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Durham University
Durham University is a university in Durham, England, in a town setting. It is a collegiate university. How it compares on official data.
10th of 142 in the overall Be Wise ranking, with a score of 84.3 out of 100. How we rank.
How it compares
| Measure | Durham University | Average in the overall table | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student experience | 87.7% | 85.1% | Average positive answers across seven National Student Survey 2026 themes, from 2,524 final-year students. |
| Continuation | 94.7% | 83.0% | Full-time degree students still studying or qualified a year after starting (Discover Uni). |
| Graduate prospects | 71.1% | 63.7% | Graduates in professional or managerial work, or further study, 15 months after finishing (Discover Uni). |
| Earnings | £45,400 | UK average for the same subjects | Median earnings five years after graduating, tax year 2023-24 (LEO): 26% above the UK average for the same mix of subjects. |
Sources: National Student Survey 2026, Office for Students (Open Government Licence v3.0), first degree, full-time, by teaching provider; LEO graduate outcomes, tax year 2023-24, Department for Education (Open Government Licence v3.0), median earnings five years after graduating; Discover Uni dataset, 8 September 2026 edition, HESA (CC BY 4.0), continuation and graduate prospects. All sources and licences.
What students say: National Student Survey 2026
The share of final-year students giving positive answers on each theme, next to the average for providers in the overall table.
| Theme | Durham University | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching on my course | 91.9% | 87.5% |
| Learning opportunities | 86.2% | 85.3% |
| Assessment and feedback | 82.5% | 82.7% |
| Academic support | 92.9% | 89.1% |
| Organisation and management | 85.9% | 79.5% |
| Learning resources | 92.0% | 88.5% |
| Student voice | 82.3% | 79.8% |
Subject tables
Durham University appears in 16 of our 35 subject tables. Subjects need at least 50 survey responses.
| Subject | Position | Student experience | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law | 2nd of 87 | 87.5% | £58,40065% above the UK average for this subject |
| Sociology, social policy and anthropology | 2nd of 74 | 87.3% | £38,10026% above the UK average for this subject |
| Biosciences | 2nd of 51 | 91.1% | £42,50028% above the UK average for this subject |
| Computing | 5th of 108 | 81.4% | £69,50067% above the UK average for this subject |
| Business and management | 6th of 122 | 87.7% | £55,60055% above the UK average for this subject |
| Politics | 3rd of 43 | 91.1% | £49,80030% above the UK average for this subject |
| Geography, earth and environmental studies | 3rd of 40 | 90.7% | £45,00026% above the UK average for this subject |
| Philosophy and religious studies | 2nd of 18 | 87.8% | £43,60028% above the UK average for this subject |
| English studies | 5th of 41 | 85.2% | £35,90017% above the UK average for this subject |
| General, applied and forensic sciences | 1st of 7 | 89.4% | Not published |
| Mathematical sciences | 4th of 27 | 91.6% | £51,20012% above the UK average for this subject |
| History and archaeology | 7th of 40 | 86.7% | £40,30021% above the UK average for this subject |
| Economics | 9th of 49 | 87.7% | £63,30020% above the UK average for this subject |
| Languages and area studies | 4th of 20 | 84.5% | £46,50029% above the UK average for this subject |
| Psychology | 20th of 100 | 83.9% | £32,90010% above the UK average for this subject |
| Education and teaching | 31st of 57 | 84.4% | £33,70012% above the UK average for this subject |
Also has official data for, but not enough to rank in: Chemistry, Combined and general studies, Creative arts and design, Engineering, Performing arts, Physics and astronomy, Sport and exercise sciences.
UCAS points of past entrants
The UCAS Tariff points of recent entrants to full-time degree courses who had Tariff qualifications, from Discover Uni. These are past entrants, not offers: check each course page for entry requirements.
The middle entrant (the median) was in the 160 to 175 band, and the most common band was 160 to 175 points. Work out your UCAS points.
Courses and key facts
Discover Uni lists 133 full-time degree courses; 120 of them with a placement year, as an option or built in; 123 with a year abroad, as an option or built in.
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) rating: Silver overall (student experience Silver, student outcomes Gold). TEF covers England only and is not part of the Be Wise ranking.
Durham University website · Accommodation · Students' union
Course counts, TEF and links: {oa("du")}, CC BY 4.0. Check course details with the university.
Living costs in Durham
Average private rent in the County Durham area was £650 a month in August 2026, against a UK average of £1,400. Student rooms usually cost less than a whole home. Cost of living in Durham.
Is Durham University right for you?
In the app, enter your predicted and expected grades to see Aspirational, Realistic and Safer labels, compare two universities side by side, or save Durham University to your shortlist.
Open Be University WiseSources
- National Student Survey 2026, Office for Students
- Discover Uni dataset, 8 September 2026 edition, HESA
- LEO graduate outcomes, tax year 2023-24, Department for Education
- Price Index of Private Rents, Office for National Statistics
- Discover Uni: compare courses, official UK course comparison website
- Durham University: official website
Data used under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (Office for Students, Department for Education, ONS) and CC BY 4.0 (HESA). All sources and licences.
All university and college profiles · Rankings
Quick answers
Where is Durham University in the Be Wise ranking?
10th of 142 in the overall Be Wise ranking, with a score of 84.3 out of 100. The Be Wise ranking uses only official data on student experience, continuation, graduate prospects and earnings.
What do students say about Durham University?
In the 2026 National Student Survey, an average of 87.7% of final-year students gave positive answers across the seven themes, from 2,524 responses. Its highest theme compared with the average was organisation and management (85.9%, against 79.5%), and its lowest was assessment and feedback (82.5%, against 82.7%).
How many students continue their course at Durham University?
On Discover Uni data, 94.7% of full-time degree students were still studying or had qualified a year after starting. The average in the overall table was 83.0%.
What do Durham University graduates go on to do?
On Discover Uni data, 71.1% of graduates were in professional or managerial work, or further study, 15 months after finishing. The average in the overall table was 63.7%.
How much do Durham University graduates earn?
Median earnings five years after graduating were £45,400 in the 2023-24 tax year, according to the Department for Education's LEO data. That is 26% above the UK average for graduates of the same mix of subjects.
What UCAS points do you need for Durham University?
Entry requirements vary by course, so check each course page. Among recent entrants with UCAS Tariff points, the most common band was 160 to 175 points. Past entrants' points are not offers.
What is Durham University's TEF rating?
Silver overall in the Teaching Excellence Framework, with Silver for student experience and Gold for student outcomes, as published in the Discover Uni dataset.
How much is rent near Durham University?
The ONS average private rent in the County Durham area was £650 a month in August 2026. Student rooms in halls or shared houses usually cost less than a whole home.