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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

5/11

Durham

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

6/11

St Andrews

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, courses). Durham University is ahead on ranking, Russell Group, employment, graduate salary, scholarship.

Durham University vs University of St Andrews at a glance

Durham University and University of St Andrews both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being History, Classical Studies and Ancient Languages. Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £840 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £3,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 15 and University of St Andrews in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £40,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, against £51,500 from University of St Andrews. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 11 and Durham University in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#85
QS World
#115
#175
THE World
#162
#6
Guardian UK
#3
1832
Established
1413
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Durham University

University of St Andrews

90.7%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£43,800
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.6%
46.1%

International

International student share

278
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

102
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

35 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Teacher Training, Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Geology & Earth Sciences, Business Studies, Education Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Human Geography & Environment, Physical Geography & Climate, Asian Languages & Studies, Physics, Business & Management (General), Combined & General Studies, Biochemistry, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Literature, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Marketing.

Only at Durham University

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

University of St Andrews is about £840 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Durham University
£30,500
University of St Andrews
£27,200

University of St Andrews is about £3,300 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 St Andrews

  • History

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    94%Satisfaction97%

  • Classical Studies

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction97%

  • Ancient Languages

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction100%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    90%Satisfaction93%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    98%Satisfaction97%

  • Mathematics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£36,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • English Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,000
    98%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£51,500
    87%Satisfaction93%

  • Biology

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    93%Satisfaction96%

  • Chemistry

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    96%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

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 St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Durham University vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is Durham University or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,000 a year at Durham University and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £840 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,500 a year at Durham University and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £3,300 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: History, Classical Studies, Ancient Languages, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Theology & Religious Studies, Mathematics, English Studies, Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, Psychology (General) and 23 more.

Is Durham University or University of St Andrews better for History?

History graduates earn a median £33,000 three years after graduating from Durham University, and £28,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Durham University and 97% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Durham University or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

What can you study at Durham University but not at University of St Andrews?

Durham University teaches 19 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Archaeology, General Engineering, Accounting, Natural Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Civil Engineering, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 11 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at Durham University?

University of St Andrews teaches 29 subject areas that Durham University does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, History of Art & Design, Eastern European Languages, Media & Film Studies, Geography (General) and 21 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses