International Study Centre
Durham students walking down steps outside campus

Your journey starts here

We are excited to welcome you into our friendly community and to support your education journey. We're here to help you confirm your place. Keep reading to find out what you need to do next.

Your next steps

Confirm your place

Secure your offer by paying the Confirmation Payment and returning your acceptance form. If don't have your results yet, you can still confirm and hold your place.

Apply for your visa

After receiving your CAS, you can submit your Student visa application and prepare for any required UKVI interviews.

Book your accommodation

Choose and secure your housing, either through university accommodation or nearby private options.

Prepare to arrive

Get ready for your arrival by arranging travel, insurance, and participating in orientation activities to familiarise yourself with the campus.

Confirm your place now

How to confirm your place

Pay your Confirmation Payment and return your signed acceptance form to confirm your offer.

Once you've confirmed your place, you'll receive access to our dedicated Welcome Hub which is your one stop shop for all the information you need before you arrive on campus. This includes the following:

  • Your next steps
  • Upcoming pre-arrival events
  • Information about your local area
  • How to become a student ambassador
  • Key contact information
Maissa Natcha

The teachers were the best part of the International Study Centre. They helped a lot of the students integrate into Durham and the North East as a whole. They helped us learn a lot about the culture and history of the North East which is something I found really interesting. And helped me build closer connections to the place I'm going to be for the next four years. It helped us feel closer to England and made us feel at home.

Maissa Natcha
Studying Law at Durham University

Infographic showing application process for international students
Infographic showing application process for international students

How to apply for your visa

To study at Durham University International Study Centre you will need a Student visa (formerly known as a Tier 4 visa). Applying for your visa can be done easily online through the UKVI Government visa portal. You will usually get a decision within 3 weeks, and they will tell you all the documents you need and whether you will be asked to attend a visa interview.

Before you apply for your Student visa, you will need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • You have been offered a place on a course 
  • You must have received a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies) from our Admissions team 
  • You can speak, read, write and understand English 
  • You have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course

The visa process

In order to apply for your visa, you must:

  • Send the requested documents to be checked by the Admissions team or your Student Enrolment Advisor.
  • You will then pay a deposit and CAS payment.
  • Your CAS will be issued. This means you can apply for your visa.
  • You may be invited to a credibility interview.
  • You will be contacted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) regarding the outcome of your visa application.

Read more about visa information.

Confirm your place to get started

Booking your accommodation

There are multiple accommodation options available to students. You can apply for accommodation directly through the University or you can arrange your own privately. If you choose to arrange your own accommodation, you must let us know where you are staying and that you are staying less than 60 minutes commute away from Durham University International Study Centre.

Your next steps for booking student accommodation:

  • Request accommodation when you apply for the International Study Centre.
  • Confirm your place at the International Study Centre.
  • The Central Student Support team will then contact you with information about the next steps you need to take to book your accommodation. If you applied directly through our online application form, your Student Enrolment Advisor will answer any questions you have about your accommodation options, the facilities offered and what you need to bring with you.
William from Ghana

Studying at the International Study Centre helped me a lot. It prepared me for university life. The transition from the Study Centre to the main campus was really smooth; I had a lot of help. I'm very grateful and really happy I went to the International City Centre.

William from Ghana
Studied International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering

Confirm your place to book accommodation

Dana Kret

I grew up in Dubai and all I've known was Dubai. All I wanted was to experience something else, have complete independency and just experience a whole different culture and meet new people. That's the whole reason I came to the UK and I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. Coming to the UK was one of the best decisions I made, in terms of gaining independency, in terms of meeting new people, in terms of making new friends and just having the best time of my life for the past three to four years.

Dana Kret
International Foundation Year in Science and Engineering
BSc Psychology

All you need to know before you join us on campus

Once you've confirmed your place, you'll receive access to our dedicated Welcome Hub where you'll find all the information you need before you arrive on campus. This includes the following:

  • Your next steps including booking your travel and organising your insurance.
  • Upcoming pre-arrival events where you can meet centre staff and ask questions.
  • Information about your local area and how to get around.
  • Key contact information.
  • How to become a student ambassador.

Join our community

Keep up to date with life at Durham University International Study Centre:

Durham ISC on Facebook

Durham ISC on Instagram

Durham ISC on Weibo

Durham ISC on YouTube

Join our Virtual Events

Confirm your offer now

Have any questions? Email your Student Enrolment Adviser or contact us.