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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

6/10

Durham

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Southampton

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, scholarship). University of Southampton is ahead on ranking, employment, international, courses.

Durham University vs University of Southampton at a glance

Durham University and University of Southampton both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being General Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Finance & Actuarial Science. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £5,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Durham University is about £700 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 25 and University of Southampton in 1. The widest gap is in Accounting: £44,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £29,500 from University of Southampton. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 22 and University of Southampton in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#111
#175
THE World
#129
#6
Guardian UK
#16
1832
Established
1862
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 Southampton

90.7%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
35.1%

International

International student share

278
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Chemistry, History, Psychology (General), Accounting, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, English Literature, Philosophy, Anthropology, Education Studies, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Music, Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Teacher Training, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Sport & Exercise Sciences, English Language, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Social Sciences (General).

Only at Durham University

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

University of Southampton is about £5,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
University of Southampton
£31,200

Durham University is about £700 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 Southampton

  • General Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Archaeology

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    96%Satisfaction97%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£47,000
    87%Satisfaction80%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Business Studies

    £41,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    83%Satisfaction66%

  • Physics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Ancient Languages

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £5,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Durham University is about £700 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: General Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Archaeology, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Economics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Law, Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies, Physics and 33 more.

Is Durham University or University of Southampton better for General Engineering?

General Engineering graduates earn a median £35,500 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £34,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Durham University and 90% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or University of Southampton offer more courses?

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

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

Durham University teaches 9 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, Classical Studies, Natural Sciences, Asian Languages & Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Combined & General Studies and 1 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 46 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Chemical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Environmental Sciences, Marine Engineering & Technology, Software Engineering, Healthcare Science 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses