Durham University's international reputation

Scroll to see replies

Reply 60

Durham_

Original post by AutumnBreeze321

It seems Durham's doing pretty well ranking-wise, but I have got the impression that it is pretty much unknown outside UK. People may have heard of UCL, Bristol, Edinburgh or even St Andrews but not Durham, which to me its rather odd.

Please do some research before making any comments.

I know people working in the World Bank and the World Resources Institute in Washington DC with Durham degrees (Masters and PhD's).

It seems it is doing pretty well abroad.

(edited 9 years ago)

Durham University

Durham

Visit website

Reply 61

troubledcure

Original post by Durham_

I think there is some truth to the first poster's comment in a general sense. When you look at academic rankings, Durham is unusually low in international reputation when compared with its UK rankings. However, since I am from the US and will be attending Durham as a postgrad in the fall, I've done a good deal of research and this low ranking seems largely a result of the Uni's lack of Nobel prize winners (Conversely, this is why Manchester's international reputation seems artificially inflated). However, at least in my area of Contemporary English Literature, Durham's academic reputation is certainly well known by the U.S. professors with whom I've spoken as an institution that has produced important research.

Also, and I don't mean for this to sound snobbish, just practical, but as far as potential business employers are concerned, they may not immediately know the school by name; however, if they have a promising applicant who has studied there, they will almost certainly look it up. The main thing they likely see and care about is that Durham is indeed among the most selective universities in the UK. Again, this is just the impression I've gotten through my research and others might disagree, but I think a school like Durham seems to have as good a reputation as you would possibly need. It is of course edged out by Oxford, Cambridge, Berkeley and at least some of the Ivies (though arguably not so much by Dartmouth or Brown).
One former professor of mine said he always imagines it as an academic environment similar to Northwestern University if that helps at all. Basically, I wouldn't worry about it too much or guide your selection.

Hope that helps a bit!

Reply 62

sarahhhkhan

Original post by AutumnBreeze321

In the case of Durham's international ranking, there might be one reason why Durham is relatively less well-known internationally. Personally many people i have told that i am going to durham university doesn't know what the hell that place is. I was told that it is mostly because Durham university only opened up to international students much later than most other well-known universities in the UK. If i'm not wrong, Durham's mix of students is also less international compared to most London universities, so it would make sense that most people outside of the UK would not have heard of Durham.

Reply 63

Okorange

Original post by MasterBlaster

Well, thats exactly the problem of Durham, its not an allround university!! Like Oxbridge!!! however if u look at the london unis, then THEY ARE ALL VERY much SPECIALISED in a certain area.. LSE-Econ, Imperial-Sciences, Royal Holl-English/Drama/Film! And if you are good enough, then I would apply to one of those unis, but durham is I think the best second choice uni u can pick..at least thats what i did, and I think having Durham as an insurance is amazing!! No one is saying that u should pick Durham over something like LSE!! NO WAY!!! but it all depends on how good u are, and how realistic ur chances are of making LSE for example...

BTW- i dont think Warwick, Bath etc are as good as Durham...Warwick had like 30 course available on clearing!! which shows that they are not asked for..and favoured by students!! however the ONLY FIVE UNIS IN THE UK!!! (see article in times) who didnt have ANY course offered on clearing are Oxford, Cambrg, UCL, LSE and DURHAM!!!

St Andrews is also not in clearing and has not been for years. Just realized i necroed this hard haha.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 64

Okorange

Original post by AutumnBreeze321

I don't think people would have heard of Bristol without having heard of Durham. Even UCL isn't that well known, sure people know its London but UC doesn't sound all that prestigious on name alone anyways.

St Andrews has the prince and Edinburgh has Edinburgh which is a big tourist city.

Reply 65

Gabrielxucram

I am a Brazilian student that lived in America for 2 years and I can safely say that nobody knows any uni after Oxbridge in the UK. Some people in my school knew St Andrews (and made a big fuss about it when I received my offer from there even though I forgot to send my test scores) and a couple of people knew UCL, KCL, and LSE. But those people were a huge minority (I'm talking 0.01% of the people I know)... Who cares if everybody knows your uni? Employers and academics will know it and that is all that matters.

Ps: when I told my friends in America I was accepted at Durham they said "Oh man!! Congratulations! Dartmouth is a great school!