Durham University

Overview

Durham University, located in Durham, England, is a collegiate public research university established by an Act of Parliament in 1832 and formally founded in 1837. As a collegiate university, its core activities are split between academic departments and 17 colleges. While the departments handle teaching and research, the colleges offer accommodation, pastoral care, and foster a strong community, contributing to students' overall well-being and personal development. Durham is a member of the Russell Group, which represents the UK's leading research-intensive universities, and it consistently ranks among the world's top institutions, placing 89th in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

The University’s academic excellence is widely recognised, with 19 of its 25 departments ranked in the global top 100 for their disciplines. Durham offers over 200 undergraduate and 190 postgraduate programs across four faculties: Arts and Humanities, Business, Social Sciences, and Engineering and Science. Durham University Business School holds the prestigious "Triple Crown" accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS), a distinction held by less than 1% of business schools worldwide, with its MBA program ranked 2nd globally for "Value for Money" by the Financial Times. Popular courses such as physics, economics, law, psychology, and geography are consistently highly ranked both in the UK and internationally.

Students at Durham have access to a wide range of facilities, including modern libraries, computer labs, sports complexes, and numerous study spaces. Specialised resources such as the planetarium and observatory further enhance the learning experience for science and astronomy students. The university also boasts a botanic garden, adding to its rich academic environment. Situated in a historic city, Durham is one of the few universities with UNESCO World Heritage status, with Durham Castle and Cathedral—both integral parts of the campus—recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites due to their cultural and historical significance.