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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

R
Royal Holloway, University of London

Egham · QS World #485

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/11

Durham

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Royal Holloway

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Royal Holloway, University of London is ahead on employment, courses.

Durham University vs Royal Holloway, University of London at a glance

Durham University and Royal Holloway, University of London both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Economics and Law. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; Royal Holloway, University of London offers 351 courses across 60 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £26,800 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £4,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £26,400 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £4,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 18 and Royal Holloway, University of London in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £44,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £26,500 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 15 and Royal Holloway, University of London in 3, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#485
#175
THE World
#401
#6
Guardian UK
#45
1832
Established
1879
Yes
Russell Group
No
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

Royal Holloway, University of London

90.7%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£36,152.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
78.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
16.7%

International

International student share

278
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
32

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

Royal Holloway

79 countries · 16.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India17.8%
  • 🇨🇳China8.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.8%

Subjects

35 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

Royal Holloway, University of London

Also taught at both: Theology & Religious Studies, Biochemistry, Ancient Languages, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Philosophy, Accounting, English Literature, Human Geography & Environment, Business & Management (General), Biology, Marketing, English Studies, Liberal Arts, Physical Geography & Climate, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Language, Social Policy & Public Policy, Social Sciences (General).

Only at Durham University

Only at Royal Holloway, 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
Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,800

Royal Holloway, University of London is about £4,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,400

Royal Holloway, University of London is about £4,100 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

Royal Holloway, University of London

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£41,000
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)No data
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    96%Satisfaction91%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Classical Studies

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Archaeology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    97%Satisfaction84%

  • Physics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 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 →

Royal Holloway, University of London

International Partners Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Katayoon Behboodi Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Mary Anning Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw Scholarships for English

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw for English Access Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs Royal Holloway, University of London: common questions

Is Durham University or Royal Holloway, University of London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £26,800 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £4,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £26,400 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £4,100 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 Royal Holloway, University of London?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Computer Science, Economics, Law, Politics & International Relations, Geology & Earth Sciences, Sociology & Criminology, Management, Mathematics, Classical Studies, History, Archaeology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 23 more.

Is Durham University or Royal Holloway, University of London better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £40,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £41,000 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Durham University and 83% at Royal Holloway, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or Royal Holloway, University of London offer more courses?

Royal Holloway, University of London lists 351 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

What can you study at Durham University but not at Royal Holloway, University of London?

Durham University teaches 19 subject areas that Royal Holloway, University of London does not, including General Engineering, Anthropology, Chemistry, Natural Sciences, Education Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Asian Languages & Studies, Civil Engineering and 11 more.

What can you study at Royal Holloway, University of London but not at Durham University?

Royal Holloway, University of London teaches 25 subject areas that Durham University does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Drama & Theatre, Media & Film Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Geography (General), Applied Psychology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT and 17 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

D
Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
R
Royal Holloway, University of London351 courses · 32 scholarshipsBrowse Courses