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About Us

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.
World Top 100
ranked 78th in the QS World University Rankings 2024
27th
in QS World University Rankings 2024: Europe
Over 330
undergraduate and postgraduate courses
17 colleges
in our distinctive collegiate system
Bill Bryson Library at night

Inspiring the Extraordinary

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world.

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.
View our Annual Reports
Group of students in John Snow College

  

  • Access and Participation Plan

    The Access and Participation Plan sets out how Durham University will improve equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups to access, succeed in and progress from higher education.

    Three students smiling

  • University Strategy

    Our University Strategy 2017-2027 sets ambitious targets for growth and development, to ensure that we remain at the cutting edge.

    Students walking on a cobbled street

Access and Participation Plan

The Access and Participation Plan sets out how Durham University will improve equality of opportunity for underrepresented groups to access, succeed in and progress from higher education.

Three students smiling

University Strategy

Our University Strategy 2017-2027 sets ambitious targets for growth and development, to ensure that we remain at the cutting edge.

Students walking on a cobbled street

Sustainability at Durham

We are committed to delivering solutions to the net-zero transition. We are well-placed to contribute to delivering solutions in the broad areas of energy, food, health, social impact and water.

The Greenspace Movement brings together Durham University's environmental initiatives and activities. The University’s Energy and Sustainability Team delivers Greenspace, which promotes all of the University’s Environmental Policies, Plans and Procedures.

Sun shining on solar panels
7th Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
7th Guardian University Guide 2024
8th The Complete University Guide 2024
19 subjects in the World Top 100 (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022)
Business person clapping hands

Governance

Durham University has a strong leadership team that is driving forward the ambitious University Strategy 2017-2027.

Find out more about our Governance Structures
4,300+ staff members
Over 40% of academic staff are non-UK origin
120 countries represented by staff and student bodies
20,268 2020/21 student population

 

 

  • Policy Zone

    Policies provide a statement of principles that indicate how the University will act in a particular area of its operation.

    Policy written in lettered cubes

  • Brexit

    Since the UK voted to leave the European Union in 2016, our Brexit steering group has been a valuable tool in undertaking and sharing scenario planning.

    EU flag

Policy Zone

Policies provide a statement of principles that indicate how the University will act in a particular area of its operation.

Policy written in lettered cubes

Brexit

Since the UK voted to leave the European Union in 2016, our Brexit steering group has been a valuable tool in undertaking and sharing scenario planning.

EU flag
26 departments or Schools
Over 200 Undergraduate courses
Over 100 postgraduate courses
Plus many research degrees

Get to Know Our Students

Find out what our graduates and current students are getting up to on our Durham blog and social platforms.

Highlights

  • Our Student Blog

    Find out what life is really like at Durham University from those who are best to explain, our current students.
    Snow with Cathedral in the background

  • Follow us on Instagram

    Keep up-to-date with news of what's going on around Durham and some of the exciting things our students are involved in.
    Snow with Cathedral in the background

Our Student Blog

Find out what life is really like at Durham University from those who are best to explain, our current students.
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Follow us on Instagram

Keep up-to-date with news of what's going on around Durham and some of the exciting things our students are involved in.
Instagram Screenshot May 2021

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Estate Development

Durham University Strategy, 2017-2027 sets out ambitious goals to deliver world-class research, education and wider student experience. Keep up to date with progress, including news, updates, photographs and more as projects develop.

Learn more about our estate development