Brandwave

Durham University vs University of St Andrews:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Durham University and University of St Andrews were level in searches among globally sought UK universities worldwide, with an estimated 201K branded searches each, at 9% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about globally sought UK universities, Durham University and University of St Andrews each appeared in two of the five answers. University of St Andrews 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 and University of St Andrews are searched for about as often as each other.

Durham University 201K searchesUniversity of St Andrews 201K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 2 of 5 answers.

Durham University in 2 of 5University of St Andrews in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

University of St Andrews, named ahead of Durham University in 2 of 2 answers

University of St Andrews first in 2Durham 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, Durham University and University of St Andrews were each mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. University of St Andrews 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 University of St Andrews more popular in search?

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

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

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

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

1 branded search term

  • st andrews university

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among globally sought UK universities

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