Be extraordinary.

Be you.
Your Guide to Colleges
for Prospective Students

1
Be curious.
The collegiate system was a big draw
to Durham for me - the idea of having
a ready-made community to come into
made me feel far more comfortable
with making the jump to university!

Eleanor Ivey
Modern Languages and Cultures

2
 Contents 12 Self-catered colleges
College of St Hild and St Bede
04 Our extraordinary colleges John Snow College
The college experience Josephine Butler College
South College
06 College locations Stephenson College
In the heart of a vibrant city Ustinov College
(Postgraduate only)
08 Catered colleges
Collingwood College 14 Mixed-catered colleges
Grey College St Cuthbert’s Society
Hatfield College University College (Castle)
St Aidan’s College
St Chad’s College 16 Accommodation charges
St John’s College Costs for 2024/25
St Mary’s College
Trevelyan College 16 How to apply
Van Mildert College Understanding the process

Be you.

3
Our extraordinary
colleges
Our collegiate system makes Durham
exceptional. Here, every student is a proud
member of a college, and every college has
its own character, spirit and traditions. Each
is an inspiring and supportive community.

College life
The colleges are the heart of our extraordinary
wider student experience. In fact, we offer University
accommodation to all first-year undergraduates who
meet the criteria to secure a room, because colleges are
where Durham’s outstanding student experience begins.

You will feel at home from the moment you step

through the door. Colleges are like extended families:
safe, supportive, and inclusive. In your college, you’ll be
surrounded by friendly faces and you’ll have the chance
to get to know all sorts of extraordinary people.

What is college accommodation like?

The rooms and bathrooms will differ depending on the
•C
 olleges offer facilities such
college, but all of our bedrooms are equipped with:
as shops, cafés, bars, libraries,
• A bed, desk, chair, wardrobe and drawers social and study areas, music and
• WiFi access with the ability to create a local wireless performance spaces, laundrettes,
network for your devices gyms and outdoor sports areas
• Full catering, part-catering or self-catering depending on college.
facilities like a shared pantry or kitchen
• En-suite or shared bathroom facilities. Discover new ideas
A Durham education doesn’t stop
The college experience with your degree subject. There are
In your college, you can take part in sport, music, theatre opportunities across the University
or volunteering. You can join clubs and societies, enjoy to engage with ideas and learn
social events and dinners, and make friends for life. Your from others. For example, in your
college will be your home from home, the centre of your college you might discuss the
life at Durham and a constant source of opportunities, most pressing global issues with
challenges and lasting memories. inspiring visiting speakers; you
might go along to a dissertation
Every college provides: ‘open mic’ night where your fellow
• A character and spirit all of its own students share their research; or
• Sports, clubs, societies and associations you might edit a student scholarly
journal.
• Events and activities
• Student Common Rooms The University’s award-winning
• Staff and support close at hand if you need it museums offer awe-inspiring
exhibitions, ranging from Ancient
• Accommodation within Durham City, either
Egypt through medieval Durham
catered or self-catered
to modern art; and its departments
and research institutes host public
lectures on cutting-edge research.

4
 Colleges are close-knit and
supportive communities,
with plenty of great events
to attend and societies to
be a part of!
Anitej Banerjee
Mathematics

Student leadership There are 17 colleges in from the rest of the UK with
Every college has a total, including Ustinov, our disabilities or from Black or
representative body with postgraduate only college. Each minority ethnic backgrounds,
membership open to all offers a wide range of facilities or who are care leavers, to
undergraduate students – for your University life. support with the costs of the
this is usually called the wider student experience.
No two colleges are the same –
Junior Common Room. As a
their architecture and settings
member, you can take part in A lifelong connection
are as distinct as their histories
elected student leadership, College membership doesn’t
and traditions. One thing every
organise student-led events end at graduation. Our students
college has in common, however,
and engage in local, regional often tell us that their college
is its commitment to offering
and global issues. experience was one of the most
support, challenge, participation,
important parts of their time at
teamwork, and leadership
An inspiring place to live Durham. Friendships made at
opportunities. All of our colleges
and learn college often last a lifetime. Many
embrace the UN’s 17 Sustainable
In your college, you’ll be of our alumni return to share
Development Goals.
surrounded by all sorts of their skills and experience long
different people, studying a Your college has its own Student after they have left. Colleges
wide range of subjects. So you’ll Support Office, acting as a point frequently arrange for current
meet people who share your of contact for any welfare and students to benefit from the
interests, and others who’ll pastoral support you might need support of alumni through things
inspire you to develop new ones. during your time here. like careers advice, scholarships,
mentoring and internships.
Each college includes students A grant of £250 – funded jointly
from all levels of study, from by the University and an alumni
newly arrived undergraduates donation - is paid automatically
to Master’s and PhD students. to lower-income students from
They’re strong, supportive, the North-East of England,
multi-generational communities. and to lower-income students

5
College locations Or we have our ‘Bailey colleges’,
Our colleges are located which are located in the historic city
throughout Durham City, close centre of Durham, around the River
to the main Mountjoy site, the Wear peninsula called the Bailey.
River Wear and the city centre. Bailey colleges are close to the Elvet
We sometimes refer to certain Riverside lecture theatres, Students’
colleges as ‘Hill colleges’, a group Union, Palace Green and Durham
of colleges just to the south of Cathedral. The main Mountjoy site Scan the QR
Durham City and 5-10 minutes is a 10-15 minute walk away. code to find
walk from the main Mountjoy site, Durham is a relatively small and out more
the Bill Bryson Library and the compact city. Each college is within about our
Teaching and Learning Centre. The walking distance of the city centre, colleges
Hill colleges are around a 15-30 academic departments, research
minute walk to the city centre. institutes and University facilities.
Collingwood College

St Cuthbert’s Society

Stephenson College

Van Mildert College

John Snow College

St Aidan’s College

University College
Trevelyan College
St Chad’s College
Colleges

St Mary’s College
St John’s College
St Hild & St Bede
Hatfield College

Ustinov College
Butler College

South College

at a
Grey College

Josephine

(PG only)
glance

Year of 1858
1972 1959 1846 2001 2006 2020 1947 1904 1839 1909 1899 2001 1966 1832 1965 1965
foundation /88

Self-catered (S)
Catered (C), C C C S S S C C CS S C C S C CS C N/A
(Undergraduate)

(Postgraduate) C CS CS S S S CS CS S S C CS S C S C S
Gowned formal
No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No
dinners*

Total number of
students living 555 463 400 496 546 496 384 249 468 356 251 312 433 319 521 524 495
in (UG & PG)

En-suite 1st
183 70 89 332 385 271 44 58 58 281 25 30 184 10 29 9 N/A
year rooms

No. of students
14 13 42 0 0 0 52 45 30 0 26 0 0 19 29 0 N/A
in shared rooms

Total number
of full-time 1797 1350 1277 1498 1457 1373 1147 690 1360 1427 787 1210 1241 1005 1539 1565 1176
student members
Chapel/
No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No
Multifaith room

Please note: These figures are correct *All colleges have special dinner events throughout the year called ‘Formals’. Some
for 2023; however, they will be subject to colleges practise the long-established tradition of wearing gowns at these events.
annual change. Others are less formal and do not wear gowns to dine in.

6
Map of colleges

82

36

42

46
22

47

48

NEVILLE'S
CROSS

74

51

65
72

54

55 48
63
61
60
54 82
55
42 58

61 47

58 59 59 51

60 65

72 36

Use AccessAble to find wheelchair 46 63

friendly venues or check out
22 74
disabled access and facilities.

7
Catered colleges
Durham has a number of
colleges where catering is
provided to all students during
undergraduate term time.
On a full catering package you will get
breakfast, lunch and dinner provided
seven days per week during term time.
We provide students with multiple
options and can accommodate a wide
range of dietary requirements.

Our catered colleges are located on the

Bailey/City and on the Hill .

Collingwood College Hill

Distance to Mountjoy site: 0.8km (10 mins walk)
Total number
Distance to city centre: 1.9km (23 mins walk)
of students:
Close to Durham’s Botanic Garden, 1797
Collingwood is a large site with lots
of outdoor space to enjoy, including
a large grassy area called ‘The
Meadows’. Collingwood offers both
standard bedrooms with shared bathrooms,
and en-suite bedrooms. Collingwood has
a wide range of facilities, for those with an
interest in sports, music, the arts and media,
Scan here to
including a theatre, media suite, gym and
find out more
outdoor sports facilities. Collingwood also
has a bar, coffee shop and toastie bar.

Grey College Hill

Distance to Mountjoy site: 0.5km (6 mins walk) Total number

Distance to city centre: 1.8km (22 mins walk) of students:
1350
Grey is situated right next to the main
Mountjoy site in a beautiful landscaped setting.
At Grey there are a number of en-suite rooms,
standard rooms and also shared bedrooms.
Set across four accommodation blocks Grey
offers facilities such as a bar, toastie bar and
college shop, along with a multi-purpose hall
and tennis court.
Scan here to
find out more

8 Please note: All walking times are approximate and based on an average walking speed.
Hatfield College Bailey/City

Distance to Mountjoy site: 0.9km (11 mins walk) Total number

Distance to city centre: 0.5km (6 mins walk) of students:
1277
Hatfield is located close to the city centre
and all that it has to offer. Some of Hatfield’s
buildings are historic, listed buildings, right
on the Bailey with splendid views of the
Cathedral while others are more modern and
purpose-built. Accommodation comprises
standard, en-suite and shared bedrooms.
Facilities include a library, music room, a
multi-purpose social space/bar/café, and Scan here to
meeting rooms. Hatfield also has its own find out more
Chapel, sports court, gym and boathouse for
keen rowers to use.

St Aidan’s College Hill

Distance to Mountjoy site: 1.1km (13 mins walk) Total number

Distance to city centre: 1.9km (23 mins walk) of students:
1147
St Aidan’s enjoys stunning views over
historic Durham City. It is well located for
all departments and is especially close to
the Oriental Museum, Botanic Garden and
the Durham University Business School.
St Aidan’s has spacious gardens and
landscaped grounds. Accommodation
comprises standard bedrooms with shared
bathroom and shared bedrooms. Facilities Scan here to
include a library, music room, shop, gym, find out more
bar, and multi-use games area.

9
Catered colleges continued

St Chad’s College Bailey

Distance to Mountjoy site: 0.9km (11 mins walk) Total number
Distance to city centre: 0.5km (6 mins walk) of students:
690
One of the smallest colleges, St Chad’s has a
wide range of accommodation, all located in
the historic Bailey area and close to Durham
city centre and Durham’s famous Cathedral.
Accommodation comprises standard, en-suite
and shared bedrooms. St Chad’s offers facilities
such as libraries, gym and large garden.

Scan here to
find out more

St John’s College Bailey

Distance to Mountjoy site: 1.1km (20 mins walk) Total number
Distance to city centre: 0.6km (7 mins walk) of students:
787
St John’s is situated within a row of Georgian
townhouses on the Bailey, close to the city
centre, overlooked by the famous Durham
Cathedral and no more than a 20-minute
walk from lectures or the Bill Bryson Library.
Accommodation comprises standard, en-suite
and shared bedrooms. Facilities offered include
a library, music room, gym and bar. Secluded
gardens and lawns stretch down to the River Scan here to
Wear, where St John’s has its own boathouse. find out more

St Mary’s College Hill

Distance to Mountjoy site: 0.6km (7 mins walk)
Total number
Distance to city centre: 1.6km (19 mins walk) of students:
St Mary’s is situated in a great location, 1210
right next to the Mountjoy site, many
academic departments, the Teaching and
Learning Centre and the Bill Bryson Library.
Accommodation comprises standard and en-
suite bedrooms. Facilities include library, gym,
outdoor sports facilities, music rooms, bar,
shop and toastie bar. St Mary’s has extensive
grounds and provides a beautiful environment Scan here to
in which to live and study. find out more

10 Please note: All walking times are approximate and based on an average walking speed.
Trevelyan College Hill
Distance to Mountjoy site: 0.6km (7 mins walk)
Total number
Distance to city centre: 1.8km (22 mins walk)
of students:
Trevelyan College is a 7-minute walk from 1005
the Mountjoy site, the Bill Bryson Library
and the Teaching and Learning Centre.
Accommodation comprises standard and
shared bedrooms. Set in beautiful grounds
Trevelyan has various gardens and green
spaces, as well as an outdoor all-weather
sports court. Trevelyan has a bar and its own
shop The Buttery which also offers toasties. Scan here to
Other facilities include a library, fitness suite,
find out more
theatre and rehearsal areas.

Van Mildert College Hill

Distance to Mountjoy site: 0.6km (7 mins walk)
Total number
Distance to city centre: 1.9km (23 mins walk)
of students:
Van Mildert is close to the Mountjoy site 1565
and the Bill Bryson Library, Teaching and
Learning Centre and many academic
departments. Centred around a lake in
spacious, leafy grounds, Van Mildert College
offers a beautiful setting in which to live and
study. Accommodation comprises standard
and en-suite bedrooms. Facilities include a
library, gym, theatre, music rooms and bar.
Scan here to
find out more

11
Self-catered
colleges
Explore our self-catered colleges.
In our self-catered colleges - you can cook for
yourself. You’ll have access to a shared kitchen
and dining area with storage space for food. If
you are allocated to a studio flat you will have
your own private kitchen in your room.
Our self-catered colleges are located on the Hill
and in Neville’s Cross to the south of the City.

College of St Hild City

and St Bede Total number
Distance to Mountjoy site: 1.7km (25 mins walk) of students:
Distance to city centre: 850m (12 mins walk) 1427
We’ve got exciting things planned for the future
of St Hild and St Bede, with the redevelopment
and refurbishment of our historic home.
We’re really pleased to say whilst this work is
going on members of our Hild Bede student
community will be offered accommodation
at Rushford Court. This purpose-built student
accommodation, within walking distance of Scan here to
the city centre, provides students with en-suite find out more
rooms on a self-catered basis.
A range of college facilities are currently
under development on site, including a cafe-
bar, common room, gym, music room and
study spaces.

John Snow College Hill

Distance to Mountjoy site: 1.4km (17 mins walk)
Total number
Distance to city centre: 2.6km (31 mins walk)
of students:
John Snow College is located at Mount 1498
Oswald, as one of the Hill colleges, and just
a short walk from many of the academic
departments, the Durham University Business
School and the Bill Bryson Library. The
Teaching and Learning Centre and Botanic
Garden are also nearby. Accommodation
comprises standard and en-suite rooms.
As well as the usual facilities including a bar
and cafe, John Snow also has a gym, yoga Scan here to
studio, performance space and an outdoor find out more
multi use games area.

12 Please note: All walking times are approximate and based on an average walking speed.
Josephine Butler College Hill
Distance to Mountjoy site: 1.1km (13 mins walk) Total number
Distance to city centre: 2.2km (26 mins walk) of students:
Situated at the top of the hill, Josephine 1457
Butler is close to the Botanic Garden, Oriental
Museum and the Durham University Business
School. It is also close to the Mountjoy site,
with many academic departments, the Bill
Bryson Library and Teaching and Learning
Centre located there. All of Josephine
Butler’s accommodation is en-suite, with a
shower, sink and toilet provided. Facilities at
Scan here to
Josephine Butler include a bar, gym, music
find out more
and art rooms as well as outdoor sports
facilities.

South College Hill

Distance to Mountjoy site: 1.4km (17 mins walk) Total number

Distance to city centre: 2.6km (31 mins walk) of students:
1373
South College, Durham’s newest college, is
located with modern facilities close to Durham
University Business School and the many
departments located on the Mountjoy site.
South College is only a short walk from the
Botanic Garden, the Bill Bryson Library and the
Teaching and Learning Centre.
Accommodation comprises standard and
en-suite rooms. As well as the usual facilities
Scan here to
South College has a gym, multi-use games
area, a yoga and dance studio, cafe bar and find out more
drama studio.

13
Self-catered colleges continued

Stephenson College Hill

Distance to Mountjoy site: 1.1km (13 mins walk)
Total number
Distance to city centre: 2.3km (28 mins walk)
of students:
Stephenson College’s location on the former 1241
Howlands Farm site offers a relaxing place to
enjoy green surroundings yet is close to the
main Mountjoy site, academic departments,
the Bill Bryson Library and Teaching and
Learning Centre. Accommodation comprises
standard rooms, en-suite rooms and paired
rooms where two bedrooms share one
bathroom. Facilities include a café, college
shop, social space, music room, gym and Scan here to
outdoor sports area. find out more

Ustinov College Neville’s Cross

(Postgraduate only)
Total number
Distance to Mountjoy site: 1.6km (19 mins walk) of students:
Distance to city centre: 1.6km (19 mins walk) 1176

Sheraton Park and Dryburn Court are the two

Ustinov College sites, solely for postgraduates.
Sheraton Park is located on the west side of
Durham City, approximately 1.6km from the city
centre and a 19 minute walk from University
facilities. Accommodation comprises single
en-suite rooms with a shared kitchen, studios
with a private kitchen designed for couples and Scan here to
premium paired rooms, where two private single find out more
rooms share a small kitchenette and en-suite.
Dryburn Court is closer to the city centre and
contains one, two, and three-bedroom flats for
couples and for families with children.
Facilities across the sites include a cafe, bar, study
spaces, a gym and outdoor playground.

14 Please note: All walking times are approximate and based on an average walking speed.
Mixed-catered
colleges
Some of our colleges offer a
self-catered, catered or part-
catered option, dependent on
which accommodation you
choose to live in.
Our colleges with mixed catering options
are located on the Bailey/City

St Cuthbert’s Society Bailey/City

Distance to Mountjoy site: 1km (12 mins walk) Total number
Distance to city centre: 0.8km (10 mins walk) of students:
St Cuthbert’s occupies two sites, with rooms 1360
and gardens on the historic Bailey in the
heart of Durham, close to the city centre and
Durham’s famous Cathedral, and self-catered,
modern flats across the river at Parson’s
Field. St Cuthbert’s offers a choice of fully-
catered, self-catered and part-catered
options, including pay-as-you-go and a meals
package, depending on accommodation
chosen. Accommodation comprises standard, Scan here to
shared and en-suite rooms. Facilities include find out more
a library and music room, two bars, two
gyms, a boathouse and outdoor sports area.

University Bailey/City
College (Castle) Total number
Distance to Mountjoy site: 1.1km (13 mins walk) of students:
Distance to city centre: 0.3km (4 mins walk) 1539

Based in our magnificent Castle building, and

in an excellent city centre location on Palace
Green, opposite Durham’s famous Cathedral,
University College is only a minute away from
the city’s shops and restaurants and a short
walk to departments and lecture venues.
University College offers catered and self-
catered accommodation for undergraduates, Scan here to
dependent on location and self-catered find out more
accommodation for postgraduates.
Accommodation comprises standard, shared
or en-suite rooms. Facilities include a library,
music rooms, a gym and the Undercroft bar.

15
Accommodation College visits
charges Most of our colleges are open and available
during events but please look at the specific
Accommodation charges vary depending event information for further details.
on a number of factors such as type of
On arrival you will find out how you can explore
room, catering options and length of let.
each college, whether as part of a guided tour,
or on a self-guided basis.

Find out more about

accommodation costs

College allocation
As a Durham University student, you
automatically become a member of a
college.

For undergraduates, you will be able to

rank our colleges in order of preference
once you have been made an offer.
Durham University
For postgraduates, you will be contacted The Palatine Centre
directly by the Accommodation and Stockton Road
Allocations Office to express college Durham DH1 3LE
preferences once you accept your UK
postgraduate offer.
Enquiries
T: +44 (0)191 334 1000
W: durham.ac.uk/study/askus
Find out more about
Main switchboard
how to apply
T: +44 (0)191 334 2000

durham.ac.uk

Durham University and Durham University logo are registered Trade Marks of the University of Durham™. Unless otherwise stated, all material in
this Guide is copyright of the University of Durham. The University makes every effort to ensure that the information contained here is accurate.
The College Guide is intended as a general guide to the University of Durham’s facilities and forms no part of any contract between you and the
University. The Guide is prepared in advance of the academic year to which it relates. Please note that the University’s website is the most up-to-
date source of information and we strongly recommend that you always visit the website before making any commitments.

Thank you to all staff and students involved in the production of this Guide and to John Donoghue for photography.

© Durham University, 2024 WARM/01/24/699

16