Brandwave

Durham University vs London School of Economics:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, London School of Economics had more branded searches than Durham University among globally sought UK universities worldwide. London School of Economics had about 246,000 branded searches, while Durham University had 201,000. London School of Economics made up 11% 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, London School of Economics appeared in three of the five answers and Durham University in two. London School of Economics 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?

London School of Economics, about 22% more searches than Durham University

London School of Economics 246K searchesDurham University 201K searches

Who does AI mention more?

London School of Economics, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Durham University in 2

London School of Economics in 3 of 5Durham University in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

London School of Economics, named ahead of Durham University in 3 of 3 answers

London School of Economics first in 3Durham University never first

Follow Durham University vs London School of Economics 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, London School of Economics was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two 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. London School of Economics 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 London School of Economics more popular in search?

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

Share of searches by month for London School of Economics, 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 London School of Economics 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, London School of Economics overtook University of Oxford to rank 3rd among globally sought UK universities worldwide, with 11% of the searches.

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

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Durham University’s and London School of Economics’ 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

London School of Economics

2 branded search terms

  • london school of economics
  • lse 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