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Compare any two UK universities

Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.

D
Durham University

Durham · QS World #85

Q
Queen Mary University of London

London · QS World #103

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/10

Durham

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Queen Mary University of London

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Queen Mary University of London is ahead on ranking, employment, courses.

Durham University vs Queen Mary University of London at a glance

Durham University and Queen Mary University of London both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Economics, Law and Mathematics. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; Queen Mary University of London offers 622 courses across 81 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £29,450 at Queen Mary University of London: Queen Mary University of London is about £1,550 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 18 and Queen Mary University of London in 1. The widest gap is in Accounting: £44,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £32,000 from Queen Mary University of London. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 14 and Queen Mary University of London in 3, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

#85
QS World
#103
#175
THE World
#134
#6
Guardian UK
#35
1832
Established
1885
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Durham University

Queen Mary University of London

90.7%
84.7%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£43,800
£41,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
77.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
32.1%

International

International student share

278
622

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
18

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%
VS

Queen Mary University of London

119 countries · 32.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India18.1%
  • 🇨🇳China17.6%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey4.1%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.7%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan2.7%

Subjects

41 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 Mary University of London

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Clinical Specialities, Education Studies, Ancient Languages, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biology, Liberal Arts, Philosophy, Biochemistry, Social Policy & Public Policy, English Language, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Civil Engineering, English Literature, Physical Geography & Climate, Biotechnology, Forensic Science.

Only at Durham University

Only at Queen Mary University of London

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 Mary University of London
£29,450

Queen Mary University of London is about £1,550 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
Queen Mary University of London
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Mary University of London yet.

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 Mary University of London

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    90%Satisfaction79%

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Business Studies

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction82%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Psychology (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    91%Satisfaction80%

  • Chemistry

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • General Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    94%Satisfaction92%

  • English Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,500
    98%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Durham 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

View all scholarships →

Queen Mary University of London

Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship

£800,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Data Science and AI MSc Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

MSc in Management of IP Scholarships

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Scholarship

£7,875

Deadline: May 2026

Law Progression Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs Queen Mary University of London: common questions

Is Durham University or Queen Mary University of London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £29,450 at Queen Mary University of London: Queen Mary University of London is about £1,550 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 Mary University of London?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Economics, Law, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Chemistry, General Engineering, History, English Studies and 29 more.

Is Durham University or Queen Mary University of London better for Economics?

Economics graduates earn a median £42,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £35,500 from Queen Mary University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Durham University and 79% at Queen Mary University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or Queen Mary University of London offer more courses?

Queen Mary University of London lists 622 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

What can you study at Durham University but not at Queen Mary University of London?

Durham University teaches 13 subject areas that Queen Mary University of London does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, Anthropology, Classical Studies, Natural Sciences, Asian Languages & Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Music and 5 more.

What can you study at Queen Mary University of London but not at Durham University?

Queen Mary University of London teaches 40 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Medicine, Dentistry, Genetics & Genomics, Media & Film Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Drama & Theatre and 32 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

D
Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
Q
Queen Mary University of London622 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses