A strong sense of community

We are home to a family of about 500 undergraduates and 160 postgraduates from all disciplines and backgrounds. We also have around 80 members of Cranmer Hall, a thriving theological college where future church leaders are educated and formed. As one of the smallest colleges within the university, we are famed for being among the friendliest, with a strong sense of a family and community. The small size of our College means that is easy to get involved in College life: from the running of our College through the Common Rooms, to student sports teams, societies and committees. We strive for academic excellence and have academic teaching and research staff based in our College.

Traditional yet forward-thinking

At St John’s we preserve collegiate traditions. Johnians matriculate in our 12th-century chapel, in addition to the Cathedral; we wear gowns for weekly formal dinners, and still say grace in Latin. And yet, our College has a distinctly progressive, egalitarian outlook: we were one of the first colleges of Durham University to become co-educational (1973), and the first co-educational college to appoint a female Principal (1978). We believe that to lead is to serve. All our different staff teams work closely together with students to create the unique John’s experience and to support charity and community projects. Throughout the year, our College’s Christian ethos is reflected by this warm and welcoming community.