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.
Durham · QS World #85
Belfast · QS World #595
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.
9/10
Durham
scored higher in 9 categories
1/10
Ulster
scored higher in 1 category
Quick Verdict
Durham University leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship). Ulster University is ahead on employment.
Durham University vs Ulster University at a glance
Durham University and Ulster University both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Business Studies. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £13,510 a year cheaper.
Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 12 and Ulster University in 1, with 1 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Durham University
Ulster University
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Ulster
45 countries · 32.5% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
- 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
- 🇮🇳India12.6%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%
Subjects
29 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
Ulster University
Law
13 coursesTypical fee £29,250 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Computer Science
13 coursesTypical fee £35,000 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Business Studies
11 coursesTypical fee £31,000 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Accounting
Economics
14 coursesTypical fee £31,000 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
General Engineering
13 coursesTypical fee £34,000 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
12 coursesTypical fee £28,000 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
Psychology (General)
12 coursesTypical fee £34,000 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Finance & Actuarial Science
Sport & Exercise Sciences
Geology & Earth Sciences
History
Management
Civil Engineering
Also taught at both: English Studies, Biology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biomedical Engineering, English Literature, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Liberal Arts.
Only at Durham University
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
- Ulster University
- £17,490
Ulster University is about £13,510 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Durham University
- £30,500
- Ulster University
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for Ulster University 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
Ulster University
Law
£36,000Salary (3 years)No data90%Satisfaction87%Computer Science
£40,000Salary (3 years)No data87%Satisfaction79%Business Studies
£41,000Salary (3 years)No data83%Satisfaction83%Accounting
£44,000Salary (3 years)No data89%Satisfaction95%Economics
£42,000Salary (3 years)No data90%Satisfaction88%General Engineering
£35,500Salary (3 years)No data86%Satisfaction77%Politics & International Relations
£34,000Salary (3 years)No data88%Satisfaction84%Sociology & Criminology
£26,500Salary (3 years)No data89%Satisfaction84%Finance & Actuarial Science
£42,000Salary (3 years)No data89%Satisfaction84%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£25,000Salary (3 years)No data92%Satisfaction82%History
£33,000Salary (3 years)No data94%Satisfaction92%English Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)No data98%Satisfaction88%
Showing the 12 largest of 14 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveDurham 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
Ulster University
View all scholarships →FAQ
Durham University vs Ulster University: common questions
Is Durham University or Ulster University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £13,510 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 Ulster University?
Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Business Studies, Accounting, Economics, General Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Geology & Earth Sciences and 17 more.
Does Durham University or Ulster University offer more courses?
Durham University lists 278 courses on CourseOptions and Ulster University lists 170 courses.
What can you study at Durham University but not at Ulster University?
Durham University teaches 25 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, Anthropology, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Ancient Languages and 17 more.
What can you study at Ulster University but not at Durham University?
Ulster University teaches 37 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Design & Fashion, Social Work, Irish Studies, Journalism, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care and 29 more.
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