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Continuing to improve on high student satisfaction

Our students strongly recognise the quality of our teaching and academic support, and feel their voices are being heard, according to the results of the latest National Student Survey.
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QS World University Rankings 2027: ranked 85th

We have risen nine places from last year. We rank 49th for Employer Reputation, and joint 24th for Sustainability.
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Alumni Fee Scholarship

Supporting Durham graduates looking to undertake a postgraduate degree.
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Durham Master's Bursaries

Supporting UK students from low and middle-income households with postgraduate study starting in 2026.
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Welcome to new alumni

Summer Congregation may be over, but graduation isn't the end of your Durham journey. Find out how to connect with our global alumni network, access alumni benefits and careers support, and get involved with alumni community events.
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Research impact at Durham

We conduct innovative and impactful research to transform lives and make a difference, globally and locally: research to empower and inspire.

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Strengthening research ties with Japan through multiple new grant awards

We have secured funding for three new research projects from the prestigious Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation, further strengthening our partnership with Japan.
Researcher in a lab

New global map to help protect coastal World Heritage sites

A major new digital mapping project could help protect some of the world's most important heritage sites from the growing threat of climate change.
An aerial view of the Great Wall of China

European partnership to shape AI in business, locally and internationally

We’re strengthening our role in shaping the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in business, having secured innovation funding with partners in the Arqus European University Alliance.
Students discussing a project

Drought, water shortages and crop failures: how does the medieval warm period compare with today?

A heatwave lasting four months, followed by water shortages and crop failures. This is England in the 13th century, not the 21st. In this article, Dr Alex Brown from our Department of History and our Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies says we should heed the lessons of the past when it comes to dealing with climate extremes.
A medieval artwork depicting peasants working in a field overseen by a master pointing a stick

AI chatbots can be as effective as humans at emotional support

Research involving our School of Education has found AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, can match humans as a source of everyday emotional support.
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The abolition myth: how slavery survived by changing shape

Slavery did not end with abolitionism in the 19th century. Instead it was rebuilt, again and again, into new forms of unfree labour that still shape the world today
Remains of the Monte Alegre plantation, Barra do Piraí, Brazil

Medieval plague survivors left us graffiti, court records and a lesson for COVID

Memories of pandemics are often contentious. They can be disputed, uncomfortable and politically charged. Dr Alex Brown from our Department of History and our Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies examines how the Black Death was chronicled in medieval times and explores how this history can inform commemorations of modern pandemics.
An old gravestone with a skull and crossbones engraved in it.

Red tape and conflicting priorities limit the impact of social businesses, research finds

Social businesses are being prevented from delivering lasting benefits to their regions because of complex policies, unclear guidance, financial constraints and poor use of resources, according to new research from our Business School.
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Celebrating our newest graduates at Summer Congregation 2026

Thousands of our students have celebrated their achievements during Summer Congregation 2026, with the UNESCO World Heritage Site venue of Durham Castle and Cathedral bathed in glorious sunshine for their graduation ceremonies.
Students at summer congregation

Students meet with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team in careers visit

Hundreds of students experienced an engaging and high-profile recruitment showcase from the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. 
A black formula 1 racing car underneath a black Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS canopy.

New UK defence plan fails to deliver on space, despite the military’s growing reliance on satellite systems

It’s disappointing that the UK’s new defence investment plan is unclear on its long-term plan for space, write Dr Bleddyn Bowen, in our School of Government and International Affairs/Durham University Space Research Centre, and Postgraduate Researcher Scott Mackie.
An image of the curve of the Earth from space showing the UK and Europe. Sunlight is peering over the Earth's curve.

Medical museums often display infant remains – how they were acquired was frequently harrowing and involved eugenic thinking

Professor Sian Halcrow and Professor Rebecca Gowland of our Department of Archaeology explore the often troubling history of infant remains displayed in museums or used as teaching aids. Please be aware that this article includes references to infant death and institutional abuse.
A black and white image from the early 1900s showing a group of nurses wearing white dresses outside a hospital.

Durham Cricket and Durham University renew partnership to drive sport and learning in North East England

We are renewing our partnership with Durham Cricket, creating benefits for sport and learning in North East England.
Members of the University Cricket Club and Durham Cricket Club standing with a Durham University purple banner.

Ruth First Wing named in honour of anti-apartheid activist and former Sociology lecturer

Part of the new home for our Department of Sociology has been named in honour of anti-apartheid activist, writer, journalist and lecturer Ruth First.
A group of about 20 people stand on either side of a sign that reads Ruth First Wing.

Upcoming events

Crazy Creatures

Friday 31 July 2026 - Friday 31 July 2026
10:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Botanic Garden
Tort-CC

Durham MBA webinar: Preparing for your MBA

Wednesday 26 August 2026 - Wednesday 26 August 2026
1:00 AM to 1:45 PM
Online
MBA Teaching Room Waterside

Roman Life Uncovered at the Museum of Archaeology

Monday 17 August 2026 - Monday 17 August 2026
11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Museum of Archaeology, Palace Green Library, Palace Green, Durham DH1 3RN
The Museum of Archaeology with Roman Historians in costume in the gallery.

Everyday Elegance: Daily Lives of Women in Late Qing China

Saturday 16 May 2026 - Sunday 20 September 2026
12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Oriental Museum
Heavily embroidered piece of textile

From our Student Blogs:

From sustainability consultancy in South Africa to groundbreaking climate research at Durham

Find out how Kalila's move from a career with the Southern African Financial Services Group to a PhD in Economics and Climate Research has shaped her outlook on climate research, policy, and the value of engaging with students as a teaching assistant.

A PhD student in an orange hi-vis vest and hard hat outside an industrial building

 

 

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Try a little tenderness - physical touch among our closest ape relatives can promote social harmony

New research from our Department of Psychology suggests physical touch may be an important evolutionary tool to help manage social tension and keep the peace.

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