Durham University has been ranked sixth in the UK and top in the North-East in the highly respected Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide for 2021.

Durham moved up from seventh last year, and has now been in the national top ten for over ten years.

The guide praised Durham’s success in this year’s National Student Survey, in which it achieved an overall student satisfaction rating of 87.3 per cent – the highest in the Russell Group of leading universities and the highest of any North-East university.

It also recognised the success Durham students go on to have in their careers. Durham was ranked seventh for graduate prospects, with 87 per cent of Durham students in high-skilled jobs or postgraduate study 15 months after graduating.

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Students outside the Pitcairn building, at the all-new South College, Durham University

The ranking is the latest in a string of successful league tables for Durham. It was recently ranked fourth in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2021 and placed 86th worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2021.

Professor Stuart Corbridge, Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, said: “To be ranked sixth in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021 is a tremendous achievement for Durham University, our staff and students.

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The all-new South College, Durham University

“As for all universities, 2020 has been a challenging year for us, as we manage the impact of coronavirus. But we are continuing to invest in our student experience. We recently opened two new college facilities, including the brand new South College, and we’re looking forward to a new home for our Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science departments opening soon.

“We’re also doing more than ever before to attract students from all backgrounds to consider Durham.”

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A student bedroom at the new John Snow College, Durham University

This work includes expanding Supported Progression, a programme aimed at Year 12 students in the North-East who have the potential to study at Durham and would benefit from extra help and support.

Additionally, earlier this year the university announced the Durham Inspired – North East Scholarships, a £2m endowment to support students from the North-East.

Durham also runs a foundation programme, to help students from under-represented groups in higher education prepare for undergraduate studies.

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A student bedroom at the all-new South College, Durham University

The league table success came just days after the university officially opened its £80m Mount Oswald development, to the south of Durham City.

The site is now home to John Snow College and the all-new South College, the university’s first new college in 14 years, plus a Hub building with an events hall, gym and other social spaces, and a multi-use games area.

Both colleges want to build links with their neighbours and several productive meetings with local residents have already been held.

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Students at the new John Snow College, Durham University

Professor Tim Luckhurst, principal of South College, said the college’s first students were determined to make it a “diverse and inclusive community”.

For the latest information on how Durham University is responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, please visit: www.durham.ac.uk/coronavirus