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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
University of Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

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.

7/11

Durham

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

Exeter

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Exeter is ahead on ranking, TEF, employment, courses.

Durham University vs University of Exeter at a glance

Durham University and University of Exeter both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Mathematics and Law. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £24,950 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £6,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £25,550 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £4,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 23 and University of Exeter in 2. The widest gap is in Biochemistry: £30,500 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £23,500 from University of Exeter. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 16 and University of Exeter in 7, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#136
#175
THE World
#170
#6
Guardian UK
#14
1832
Established
1922
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Durham University

University of Exeter

90.7%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£39,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
82.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
22.2%

International

International student share

278
873

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
2

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

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%

Subjects

45 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

University of Exeter

Also taught at both: Philosophy, Psychology (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Business Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Ancient Languages, Civil Engineering, Accounting, Anthropology, Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Natural Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate, Biology, Biochemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Education Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Humanities, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Clinical Specialities, Forensic Science, Liberal Arts, Social Sciences (General), Biomedical Engineering, English Language.

Only at Durham University

Only at University of Exeter

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
University of Exeter
£24,950

University of Exeter is about £6,050 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
University of Exeter
£25,550

University of Exeter is about £4,950 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

University of Exeter

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Physics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    90%Satisfaction94%

  • Classical Studies

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction92%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • General Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    86%Satisfaction59%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    94%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • English Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,500
    98%Satisfaction92%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    98%Satisfaction100%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 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 →

University of Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs University of Exeter: common questions

Is Durham University or University of Exeter cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £24,950 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £6,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £25,550 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £4,950 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 University of Exeter?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Law, Physics, Classical Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Computer Science, History, Business & Management (General), Economics, English Studies and 33 more.

Is Durham University or University of Exeter better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £34,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £30,500 from University of Exeter. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Durham University and 88% at University of Exeter. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or University of Exeter offer more courses?

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

What can you study at Durham University but not at University of Exeter?

Durham University teaches 9 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Chemistry, Asian Languages & Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Literature, Music, Teacher Training, Biotechnology, Combined & General Studies and 1 more.

What can you study at University of Exeter but not at Durham University?

University of Exeter teaches 46 subject areas that Durham University does not, including History of Art & Design, Biomedical Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Zoology & Animal Biology, Anatomy & Pathology, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Sciences and 38 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
University of Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses