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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.

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Durham University

Durham · QS World #85

Q
Queen's University Belfast

Belfast · QS World #174

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.

7/9

Durham

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

Queen's University Belfast

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, scholarship). Queen's University Belfast is ahead on employment, courses.

Durham University vs Queen's University Belfast at a glance

Durham University and Queen's University Belfast both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Mathematics. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; Queen's University Belfast offers 494 courses across 93 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £20,800 at Queen's University Belfast: Queen's University Belfast is about £10,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 17 and Queen's University Belfast in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#174
#175
THE World
#198
#6
Guardian UK
#36
1832
Established
1845
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Durham University

Queen's University Belfast

90.7%
86.4%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
No data

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
84.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
21.9%

International

International student share

278
494

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
1

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's University Belfast

74 countries · 21.9% international

  • 🇮🇪Ireland30.3%
  • 🇮🇳India14.3%
  • 🇨🇳China11%
  • 🇺🇸United States7%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia5%

Subjects

40 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's University Belfast

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Physics, Business Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Philosophy, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Music, Biochemistry, Social Sciences (General), Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Marketing.

Only at Durham University

Only at Queen's University Belfast

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's University Belfast
£20,800

Queen's University Belfast is about £10,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
Queen's University Belfast
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen's University Belfast 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's University Belfast

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)No data
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction82%

  • English Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    98%Satisfaction91%

  • Psychology (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction86%

  • Anthropology

    £27,500Salary (3 years)No data
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Archaeology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)No data
    96%Satisfaction98%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)No data
    87%Satisfaction72%

  • Chemistry

    £34,000Salary (3 years)No data
    96%Satisfaction97%

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 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's University Belfast

Future-Ready Award

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs Queen's University Belfast: common questions

Is Durham University or Queen's University Belfast cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £20,800 at Queen's University Belfast: Queen's University Belfast is about £10,200 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's University Belfast?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Economics, Civil Engineering, English Studies, Psychology (General), Anthropology, Archaeology, Computer Science, Management, Chemistry and 28 more.

Does Durham University or Queen's University Belfast offer more courses?

Queen's University Belfast lists 494 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

What can you study at Durham University but not at Queen's University Belfast?

Durham University teaches 14 subject areas that Queen's University Belfast does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, Classical Studies, Natural Sciences, Biology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Asian Languages & Studies, English Literature, Teacher Training and 6 more.

What can you study at Queen's University Belfast but not at Durham University?

Queen's University Belfast teaches 53 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Social Work, Software Engineering, French, Irish Studies, Media & Film Studies, Planning & Housing, Biological Sciences (General), Pharmacy and 45 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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Queen's University Belfast494 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses