Durham
Founded in 1832
Durham University is a public research university located in the city of Durham, Northeast England. Established in 1832, it is one of the oldest universities in England, ranking third after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is a member of the Russell Group, often regarded as the UK’s Ivy League. In the 2020 QS World University Rankings, Durham ranked 78th globally, and it is the only university in the UK with all subjects ranked in the top ten.
Durham’s campus features Harry Potter-esque collegiate buildings and a castle, which, along with the nearby Norman Cathedral, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Like Oxford and Cambridge, Durham operates as a collegiate university with a federated system, where its main functions are divided between various academic departments and 16 colleges. Though the university is publicly funded, the colleges are private institutions with high levels of autonomy, managing their own structure, admissions, and student activities. The colleges are responsible for student accommodation and welfare, while the academic departments focus on teaching and research.
Popular programs at Durham University include English, Italian, Archaeology, Music, History, Education, Geography, Politics, Computer Science, Business, Law, Mathematics, Sociology, Chemistry, and Engineering.