Basic information and contact details for Durham University
Durham is a globally outstanding centre of teaching, learning and research excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, in a unique and historic setting. Durham is a university like no other.
Our history as a centre of learning goes back over a thousand years. Founded in 1832, we are England’s third oldest university.
We conduct innovative and impactful research to transform lives and make a difference globally and locally: research to empower and inspire. Among our scientists, social scientists, business, arts and humanities scholars we have some of the world’s leading authorities in their field. From child development to the future of the planet; from the fundamental elements of life to seeing further into space and time than ever before; we are shaping the world, from the intimate to the infinite.
We are committed to making Durham one of the most environmentally sustainable universities in the UK. Alongside major investments in our built environment and our teaching and research activities, we have introduced strong environmental policies and procedures.
We value international collaboration as central to enhancing global knowledge and developing global citizenship. Our staff and students come from over 120 countries, creating an outward-looking, globally minded and inclusive university.
We offer a broad range of courses. Our degree programmes are informed by research undertaken by our high-calibre staff in partnership with policymakers, industry, the public sector and communities globally.
Alongside the outstanding education we offer to students, we believe that participating in every aspect of university life is fundamental. The communities created by each of our 17 Colleges ensures that we always have a sense of community at the heart of everything that we do to ensure our students feel well supported. Our students participate actively in sport, music, theatre, volunteering and business enterprise.
Rankings
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World University Rankings 2025
Breakdown via year: Overall
Ranking positions 2016 to 2025
2025
=172nd
2024
174th
2023
=198th
2022
=162nd
2021
=149th
2020
133rd
2019
=114th
2018
97th
2017
=96th
2016
70th
Precise ranks and overall scores are shown for the institutions toward the top of a ranking; for institutions with banded ranks, please see the relevant ranking tables for an indication of their scores.
Impact Rankings
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Impact Rankings 2024
Breakdown via year: Overall
Impact Ranking positions 2020 to 2024
2024
=36th
2023
=77th
2022
101-200th
2021
=87th
2020
101-200th
Precise ranks and overall scores are shown for the institutions toward the top of a ranking; for institutions with banded ranks, please see the relevant ranking tables for an indication of their scores.
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