international study centre

Pathway programmes for international students wanting to study at Durham University

WHY CHOOSE DURHAM UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL STUDY CENTRE?

STUDY AT A world-leading UNIVERSITY

A member of the prestigious Russell Group

GET THE SKILLS TO SUCCEED

Our programmes provide you with the best opportunity to succeed when you progress on to your degree at Durham University City Campus.

You will improve your English language skills, focus on the academic area relevant to your degree and get familiar with university-style of teaching in a supportive environment.

BE IN DEMAND WHEN YOU GRADUATE

To help you stand out from the crowd, Durham University has developed The Durham Award that demonstrates that you have the skills that make you highly employable.

Durham University is in the top 40 universities globally for employer reputation (QS World University Rankings 2015-16).

PATHWAY PROGRAMMES AND FEES

The International Foundation Year offers you a pathway to the first year of your chosen undergraduate degree.

The Pre-Masters focuses on the skills and the academic areas most useful for your Masters degree.

International Foundation Year

Facts

Course length: Three terms

Intakes: September (September – June) or January (January – August)

Term dates

September 2017 start
  • Term 1: 11/09/17 to 08/12/17
  • Term 2: 08/01/18 to 23/03/18
  • Term 3: 03/04/18 to 29/06/18
January 2018 start
  • Term 1: 04/01/18 to 23/03/18
  • Term 2: 03/04/18 to 08/06/18
  • Term 3: 11/06/18 to 31/08/18

Entry requirements

  • Academic: Good high school graduation grades or equivalent, with relevant subjects
  • English language: Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.0 (5.0 in writing, minimum of 4.0 in all other skills)*†
  • Age: 17+

Tuition fees

  • Business, Economics, Accounting and Finance: £17,300
  • Humanities, Law and Social Science: £16,900
  • Science and Engineering: £17,900

*If you do not need a Tier 4 visa, or are exempted in another way, we can accept equivalent proof of English.
†IELTS requirement is 5.5 overall with no less than 5.5 in writing for the following degrees:

  • LLB (Hons) Law
  • BA (Hons) English Literature
  • BA (Hons) History
  • BA (Hons) Liberal Arts
  • Combined Honours in BA (Hons) Social Sciences

Progression to your degree

Once you have completed the programme and achieved the required grades, you can progress to your degree. Download the progression grades.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PREPARATION

Our English Language Preparation course is designed to raise your IELTS to the required level. After successful completion of the course, you can join the International Foundation Year.

Facts

Course length: One or two terms

Intake:

One term: September 2017 or June 2018
Two terms: June 2018

Term dates

September 2017 start
  • Term 1: 11/09/17 to 08/12/17
June 2018 start - one term
  • Term 1: 11/06/18 to 31/08/18
June 2018 start - two terms
  • Term 1: 11/06/18 to 31/08/18
  • Term 2: 17/09/18 to 07/12/18

Entry requirements

  • English language:
    One term: Academic IELTS for UKVI 4.5 (4.5 in writing, minimum of 4.0 in all other skills)*
    Two terms: Academic IELTS for UKVI 4.0 (minimum of 4.0 in all skills*
  • Age: 17+

Tuition fee

  • English Language Preparation: £4,050 per term

Modules and progression degrees

Core modules common to all routes
  • Academic English Skills
  • Core Foundation Maths for Business and Economics
  • Extended Research
  • Foundations of Business
  • Foundations of Statistics
Additional core modules (except Economics)
  • Academic Practice (for Business)
  • Studying Social Life (for Business)
Elective modules relevant to progression degrees

You will study the most relevant modules to your subject area. Upon completion of the programme and satisfying the progression criteria, you may proceed to your chosen undergraduate degree at Durham University. Download the progression criteria.

Accounting and Finance BA (Hons)
  • Further Maths for Finance, Management and Marketing
Accounting and Management BA (Hons)
  • Further Maths for Finance, Management and Marketing
Business and Management BA (Hons)
  • Further Maths for Finance, Management and Marketing
Economics BA (Hons)*
  • Academic Practice for Social Sciences
  • Introduction to Modern History
  • Calculus and Further Maths with Statistics and Strategic Maths
Finance BSc (Hons)
  • Further Maths for Finance, Management and Marketing
Marketing and Management BA (Hons)
  • Further Maths for Finance, Management and Marketing

* There is also access to this degree aim through the Humanities, Law and Social Science pathway.
The courses and modules listed are indicative.

Modules and progression degrees

Core modules common to all routes
  • Academic English Skills
  • Extended Research (except for BA (Hons) History)
Additional core modules specific to Humanities route
  • Academic Practice in Arts and Humanities
  • Studying Social Life for Arts and Humanities
  • Introduction to Liberal Arts
  • Understanding Language
  • English Literature
Additional core modules specific to Social Science and Law route
  • Academic Practice in Social Science
  • Studying Social Life for Social Science
Elective modules relevant to progression degrees

You will study the most relevant modules to your subject area. Upon completion of the programme and satisfying the progression criteria, you may proceed to your chosen undergraduate degree at Durham University. Download the progression criteria.

Archaeology BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons)
  • Introduction to Ancient History
  • Discovering Anthropology
  • Foundations of Statistics
  • Human Health and Disease
  • Biology of the Environment
Anthropology BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons)
  • Discovering Anthropology
  • Foundations of Psychology
  • Foundations of Statistics
  • Human Health and Disease
  • Biology of the Environment
Chinese Studies BA (Hons), Classics BA (Hons), Japanese Studies BA (Hons), Liberal Arts BA (Hons) or Philosophy BA (Hons)
  • Introduction to Ancient History
  • Introduction to Modern History
  • Discovering Anthropology
Combined Honours in Social Sciences BA (Hons)
  • Foundations of Statistics
  • Discovering Anthropology
  • Introduction to Modern History
  • English Literature
  • Introduction to Liberal Arts
Criminology BA (Hons), Law LLB (hons)  or Politics BA (Hons)
  • Foundations of Statistics
  • Discovering Anthropology
  • Introduction to Modern History
  • English Literature
  • Introduction to Liberal Arts
Education Studies BA (Hons)
  • Introduction to Science
  • English Literature
  • Maths and Statistics for Teachers
  • Psychology of Thinking and Learning
English Literature BA (Hons) or Theology and Religion BA (Hons)
  • Introduction to Ancient History
  • Introduction to Modern History
  • Discovering Anthropology
Geography BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons)
  • Introduction to Earth Science and Physical Geography
  • Introduction to Science
  • Geography
  • Numerical Skills with Statistics
Health and Human Sciences BSc (Hons)
  • Foundations of Statistics
  • Discovering Anthropology
  • Foundations of Psychology
  • Human Health and Disease
  • Biology of the Environment
History BA (Hons)
  • Introduction to Ancient History
  • Introduction to Modern History
International Relations BA (Hons)
  • Introduction to Modern History
  • Introduction to Liberal Arts
  • Understanding Language
  • Foundations of Statistics
  • Discovering Anthropology
Law LLB (Hons)
  • Law 1
  • Law 2
  • Introduction to Modern History
  • English Literature
  • Introduction to Liberal Arts
Music BA (Hons)*
  • Foundations of Music: History and Form
  • Introduction to Modern History
  • Foundations of Music
Philosophy, Politics and Economics BA (Hons)**
  • Introduction to Modern History
  • Introduction to Liberal Arts
  • Understanding Language
  • Foundations of Statistics
  • Calculus and Further Maths with Statistics and Strategic Maths
Sport, Exercise and Physical Education BA (Hons)
  • Foundations of Statistics
  • Discovering Anthropology
  • Foundations of Psychology
  • Human Health and Disease
  • Biology of the Environment

The courses and modules listed are indicative.
*In the absence of Music A Level students should have achieved Grade 8 Theory.
**Will need to have studied Maths in their most recent year of study for entry to the International Foundation Year.

Modules and progression degrees

Core modules common to all routes
  • Academic English Skills
  • Core Foundation Maths
    (except Biological Science and Biomedical Science and Geology)
  • Core Foundation Chemistry
    (except Mathematics and Computer Science)
Elective modules relevant to progression degrees

You will study the most relevant modules to your subject area. Upon completion of the programme and satisfying the progression criteria, you may proceed to your chosen undergraduate degree at Durham University. Download the progression criteria.

Biological Sciences BSc (Hons) or Biomedical Sciences BSc (Hons)
  • Academic Practice for Scientists
  • Advanced Chemistry
  • Anatomy Physiology and Disease
  • Core Foundation Biology Combined
  • Numerical Skills with Statistics
Chemistry BSc (Hons)
  • Advanced Chemistry with Project
  • Calculus, Further Maths and Mechanics with Statistics and Strategic Maths
Computer Science BSc (Hons)
  • Calculus and Further Maths with Statistics and Decision Maths
  • Computer Science with Advanced Physics with Project
  • Foundations of Physics
  • Logical Thinking
General Engineering BEng (Hons)
  • Calculus, Further Maths and Mechanics with Statistics and Strategic Maths
  • Engineering with Advanced Physics with Project
  • Foundations of Physics
Geology BSc (Hons)
  • Foundations of Physics
  • Foundations of Statistics
  • Introduction to Earth Sciences and Physical Geography
  • Geology with Advanced Chemistry with Project
  • Core Foundation Maths and Geography or Calculus, Further Maths and Mechanics with Statistics and Strategic Maths
Mathematics BSc (Hons)
  • Advanced Physics with Project
  • Calculus, Further Maths and Mechanics with Statistics and Strategic Maths
  • Foundations of Physics
  • Foundations of Statistics
  • Proof and Problem Solving
Physics BSc (Hons)
  • Advanced Physics with Project
  • Calculus, Further Maths and Mechanics with Statistics and Strategic Maths
  • Foundations of Physics
Psychology BSc (Hons)
  • Foundations of Psychology
  • Extended Research Project for Psychology
  • Human Health and Disease
  • Biology of the Environment
  • Numerical Skills with Statistics for Psychology

The courses and modules listed are indicative.

Pre-Masters

Facts

Course length: Two or three terms

Intakes:

  • Three terms: September (September – June) or January (January – August)*
  • Two terms: January (January – June)* or April (April – August)*

*Intake date not available to students wishing to progress to a Finance or Management degree. September start only.

Term dates

September 2017 start (three terms)
  • Term 1: 11/09/17 to 08/12/17
  • Term 2: 08/01/18 to 23/03/18
  • Term 3: 03/04/18 to 29/06/18
January 2018 start (three terms)
  • Term 1: 04/01/18 to 23/03/18
  • Term 2: 03/04/18 to 08/06/18
  • Term 3: 11/06/18 to 31/08/18
January 2018 start (two terms)
  • Term 1: 04/01/18 to 23/03/18
  • Term 2: 03/04/18 to 29/06/18
March 2018 start (two terms)
  • Term 1: 28/03/18 to 08/06/18
  • Term 2: 11/06/18 to 31/08/18

Entry requirements

  • Academic: Good first degree or diploma in a relevant subject. Students choosing the Business, Economics, Accounting and Finance pathway will need proof of Maths or other numerate subject modules within their undergraduate degree or diploma. Students choosing the Science and Engineering pathway will need a relevant degree.
  • English language:
    Three terms - Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 (5.5 in all skills)*
    Two terms -  Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.0 (5.5 in all skills)*
  • Age: 20+

Tuition fees

  • Business, Economics, Accounting and Finance - 3 terms: £17,500
  • Business, Economics, Accounting and Finance - 2 terms: £15,900
  • Science and Engineering - 3 terms: £18,100
  • Science and Engineering - 2 terms: £16,100

*If you do not need a Tier 4 visa, or are exempted in another way, we can accept equivalent proof of English.

English for Pre-Masters

If you do not have the required level of English language to start the Pre-Masters you can take an English for Pre-Masters course before you start your academic programme.

You will be required to take an IELTS test at the end of the course in order to progress to the Pre-Masters.

Facts

Course length: One or two terms

Intakes:

One term: September 2017 or June 2018
Two terms: June 2018

Term dates

September 2017 start - one term
  • Term 1: 11/09/17 to 08/12/17
June 2018 start - one term
  • Term 1: 11/06/18 to 31/08/18
June 2018 start - two terms
  • Term 1: 11/06/18 to 31/08/18
  • Term 2: 17/09/18 to 07/12/18

Entry requirements

  • English language:
    One term: Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.0 (with 5.0 in all skills)*
    Two term: Academic IELTS for UKVI 4.5 (with 4.5 in all skills)*
  • Age: 20+

Tuition fees

  • English for Pre-Masters – two terms: £8,100
  • English for Pre-Masters – one term: £4,050

Modules and progression degrees

Core modules common to all routes
  • Academic English Skills
  • Advanced Academic English Writing Skills
  • Advanced Research Methods in Business
  • Critical Reading and Applied Academic Writing Skills
  • Quantitative Skills for Business
  • Extended Research Project
Elective modules relevant to progression degrees

You will study the most relevant modules to your subject area. Elective modules for those progressing to Finance and Economics Masters degree routes will feature a significant focus on maths. 

Upon completion of the programme and satisfying the progression criteria, you may proceed to your chosen postgraduate degree at Durham University.

 Accounting
  • Accounting MSc
  • Finance
  • Economics
Finance*
  • Finance MSc
  • Finance (Accounting and Finance) MSc
  • Finance (Corporate and International Finance) MSc
  • Finance (Economics and Finance) MSc
  • Finance (Finance and Investment) MSc
  • Finance (International Banking and Finance) MSc
  • Finance (International Money, Finance and Investment) MSc
  • Islamic Finance MSc
  • Islamic Finance & Management MSc
  • Mathematics and Statistics for Economics
Economics
  • Economics MSc
  • Environmental and Natural Resource Economics MSc
  • Experimental Economics MSc
  • Mathematics and Statistics for Economics
  • Public Economics MSc
Management*
  • Business Management
    • Economics
    • Marketing
  • Management MSc
  • Management (Entrepreneurship) MSc
  • Management (Finance) MSc
  • Management (Human Resource Management) MSc
  • Management (International Business) MSc
  • Management (Supply Chain Logistics) MSc
Marketing
  • Marketing MSc
  • Business Management

The courses and modules listed are indicative.

*Places are limited on Finance and Management degrees to the top five students for each subject area. On application to the programme, students are required to select an alternative degree aim from Economics, Marketing or Accounting. Students will need to achieve the required grades and undertake an interview. Should students not be selected for one of the places on Finance and Management, providing they have achieved the required grades, they will be able to progress to their alternative degree aim. Finance and Management progression degrees are only available from the September start Pre-Masters programme.

Modules and progression degrees

Core modules common to all routes
  • Academic English Skills
  • Advanced Academic English Writing Skills for Science and Engineering
  • Critical Reading and Applied Academic Writing Skills
  • Extended Research Project
  • Laboratory Skills and Experimental Design
  • Quantitative Skills for Science and Engineering (Maths and Statistics)
Elective modules relevant to progression degrees

You will study the most relevant modules to your subject area. Upon completion of the programme and satisfying the progression criteria, you may proceed to your chosen postgraduate degree at Durham University. 

Engineering and Computing Sciences
  • Internet Systems and eBusiness MSc
  • New and Renewable Energy MSc
  • Communications Engineering MSc
  • Programming
  • Computational Mathematics
  • Advanced Applied Mathematics
Mathematics
  • Advanced Applied Mathematics
  • Computational Mathematics
  • Introduction to Mathematical Analysis
  • Mathematical Sciences MSc
Psychology
  • Itroduction to Developmental Psychology
  • Developmental Psychopathology MSc
  • Research Methods (Developmental Psychology) MA
  • Research Methods in Psychology

 

The courses and modules listed are indicative.

Need Accommodation for September?

A room offer is guaranteed if you have:

Received your Confirmation Letter from Admissions by midday UK time on 27th July 2017

Applied for accommodation using the provided instructions by midday UK time on 31st July 2017

Contact the ISC Accommodation team to book your room.

From 1st August 2017, the ISC Accommodation team will continue to support you in finding accommodation. Any remaining rooms will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis.

A WARM WELCOME AWAITS YOU AT QUEEN’S CAMPUS

The International Study Centre is located at Durham University’s Queen’s Campus in Stockton-on-Tees.

It is a modern purpose-built site situated in a waterfront setting. It offers a full range of facilities and study resources to ensure you can make the most of your studies and be fully prepared for your undergraduate or postgraduate study at Durham University's City Campus.

You can live in Rialto Court, a short walk from the Campus and close to Stockton town centre. Confirm your place at the International Study Centre and complete all the necessary steps for accommodation by July 31st. Rooms in Rialto Court will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Once this accommodation option is full, we will find a suitable alternative for you.

Once you progress to the Durham University City Campus, you have the option to stay in the University's accommodation in one of the colleges.

Download the ISC accommodation factsheet »

A UNIVERSITY COMMITTED TO RESEARCH EXCELLENCE

At Durham University you’ll join a community of world-leading academics who are at the forefront of their field and fully committed to deliver a cutting-edge, research-led curriculum.

91% of the university’s research has ‘very considerable’ or ‘outstanding’ impact in terms of reach and significance (Research Excellence Framework 2014).

Form loading...