Our students live across Durham City, and beyond into the wider North East of England.

Durham is a small city – so there is student accommodation within walking or cycling distance, or a short bus journey, from the city centre. There are several areas of the city, each with their own character and services. 

There is no specific student or social area of Durham City, so it’s important to look at what an individual property has to offer, not just where it's located. 

There are also several types of accommodation where you can live – in College, in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSAs) which are separate to the University, or in the private rental sector. These are also spread out across the City. The types of living out accommodation is explained more on this webpage. 

Take a look at the different areas of Durham and the wider North East, which each have something to offer: 

The historic centre of the City. Several of our Colleges are located here, as well as the Cathedral, Castle and city centre shops. 

Palace Green Library and the Assembly Rooms Theatre are also here. There is a lot of competition for housing in this area of the City, and it is also largely pedestrianised, so unsuitable for anyone with a car. 

Just north of the city centre, Claypath is close to the Waterside Building, home to our Business School. 

It’s also near Durham’s swimming pool at Freeman’s Quay and the Gala Theatre, and there are several shops and restaurants along Claypath. 

Full of Victorian terraced homes, the Viaduct area is within walking distance of the main University campus. 

It’s also handy for the bus and railway stations, and is a short walk to the Riverside shopping and restaurant complex and the city centre. 

Gilesgate is a popular area with students. It’s situated with great transport links, with buses into the City (in just five minutes) and to further afield – but it’s also not far from the Durham City Retail Park with a large choice of shops, including a Tesco Extra. 

Just out of the city centre, Nevilles Cross is within walking distance of both the City and the main University campus. 

Ustinov College is located nearby at Sheraton Park and large proportion of those living in central Nevilles Cross are students. 

A more residential area, the northern parts of the City are very well connected, with a bus into the centre every five minutes. 

It’s the location of Durham’s main hospital, and close to the Arnison Centre retail park which has a Sainsbury’s hypermarket, M&S, gym and much more.  

To Durham’s east, Belmont and Carrville are more residential and close to the Durham City Retail Park with its supermarkets, shops and gyms. Major bus routes between Durham and Sunderland run through the area, meaning there is a bus service into the city centre every 10 minutes. 

These three towns, on the edge of the Deerness Valley, have great access to the countryside. A cycle and walking path, a former railway line, runs through the Valley offering lovely views. There are also good community facilities including pubs. 

Langley Moor and Meadowfield are just two miles from the city centre, and it is just 10 minutes by bus. Brandon is slightly further but is still served with regular buses. 

Quiet and picturesque, these towns and villages just to Durham’s south are on the A177, which takes you direct to the Sports and Wellbeing Park at Maiden Castle in a few minutes.  

It’s also less than 10 minutes by bus to the main University campus. 

The vibrant heart of the North East, Newcastle upon Tyne is full of culture, entertainment, shopping and nightlife. There are multiple PBSAs around the railway station – and it’s only 10-15 minutes on the train from Durham. 

Some students are attracted to Newcastle for the benefits being in a larger city can offer. Newcastle is also closer to the Northumberland countryside and coastline.