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A world-leading university

We are a world top 100 university, with 12 of our subjects ranked in the world top 50 and 19 in the world top 100. We conduct innovative and impactful research to transform lives and make a difference, globally and locally: research to empower and inspire.

Among our scientists, social scientists, business, arts and humanities scholars we have some of the world’s leading authorities in their field. From child development to the future of the planet; from the fundamental elements of life to seeing further into space and time than ever before; we are shaping the world, from the intimate to the infinite.
Explore our world-leading research
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A sustainable university

Two researchers chatting with the female holding a microphoneWe are focused on sustainable development and actively contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2024, we ranked 19th globally. Our sustainability research excels in areas including energy systems, hydrogen development and exploration, carbon capture and storage and environmental justice.  


Discover our strengths

Ogden CentreWe nurture world-leading and world-changing scientific research across fields including surface chemistry, plant and soil science, hazard and risk, including natural hazards and infrastructure, and physics – including computational cosmology and particle physics.  

 

 

Male student on a treadmill with male and female students watching their male lecturer analysing the breath by breath testWe are dedicated to pursuing social justice, undertaking fearless research that leads to policy and societal change and reform. In social sciences and health, we have leading voices in the investigation of violence and abuse, climatology and urban sustainability, anthropology, where we span social, evolutionary and health anthropology, and archaeology, including the protection of heritage in the face of humanitarian or environmental crisis.  

 

Student in Cosins Library with books in the backgroundArts and Humanities at Durham, which is among the top 50 in the world, is characterised by a commitment to global reach and historic depth, combining tradition and innovation, to yield outstanding success across our departments. From classics to contemporary literature, from African history to Iberian and Latin American art, from Chinese culture to Catholic studies, from medieval libraries to machine learning and artificial intelligence, our transformative approach incorporates medical, digital and environmental humanities, and path-breaking research in culture, creativity and heritage. 

An outside view of Durham Castle on a sunny dayWe are at the heart of Durham’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, a place of learning for over a thousand years, and internationally significant libraries and collections, with one of the world’s largest and most diverse concentrations of medieval and early modern studies, and joined up, connected research makes our home a laboratory for global heritage. 



Man walking outside the business school courtyardWe are an international triple accredited business school, and one of the longest established in the UK. Our business scholars are changing how we understand leadership, accountability, sustainability, supply chains, financial inclusion, financial technologies, banking, economic theory and environmental economics. 

 

University student
We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. We offer the inspiration, they achieve the outstanding.

Professor Karen O’Brien
Vice-Chancellor and Warden
Aerial view of Durham Cathedral with QS World University Rankings logo

QS World University Rankings

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

Explore our global university rankings
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Make an impact on the world

Research at Durham brings together the leading minds in their fields.

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