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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 Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

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

Liverpool

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 Liverpool is ahead on ranking, TEF, employment, courses.

Durham University vs University of Liverpool at a glance

Durham University and University of Liverpool both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Archaeology, Music and Politics & International Relations. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: Durham University is about £1,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Liverpool is about £500 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 26 and University of Liverpool in 0. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £42,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £27,000 from University of Liverpool. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 20 and University of Liverpool in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#139
#175
THE World
#143
#6
Guardian UK
#28
1832
Established
1881
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 Liverpool

90.7%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£34,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
79.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
24.1%

International

International student share

278
793

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

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China40.6%
  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

Subjects

42 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 Liverpool

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

Only at Durham University

Only at University of Liverpool

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 Liverpool
£32,000

Durham University is about £1,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
University of Liverpool
£30,000

University of Liverpool is about £500 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 Liverpool

  • Archaeology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    96%Satisfaction92%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    97%Satisfaction91%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction82%

  • Business Studies

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    73%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    87%Satisfaction77%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Classical Studies

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    94%Satisfaction93%

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 Liverpool

Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs University of Liverpool: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: Durham University is about £1,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: University of Liverpool is about £500 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 Liverpool?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Archaeology, Music, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Law, History, Mathematics, Business Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, Computer Science, Economics, Classical Studies and 30 more.

Is Durham University or University of Liverpool better for Archaeology?

Archaeology graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £23,000 from University of Liverpool. Student satisfaction with teaching is 96% at Durham University and 92% at University of Liverpool. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or University of Liverpool offer more courses?

University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

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

Durham University teaches 12 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, Anthropology, Natural Sciences, Education Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Teacher Training, Biotechnology and 4 more.

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

University of Liverpool teaches 52 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Media & Film Studies, French, Italian, German & Scandinavian Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Irish Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture and 44 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 Liverpool793 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses