Durham University

History, Affiliations and Rankings

Durham University is a public research university that was founded in the year 1832 and awarded the University status in 1837. It is also the third-oldest university in England and is part of the prestigious Russell Group of elite UK universities. Located at the Durham Castle and Cathedral, which is a World Heritage Site, along with Durham Castle, Durham Cathedral, Palace Green and University College. Ever since its inception, the University has expanded and has a long, rich history of about 190 years. A top 100 world University, Durham is a global university with partner institutions worldwide and a pan-global research network. Some of the national and international academic bodies that Durham University is affiliated with include - N8 Research Partnership Group, the Coimbra Group, the European Universities Association (EUA), the Matariki Network of Universities (MNU) and Universities UK. When it comes to sports, Durham University is affiliated with BUCS and the Wallace Group. Durham University ranks #82 globally according to QS World University Rankings 2022, while The Guardian rankings place the University among top 5 in the UK. 

Infrastructure, Campuses and Courses

Durham University has a beautiful campus that is spread across 563 acres that is divided into two parts, Durham City and Queen's Campus, Stockton. The institution comprises 17 colleges, each offering a full range of subjects and facilities as a full-standing University. Further, there are four faculties namely, Arts and Humanities, Business, Science, and Social Science and Health that are equipped with more than 4500 faculty members. The University offers both, Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses, totaling to around 330+ courses across 24 academic departments. The Bailey is the historic center of the University and contains 5 colleges as well as the departments of Music and of Theology and Religion, the Institute of Advanced Study and Palace Green Library, housing the university's special collections. The Bailey is linked to Dunelm House, home of the Students Union in New Elvet, by the University's Kingsgate Bridge.

Accomplishments and Alumni 

Known for providing excellent education in an array of fields, Durham University has a student population of 20,000+. It also ranks amongst the top universities across the globe in terms of employability being placed 54th for employer reputation in QS World University Rankings 2022. Durham University believes in inspiring their people to do outstanding things at the University, enabling them to do outstanding things in the world. The University’s subject rankings stand as a testament to the same. The University is also committed to reducing their environmental impact and improving the local environment for their staff, students and the wider community. This commitment is reflected in their credentials and achievement of the Platinum Accreditation for Eco Campus in December 2020. Some of the notable alumni of Durham University include the likes of John D. Barrow (Templeton Prize winner), Peter Watson (Historian), Minette Walters (Author), George Arbuthnott (Investigative Journalist) and Charles Gidley Wheeler (Author).

Student Diversity and Visiting Companies

A large part of the student experience at Durham University is defined by the values of community and belongingness. Students from more than 150 countries study and learn at Durham. The student ethnicity here has remained stable for the most part, witnessing more increase in the number of Asian and other minority students and women students in postgraduate programs over the last academic years. Over 30% of the students are of non-UK origin and represent over 130 countries. To foster inclusivity and social interaction on the campus, the University has 80+ student organizations, 57 Sports clubs and a plethora of arts and culture activities to keep students engaged. Durham alumni work at global corporate leaders such as, Deloitte, Amazon, PwC, Shell, Google and Citi among other companies.