What is College Membership?

Every undergraduate student at Durham University is allocated to a college as part of their offer. Your college is a central part of your University experience, providing academic, social, and pastoral support throughout your time at Durham. College membership is separate from accommodation and applies to all students, regardless of where they live.

Once you receive an academic offer, you can submit your college preferences through the Undergraduate Applicant Portal. While preferences are taken into account, submitting them does not guarantee allocation to a specific college.

College membership allocations are made using a structured and fair process that considers your stated preferences, any confirmed Disability Support recommendations, and the need to maintain balanced, multidisciplinary college communities. Preliminary college membership allocations are communicated in the spring, with final college membership confirmed following A-level results and confirmation of student status. College membership is allocated to all students, including those who do not request or accept University accommodation.

Colleges offer a wide range of facilities and opportunities to support both academic learning and personal development, including libraries, study and social spaces, and, in some colleges, a chapel or prayer room. Each college also has a representative body for undergraduate students, known as the Junior Common Room (JCR), which provides opportunities to take part in elected student leadership, organise student-led activities, and engage in issues locally, nationally, and globally.

Durham has seventeen colleges, sixteen of which welcome both undergraduate and postgraduate students, alongside one postgraduate-only college. Together, they offer a diverse range of communities and experiences, with something to suit different interests and ways of engaging with University life.

To help you learn more about the colleges, you can explore individual college webpages, attend an Open Day, or visit Durham if you have the opportunity. You may also wish to speak with current or former students, many of whom remain strongly connected to their college community.