Durham became one of England's leading centres of medieval scholarship, along with Oxford and Cambridge. Indeed, three Colleges - now part of Oxford University - were founded from Durham (University College and Balliol College, and in 1286 Durham College was run from Durham to train scholars for Durham for 300 years until it became incorporated into the University of Oxford as Trinity College).
Offering over 200 undergraduate and 130 taught postgraduate courses, and many research programmes.
The Partnerships and Engagement team within the Research and Innovation Services directorate works with external organisations and our academic colleagues to facilitate the creation of new research and commercial opportunities and to ensure that Durham University’s research is world-changing with global impact and reach.
Careers & Enterprise is fully committed to delivering a professional, comprehensive and accessible service to students, graduates, employers and stakeholders. We aim to deliver a high quality, student and graduate-centred service and positively contribute to their experience at Durham University.
The Academic Office provides a professional administrative support service to staff, students and potential students of Durham University.
The Academic Registrar is the head of the department and is responsible to the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education) for its management. Further information and contact details for the Academic Registrar's Office are available by following the link to the left.
All University accommodation is based in one of our colleges and every Durham University student belongs to a college, whether you live in college or elsewhere. Our colleges offer a vibrant, supportive community full of opportunities for you to gain new experiences, develop skills to achieve more in your future life and most importantly, have fun while you're at it!
Durham University Library provides an excellent range of collections, resources, and flexible study spaces across five library locations and online. The University Library is always busy; approaching 3.5 million e-book accesses, more than 3.4 million e-journal downloads, and over 300,000 loans were made during the 2016-2017 academic year.
If you are a non EEA student you will need to pay a one-time healthcare surcharge as part of your application for a Tier 4 visa to cover the total time you will be living in the UK.
If you are a student from the EEA you are also entitled to free medical care from the NHS; however you need to bring a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by your home country with you.
Students studying at the International Study Centre will be based at Queen's Campus, Stockton. Durham City and Queen's Campus, Stockton offer different environments, each distinctive and outstanding in their own way.
The University's multi-million pound sports facilities are set in spacious grounds on the outskirts of Durham City and boast an impressive range of state-of-the-art facilities, including an indoor rowing tank, a world-class fencing piste, indoor cricket nets, and a performance analysis suite. There are also facilities for use by athletes with disabilities, and an extended sports hall and changing rooms.
Durham Students' Union is the representative body for all students of the University, and offers many different clubs and societies to join.
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
By TopUniversities
Climbed 9 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 89 | 94 | 85 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By U.S. News & World Report
Climbed 22 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 309 | 292 | 270 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 172 | 175 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 301 | 201 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Based on 35 reviews
My time here was truly more than a study journey. It became an experience that shaped the way I think, grow, and understand life. The school created an atmosphere where learning felt purposeful and enriching. What made it even more special were the lecturers. They were not just knowledgeable but genuinely committed to teaching in a way that stays with you. Their passion, empathy, and dedication turned ordinary classes into moments that left an impact. Everything I gained here came from the blend of a great school, wonderful lecturers, and a commitment to real learning. It wasn’t just education for me. It became transformation.
When I traveled to London, my host described his impression of Durham as ``It's a city because it has a university and a cathedral, but in Durham has never been proud of its country life Durham may be a small town, but it's beautiful all year round.
My time studying at St. Albert Institute for Higher Education was a truly enriching experience. Earning my degree in Philosophy there, along with the professional diploma in education from Ahmadu Bello University, equipped me with a unique and powerful perspective. Here's what I loved most: Philosophy at St. Albert's: The program instilled in me a love for critical thinking and questioning. It challenged me to analyze complex issues from different angles, developing strong reasoning and communication skills. This foundation has proven invaluable in navigating the complexities of the world. Bridging Philosophy with Education: The combined focus on philosophy and education at St. Albert's and Ahmadu Bello University was fantastic. It allowed me to see the practical applications of philosophical concepts in the classroom setting. This blend prepared me to be a more thoughtful and effective educator. Of course, there's always room for improvement. Here are some thoughts: Expanding Philosophical Scope: While the program provided a solid foundation, I sometimes felt it could delve deeper into contemporary philosophical movements. Collaboration and Exchange: Increased interaction with philosophy departments at the University of Jos or other institutions could foster a more vibrant intellectual environment. Overall, my studies were a stimulating journey. The combination of a rigorous philosophical background with a practical approach to education made it an exceptional experience. It equipped me with the tools to think critically, analyze information effectively, and communicate complex ideas clearly – all essential skills for navigating the ever-changing world, whether in the classroom or beyond.
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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