Durham University

Career development and support at every stage
At Durham University you will plan for your future, meet employers and develop your employability skills. Durham University produces some of the UK’s most employable graduates.

In a highly competitive graduate employment landscape, graduates need to demonstrate their strengths and experience to potential employers. You will start to gain the skills for career success at the International Study Centre.

Career-focussed activities are built in to your pathway programme, including:

identifying your personal strengths and areas for development
developing key employability skills such as problem solving, teamwork, time management and communication
creating a personal development plan, identifying your goals for future success.
At the University
When you successfully progress to your degree at Durham you can take full advantage of the University’s wider career services at the Careers & Enterprise Centre. This includes access to careers advice, support to launch your own business, and access to many of the online resources – even after you graduate. In addition international students can receive tailored information including details of overseas opportunities and employers, and platforms such as Student Circus.

Develop your skills
Developing your academic and employability skills is key to being prepared for your study and work during and after your time at University. The Careers & Enterprise Centre can help you identify opportunities to help you understand and develop the skills you will need. You will have the opportunity to:

Attend sessions that provide practical advice about skills such as, performing well at assessment centres

• Handling video interviews
• Developing digital skills
• Writing applications

You can also develop your employability skills using a wide range of resources, including a work readiness assessment, and the Durham Online Career Planning Programme, which includes pathways on Knowing Yourself and Employers’ Expectations, Exploring Options, Goal Setting and Career Action Planning, and Successful Applications and Assessments.

Build your work experience
Many degrees offer the opportunity for work experience. A wide variety of opportunities are advertised by the Careers & Enterprise Centre, including placement years, internships, local part-time jobs and voluntary work.  
A dedicated Work Experience Development team create and run a number of work experience and internship programmes, specifically for Durham students. Taking into account the needs and interests of the student cohort, these programmes are intended to support students in gaining valuable work experience in highly sought after career areas.

The Student Employment Service can help you to find and apply for part-time work both on-campus and in the local area. Many employers value a broad range of skills that can be developed through part-time employment.  
A number of events are hosted throughout the year, which are useful when searching for part-time jobs and work experience opportunities

• 2 Years PSW is applicable after completing a minimum duration of 9 months course (like- Undergraduate, Postgraduate Level)
• 3 Years PSW is applicable after completing PhD level courses.

Admissions Process

• Subject requirements, level, and grade
• A minimum 2:1 Honours degree from a UK institution (or the overseas equivalent) in any subject, or equivalent.

References play an important part in the admissions process.

Recognised three or four year undergraduate degree (Honors or Regular pass)

• The IELTS requirement for Durham University depends on the program you're applying to: 
• MBA program
• The IELTS requirement for the Durham MBA program is 7.0 overall, with no element below 6.5. 
• International Foundation Year
• The IELTS requirement for the International Foundation Year at Durham University is 5.5 overall, with 5.5 in reading and writing, and a minimum of 5.0 in all other skills. 
• Other programs
• If English is not your first language, you may need an IELTS score of 7.0 or above (with no element below 6.5) to apply to other programs at Durham University. 
• The IELTS or Pearson Test of English (PTE) test must be no more than two years old at the start of the program. 
• Durham University also offers an International Study Centre that provides English language preparation for students to prepare for their degree at Durham City Campus.