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March 17, 2025
Durham performs highly in prestigious global subjects rankings
Durham University has achieved its strongest-ever performance in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, with 21 subjects ranked among the world’s top 100, up from 19 last year.
The QS World University Rankings by Subject are among the most prestigious global rankings, evaluating universities based on academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations and international research collaboration.
The 2025 rankings analysed over 5,200 institutions worldwide, with 1,747 ranked across 55 subjects.
World top ten
Durham has three subjects in the world’s top ten, demonstrating its international leadership in these disciplines. Archaeology at Durham is ranked 6th, continuing to be a standout subject, offering research and teaching specialisms in world prehistory, early complex societies, India, Egypt and the Near East, Roman and Classical archaeology, the archaeology of South Asia, Eurasia and the medieval, historical and contemporary worlds.
Theology and Religion has moved up to 6th, reinforcing its global reputation for excellence in religious studies. Durham’s Department of Theology and Religion is one of the largest in the UK and features a diverse intellectual community of 50 academics, over 150 postgraduate students, and more than 70 undergraduates in each year.
Classics and Ancient History is ranked 9th, maintaining its status as one of the best programmes of its kind in the world. Durham’s researchers are at the forefront of renewed interest in the study of Classics subjects in state-maintained primary and secondary schools.
World top 50
In total, Durham has eight subjects are ranked in the global top 50.
Geography climbed five places to 11th, reflecting the impact of the University’s world-leading research in environmental change and geopolitics.
Other highly ranked subjects include Anthropology (29th), Philosophy (31st), English Studies (33rd) and History (36th), which has improved by six places from last year.
Plus, Durham University continues to excel in the Arts and Humanities, where it ranks 43rd globally, reaffirming its place among the world’s leading institutions.
Choose Durham University for your studies
This success highlights Durham’s strength across a diverse range of disciplines, from the humanities and social sciences to the natural sciences and business.
With world-leading teaching, cutting-edge research and a strong global reputation, Durham remains a top choice for students looking to join a thriving international community of academics and peers.
Looking for funding for postgraduate studies? Check out the exclusive bursaries on offer from Postgrad Solutions.
Content added on 17th March 2025.
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