Who manages school admissions in Durham?

School places for maintained schools in Durham are managed by Durham County Council. You apply online through the council for primary and secondary places, and there are separate deadlines for each. Check the council's school admissions pages for the current year's key dates.

Is there a university in Durham?

Yes. Durham University is a collegiate university founded in 1832 and one of the oldest in England. Its colleges and departments are spread across the city, including the historic peninsula around Palace Green.

Are there private tutors available in Durham?

Yes, Durham has private tutors covering music, academic subjects, art, dance, and languages. See our tutors directory for local options.

Education

Schools & Education in Durham

Durham is home to one of the country's leading universities and a wide range of schools across the city and surrounding villages. School places for maintained schools are managed by Durham County Council.

Complete Guide

Schools in Durham: A Guide for Parents

From well-regarded state comprehensives to the historic independent schools of the Cathedral Foundation, a parents' guide to schooling in Durham city.

In-Depth

School Profiles

Detailed guides to individual schools and nurseries in the Durham area.

Find a Tutor in Durham

From Kumon at Neville's Cross and free university student tutoring to evening language courses, youth theatre and guitar lessons in the Market Hall, here is how to find a tutor in Durham.

Durham School Holidays and Term Dates (2026/27)

The official Durham County Council school term dates and holidays for 2026/27 and 2027/28, set out as clean tables so you can plan the year ahead.

A Student's Guide to Durham

New to Durham University? An introduction to life in one of England's oldest university cities, from the collegiate system to getting around a compact, hilly city.

Durham University Colleges Explained

Durham's collegiate system explained, from the historic Bailey colleges on the peninsula to the Hill colleges on Elvet Hill, and what college life actually involves.

Where Durham Students Live: Colleges and Student Areas

From first year in college to shared houses in the Viaduct, Gilesgate and beyond, a guide to where Durham students live and what each area is like.

The University Year in Durham: Terms, Freshers and Graduation

How Durham University's three terms shape the city, from Freshers' Week in October to graduation in the cathedral, and how Durham changes with the academic year.

Moving to Durham for University: What to Know

A practical guide for new Durham students, from arriving for Freshers and college accommodation to registering with a GP and getting around the city.

Durham on a Budget: A Student's Guide

Some of the best things about Durham are free or cheap, from the cathedral and riverside walks to the museums and the market. A student guide to the city on a budget.

Useful Links

Lessons, Coaching & Tutoring

Local tutors covering music, academic subjects, sports coaching, dance, languages, and the arts, based in and around Durham.

Music

2 tutors

Piano, guitar, violin, singing, drums, and more.

Academic

3 tutors

Maths, English, science, and exam preparation.

Art & Craft

1 tutor

Art classes, drama coaching, and creative skills.

Sports

0 tutors

Football, tennis, swimming, and fitness coaching.

Dance & Fitness

0 tutors

Ballet, contemporary, street dance, and more.

Languages