Skip to main content

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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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.

7/10

Durham

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Nottingham

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Durham University vs University of Nottingham at a glance

Durham University and University of Nottingham both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Economics. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Durham University is about £2,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: Durham University is about £300 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 19 and University of Nottingham in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £44,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £33,500 from University of Nottingham. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 18 and University of Nottingham in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#97
#175
THE World
#145
#6
Guardian UK
#21
1832
Established
1881
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

University of Nottingham

90.7%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
21.1%

International

International student share

278
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
5

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

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

Subjects

48 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 Nottingham

Also taught at both: Civil Engineering, General Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, History, Management, Classical Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, English Studies, Biotechnology, Mechanical Engineering, Natural Sciences, Accounting, Business & Management (General), Clinical Specialities, Social Sciences (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Ancient Languages, Biology, Education Studies, Music, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biochemistry, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Language, English Literature, Liberal Arts, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biomedical Engineering, Marketing.

Only at Durham University

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000

Durham University is about £2,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
University of Nottingham
£30,800

Durham University is about £300 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 Nottingham

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    87%Satisfaction79%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    90%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    91%Satisfaction83%

  • Philosophy

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Archaeology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    96%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    89%Satisfaction79%

  • Physics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    89%Satisfaction81%

  • Chemistry

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    96%Satisfaction90%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    96%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 →

University of Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs University of Nottingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Durham University is about £2,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: Durham University is about £300 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 Nottingham?

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Economics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Philosophy, Archaeology, Law, Theology & Religious Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physics and 36 more.

Is Durham University or University of Nottingham better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £40,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £36,000 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Durham University and 79% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or University of Nottingham offer more courses?

University of Nottingham lists 580 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

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

Durham University teaches 6 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Anthropology, Asian Languages & Studies, Teacher Training, Combined & General Studies, Forensic Science and Humanities.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 50 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Architecture, Linguistics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health & Epidemiology, Building & Construction and 42 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses