Durham University

United Kingdom

Overview

Durham University was founded in 1832 and is the third oldest university in England after Oxford and Cambridge. It’s part of the Russell Group of universities and was Sunday Times University of the Year for 2005. Around 20,000 students attend each year with more than 30% of them international students from over 120 countries.

Durham ranks in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings and the top 10 in The Guardian, The Times/Sunday Times and the Complete University Guide. It is a collegiate university so its functions are divided between its academic departments and its 17 colleges, which provide accommodation and social activities for students.

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Subjects

MathematicsAerospace EngineeringChemistryBiologyGeologyGeophysicsEarth sciencesClimatologyArchaeologyAnthropology

Highlights

Durham University’s estate includes 63 listed buildings, ranging from the 11th-century Durham Castle to a 1930s Art Deco chapel. Meanwhile, the dining hall in University College inspired the Great Hall of Hogwarts while a scene from the movies was filmed at Durham Cathedral.

Durham was named The Times and Sunday Times Sports University of the Year for 2015 and 2023. Its alumni include sporting figures like Jonathan Edwards, Will Carling, Sophie Hosking, Gabby Logan and Caroline Atkins. There are 700 teams at Durham taking part in 18 sports with over 75% of students taking part in sports and physical activity.

Having colleges at the heart of student life makes Durham very different to most UK universities. There are also over 200 societies in the Student Union while 85% of students are involved in music, theatre, volunteering, sports or student enterprise.

Employability

Durham University was ranked 54th in the world for employer reputation in the QS World University Rankings (2022). Meanwhile a report by The Office for Students revealed that Durham ranks in sixth place for graduate employment among non-specialised universities in the UK. Current students have access to the Careers & Enterprise Centre for careers support during their course, while graduates can access lifelong support. This includes one to one support, career planning and application resources, alumni networking and more.

Ranking

82nd

by QS

149th

by THE

4th

by GUARDIAN