Congratulations!

Congratulations to all our new postgraduate students who have been allocated to University College.

Welcome from the Principal, Professor Wendy Powers

Welcome to Castle!

Our college community provides a dynamic environment in which you will explore who you are, what you believe, and where you are going. Your peers will be doing the same, and their journey will be different from yours. As we get to know one another and engage interesting conversations, we will co-create community grounded in the values of civility, respect and appreciation of difference.

We hope you’ll use these first weeks and months as an opportunity to get involved – try new activities, meet new people, and ask lots of questions. There are college, department and uni-wide opportunities for involvement. The most successful students find ways to engage in a bit of both.

Attending university can be challenging for all sorts of reasons, and we have a wonderful Student Support Team in Castle that is here to assist you along the journey. The professional staff partners with our student welfare team to ensure there are many educational and supportive outlets for you and your peers.

We also enjoy the privilege of living and learning in a castle on a world heritage site. Together, we are trusted caretakers of history while we prepare for and advance the future.

Remember these keys to Castle student success – those who open their hearts and minds to others, those who practice civility and respect, those who ask for assistance, and those who show up – these are the students most likely to flourish in this renowned learning community.

On behalf of everyone at Castle, we are delighted you’ve joined us!

Floreat Castellum!

Long live Castle

Wendy

PS: please share this letter with your families or supporters: Letter for Families and Supporters from the Principal.pdf

Being a member of the MCR at Durham University is about so much more than just being a student at Castle. From gowned formal dinners in the Great Hall and lively game nights in the common room, to the many events and traditions that take place throughout the year, there’s always something to get involved in. Most importantly, the MCR is a welcoming community of people from all different backgrounds, and we hope you’ll quickly feel at home here. We’re so excited to welcome you to Castle and to share everything that MCR life has to offer. Floreat Castellum!

Lily Hoy

MCR Vice-President

Banner image of the Castle and things you need to do before you arrive

Checklist: things you need to do before you arrive

Before you become a member of Castle, there’s a number of documents to read and forms to complete. We will be sending you a newsletter, Countdown to Castle: Postgraduate, to share more information on what you need to do. Some students prefer to have a tick list and overview from the beginning, which is below.

What you need to do	Where	Deadline & Notes
1. University College Handbook	This will be emailed to all new postgraduate students.	All students should read this handbook carefully before arriving at Durham.
2. Enrolment	Postgraduate Taught (PGT): Checklist for New Students - Durham University Postgraduate Research (PGR): Checklist for New Students - Durham University	Make sure you complete enrolment so we can complete identity verification when you arrive.
3. Student Community Induction Course	We require you to complete the course ‘Consent Matters’, and 'Respect, Values and Behaviours' accessed online.	New students are automatically enrolled into the training and will be able to complete it once they have their emails/IDs and have access to Blackboard.
4. Healthcare / GP	www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/student-support-and-wellbeing/medical-registration-and-advice/	If you’re moving to Durham, please register with a healthcare practice (GP). Details on vaccinations can be found here: www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/student-support-and-wellbeing/vaccinations/#d.en.1238066
5. MCR	You are warmly invited to join the Middle Common Room, our student-led postgraduate group. Find out more about the Middle Common Room here: https://instagram.com/castlemcrdurham	Join the Middle Common Room, our student body for postgraduate students. We will introduce you to Castle MCR via the Countdown to Castle newsletter in the coming weeks.
6. Freshers' Week and Orientation	Our programme for Freshers' week events, from Wednesday 23 September – Sunday 4 October, will be emailed directly to new postgrad students.
7. Optional Things to Buy	We will have a number of optional extras available to purchase, including: tickets for access to MCR-organised social events in Freshers' Week an academic gown for Matriculation and college Formal dinners Bedding packs (duvet, pillow, sheets)	If you're travelling long distances and living in college accommodation you may wish to buy a bedding pack. We have both single and double packs available.

We will be sending you a newsletter, called Countdown to Castle, over the next few weeks so please make sure we have your current email address so you don't miss important updates.

Countdown to Castle

Arriving in Durham

We look forward to meeting you! If you are arriving from overseas please find more information here: www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/arrivals/

Arrivals arrangements for students living in College accommodation will be shared separately.

Freshers' Week and Orientation

We'll be sharing more information about plans for Freshers' Week and Orientation in the coming weeks, as well as how to join the Middle Common Room. Check back soon for updates.

Castle MCR

About the MCR

As a member of the MCR, you can look forward to a full programme of events and activities run throughout the year. whether it’s our socials and balls, our frequent welfare and mentoring events, or our seminar series and Academic Conference. Castle itself also offers a wide range of facilities; you might work or socialise in the gorgeous Maurice Tucker Room (the home of the MCR), study in our Lowe Library (with great views of the Courtyard) or dine in the stunning Great Hall.

However, it is the community, as well as the facilities, which make Castle what it is - and as such, as an MCR member you may join an enormous range of Castle societies. You might join one of our sports teams, take a shine to Castle music, or help our outreach and charity work through CCA (Castle Community Action). The MCR is always happy to hear suggestions on how we might improve the postgraduate experience at Castle, and you might do so yourself by joining one of our committees or even running for a position within the MCR!

If you have any questions about the MCR, Castle or postgraduate life please do get in touch at castle.mcr@durham.ac.uk.

Your first week in Durham – University Induction Week Events Timetable

The Timetable has been designed so College events don’t clash with any of your academic departmental events, but offer you lots of opportunities to meet your fellow Freshers, find your way around and settle into student life.

To help you keep track of where you need to be, and what you need to do during your first busy days at university, in your College and your Department, we have created a day-by-day University Induction Planner. This should help you to plan your schedule, so you don't miss anything - from being issued with your Campus Card or meeting the staff in your Department, to trying out for a sports team or joining a student society.

Your Personal Induction Planner