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Durham University secures best-ever 22 subjects in world top 100 in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026

A group of students outside of the University

Durham University has achieved a best-ever 22 subjects in the world top 100 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.

Durham’s previous best result, achieved last year, was 21 subjects in the elite world top 100. This year’s record return includes three subjects in the world top 10, and 10 in the world top 50.

Four ‘broad subject’ areas and 17 ‘narrow subjects’ have improved their QS rankings from last year, demonstrating Durham’s excellence across a wide range of subjects.

Durham’s highest ranked subject is Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies, where it is ranked fourth globally. Durham’s Department of Theology and Religion is one of the largest in the UK and brings together a vibrant international community of scholars and students.

Archaeology at Durham is ranked fifth in the world, reflecting the University’s internationally recognised research in areas including world prehistory, early complex societies, Roman and Classical archaeology, South Asia and Eurasia, and historical and contemporary archaeology. Durham’s recent archaeology research includes major discoveries, from the Iron Age ‘Melsonby Hoard’ to a newly uncovered Roman-era industrial hub near Sunderland.

In Geography, Durham has moved up five places to sixth in the world, highlighting its world-leading community of geographers conducting innovative and impactful research to transform lives and make a difference both globally and locally.

Law at Durham has entered the world top 50, ranking joint 49th.

The following subjects at Durham are placed in the global top 50: Anthropology (joint 25th), English Language and Literature (26th), Classics and Ancient History (joint 29th), Philosophy (joint 39th), Modern Languages (joint 40th), History (44th), and Law (joint 49th).

At the broader subject level, Durham continues to perform particularly strongly in the arts and humanities. In the 2026 rankings, Durham is placed joint 31st globally, reinforcing its status as one of the world’s leading institutions in this area. The University is also ranked joint 78th globally for Social Sciences and Management, reflecting the strength of programmes in law, education, politics, and related disciplines.

In science, Psychology moved up to 70th and Physics and Astronomy to joint 67th. Mathematics, Computer Science and Information Systems, Engineering and Technology also enhanced their rankings, and the broad subject area of Natural Sciences entered the world top 100.

Durham is consistently ranked as one of the world’s leading universities. It is The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide University of the Year 2026. It is ranked 94th in the QS World University Rankings 2026, and fifth in the Guardian University Guide 2026 and Complete University Guide 2026. Durham University Business School is among an elite group of business schools worldwide to be accredited by AACSB, AMBA and EFMD/EQUIS.

Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, said: “Durham is a world-leading university. The outstanding nature of our teaching and research is reflected in our global rankings success.

“It is particularly pleasing to see a high volume and broad range of subjects again placed so highly in these most prestigious rankings.

“We have been a world top 100 university every year since 2010. We are The Times and The Sunday Times UK University of the Year 2026.”

The QS World University Rankings by Subject are among the most prestigious global rankings, assessing universities using indicators including academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations, and international research collaboration.

The 2026 rankings analysed more than 6,200 institutions worldwide, with 1,900 universities ranked across 55 subjects, producing over 21,000 individual ranking entries.

Full rankings are published here.

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Leading the way in groundbreaking research

A scientist in a lab

Durham University have been ranked third in the UK for interdisciplinary science research.

Our researchers work across traditional academic disciplines to address global challenges, transforming lives for the better.

That’s why we’re very pleased to have been placed third in the UK, and 128th globally, in the second annual Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings.

Interdisciplinary research at Durham

The heart of interdisciplinary research at Durham is our 10 research institutes, where academics from often very different backgrounds are encouraged to collaborate, share ideas and approaches, and find innovative solutions.

Much of our interdisciplinary research focuses on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – 17 goals to create a better world by 2030, from ending poverty to addressing climate change.

We rank 24th in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026. Recently, seven of our staff and students travelled to COP (Conference of Parties) 30, the recent global climate conference in Brazil.

Earlier this year, we launched the Leverhulme Centre for Algorithmic Life, which brings together experts from across the sciences, social sciences, and humanities to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are transforming society. This is led by Professor Louise Amoore, from our Department of Geography.

Earlier this month, six of our researchers, five from our Department of Physics and one from our Department of Engineering, were named in the 2025 Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers list.

A world top 100 university

Our ranking of third in the UK for interdisciplinary science adds to our status as a world top 100 university, and The Times and The Sunday Times UK University of the Year 2026. We have a best-ever 21 subjects in the world top 100 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, and we are in the top five for all three major UK university rankings.

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Durham University named The Times and The Sunday Times University of the Year 2026 

Durham University students featured within the Times newspaper

We have been named the UK’s University of the Year 2026 by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide.

The rankings are widely regarded as the definitive guide to UK universities, measuring criteria including student experience, teaching quality and graduate prospects. 

We are ranked third overall in the league table.  

We scored highly across the board, with the panel impressed with our high student satisfaction rates thanks to our exceptional college system and student enrichment opportunities.  

Durham graduates have excellent job prospects and our strength in preparing students for graduate careers also saw us named joint runner-up for University of the Year for Graduate Employment 2026.  

Judges also praised our teaching and research. 

Our strong performance in these prestigious rankings reflects how our diverse community of students are each supported as individuals to achieve the extraordinary.  

Helen Davies, the editor of The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said our ‘stellar academic performance’ was boosted by improvements in teaching quality and student experience, and praised our ‘significant achievement’. 

An outstanding place to study   

Our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Karen O’Brien, said: “Durham is an outstanding place to study. We ensure that every student can grow and thrive here.   

“Our loyal, engaged alumni are testament to the impressive career prospects that await our graduates.  

“As a diverse and global community, we are making progress in welcoming more under-represented students, including from our city and region.   

“Through a range of scholarships and one of the most generous bursary schemes in the country, we are supporting students to come here and participate in the wider opportunities available to them at Durham.   

“Every student can achieve remarkable things.”  

A World Top 100 University   

We are world top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2026, a position we have maintained every year since 2010.  

The QS also ranks us 64th globally for employability and 22nd for sustainability  

We are in the top five for all three major UK rankings: The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, the Guardian University Guide, and the Complete University Guide.   

In recent years we have seen an increase in positive responses via the National Student Survey, reflecting our ongoing focus on educational quality alongside a welcoming culture.  

This latest ranking success reinforces our position as a globally competitive university which welcomes talented students from all backgrounds to apply and thrive with us.  

Find out more  

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Former Unilever CEO opens Durham University business school

Durham University Business School

A new university business school facility has been opened by a former Unilever CEO.

Paul Polman, a global business leader and environmentalist, officially opened Durham University Business School’s new Waterside building.

At the opening, Mr Polman addressed the audience of business leaders, academics, and policy leaders, highlighting the ‘extraordinary disruption’ the world is facing and the need for a shift in leadership mindset.

He said: “I would argue we are short of the right leaders we need to succeed – and that’s where you come in.

“It’s in the rough seas where you learn leadership.

“Here at Durham, you already punch above your weight.

“With the opening of this wonderful Waterside building, you are setting yourselves up very well for success.”

Mr Polman, who was previously the chief executive of Unilever, called for business leaders to adopt a ‘net positive’ mindset, asking not ‘how can I do less harm?’ but ‘how can I do more good?’

The Waterside building, which has achieved a Gold SKA rating for sustainability, is located in the heart of Durham city, close to the railway station and city centre.

The new facility complements the existing Mill Hill Lane facility and includes lecture theatres, a financial trading lab with Bloomberg terminals, executive facilities, offices, study spaces, and a Riverfront Bistro.

Durham University Business School, established in 1965, is among the top one per cent of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA, and Equis.

It delivers research and education in finance, leadership, and sustainability, and has nearly 400 business partnerships.

The opening event was attended by leaders from business, politics, academia, and civic society.

Mr Polman gave the keynote address, with contributions from Professor O’Brien, and Professors Cathy Cassell and Kieran Fernandes, the outgoing and incoming executive deans of Durham University Business School, respectively.

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Exciting new Story launched for Durham

People stood in front of the Durham Story board and banners

An exciting new approach to promoting the county was unveiled yesterday (18 March), with over 80 stakeholders attending the launch of the ‘Durham Story’.

The event, hosted by Durham County Council and Durham University at Gala Durham, was the culmination of a 12-month project which has seen engagement with hundreds of stakeholders from across the region, to identify a compelling new proposition for the county which will showcase Durham on a global scale.

Spearheaded by Durham County Council, Durham University, Visit County Durham and Business Durham, this new approach will see organisations and individuals join forces and unite behind the brand to build the county’s image, identity and reputation, and harness profile-raising opportunities to reach key audiences.

With a clear and consistent approach across multiple sectors, the Durham story will enable the county to engage and inspire potential investors, businesses, students and visitors, whilst instilling pride in our resident and business communities.

The Durham story is an extraordinary blend of beauty, enterprise, heritage, culture and ambition, found in all four corners of the county. It shines a light on what makes us special, the distinctiveness and character of Durham, and the opportunities for the growth, development and promotion of the county. Embodied by four key strands, the Durham story was introduced at the event by private and public sector partners.

Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University introduced the overarching theme for Durham, which sees us confidently championing our regional, national and international role.

Jim Cokill, trust director of Durham Wildlife Trust spoke about the ‘natural lifestyle’ strand – our incredible green and blue spaces, nature and wildlife, and the many ways in which they positively impact residents, businesses, visitors and students. ‘Contemporising and connecting our culture’ is the second strand, highlighting the county’s world-class culture and how it’s brought to life for today’s audiences, which was introduced by Hannah Fox, executive director of The Bowes Museum. The ‘space to innovate and grow’ strand, which focuses on the county as a place for business as well as our strengths within the space industry, was introduced by Arnab Basu, CEO of Kromek. With the final strand of the Durham story, ‘a special city that attracts and radiates’, focussing on the pivotal role the city plays as an attractor for the wider county, was introduced by Emma Gaudern, CEO of EMG Solicitors.

Also announced at the event was the Durham Champions initiative, which will see an exciting new network of individuals helping to shine a light on the county through their own activities, supporting the promotion of the county in a consistent and compelling way.

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “County Durham is an amazing place with so much to offer, whether as a place to live, visit, work or invest. And, while we might be tempted to keep it for ourselves, encouraging others to discover what our area has to offer is vital for our future prosperity.

“We want people to think of County Durham when they are looking for somewhere to visit, to know that there are thousands of great job opportunities here and to make us their first choice when looking to set up home. And we want investors to be very clear that we offer a brilliant place to do business.

“The place brand will help us achieve this by cementing the good work that has already been done to develop County Durham’s reputation, through further raising the area’s profile and supporting our economic and social growth.”

Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University added:

“The University works closely with our partner organisations on many projects to benefit the growth, development and promotion of our city, county and region. We very much look forward to strengthening these connections and to highlighting even more prominently all that makes Durham special, telling our powerful story regionally, nationally and globally.”

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University apprentice success for T-level work placement students

T-Level students at Durham University

Expanding access to education, skills training and employment opportunities is something we’re passionate about at Durham.

We recently formalised the Durham Learning Alliance partnership with four County Durham colleges to expand opportunities for young people in North East England. 

Thanks to the Alliance, eight college students in need of work placements for their T-level studies were taken on by the University’s Computing and Information Services (CIS) department. 

They were given expert mentorship from our CIS staff, and three students – Dylan Milburn, Callum Blakey and Thomas Marley – have now been taken on as full-time apprentices at the University. 

Excelling at Durham 

Dylan, from Wingate in County Durham, excelled with us and was named as a regional finalist in the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2024. 

After completing his T-level at East Durham College, Dylan is now staying on at the University as an IS Apprentice undertaking a Data Engineering higher apprenticeship. 

He said: “The experience I gained at Durham was incredibly valuable for my T-level studies as the practical, hands-on experience complemented my classroom learning. 

“I am thankful that the University recognised my skills and potential, and I see this apprenticeship as the foundation of my career.  

“I don’t just see myself starting my career here; I see myself growing and eventually finishing my career at Durham University.  

“The opportunities for professional development and the supportive environment make it an ideal place for my career aspirations.” 

Bright future 

Callum, of Durham City, was studying his T-level at New College Durham when he joined our CIS on work placement. 

He is now an Undergraduate IS Apprentice Analyst in our Identity and Access Management (IAM) team, studying his undergraduate degree apprenticeship with the University of Exeter. 

Callum said his work placement was ‘critical’ to his T-level and helped equip him with the skills necessary for the apprenticeship. 

He added: “My future is absolutely here at Durham; the opportunities that Durham has provided and the teams and the people I get the pleasure of working with are nothing short of incredible.” 

T-level pathway 

Thomas Marley, of Framwellgate Moor in County Durham, completed a T-Level in Digital Production, Design and Development at New College Durham whilst on work placement with us. 

He has now secured a role as an Undergraduate IS Apprentice Analyst studying for an undergraduate degree apprenticeship with the University of Exeter. 

Thomas said: “I would never have gotten onto the Degree Apprenticeship if it wasn’t for the experience that I had gained during my T-level placement. 

“I would strongly recommend the T-level pathway to anyone on the fence about it.  

“If you have a good idea about the industry you want to go into, then the T-Level programme offers something extremely beneficial which makes you stand out over those with A-Levels.”