As a key part of the Durham University Wider Student Experience, the Operations Directorate ensures that all undergraduate students have the opportunity to spend part of their time at university in residence at one of our seventeen Colleges. We consider it of particular importance for new undergraduate first year students to live, work, eat, and socialise together as part of a community of learning. The Operations Directorate includes University Catering and College Operations.

The Catering team, of over 500 people, provide fresh and exciting catering throughout Durham University. Our menus include college dining halls, college bars & cafes, branded retail catering outlets and visitor attractions created to meet the diverse needs of our University Community including students, staff, and visitors alike.

The Operations team, of over 200 people, provide College services including Residential Services such as Security, Reception, Housekeeping and Cleaning, and professional advice on bar management. In addition to these services, they support student-led events and manage non-student events for internal and external users of the Colleges.

All these teams seamlessly support the consistent day-to-day running of student experience within wider College life.