Brandwave

Durham University vs University of Edinburgh:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, University of Edinburgh had more branded searches than Durham University among globally sought UK universities worldwide. University of Edinburgh had about 368,000 branded searches, while Durham University had 201,000. University of Edinburgh made up 16.5% of all globally sought UK university searches we track, and Durham University accounted for 9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about globally sought UK universities, University of Edinburgh appeared in all five answers and Durham University in two. University of Edinburgh was mentioned before Durham University in four out of five answers.

Among globally sought UK universities worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

University of Edinburgh, about 83% more searches than Durham University

University of Edinburgh 368K searchesDurham University 201K searches

Who does AI mention more?

University of Edinburgh, mentioned in every answer we collected

University of Edinburgh in 5 of 5Durham University in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

University of Edinburgh, named ahead of Durham University in 4 of 5 answers

University of Edinburgh first in 4Durham University first in 1

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Top globally sought UK universities in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, University of Edinburgh appeared in all five answers. Durham University was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. University of Edinburgh was listed before Durham University in four out of five answers.

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

+2 more

See every answer about globally sought UK universities

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

Is Durham University or University of Edinburgh more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Durham University and University of Edinburgh by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 12 globally sought UK universities we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Durham University and University of Edinburgh among globally sought UK universities worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for University of Edinburgh, Durham University. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthUniversity of EdinburghUniversity of WarwickLondon School of EconomicsUniversity of ManchesterDurham UniversityUniversity of St AndrewsUniversity of OxfordUniversity of BristolUniversity of CambridgeUCLImperial College LondonKing's College London
Oct 202513.9%17%11.4%11.4%9.3%7.6%10%6.2%7.6%4.7%0.59%0.46%
Nov 202516.1%16.1%10.8%10.8%7.2%7.2%11.4%5.9%8.8%4.4%0.59%0.65%
Dec 202515.8%12.9%10.6%10.6%8.6%8.6%11.2%7%8.6%4.7%0.79%0.52%
Jan 202613.3%16.3%10.9%10.9%8.9%7.3%11.5%5.9%8.9%4.9%0.69%0.65%
Feb 202614.8%14.8%12.1%12.1%8.1%6.6%10.5%6.6%8.1%5%0.66%0.49%
Mar 202614.1%14.1%11.5%11.5%7.7%7.7%12.2%6.3%7.7%5.8%0.77%0.57%
Apr 202614.7%12%12%12%8%8%12.6%5.4%8%6%0.66%0.59%
May 202617.3%14.1%11.5%9.5%7.8%7.8%12.1%5.2%7.8%5.8%0.63%0.57%
Jun 202614.3%14.3%11.7%11.7%7.8%7.8%12.2%6.4%7.8%4.8%0.74%0.47%
Jul 202615.1%12.3%12.3%12.3%6.7%8.3%12.8%5.6%8.3%5.1%0.67%0.5%
Aug 202615.4%15.4%10.3%10.3%8.5%8.5%10.9%5.6%8.5%5.2%0.69%0.62%
Sep 202616.5%16.5%11%11%9%9%7.9%6.1%6.1%5.5%0.74%0.54%

How has the Durham University and University of Edinburgh comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for globally sought UK universities worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Durham University overtook University of Oxford to rank 5th among globally sought UK universities worldwide, with 9% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, University of Edinburgh gained share of searches among globally sought UK universities worldwide, from 15.4% to 16.5%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Durham University’s and University of Edinburgh’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Durham University

1 branded search term

  • durham university

University of Edinburgh

1 branded search term

  • universityofedinburgh

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among globally sought UK universities

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