College Preliminary Allocation and Access Policy

Your preliminary college allocation forms part of your offer to Durham University. Once a preliminary allocation has been made, it will not normally be changed at an applicant’s request. Durham does not operate a general college transfer or change-of-preference process.

A reallocation will only be considered where an applicant has a disability or medical condition and it is assessed that their needs cannot reasonably be met within their preliminarily allocated college. This approach supports Durham’s collegiate model and ensures a balanced, multidisciplinary college community.

Applicants with a disability or medical condition should disclose this to the University through Disability Support as early as possible. If, after receiving a preliminary college allocation, you believe that your allocated college may not be able to meet your needs, you should contact that college directly in the first instance to discuss available support.

Where further consideration is required, the college will advise on how to engage with Disability Support, who will assess needs and advise on appropriate reasonable adjustments. Wherever possible, adjustments will be made within the preliminarily allocated college before any reallocation is considered.

Reallocations are made solely to remove barriers to beginning your studies at Durham University. Requests based on personal preference, lifestyle choice, or proximity to non-University locations cannot be considered. Supporting evidence must clearly explain how the requested outcome relates to your specific needs.

If you defer your offer of a place at Durham, your college allocation is made in the year you apply and will not normally change once finalised.

For data protection reasons, University staff are unable to discuss individual applications with parents or other third parties. Requests to change college allocations cannot be reconsidered outside the process outlined above.

Applicants with a disability or medical condition are strongly encouraged to contact Disability Support for advice and guidance to ensure appropriate provisions are in place.