Brandwave

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

In September 2026, Durham University had more branded searches than University of Cambridge among globally sought UK universities worldwide. Durham University had about 201,000 branded searches, while University of Cambridge had 135,000. Durham University made up 9% of all globally sought UK university searches we track, and University of Cambridge accounted for 6.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about globally sought UK universities, University of Cambridge appeared in all five answers and Durham University in two. University of Cambridge was mentioned before Durham University in every answer.

Among globally sought UK universities worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Durham University, about 49% more searches than University of Cambridge

Durham University 201K searchesUniversity of Cambridge 135K searches

Who does AI mention more?

University of Cambridge, mentioned in every answer we collected

University of Cambridge in 5 of 5Durham University in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

University of Cambridge, named ahead of Durham University in every answer

University of Cambridge first in 5Durham University never first

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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 Cambridge 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 Cambridge was listed before Durham University in every answer.

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 Cambridge more popular in search?

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

Share of searches by month for Durham University, University of Cambridge. 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 Cambridge comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

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

3 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 St Andrews overtook University of Oxford and University of Cambridge to rank 6th among globally sought UK universities worldwide, with 9% of the searches.

  3. In September 2026, University of Cambridge lost share of searches among globally sought UK universities worldwide, from 8.5% to 6.1%.

How are branded searches counted?

4 search terms

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

3 branded search terms

  • cambridge uni
  • cambridge university
  • university of cambridge

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among globally sought UK universities

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