Notable programs
Theology and Religion
Ranked 4th globally in QS 2026. One of the world's foremost departments for biblical studies, Islamic studies, and philosophy of religion. The Cathedral setting provides unique access to ecclesiastical archives and a living religious community.
Geography (BA/BSc)
Ranked 6th globally in QS 2026. Strengths in physical geography, climate science, and geopolitics. Extensive fieldwork programme with international expeditions. Students report among the highest satisfaction scores in the university.
Durham University Business School (MBA/MSc Finance)
Triple-crown accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA). Financial Times top-100 MBA. Strong placement into Big Four, investment banking, and management consulting. Dedicated career services with 94% graduate employment rate.
Classics and Ancient History
Consistently ranked top 5 in the UK. Access to the Oriental Museum's Egyptian and Near Eastern collections. Small cohorts with tutorial-style teaching and extensive primary-source work in Latin and Greek.
History
Top 5 in UK domestic tables. Particular strengths in medieval history (leveraging Durham's own 1,000-year archive), early modern Europe, and the history of political thought. College libraries supplement the main university collection.
English Literature
QS world top 50 in 2026. Strong creative-writing pathway. The department benefits from Durham's literary heritage — the Lindisfarne Gospels connection, Bede's legacy, and a tradition of poet-scholars from the medieval period onward.