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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

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

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

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Durham University vs UCL (University College London) at a glance

Durham University and UCL (University College London) both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Psychology (General) and Ancient Languages. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): UCL (University College London) is about £1,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): Durham University is about £4,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 13 and Durham University in 9, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £40,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £51,000 from UCL (University College London). Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 17 and UCL (University College London) in 4, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#8
#175
THE World
#22
#6
Guardian UK
#9
1832
Established
1826
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

UCL (University College London)

90.7%
86.5%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£46,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
80.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
51.9%

International

International student share

278
1131

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

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%

Subjects

50 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

UCL (University College London)

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Physics, Philosophy, Civil Engineering, Theology & Religious Studies, Chemistry, History, Human Geography & Environment, Finance & Actuarial Science, Clinical Specialities, Education Studies, Classical Studies, Business Studies, Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Studies, Biotechnology, Forensic Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Biomedical Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Combined & General Studies, English Language, English Literature, Humanities, Marketing.

Only at Durham University

Only at UCL (University College 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
UCL (University College London)
£29,800

UCL (University College London) is about £1,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
UCL (University College London)
£34,700

Durham University is about £4,200 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

UCL (University College London)

  • Psychology (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Ancient Languages

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£51,000
    87%Satisfaction80%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£45,000
    90%Satisfaction79%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£41,000
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • General Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Archaeology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    96%Satisfaction86%

  • Anthropology

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    96%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£41,000
    90%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 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 →

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs UCL (University College London): common questions

Is Durham University or UCL (University College London) cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): UCL (University College London) is about £1,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): Durham University is about £4,200 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 UCL (University College London)?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Psychology (General), Ancient Languages, Computer Science, Economics, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Geology & Earth Sciences, General Engineering, Archaeology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 38 more.

Is Durham University or UCL (University College London) better for Psychology (General)?

Psychology (General) graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £27,500 from UCL (University College London). Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Durham University and 90% at UCL (University College London). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or UCL (University College London) offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

What can you study at Durham University but not at UCL (University College London)?

Durham University teaches 4 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Natural Sciences, Asian Languages & Studies, Teacher Training and Liberal Arts.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at Durham University?

UCL (University College London) teaches 59 subject areas that Durham University does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, Biomedical Sciences, French, Planning & Housing, Italian, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology and 51 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

D
Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses