Durham University

Founded in 1832, Durham University is one of the United Kingdom’s oldest and most prestigious institutions. Located in the historic city of Durham in North East England, the university combines a rich heritage with world-class research and teaching. Durham consistently ranks among the top universities globally and is a member of the esteemed Russell Group, known for its focus on research excellence and academic rigor.

Academic Structure

Durham University comprises three faculties:

Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Faculty of Science
Faculty of Social Sciences and Health

These faculties encompass 26 academic departments and schools, offering a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The university is renowned for disciplines such as Theology, Archaeology, English Literature, History, Physics, Law, and Business. Interdisciplinary learning and research are encouraged across all faculties, supported by modern facilities and internationally recognized faculty.

Research Excellence

Durham is a global research leader, with 98% of its research rated as ’internationally excellent’ or ’world-leading’ in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021). Key research institutes include:

Institute of Advanced Study
Durham Energy Institute
Centre for Visual Arts and Culture
Institute for Computational Cosmology

Major areas of research strength include space science, climate change, medieval studies, international law, theology, and artificial intelligence. The university fosters strong collaborations with governments, industries, and global academic partners.

International Rankings

QS World University Rankings 2025:
Top 80 globally
Times Higher Education (THE) 2024:
=198th globally
QS World Rankings by Subject 2024:
Top 30 globally in Theology, Archaeology, and Classics
Complete University Guide UK 2025:
6th overall

Durham enjoys an outstanding reputation for both research and teaching, consistently achieving high student satisfaction and graduate employability rates.

Campus Life

Durham University offers a distinctive student experience through its unique collegiate system, similar to that of Oxford and Cambridge. The university has 17 colleges, each providing academic support, social events, sports, and accommodation. Students automatically become members of a college upon joining the university, creating a close-knit community atmosphere.

The main university campus is centered around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Durham Cathedral and Castle. The science site and Queen’s Campus in Stockton (housing the International Study Centre) also provide modern teaching and research facilities. Durham students enjoy a vibrant cultural scene, competitive sports teams, and over 250 clubs and societies.

Notable Alumni

Tim Smit
– Co-founder of the Eden Project
Andrew Strauss
– Former England cricket captain
Justin Welby
– Archbishop of Canterbury
Graham Hancock
– Author and journalist
Sarah Outen
– British adventurer and rower

Future Goals

Durham University’s strategic plan emphasizes global leadership in research, inclusive excellence, and sustainable development. Goals include expanding international partnerships, improving digital learning infrastructure, embedding sustainability across operations, and enhancing diversity and accessibility. The university is also investing in new buildings and facilities, such as the £40 million Teaching and Learning Centre and new residential colleges.