Durham Opportunity

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Durham Opportunity

Every talented student  deserves the chance to be able to choose Durham and to thrive here, regardless of circumstance.

Rising costs mean that many gifted students, from North East England and across the globe, need our support to unlock their potential.

With your help, no student will be held back by financial need.

Your gift will help to:

• Fund 650 new undergraduate scholarships (£5,000 per year, each).
• Create 100 international scholarships (up to £20,000 per year, each, with £1 from Durham for every £2 donated).
• Establish 100 Global Grand Challenge PhD Scholarships, supporting groundbreaking research and waiving or reducing tuition fees for  exceptional candidates.

Global Grand Challenge Scholarships

Your gift will sustain world-leading PhD research,  from dark matter to renewable energy and public  health – discoveries that shape humanity’s future.

Dipak Basnet is a Hunt Raymond Global Grand Challenge Scholar. The programme fully funds the PhD studies of early career researchers pursuing research aligned to the aims of one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Through his background in Nepal, Dipak has witnessed how local communities cope with the risk of landslides, monsoons and earthquakes.

His research aims to combine physical geography, anthropology and his connection with local communities to inform an early warning system for climate-related hazards.

He chose to study at Durham after working with  our academics on the Sajag-Nepal project in 2022.  His decision was reinforced by a visit to Durham, where he was impressed with the research culture, facilities and faculties.  

As a first-generation scholar from my village, studying for a PhD  at one of the world’s top universities like Durham and receiving this scholarship,  is profoundly meaningful.

- Dipak Basnet

UK Scholarships

Each scholarship removes a barrier and unlocks possibility. Donors can direct their support through  a single gift or a lasting endowment by region, subject, College, or passion, from education and engineering  to sport or the arts.

Every gift opens the door to a Durham education.

Belle Hutchins is one of three inaugural Dr John Wreglesworth scholars established by John’s wife, Liz Green, in his memory. She was keen to recognise John’s North East heritage as well as his passion for history and his commitment to broadening access to education.  

Belle chose to study at Durham for the content and structure of the course, it’s proximity to home to balance family responsibilities and because of the sense of community within Stephenson College.  

The scholarship has funded a laptop and books, expanding her learning beyond the boundaries of the course. It has enriched her experience by supporting her beyond academia: she has enjoyed several sports, representing the University at taekwondo and winning gold and bronze medals.

Next summer, I’m going to Canada on an academic research internship for three months. Without the scholarship, this wouldn’t be possible  as I would have had to  work full-time through  the summer to fund  my next year.

  - Belle Hutchins

International Scholarships

Your support helps exceptional international students overcome financial and logistical barriers, empowering them to become global changemakers.

Lydia Semyanova is an Anne-Marie Imafidon (AMI) Women in Technology Scholar, named after our Advisory Board member Anne-Marie, in recognition of her remarkable work inspiring young women to get involved in STEM.

Lydia is in her third year of a Computer Science degree. The AMI scholarship has enabled her to fully immerse herself and feed back into University life.

As Events Officer for the Women in Tech Society, she has organised events and workshops in collaboration with external partners and has developed her communication, organisation, and problem solving skills. She is planning to further expand her knowledge through  a Master’s degree combining AI and Machine Learning.

Knowing that  someone believes in my potential has been incredibly motivating. Your support reminds me that education is not just about academics, but about becoming someone capable of contributing to the world.

- Lydia Semyanova