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Keep making history

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A tapestry of old and new images of students at Durham University through the years

Welcome

quote marks left goldFor nearly two centuries, Durham University has been a place where knowledge, creativity and community converge. Long before I joined this remarkable institution in 2022, I knew Durham was special. Being part of this vibrant international community has only strengthened that belief.

VCDurham was named UK University of the Year 2026 by The Times and The Sunday Times, recognising our distinctive blend of academic excellence, world-leading research and transformative student experience.

Now, as we approach our bicentenary in 2032, we are preparing for Durham’s next great chapter. The higher education landscape is evolving rapidly. Student needs are increasing, research competition is global and our historic estate demands renewal. Yet our ambition remains as bold as ever.

Through our Keep making history campaign, we will raise £200m to shape the next 200 years of knowledge, discovery and opportunity. This is not simply a fundraising goal, it is an investment in the people, ideas and places that make Durham extraordinary. quote marks right gold

Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden, Durham University

Your generosity will help us:

  • Expand access through new scholarships for talented students from under-represented backgrounds.
  • Enrich every student’s experience through opportunities in sport, music, enterprise and wellbeing.
  • Power world-changing research that addresses the challenges of our time.
  • Improve our estate, including sport and performance facilities, revitalising College space and conserving and restoring Durham Castle.

Together, we have already made history. Now, we will shape its future.

 

Why your support matters now

Durham thrives because generations of supporters have believed in what this University makes possible: lives transformed, ideas advanced, communities enriched.

But today, our challenges are urgent.

  • One-in-four students faces barriers that limit full participation in University life.
  • Demand for scholarships has risen sharply amid the cost-of-living crisis.
  • Research funding has grown increasingly competitive worldwide.
  • Our historic spaces, from Durham Castle to College libraries, require renewal.

Your support will enable us to meet  these challenges head-on, ensuring Durham remains accessible, exceptional and inspirational for generations to come.

Transformative areas

Through the Keep making history campaign, we aim to raise £200m by our bicentenary, focusing on three transformative areas:

Durham Opportunity

Helping talented students from all backgrounds realise their potential.
Students in a classroom with a lecturer one vintage and one modern day

Durham Experience

Expanding access to life-changing experiences beyond the classroom.
Students playing hockey, one vintage and one modern day

Durham Impact

Investing in research that deepens understanding and enriches our world.
A comparison of students working in a laboratory with equipment one vintage and one modern
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