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QS World Rankings for English Studies 2024, 29th in the world, with an image of a hand pulling a book from a shelf

We are ranked 29th in the prestigious QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.

The rankings, announced in March 2024 assessed over 18,300 subjects from 1,597 institutions across the world, based on academic and employer reputation, citations per academic paper, impact and quality of research and international research collaboration factors.

We have consistently placed in the top 50 English Departments worldwide, but this year we have risen 9 places. Head of Department, Professor Peter Garratt, notes that 'this is an important recognition of the underpinning excellence of our research and research-led education and wider reputation'.

Recent research carried out by colleagues in our department includes Dr Daniel Blank's study of student theatre's influence on Shakespeare and Dr Henghameh Saroukhani's work on misconceptions, and racism, surrounding Windrush.

Our broad subject range is made possible by our large and thriving community of more than 900 students, researchers and academics, with a busy programme of events including lectures, seminars, reading and discussion groups.

Durham is consistently ranked as one of the world’s leading universities and among the top ten in the UK. It is ranked 78th in the QS World University Rankings 2023, 7th in the Guardian University Guide 2024 and Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

Feeling inspired? Visit our English Studies webpages for more information on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.