Durham is a highly competitive LNAT university, and unusually it publishes exactly what its selectors look for in your LNAT essay. It sets no minimum score, so understanding how it actually weighs the test helps you prepare in the right direction.
Does Durham require the LNAT?
Yes. The LNAT is a mandatory, essential requirement for Durham’s LLB Law degree (UCAS code M101), and Durham will not consider your application without it. You must register and sit the LNAT in the same year you apply, before the test deadline, and link Durham to your LNAT account. If you are applying through the Law with Foundation Year route, confirm the requirement directly with Durham.
How does Durham use your LNAT score?
As one of several grounds for judging an applicant’s relative merit and potential, used in particular to distinguish between otherwise similar candidates. Both parts of the test, the multiple-choice score and the essay, are always considered. Importantly, Durham sets no minimum score for the multiple-choice section, so a single number does not make or break you; your whole application is weighed together.
What LNAT score do you need for Durham?
Durham does not publish a minimum or an average LNAT score for successful applicants, and it states plainly that no minimum is required. So there is no official target to chase, and figures quoted on third-party tutoring sites are not Durham’s own. Because Durham uses the LNAT to separate similar candidates, a stronger score still helps you stand out, but it is judged in context.
When is the Durham LNAT deadline?
Durham Law follows the standard UCAS January equal-consideration deadline. It is not one of the 15 October courses, which are limited to Oxford, Cambridge, and medicine-related subjects. You must also sit the LNAT before the LNAT test deadline in the same cycle. Confirm the exact current-cycle dates on lnat.ac.uk.
How does Durham use the Section B essay?
Durham always assesses the essay, and it is refreshingly specific about what its selectors look for: a focus on the exact question, clarity and fluency of prose, a logical structure, references to relevant evidence, the ability to recognise and address counter-arguments, and a concise, effective conclusion. That list is essentially a checklist for a strong LNAT essay, so write to it.
Because Durham weighs both sections and looks for a well-argued essay, prepare for the whole test. Start with our free practice paper, study our LNAT essay examples, and use the practice bundles to build consistency.
Source: Durham's official LNAT page (official page).