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Welcome to Our Colleges

Your college will be at the heart of your life at Durham.
Students sitting outside St Johns College

College Life

College Life Collage of groups of students

At Durham every student is a member of a college and every college has its own character and traditions. The colleges are the cornerstone of our extraordinary wider student experience, and each one provides an inspiring and supportive community. 

In your college, you’ll be surrounded by all sorts of different people, studying a wide range of subjects at different levels of study. You’ll meet people who share your interests, and others who’ll inspire you to explore your intellectual curiosity and develop new ideas.

College membership doesn’t end at graduation. Our students often tell us that their college experience was one of the most important parts of their time at Durham. Friendships made at college can last a lifetime.

Every college provides:

  • A character and spirit all of its own
  • Sports, clubs, societies and associations
  • Events and activities
  • Student Common Rooms
  • Staff and support close at hand if you need it
  • Accommodation within Durham City, either catered or self-catered

University student
The college experience has been my favourite part of university life, it's an amazing community, with lots of amazing people to really connect with.
Emma Davis, BA History
International Student
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Your guide to Durham colleges

Our unique collegiate experience

You will feel at home from the moment you step through the door. Colleges are like extended families: safe, supportive and inclusive. In your college, you’ll be surrounded by friendly faces and you’ll have the chance to get to know all sorts of extraordinary people.

College playlists

Compare Colleges | College Locations

Undergraduate Students

Every student is a member of a college and every college provides a sense of community and belonging, which stays with you all the time you are a student and long after you leave. 

Our Colleges offer space to live, as well as to socialise, and mix with other students and there are numerous opportunities to engage in sport, events, music, theatre, and the arts. All our Colleges provide facilities to support your academic learning, and your personal development, such as libraries and social spaces and, in some Colleges, a chapel or prayer room.

Each College has dedicated staff to support and enable your personal development and wellbeing. As a Durham University student, you automatically become a member of a college. For undergraduates, you will be able to rank our colleges in order of preference once you have been made an offer.

All first year undergraduates can apply to be guaranteed an offer of University accommodation. Second and third year undergraduates live in private accommodation but are still fully involved in college life as a member; they participate in societies, enjoy formals and events and consult college staff for guidance and support.

Accommodation and catering residence charges
Contact the Accommodation and Allocations Team
Download the Undergraduate Colleges Guide



The College Allocation Process
Students in a bar

Postgraduate Students

For postgraduate students, colleges inspire individuals to explore their intellectual curiosity by bringing together students from all different disciplines.

There are 17 colleges in total, including Ustinov, our postgraduate only college. Each offers a wide range of facilities to help you make the most out of your university experience.

As a Durham University student, you automatically become a member of a college. For postgraduates, you will be contacted directly by the Accommodation and Allocations Office to express college preferences once you accept your postgraduate offer.

There is availability for around one third of postgraduate students to live in University accommodation, while two thirds live in private accommodation but are still fully involved in college life as a member.

In all of our colleges you will find a sense of community and belonging that is distinctive to Durham, which stays with you throughout your time as a student and beyond. In your college, you can take part in sport, music, theatre  or volunteering. You can join multiple clubs and societies, enjoy social events and dinners, and make friends for life.

Accommodation and catering residence charges
Contact the Accommodation and Allocations Team
Download the Postgraduate Colleges Guide

The College Allocation Process
Student smiling with a colourful laptop in the foreground

College Comparison Tables

To help you choose your preferred college, take a look at our comparison tables which highlight key information such as: the number of ensuite or shared rooms, catering options, gowned formal dinners and facilities such as chapels or faith rooms.

Undergraduate College Comparison Table

Postgraduate College Comparison Table

Three Durham students outside sat on a stone wall talking

College Locations

Our Colleges are spread across Durham; take a look at our interactive map for details.

Key

  • Blue bed icons = Colleges
  • Orange graduation caps = Academic Departments
  • Other orange icons = Places of Interest
  • Light green buildings = Research Institutes
  • Green icons - University Buildings
  • Dark green heart = Defibrillators
  • Gold icons = Sports and Leisure Facilities
  • Pink P icons = Parking
  • Yellow icons = Support Departments
  • Gold knife and fork = Catering

View on Google Maps

Accommodation and Catering

Our Colleges host a variety of accommodation options, which include rooms within Colleges and at purpose-built student accommodation in the city and catered and self-catered options.

Rooms and bathrooms will differ depending on the college, but all of our bedrooms are equipped with: • A bed with a mattress, desk, chair, wardrobe and drawers • WiFi access with the ability to create a local wireless network for your devices • Full catering or self-catering facilities such as shared pantry or kitchen • En-suite or shared bathroom facilities.

Students eating around a table

College Communities

  • Your college community will shape your experience

    Colleges are safe spaces to try new things, to challenge yourself and to transform. They are the places where lifelong friendships begin and new passions are found.

  • Common Rooms

    What is a Common Room? Student life at Durham is shaped by our students, with every college having representative bodies that are known as Common Rooms.

  • College Formals

    All colleges hold formals, an opportunity for staff and students from the college to enjoy dinner together. Formals often have a theme such as Burn's Night, Valentine's Day, or Harry Potter.

  • Volunteering

    We actively encourage our students to volunteer across our local community. Student-led, community-focused projects offer you the chance to learn new skills and to make a positive impact.

  • Sport

    With over 550 teams, across 18 sports, our college sport structure is one of the largest and diverse intra-mural programmes in the world.

  • Visual Arts

    Our colleges offer a range of opportunities to engage in visual arts, for example special exhibitions, artists in residence, installations, language cafes and student competitions.

  • Music

    There are over 80 music societies at Durham, plus university and college choirs. This means plenty of concerts and performances, as well as masterclasses to build your skills.

  • Theatre

    The University has over 30 theatre companies, all led and run by our students. These provide opportunities for performers, backstage workers and front of house crews.

College enrichment activities
A large group of students with their hands in the air cheering

Your College community will shape your university experience and stay with you for life. 

Collingwood College

Each Common Room is made up of elected voluntary student officers, including an Executive Committee. They represent the students from their college and organise many of the events and activities. 

St Marys College Formal Dinner

In some of our colleges students wear gowns to formals and in others they wear black tie, smart evening wear or sometimes fancy dress. As well as formals, colleges hold other events throughout the year such as balls and annual college days.

A large group of student behind a counter of food in a kitchen

There are a multitude of benefits that can be gained through volunteering at university, including giving back to the local community, boosting your self-esteem and confidence, and meetings.

Rugby player being tackled on the field whilst holding the ball

Participation in college or University sport plays a broader role in the well-being of many students, presenting opportunities to make friends and feel part of a community. Plus our recreational activities are open to both staff and students.

Two pieces of student conceptual art

Throughout the year, our JCRs and MCRs organise a wide range of opportunities to engage in visual arts in college. Student competitions are in areas such as photography, poetry and art. 

Student playing a guitar and singing on a stage

Each college has its own music groups, and there are also some intercollegiate groups. From St Aidan's Voices to Collingwood Big Band, Hatfield Flute Choir to Mildert's 'Jam by the Lake', and open-mic events, there is no shortage of music to get involved with and enjoy.

Students performing

We have 14 college based theatre societies. Everyone is welcome, regardless of experience, so whether you want to be onstage, producing, directing or even running your own theatre company, we'll support you to do the things you love.

University student
I have very fond memories of living in college with the friends I made during Freshers’ week. In 1st year, we would always go down to the hall for meals together. We’d walk down the corridor knocking on every door to make sure nobody would be left behind.
Bruno Martin
Biological Sciences graduate, St Mary's College

Take a closer look at individual colleges

Our colleges are mixed communities of staff and students from across the university. Each college offers an exciting blend of activities ranging from sports and theatre, to music and volunteering. There are endless opportunities to have fun and explore new interests, you'll make lifelong friendships and discover new passions. 

1832 first Durham college opened
17 colleges in our collegiate system

The Durham Student

Discover what Durham student life is all about, from those who know it best – our students.

Search stories from across colleges and subject areas covering essentials such as accommodation, college life, course info, events, research and everything in between. Listen to our student podcast, all about the college experience.

Durham students

 

 

Discover More

  • Student Support and Wellbeing

    Each college has dedicated staff to support and enable your personal development and wellbeing.

    Three students

  • The Student Pledge

    We enable you to become the best version of yourself academically and socially. Supporting our Student Pledge encourages good citizenship.

    Two male students

Student Support and Wellbeing

Each college has dedicated staff to support and enable your personal development and wellbeing.

Three students

The Student Pledge

We enable you to become the best version of yourself academically and socially. Supporting our Student Pledge encourages good citizenship.

Two male students