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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

T
The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

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.

3/10

Durham

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Edinburgh

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Durham University vs The University of Edinburgh at a glance

Durham University and The University of Edinburgh both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Theology & Religious Studies. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £29,600 at The University of Edinburgh: The University of Edinburgh is about £1,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 23 and The University of Edinburgh in 3, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £44,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £30,500 from The University of Edinburgh. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 23 and The University of Edinburgh in 2, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#35
#175
THE World
#29
#6
Guardian UK
#17
1832
Established
1583
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

The University of Edinburgh

90.7%
85.3%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
83%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
41.6%

International

International student share

278
936

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
112

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

Edinburgh

122 countries · 41.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.5%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.3%
  • 🇮🇳India5.4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.7%
  • 🇨🇦Canada2.4%

Subjects

51 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

The University of Edinburgh

Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, General Engineering, Anthropology, Chemistry, Education Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Literature, Human Geography & Environment, Finance & Actuarial Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Ancient Languages, Accounting, Civil Engineering, Management, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Music, Clinical Specialities, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Social Sciences (General), Biology, Business & Management (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Combined & General Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Language, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mechanical Engineering, Humanities, Biomedical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Liberal Arts, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing.

Only at Durham University

Only at The University of 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
The University of Edinburgh
£29,600

The University of Edinburgh is about £1,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
The University of Edinburgh
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for The University of Edinburgh 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

The University of Edinburgh

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£37,000
    87%Satisfaction74%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    98%Satisfaction94%

  • Business Studies

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    83%Satisfaction80%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction81%

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Teacher Training

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    78%Satisfaction92%

  • Classical Studies

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    94%Satisfaction92%

  • Physics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£38,000
    90%Satisfaction81%

  • Philosophy

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 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 →

The University of Edinburgh

Asylum Seeker Scholarship

£21,000

Deadline: N/A

Education Beyond Borders postgraduate scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

Cameron Law Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Online Learning Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs The University of Edinburgh: common questions

Is Durham University or The University of Edinburgh cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £29,600 at The University of Edinburgh: The University of Edinburgh is about £1,400 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 The University of Edinburgh?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Theology & Religious Studies, Business Studies, Mathematics, History, Teacher Training, Classical Studies, Physics, Economics, Philosophy, Psychology (General) and 39 more.

Is Durham University or The University of Edinburgh better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £36,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £26,500 from The University of Edinburgh. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Durham University and 86% at The University of Edinburgh. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or The University of Edinburgh offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

What can you study at Durham University but not at The University of Edinburgh?

Durham University teaches 3 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Natural Sciences, English Studies and Forensic Science.

What can you study at The University of Edinburgh but not at Durham University?

The University of Edinburgh teaches 65 subject areas that Durham University does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Medicine, French, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Biological Sciences (General), Veterinary Medicine, Design & Fashion and 57 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

D
Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses