Durham subjects ranked among best in world

(4 March 2020)

We have once again been named as one of the world’s leading universities across a number of our subjects in a new international league table.

The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020 put us in the world top 10 for Archaeology (fourth), Theology and Religion (fourth) and Geography (tenth).

Anthropology, Classics and Ancient History, Earth Sciences, English Studies, History and Law also feature in the world top 50.

Chemistry, Education, Modern Languages and Cultures, Philosophy, Physics, Government and International Affairs and Psychology are in the world top 100 and are joined this year by Sport and Exercise Sciences.

Across broad subject areas Durham is in the world top 50 for Arts and Humanities (39^th), while Natural Sciences (84^th) is joined in the top 100 by Social Sciences and Management (86^th).

Global reputation

The QS subject rankings recognise Durham’s global reputation and research strengths, which include:

• Our glaciologists mapping thousands of meltwater lakes in the East Antarctic and working with United Nations Patron of the Oceans Lewis Pugh who is the first person to swim one of these lakes to highlight the impact of climate change and increase protection for our oceans.

• Our surfaces scientists developing a coated mesh that could be a faster and more eco-friendly way to clean up oil. The stainless steel mesh, similar to what you might find in screen doors to keep flies out, not only separates oil from water but also kills water-borne bacteria very successfully.

• Becoming the new home for the archive of prominent 19^th century British political firebrand, radical reformist and leading society figure John George Lambton, first Earl of Durham, building on the existing strengths of our internationally important special collections and archives.

Significant investment

We’re also making significant investment in our facilities to further enhance our teaching, research and student experience.

We have put £32million into extending and improving our new Sports and Wellbeing Park, providing us with state-of-the-art research laboratories for Sport and Exercise Sciences.

And we’re investing £40m in a new building for Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science as we continue to grow the offering we make to both researchers and students to further enhance our international reputation.

Find out more

• The QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020 assess 1,368 institutions from 83 countries across 48 subjects in five broad subject areas. The rankings are based on academic and employer reputation, research citations and the productivity and impact of the work published by academics.
• Learn more about our league table rankings
• Research at Durham
• Discover undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities at Durham

Please note the QS uses slightly different descriptions for subject areas than those used by Durham University:

• Earth Sciences is called Earth and Marine Sciences by the QS
• English Studies is English Language and Literature
• Modern Languages and Cultures is Modern Languages
• Physics is Physics and Astronomy
• Government and International Affairs is Politics and International Studies
• Sport and Exercise Sciences is Sports-related Subjects.