The guaranteed alternative offer is typically two A-level grades below the standard entry requirements for that degree programme. This is granted upon successful completion of the following Durham University Widening Access & Participation programmes:
This is usually applied as a conditional offer after a satisfactory UCAS application is received from you.
For some subjects, you will need to meet certain subject requirements, such as having specific A-levels or equivalent, the same requirement as when applying for university through UCAS in Year 13.
You can find out about these entry requirements below, which are correct at the time of publication (December 2025). However, we also advise you to check the 'entry requirements' sections for your preferred course on the course database. For alternative qualifications to A-levels (such as BTEC Nationals level 3), you can visit this page for more information.
Applicants are responsible for confirming that their qualifications meet the entry requirements for their chosen course. If you are unsure, you can contact us before applying for your chosen Widening Access & Participation programme:
Accounting: Students must either be taking Maths at A level OR have a grade 6 or above in Maths GCSE OR grade B or above in the Core Maths Qualification for this subject.
Anthropology: No specific subject requirements.
Archaeology: No specific subject requirements.
Biosciences: To apply for Biosciences on the Durham Sutton Trust programme, students must be taking Biology, Chemistry, or Human Biology at A-level or equivalent, plus another science subject (Psychology, Maths, and Geography count as a science) at A level or equivalent. Please note: if you intend to apply for Biochemistry as your programme of undergraduate study at the university, you would need to be studying A Level Maths and Chemistry.
Business (Marketing and Management): Students must have a grade 6 or above in Maths GCSE OR grade B or above in the Core Maths Qualification for this subject, if Maths not taken at A Level.
Chemistry: A levels must include Maths and Chemistry for this subject.
Classics and Ancient History: No specific subject requirements. Please note: if you intend to apply for Ancient, Medieval and Modern History as your programme of undergraduate study at the university, you would need to be studying A Level History.
Computer Science: A levels must include Maths for this subject.
Criminology and Sociology: No specific subject requirements.
Earth Sciences: A levels must include at least two science subjects (which can include Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Geography, Environmental Sciences, Economics, or Psychology).
Economics and Finance: A levels must include Maths for this subject.
Education Studies: No specific A-Level subject requirements. Please note, If you are interested in applying for Education Studies with Psychology as your programme of undergraduate study at the university, Grade 5 or above in GCSE Maths is required.
Engineering: A levels must include Maths and one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Geology for this subject.
English Literature: A levels must include English Literature (or the combined English Language and Literature A level) for this subject.
Geography: A levels must include a science subject (Geography is accepted as a science) if students wish to pursue the BSc (Physical).
History: A levels must include History for this subject.
Law: Unaccepted qualifications: WJEC Applied Diploma/Certificate in Criminology, NCFE Diploma/Certificate in Policing.
Mathematics: A levels must include both Maths and Further Maths for this subject.
Modern Languages and Cultures (MLAC): A levels must include French, German, Spanish, Italian or Russian to study this subject.
Music: A levels must include Music for this subject. If students are not taking Music they must have or will have ABRSM Grade 6 Theory on top of three A levels. Applicants who have not followed the A-Level Music or ABRSM route are invited to contact the Music Department to ask about alternative arrangements for assessing theoretical understanding.
Philosophy: There are no subject specific requirements.
Physics: A levels must include both Maths and Physics for this subject.
Politics: Students must study a social science or humanities subject at A-Level or equivalent in order to apply for this subject.
Primary Education: Applicants must have achieved grade C/4 or above in English, Mathematics, and a Science subject at GCSE (or equivalent). Applicants are also required to pass the QTS Skills in English and Numeracy. Offer is subject to Enhanced DBS check and interview.
Psychology: Students must have a 4 (or grade C) in GCSE Maths for this subject.
Sports and Exercise Science: Students must have achieved a grade 5/B in English Language GCSE.
Theology and Religion: There are no subject specific requirements.
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