Durham is one of the world’s leading Universities as shown by our World Top 100 position in the QS World University Rankings 2021, where we are ranked 86th.
A record 19 Durham subjects are in the World Top 100 of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020, including 11 in the World Top 50. Three of our subjects are in the World Top 10 – Theology and Religion (fourth), Archaeology (fourth) and Geography (tenth).
Excellence in teaching and research
We’re ranked amongst the world Top 100 universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World Reputation Rankings 2019.
In addition, five of our subjects are ranked in the Top 100 of the 2020 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject, including two in the Top 50 (Law and Arts and Humanities).
And in the THE’s Impact Rankings 2020 we’re in the world Top 50 for our contribution to four of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and in the world Top 100 for a further seven SDGs.
Nationally, we’re consistently a top 10 UK university. We’re ranked fourth in the Guardian University Guide 2021, seventh in The Complete University Guide 2021 and sixth in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021.
The rankings signal our excellence in teaching and research, combined with our all-round student experience. This makes our graduates highly sought after by employers around the world.
A distinctive university
Professor Stuart Corbridge, Vice-Chancellor and Warden, Durham University, said:
“Durham is one of the world’s great universities and one of the most distinctive. We aim to inspire our students and staff to achieve extraordinary things and I am delighted that this is recognised by our continued high standing in global and national league tables.”
World-leading research
Our research spans the world and beyond. Our Physicists are using supercomputer simulations to test alternatives to Einstein’s theory of General Relativity, whilst our Archaeologists led the first UK university team ever to be permitted to undertake excavations within Beijing’s Forbidden City.
We also work with partners to encourage scholars from across the world to visit Durham and study the county’s outstanding special collections. In March 2019 this led to the discovery of an 800 year old Royal Charter from the reign of King John.
Find out more:
Learn more about the QS World University Rankings 2021
See which Durham subjects are in the world top 100 of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020
Find out about the our subjects in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2020
We’ve been named as a top 30 international university
Find out more about the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2020
Discover more about the Complete University Guide 2021 and the Guardian University Guide 2021.
Find out more about our world-leading research