University of Durham, Durham
University of Durham is a school for pupils in Durham.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
University of Durham in detail
University of Durham in its own words
In its own words: "We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. 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."
Clubs and activities named on the school's website include cricket, badminton and dance.
Vision and values (school website)Clubs (school website)
Source: The school's own website
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Durham Rail Station, about 0.8 miles away in a straight line.
8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is University - Palatine Centre (w-bound), 80 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood University of Durham stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
In August 2026, police recorded 271 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in County Durham (84), as is usual near a town centre.
Sources: NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's December 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Durham University is delivering a high-quality leadership development programme with highly motivated apprentices who arrive early to study and support each other. The university works closely with major employers to ensure the curriculum develops practical leadership skills, and apprentices are given real responsibility to lead major projects at work with increased budgets and larger teams.
Key Strengths
- Expert lecturers with real business experience who use effective case studies to teach complex concepts -
- Strong employer partnerships with quarterly progress reviews and workplace mentors supporting apprentices -
- Comprehensive support services including mental health advisers, counsellors, and stress management initiatives -
- Rigorous recruitment process that ensures apprentices understand degree-level study demands -
- Significant improvement in course completion rates since the first cohort
Areas for Improvement
- Some feedback on written assignments lacks sufficient detail to help apprentices improve -
- Limited careers information and guidance on opportunities beyond the university's own master's degree -
- Need to give apprentices a clearer overview of apprenticeship requirements before they enrol
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with apprentices receiving safeguarding training during induction and throughout the programme, and knowing how to report concerns.
Extracurricular Activities
Networking opportunities, careers support, professional skills development, mental health and well-being initiatives
Durham University offers a level 7 senior leader apprenticeship programme designed to upskill managers into business leaders. The university has been providing apprenticeships since June 2022 and currently has 78 apprentices enrolled, primarily based in the north east of England.
At a Glance
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby schools
Latest from University of Durham
Funded PhD Scholarships with the EPSRC CDT in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience
29 Sep 2026
School appoints North East businessman and entrepreneur Ian Baggett as a Professor in Practice
29 Sep 2026
Sir Harry Evans Global Fellow helps Reuters scoop top award
5 Feb 2024
From University of Durham's website. School Signal is not affiliated with the school.
Social & online
Keep up with University of Durham
Getting There
Bus Stops
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 16
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 6
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 16 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 6 serious and 10 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt.
7 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in County Durham is 5 (the median across 280 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
Across County Durham council
Places available
5,720
Applications
4,986
Got 1st preference
94.2%
Got preferred school
98.5%
All secondary applications across County Durham council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(7)
Questions parents ask about University of Durham
What is the catchment area for University of Durham?
No fixed boundary. When University of Durham is oversubscribed, County Durham allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How do I apply to University of Durham?
Apply through County Durham's coordinated admissions process, naming University of Durham on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
How many road collisions happen near University of Durham?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 16 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 6 serious and 10 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt. 7 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in County Durham is 5 (the median across 280 schools, same distance and years).
Where is University of Durham?
University of Durham is at Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)