Brandwave

Durham University vs Imperial College London:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Durham University had more branded searches than Imperial College London among globally sought UK universities worldwide. Durham University had about 201,000 branded searches, while Imperial College London had 16,500. Durham University made up 9% of all globally sought UK university searches we track, and Imperial College London accounted for 0.74%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about globally sought UK universities, Imperial College London appeared in four of the five answers and Durham University in two. Imperial College London was mentioned before Durham University in every answer that named either.

Among globally sought UK universities worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Durham University, about 12 searches for every 1 for Imperial College London

Durham University 201K searchesImperial College London 16.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Imperial College London, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Durham University in 2

Imperial College London in 4 of 5Durham University in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Imperial College London, named ahead of Durham University in 4 of 4 answers

Imperial College London first in 4Durham University never first

Follow Durham University vs Imperial College London and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top globally sought UK universities in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Imperial College London was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. 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. Imperial College London was listed before Durham University in every answer that named either.

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 Imperial College London more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Durham University and Imperial College London 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 Imperial College London among globally sought UK universities worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Durham University, Imperial College London. 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 Imperial College London 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. Estimated monthly branded searches for Imperial College London worldwide rose 28.9% over 12 measured months, from 12.8K to 16.5K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Durham University’s and Imperial College London’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

Imperial College London

3 branded search terms

  • imperial college london
  • imperial london
  • imperial university

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among globally sought UK universities

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.

Start free