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Durham · QS World #85
Edinburgh · QS World #1201
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 9 datapoints
We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
8/9
Durham
scored higher in 8 categories
1/9
Queen Margaret
scored higher in 1 category
Quick Verdict
Durham University leads in 8 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is ahead on employment.
Durham University vs Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh at a glance
Durham University and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh both teach 12 subject areas, the largest being Psychology (General), Business Studies and Politics & International Relations. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offers 68 courses across 25 subject areas.
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £18,460 at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £12,040 a year cheaper.
Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 2 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 0. The widest gap is in Psychology (General): £29,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £21,000 from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is higher in 3 and Durham University in 1.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Durham University
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
Scholarships
Number of scholarships
International Community
Where do international students come from?
Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.
Durham
86 countries · 32.6% international
- 🇨🇳China49.5%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.4%
- 🇮🇳India5.9%
- 🇺🇸United States4.9%
- 🇸🇬Singapore2.6%
Queen Margaret
51 countries · 18.6% international
- 🇮🇪Ireland29%
- 🌐Nepal9.8%
- 🇨🇦Canada8.2%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
- 🇺🇸United States4.5%
Subjects
12 subjects you can study at both
Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.
Durham University
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Psychology (General)
12 coursesTypical fee £34,000 (UG)
4 coursesFee not available
Business Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £31,000 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £18,460 (PG)
Politics & International Relations
12 coursesTypical fee £28,000 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
Finance & Actuarial Science
Sociology & Criminology
Business & Management (General)
Classical Studies
Education Studies
Teacher Training
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Marketing
Clinical Specialities
Only at Durham University
Only at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Fees
What it costs international students
The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.
Undergraduate
- Durham University
- £31,000
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh yet.
Postgraduate
- Durham University
- £30,500
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- £18,460
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £12,040 a year cheaper.
Outcomes
Graduate outcomes by subject
Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.
Durham University
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Psychology (General)
£29,000Salary (3 years)£21,00091%Satisfaction82%Sociology & Criminology
£26,500Salary (3 years)£21,00089%Satisfaction94%Education Studies
£26,500Salary (3 years)No data86%Satisfaction88%Teacher Training
£26,500Salary (3 years)No data78%Satisfaction90%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveDurham University
Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship
£53,333
Deadline: N/A
Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships - Undergraduate
£30,000
Deadline: N/A
The Global DBA Scholarships
£25,000
Deadline: Nov 2026
The Mary Ward Postgraduate Scholarship Fund
£25,000
Deadline: N/A
Global Grand Challenges Studentships
£20,780
Deadline: N/A
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Scottish Highlands & Islands Schools Scholarship
£500
Deadline: Jun 2026
Alison Scott Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
The Alison Scott Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Durham University vs Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: common questions
Is Durham University or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh cheaper for international students?
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £18,460 at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £12,040 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.
What subjects can you study at both Durham University and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?
Both universities teach 12 subject areas: Psychology (General), Business Studies, Politics & International Relations, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Classical Studies, Education Studies, Teacher Training, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing and Clinical Specialities.
Is Durham University or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh better for Psychology (General)?
Psychology (General) graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £21,000 from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Durham University and 82% at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Durham University or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offer more courses?
Durham University lists 278 courses on CourseOptions and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh lists 68 courses.
What can you study at Durham University but not at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?
Durham University teaches 42 subject areas that Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh does not, including Economics, Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, Computer Science, General Engineering, Law, Anthropology, Accounting and 34 more.
What can you study at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh but not at Durham University?
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh teaches 13 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, Media & Film Studies, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Cultural Studies, Medical Imaging and 5 more.
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