Durham US Equivalent
Hey, everyone. I was just wondering what the US university equivalent of Durham would be? I'm from Canada and my friends constantly don't know what sort of quality it is. Would be it be like lower-end Ivies like Brown, Cornell, etc? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Reply 1
12
The US equivalent of Durham would be Duke University in Durham,North Carolina 
.
We don't really have an 'Ivy league' as such aside from Oxbridge. It effectively runs Oxbridge+Imperial, UCL,LSE and then Durham,Warwick,Nottingham et al. are much of a muchness.
In addition, we only have public universities over here, further complicating the position.
In terms of age: It's the third oldest, so whatever that is over there (some east coast one)
Academically:Probably around 9th-10th best in the country, so equivalent to whatever that is over there (middle-ish Ivy or somewhere like UCLA maybe). Certainly for law, there aren't many universities over here that beat it.
However, as I said before, the comparison is challenging to make as we have a solely public system with far fewer Universities.
.We don't really have an 'Ivy league' as such aside from Oxbridge. It effectively runs Oxbridge+Imperial, UCL,LSE and then Durham,Warwick,Nottingham et al. are much of a muchness.
In addition, we only have public universities over here, further complicating the position.
In terms of age: It's the third oldest, so whatever that is over there (some east coast one)
Academically:Probably around 9th-10th best in the country, so equivalent to whatever that is over there (middle-ish Ivy or somewhere like UCLA maybe). Certainly for law, there aren't many universities over here that beat it.
However, as I said before, the comparison is challenging to make as we have a solely public system with far fewer Universities.
Reply 2
I would also put it lower end of the Ivys plus other comparable ones like Standford or UCLA etc. It's certainly considered quite prestigious to get into Durham, it has a great reputation in the UK.
Just out of interest what are the best quality unis in Canada, my sister is thinking of applying there and is having the same problems as you in reverse.
Just out of interest what are the best quality unis in Canada, my sister is thinking of applying there and is having the same problems as you in reverse.
Reply 3
2
McGill, University of Toronto, Queens. Some say UBC. But those first three are probably the best.
Reply 4
13
arkbar
It's the third oldest
Oxford, Cambridge, St. Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and possibly UCL are older I think.
Reply 5
16
fieldsofanfield
Oxford, Cambridge, St. Andrews, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and possibly UCL are older I think.
It's the 3rd oldest English uni, definitely. Dunno about the scottish ones though.
Reply 6
12
Scotchland Unis are older, there's a bit of debate about UCL/Durham being oldest but I think it's generally accepted that Durham is a bit older.
Reply 7
16
arkbar
Scotchland Unis are older, there's a bit of debate about UCL/Durham being oldest but I think it's generally accepted that Durham is a bit older.
Ali, did I give you another gem?
Reply 8
13
Well I looked it up as part of my essay avoidance tactics and it appears that UCL was founded in 1826, and KCL in 1829, but they weren't awarded a royal charter until 1836, by which time Durham had already been given one in 1832.
So, erm, there you have it. Back to my esasy then.
So, erm, there you have it. Back to my esasy then.
Reply 9
I think UCL wasn't an accepted Uni when Durham was, though UCL itself is older.
Reply 10
12
Nope, had it already 
Reply 11
16
arkbar
Nope, had it already
Aw, I was getting all smug then!
Reply 12
Ivy League Unis are much better!
Reply 13
12
And English Unis are much cheaper.
Reply 14
15
If I could have afforded the astronomical fees, or gained a scholarship, I was going to apply to an Ivy league university.
I did strongly consider Priceton, so maybe thats a good analogy to draw, certainly for Physical sciences point of view?
I did strongly consider Priceton, so maybe thats a good analogy to draw, certainly for Physical sciences point of view?
Reply 15
Current Durham student here. I'm VERY late to the party on this one but, it didn't look like there were any Durham students chiming on this one so I thought I'd give my two cents.
Durham, currently, is ranked in the top ten for all the respected UK rankings (I believe it always lands somewhere between 6th - 4th best in the country) and for a number of subjects we beat Oxbridge (such as English Literature and we currently sit one place behind Oxford for Law). In terms of research quality Durham is consistently ranked in the top 5 (I believe the law school most recently was ranked 3rd for research quality).
The most likely comparison would therefore be with one of the more prestigious and exclusive universities in the USA. Probably a mid to upper mid-tier Ivy League or a non-Ivy League of a similar standing.
Durham, currently, is ranked in the top ten for all the respected UK rankings (I believe it always lands somewhere between 6th - 4th best in the country) and for a number of subjects we beat Oxbridge (such as English Literature and we currently sit one place behind Oxford for Law). In terms of research quality Durham is consistently ranked in the top 5 (I believe the law school most recently was ranked 3rd for research quality).
The most likely comparison would therefore be with one of the more prestigious and exclusive universities in the USA. Probably a mid to upper mid-tier Ivy League or a non-Ivy League of a similar standing.
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