🏅 QS World Rank #85
Durham University — Full Profile & Ranking 2026
A collegiate research university in a UNESCO World Heritage city — QS World Rankings 2027 #85
Durham University is a public collegiate research university in Durham, England, founded in 1832 and the third-oldest university in England. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (released June 2026), Durham ranked 85th in the world, up nine places from 94th the year before, with its employer reputation rising to 49th globally. Students belong to one of 17 colleges and study in a compact cathedral city that is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This guide covers Durham’s strengths, UCAS and postgraduate admission, tuition and scholarships, advice for applicants from Pakistan, and the questions applicants ask most. Every figure is labelled with its year or source.
Durham Overview
Durham is best known for its collegiate system, its historic Cathedral-and-Castle World Heritage setting, and strong teaching and research across the arts, sciences, and social sciences. Each student joins one of 17 colleges, which provide accommodation, community, and pastoral support alongside the academic departments. Durham was named Times and Sunday Times University of the Year, and is a member of the Russell Group.
Durham Rankings — QS World University Rankings 2027
Durham is ranked 85th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published June 2026), up nine places from =94th in the previous edition. Durham’s own announcement also notes employer reputation at 49th (up 15 places) and joint 24th for sustainability.
QS ranks universities using academic reputation, employer reputation, citations per faculty, student-to-faculty ratio, and measures of international faculty and students. This is a QS-specific result, not a universal ranking — Times Higher Education, U.S. News, and ARWU use different methods and can order the same universities differently.
Source: QS TopUniversities, QS World University Rankings 2027 (released June 2026), and Durham University news.
Faculties & Key Strengths
- Arts & Humanities — History, English, Theology and Religion, Classics, Archaeology
- Sciences — Physics (including cosmology), Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Mathematics
- Social Sciences & Business — Law, Economics, Government, Durham University Business School
- Engineering & Computer Science
- Health & Education — Anthropology, Psychology, Education
For the full list of departments and degrees, see Durham’s official website.
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Admission Requirements
Durham admission details below were checked in October 2026. Confirm them on Durham’s admissions pages before applying.
Admission Details
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Application | Through UCAS; the equal-consideration deadline for 2027 entry is 13 January 2027 (confirm on UCAS/Durham) |
| Postgraduate Application | Directly to Durham via its online application; deadlines and funding dates vary by program |
| Entry Basis | Strong academic transcripts; Pakistani applicants typically present A-levels/Cambridge IGCSE-A-level or equivalent qualifications — check the Durham country page for exact requirements |
| English Requirement | IELTS Academic or an approved equivalent; the required score varies by course |
| Competitive Courses | Some courses require tests, interviews, or specific subjects |
Language of Instruction
All teaching is in English.
Official source: Durham University Study.
Durham Acceptance Rate
Durham is selective, and demand varies considerably by course. Durham has not published a single official overall acceptance rate; the typical offer is a high A-level profile (or equivalent), and some courses add tests or interviews. Check the course page for the exact grade requirements.
Always check current entry requirements per program on the official admissions pages.
Practical Application Checklist
- Choose your course and confirm entry requirements, including subject requirements, on Durham’s course page
- Prepare your qualifications and certified transcripts; check how Durham treats your country’s qualifications
- Book IELTS early if an English test is needed
- Apply via UCAS (undergraduate) by the equal-consideration deadline, or via Durham directly (postgraduate)
- For Durham’s Inspiring Excellence scholarship, make Durham your UCAS Firm Choice
- Budget for tuition, college accommodation, and living costs
- Plan the UK Student visa after you receive an offer
- Verify every date, fee, and requirement on Durham’s official website before submitting
Tuition & Costs
International undergraduate tuition for 2026–27 entry is roughly £24,900–33,600 per year depending on the course, with laboratory- and clinical-style courses at the higher end (sources vary slightly; always confirm the exact fee for your course). Postgraduate fees also vary by program. Living costs for a Durham student are commonly estimated at about £12,000–15,000 per year (aggregated estimate).
Source: Durham University fee pages and third-party aggregators, October 2026. Confirm the exact fee for your course on Durham’s official fees page.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships — merit-based awards of £5,000 or £10,000 per year, worth up to £15,000–30,000 over a three-year course for 2027 entry; Durham must be your UCAS Firm Choice
- Postgraduate scholarships — departmental and Durham-wide awards, plus external funding such as Chevening and Commonwealth awards
- Pakistan-eligible UK schemes — Chevening is open to Pakistani applicants; check current terms
Scholarship terms, values, and eligibility change year to year — confirm current offerings on Durham’s fees and funding pages. Funding is not automatic or guaranteed.
Durham for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants apply to Durham as international (overseas fee) students. Practical points:
- Undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS; Durham publishes country-specific entry requirements for Pakistan on its website
- Postgraduate applicants apply directly to Durham with a relevant degree and transcripts
- Chevening scholarships are open to Pakistani applicants for UK master’s study — assessed individually and not guaranteed
- Durham’s Inspiring Excellence scholarship requires Durham to be your UCAS Firm Choice
- IELTS and similar English tests are available in major Pakistani cities, including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad
- Applicants do not need a paid agent — applications are submitted directly to the university or the national portal
- Visa or residence-permit decisions are made solely by UK Home Office / UKVI authorities, not by the university
- Always verify current deadlines, fees, and requirements on the official website before applying
Campus & Student Life
- A compact, walkable city; the Cathedral and Castle are a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- 17 colleges provide accommodation, community, and student societies
- Strong traditions in rowing, rugby, drama, and music
- A safe, student-focused city with London reachable in about three hours by train
Research & Career Opportunities
- Durham’s employer reputation rose to 49th in the QS 2027 rankings
- Strong graduate employment in finance, consulting, law, education, and research
- The Russell Group membership supports research collaboration
- Durham does not guarantee employment, salary, or visa outcomes after graduation
Notable Alumni
- Prominent UK politicians, judges, and public figures
- Scientists and writers across arts and sciences
- Leading figures in business, sport, and the media
Contact & Location
Durham University
Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
Official website: durham.ac.uk
Contact details can change — check the official website for the most current information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Durham University is ranked 85th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027, released in June 2026, up nine places from the previous year.
Yes, Durham is a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive UK universities.
Every Durham student belongs to one of 17 colleges that provide accommodation, community, and support alongside their academic department.
Roughly £24,900–33,600 per year depending on the course; confirm the exact fee for your course with Durham.
Yes. Inspiring Excellence Scholarships offer £5,000 or £10,000 per year for 2027 entry, and Durham must be your UCAS Firm Choice.
Yes. Pakistani applicants apply as international students, undergraduates through UCAS and postgraduates directly; IELTS testing is available in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
Durham University was founded in 1832.
Check Durham’s official course and fees pages and UCAS, since deadlines, fees, and requirements are reviewed annually.
Compare Durham With Other Top Universities
Disclaimer: This page is based on the QS World University Rankings 2027, Durham University’s official admissions and fees pages, and other publicly available sources, last checked in October 2026. Fees, rankings, deadlines, and admission rules change, and no admission, funding, visa, or employment outcome is guaranteed. Always verify current details directly with Durham University before applying.