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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 Leicester

Leicester · QS World #314

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/12

Durham

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

3/12

Leicester

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Leicester is ahead on TEF, employment, courses.

Durham University vs University of Leicester at a glance

Durham University and University of Leicester both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Politics & International Relations. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; University of Leicester offers 351 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £25,100 at University of Leicester: University of Leicester is about £5,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 20 and University of Leicester in 0. The widest gap is in Accounting: £44,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £27,500 from University of Leicester. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 11 and University of Leicester in 5, with 5 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#314
#175
THE World
#192
#6
Guardian UK
#30
1832
Established
1921
Yes
Russell Group
No
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 Leicester

90.7%
86.2%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
79%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
19.3%

International

International student share

278
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
28

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

Leicester

81 countries · 19.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada14.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.9%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates1.9%

Subjects

37 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 Leicester

Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business Studies, Accounting, Classical Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Human Geography & Environment, English Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, English Literature, Marketing, Physical Geography & Climate, Civil Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Forensic Science, Humanities, Social Sciences (General).

Only at Durham University

Only at University of Leicester

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 Leicester
£25,100

University of Leicester is about £5,900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
University of Leicester
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Leicester 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

University of Leicester

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • General Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    90%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    89%Satisfaction79%

  • Psychology (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction82%

  • Chemistry

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    96%Satisfaction96%

  • Archaeology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    96%Satisfaction98%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    94%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 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 Leicester

International Undergraduate Tuition Fee Waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

ULSB International Deans Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Leicester-King Power Thai Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs University of Leicester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £25,100 at University of Leicester: University of Leicester is about £5,900 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 Leicester?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, General Engineering, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Archaeology, Finance & Actuarial Science and 25 more.

Is Durham University or University of Leicester better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £36,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £25,000 from University of Leicester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Durham University and 85% at University of Leicester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or University of Leicester offer more courses?

University of Leicester lists 351 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

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

Durham University teaches 17 subject areas that University of Leicester does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, Anthropology, Natural Sciences, Education Studies, Philosophy, Biology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Asian Languages & Studies and 9 more.

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

University of Leicester teaches 35 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Biological Sciences (General), Media & Film Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Journalism, Information & Library Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology and 27 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 Leicester351 courses · 28 scholarshipsBrowse Courses