World Top 100 since 2010: World-leading status affirmed in QS World University Rankings 2026
- kelseygarbutt
- 10 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Durham University has been named in the world top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2026, a position it has achieved every year since 2010. At joint 94th, Durham is one of 17 UK universities in the world top 100.
The QS World University Rankings are widely acknowledged as the most influential university rankings globally. The 2026 rankings, which assessed 8,467 institutions, saw Durham enhance its position in seven out of the nine established categories of assessment.
Durham ranked particularly strongly on global reputation for employability (64th), has strengthened its academic reputation, and is ranked 22nd in the world for Sustainability.
In the most prestigious UK University rankings Durham is 5th in the Times and Sunday Times 2025; 5th in the Complete University Guide 2026 and 6th in the Guardian University Guide 2025. In the Complete University Guide 2026, announced last week, 19 subjects ranked in the UK top five.
The University has also risen to 34th in the global Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which measure universities’ success in delivering the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden of Durham University, said: “To be ranked in the World Top 100 and consistently so since 2010 is an exceptional achievement.
“Our global reputation for employability reflects the quality and relevance of our education and research. Our academic reputation is testament to the international impact of our world-leading academics and the strength of our industrial and business partnerships.
“Our strong QS sustainability ranking, along with our Top 40 performance in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, is evidence of significant momentum across our sustainability and societal impact workstreams.”
As well as an outstanding education, Durham provides students with exceptional opportunities to enhance their employability through developing their leadership skills and starting new businesses.
Its Hazan Venture Lab is a dedicated entrepreneurial space where students can explore their commercial ideas. In the past five years, the Venture Lab team has helped students launch more than 140 new businesses.
Durham’s top category in the QS World University Rankings 2026 is Sustainability (22nd), through which the social and environmental impact of universities as centres of education and research is assessed.
Durham research is helping society understand and address the pressing challenge of climate change, from ice sheet melting to harnessing geothermal energy; from decarbonising shipping to unlocking the potential of hydrogen.
Durham is highly thought of among the international academic community, ranking 117th for academic reputation – up nine places from last year. The University recently joined the Arqus European University Alliance and hosted a Symposium of the Coimbra Group of 40 European universities.
QS publishes further information here: https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings.
Ben Sowter, QS Senior Vice President said: "Durham University continues to shine as one the UK's top institutions in the QS 2026 World University Rankings.
"It once again excels in key areas such as reputation among both employers and academics, as well as student experience. Additionally, the QS analysis reveals that Durham's attractiveness to prospective students and international faculty not only endures but improves since last year."
Further information
Further information on Durham University’s global and UK rankings: https://www.durham.ac.uk/discover/qs-world-university-rankings/
For more information on the employability of Durham University students: https://www.durham.ac.uk/study/employability/
For more information Durham University’s world-leading research: https://www.durham.ac.uk/discover/research-signature-strengths/.
Find out more about Durham University news and thought leadership: https://www.durham.ac.uk/news-events/latest-news.
