Brandwave

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

In September 2026, University of Manchester had more branded searches than Durham University among globally sought UK universities worldwide. University of Manchester had about 246,000 branded searches, while Durham University had 201,000. University of Manchester 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, Durham University and University of Manchester each appeared in two of the five answers. University of Manchester was mentioned before Durham University in two out of three answers that named either.

Among globally sought UK universities worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

University of Manchester, about 22% more searches than Durham University

University of Manchester 246K searchesDurham University 201K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 2 of 5 answers.

Durham University in 2 of 5University of Manchester in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

University of Manchester, named ahead of Durham University in 2 of 3 answers

University of Manchester first in 2Durham 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, 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 Manchester was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. University of Manchester was listed before Durham University in two out of three answers 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 University of Manchester more popular in search?

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

Share of searches by month for University of Manchester, 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 Manchester 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, University of Manchester overtook University of Oxford to rank 4th 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 University of Manchester’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 Manchester

2 branded search terms

  • manchester university
  • university of manchester

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among globally sought UK universities

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