QS World University Rankings

We're a world top 100 university, and our academic excellence and impact is reflected in our global rankings.

Joint 89th

in the QS World University Rankings 2025

19th in the world

in the category of Sustainability

65th in the world

in the category of Employer Reputation

World-leading status affirmed in QS World University Rankings 2025

Our status as a globally outstanding centre of teaching and research has been affirmed once again in the QS World University Rankings 2025. We are ranked joint 89th in the world.

Our top performance came in the Sustainability category, where we ranked 19th in the world. We also have a world-class reputation with employers, being ranked 65th.

Four students walking through Durham Spacer

Spacer

Our success is testament to the impact of academic, industrial and business partnerships we have throughout the UK and globally, and to our longstanding work in the field of sustainability – further evidence of that our innovative and impactful research transforms lives and makes a difference, globally and locally. It is also a credit to the hard work, dedication and innovation of our academic staff and the professional staff who support them.

Professor Karen O’Brien

Vice-Chancellor and Warden

7th Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

7th Guardian University Guide 2024

7th The Complete University Guide 2025

19 subjects in the World Top 100 (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)

Subjects ranked among the world's best

We’re a world-leading university, across a broad range of subjects. In the QS World Rankings by Subject 2024, three of our subjects ranked in the world top 10, ten subjects ranked in the top 50 and 19 subjects ranked in the top 100.

Explore our rankings by subject