Durham University (legally the University of Durham) is a collegiate public research university in Durham, England, founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832 and incorporated by royal charter in 1837. It was the first recognised university to open in England for more than 600 years, after Oxford and Cambridge, and is thus one of the institutions to be described as the third-oldest university in England. As a collegiate university its main functions are divided between the academic departments of the university and its 16 colleges. In general, the departments perform research and provide teaching to students, while the colleges are responsible for their domestic arrangements and welfare.
The university is a member of the Russell Group of British research universities after previously being a member of the 1994 Group. Durham is also affiliated with the regional N8 Research Partnership and international university groups including the Matariki Network of Universities and the Coimbra Group. The university estate includes 63 listed buildings, ranging from the 11th-century Durham Castle to a 1930s Art Deco chapel. The university also owns and manages the Durham World Heritage Site in partnership with Durham Cathedral. The university's ownership of the World Heritage Site includes Durham Castle, Palace Green, and the surrounding buildings including the historic Cosin's Library.
Among British universities, it had the eighth highest average UCAS Tariff for new entrants in 2016 and the third lowest proportion of state-school educated students starting courses in 2016, at 62.9 per cent (fifth lowest compared to its benchmark). The university is currently ranked 5th to 7th by recent national league tables of the British universities, 74th to 114th in three of the four major global tables and in the 201–300 range in the fourth (see below). It was Sunday Times University of the Year for 2005, and the Times and Sunday Times Sports University of the Year for 2015, and was awarded a Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2018.
The chancellor of the university is Sir Thomas Allen, who succeeded Bill Bryson in 2012. Current and emeritus academics include 14 Fellows of the Royal Society, 17 Fellows of the British Academy, 14 Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences, 5 Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 2 Fellows of the Royal Society of Arts and 2 Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences. Durham graduates have long used the Latin post-nominal letters Dunelm after their degree, from Dunelmensis (of, belonging to, or from Durham)
Personal effectiveness
College communities let you develop your self-awareness, leadership and problem-solving skills through participation in societies, teams and representative groups. You will have many opportunities to challenge yourself with the support from staff and fellow students.
Intellectual curiosity
Our colleges inspire you to explore your intellectual curiosity by bringing together students from all subjects. You will connect with students from all areas and levels of study to explore and analyse different ideas through guest lectures, talks and exhibitions to expand your learning.
Find out more about extracurricular events
Belonging and responsibility
Colleges are safe spaces to try new things, to challenge yourself and to transform. They are the places where lifelong friendships begin and new passions are found. Your College community will shape your university experience and stay with you for life.
Student support and wellbeing
Each college has dedicated staff to support and enable your personal development and wellbeing. Read more about the University support services
Opportunities to get involved
College life gives you the chance to create and deliver a variety of activities and events. 16 colleges, means 16 times the opportunities to get involved in student-led and student-run activities. From managing sports teams and organising lectures, to planning social events to music-making and arts groups, there’s something for everyone.
Durham is one of the world’s leading Universities as shown by our World Top 100 position in the QS World University Rankings 2020, where we are ranked 78th.
A record 18 Durham subjects are also in the World Top 100 of the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019, including 10 in the World Top 50.
Three of our subjects are in the World Top 10 - Theology and Religion (fifth), Archaeology (sixth) and Geography (ninth).
Excellence in teaching and research
We’re ranked amongst the world Top 100 universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World Reputation Rankings 2019.
In addition, five of our subjects are ranked in the Top 100 of the 2020 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject, including two in the Top 50 (Law and Arts and Humanities).
Nationally, we’re consistently a top 10 UK university. We are ranked fifth in the Guardian University Guide 2020, sixth in The Complete University Guide 2020 and seventh in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020.
The rankings signal our excellence in teaching and research, combined with our all-round student experience. This makes our graduates highly sought after by employers around the world.
A distinctive university
Professor Stuart Corbridge, Vice-Chancellor and Warden, Durham University, said:
"Durham is one of the world’s great universities and one of the most distinctive. We aim to inspire our students and staff to achieve extraordinary things and I am delighted that this is recognised by our continued high standing in global and national league tables."
World-leading research
Our research spans the world and beyond. Our Physicists are using supercomputer simulations to test alternatives to Einstein’s theory of General Relativity, whilst our Archaeologists led the first UK university team ever to be permitted to undertake excavations within Beijing’s Forbidden City.
We also work with partners to encourage scholars from across the world to visit Durham and study the county’s outstanding special collections. In March 2019 this led to the discovery of an 800 year old Royal Charter from the reign of King John.
