Applying to Durham

'Allowing exceptional people to do exceptional things'

What Durham has to offer is the ultimate Rugby and University experience.

Our philosophy at DURFC is that we strive to create an environment where students will develop not only their rugby and academic experience, but also their life & personal attributes.

We genuinely feel that all of our students leave the University with an enhanced chance of following their chosen paths, be that in rugby or business.

For some players this may mean training like a premiership player and preparing for full time professional rugby whilst getting a top class degree to cover all eventualities.

For all players at every level it is about playing the best rugby you can whilst playing with some of your best friends who will become mates for life

What we offer

Training with the Lions; Cup Finals at Twickenham; Turning Professional and playing for England within 2 years of leaving University (Josh Beaumont – Sale Sharks and England – Geography Honours student 2010-13)

Sounds amazing, but theses are just some of the fantastic experiences Durham University rugby players and teams have enjoyed in very recent years.

We aim to be the best student club in the country providing a prestigious fixture list, a challenging and enjoyable rugby programme and a club that helps players get rugby experiences that are enhancing in a players life - and memories and friends to enjoy forever whilst encouraging and supporting our players to get the best degree they can get.

Durham University field five competitive teams ranging from our 1st XV which competes in BUCS Super Rugby to the 5th XV and College Barbarians – an integral part of the club. Our Development team has produced 3 Student Internationals in the last Three Seasons – so we are enthusiastic about the standard of rugby at Durham.

Thirty-five Durham players have won international honours. In recent times Durham Alumni, Will Greenwood, Tim Stimpson, Duncan Hodge, David Walder and Charlie Hodgson have all represented their countries. Three Durham players have also captained England and five have played for the Lions

Durham University Rugby Club continue to develop more “starting” Premiership players than any other Academic University - Josh Beaumont ( Captain 2012-13) – Sale Sharks and Simon Hammersley ( Captain 2013-14 ) – Newcastle Falcons are now regular players in the Premiership who have very recently gained a degree whilst studying and playing at Durham

What makes our programme unique?

Students play for one Team, one Club - The University Club has Premier League Status and all our teams play at the highest level of competition available
A coaching staff headed up by some of Britain’s finest and most experienced coaches.
Facilities that include TWO STATE OF THE ART 3G Rubber Crumb Pitches and an exclusive rugby – specific training area.
All Durham students live within a ten minute walk of our Rugby Centre, no travel, no cost, no bus rides across cities, or traffic jams.
Our facilities boast double gymnasium areas; match and game anaylsis suites and programmes; full athlete and nutrition catering; seminar rooms; athletics track
Our top players have access to Scholarships and Bursaries on entry to Durham University
DURFC is one of the few University Clubs that offer individual performance profiling, including weekly specialist clinics for players.
Durham has retained consistently a Nationally recognised high academic reputation in all fields with excellent links to professional employment throughout Britain for graduating students.

Applying to Durham

Elite Player Performance

Studying at Durham

Durham University is a world renowned institution for Higher Education set in the beautiful surroundings of an historic cathedral city. The University is Collegiate with the Colleges providing unique residential, social and welfare facilities for their student members, and creating a sense of community for staff and students together. Durham prides itself on its ability to help develop the leaders of the future and has the highest of academic standards.

The University and its students are about far more than academic success, and the diverse collection of talented students and staff pursuing a vast array of interests, often at the highest of levels, provides a memorable atmosphere and vibrancy that remains with its members for the rest of their lives.

Scholarships

UNDERGRADUATE

The University awards approximately twelve Vice-Chancellor Scholarships per year which entitle the chosen athletes to currently £2,000 on an annual basis throughout their undergraduate career.

Athletes wishing to apply for a Scholarship must do so at the time they apply to study at Durham University.

For more information, eligibility and an application form follow the link: Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships on the Team Durham website

Alternatively, for an informal conversation please contact the undergraduate Recruitment Co-ordinator, Albert Potts. Email: a.d.potts@dur.ac.uk Tel: 0191 334 2178

POSTGRADUATE

In addition the Rugby Club can offer 3 Alumni Scholarships at varied amounts – these are usually for Masters students however it is possible they can be given to Undergraduates

In addition we have access to a number of other scholarships that may be of help through your time at Durham University

Please contact the Head of Rugby for more information

Applying to Durham September 2022

We would be delighted to hear from students who may be keen to come to Durham and happy to provide 1-1 meetings (Zoom / Telephone) regarding the rugby programme and personalised visits and scholarship advice.

Here it is worth noting that we have monitoring systems in place which enable us to support UCAS applications from top class rugby players who also meet the demanding entry requirements of the University – so the earlier we know of student interest the earlier we can help them

videolink : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HevB1CWn1g

Please contact Alex Keay Head of Rugby on alex.keay@durham.ac.uk or Tel 07507 649501