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Why St Chad's?

St Chad's is committed to bringing out the best in you: hence our record-breaking academic results and the dizzying range of activities for students.

Located right in front of Durham Cathedral, on one of the loveliest historic streets in Northern England, it's just a minute or so from the historic centre of Durham City itself.  The College is made up of the equivalent of fourteen listed buildings, but the exteriors are deceiving: the interiors have been modernised again and again over the centuries.

St Chad's prides itself on being one of the smallest and oldest of the colleges in Durham, but we're also very well-equipped.  We have the most extensive library facilities of any college - with eight internet-equipped library/study rooms (over 100 study spaces).  Over 40% of our rooms are en suite and our busy dining hall turns out 600 hot meals a day.  Our computer room is being constantly updated, and our sports people ensure that our exercise facilities (new in 2005) fit the bill.  Our subterranean student bar was expanded several years ago; and a second bar was added in the Quad in 2004, which can seat up to 120 people.  The College's boat-house is older than anyone can remember, but it's still running (though plans are afoot to build a new, larger facility). 

Students

At the end of the day, buildings are buildings, but our real strength is our students.  They are the College, and they come from every sort of background and from over twenty countries.  People expect smaller colleges in older universities to be exclusive or quirky (and the College does have its quirky bits, as the picture shows), but we like to think we have the balance right in terms of keeping academic expectations truly high while encouraging students to have a fantastic time.

There is a good mixture of undergraduates and postgraduates at Chad's.  This is very deliberate: the last thing we want is for our College to be seen as an extension of sixth form.  Instead, this is an adult community, where some are a bit older and some a bit younger.  Students at Chad's - whether undergraduates or postgraduates - are effectively self-governing through their student representatives.  Because we are an autonomous college within the University, all key decisions are made locally, and students play an integral part in decision-making and governance.

The College is located not far from the Durham Students Union (the DSU) building (we're linked by a bridge) , where many pan-university activities are located.  Though there is often a type of inertia that keeps students within their colleges, students are encouraged to make the utmost of their time at University and to explore what the rest of the University has to offer.

Staff

St Chad's is unusual in Durham in having its own academic staff of over thirty Fellows and Research Associates.  College Fellows work in specialised areas (such as urban regeneration, economics, media studies, English literature, music, fair trade, international affairs, anthropology, geophysics, philosophy and theology). The College is especially proud of the high level of interaction and conversation between staff and students.  Indeed, we think this is one of the hallmarks of the College -- an essential integration of university and college life.  Student representatives and staff meet regularly on both an informal and formal basis to help manage the College; on a more social level, students and staff dine together every day, giving everyone a chance to rub elbows.

Accommodation

Almost all of the College's residences are within historic listed buildings; and almost every room in St Chad's is distinct. Some have fireplaces (not in use), some have incredible views of the River Wear, the Cathedral or Durham City; some are hidden away in fourth floor landings with ancient beamed ceilings. Every room is furnished, and equipped with at least a sink. Many first year students share a double-room (most of which are en-suite), but these rooms are more than ample in size - more than twice as large as a standard single room.

In the second year, some students choose to live out in rented accommodation; others prefer to stay in College. We can generally accommodate all students who want to live in -- no matter what year they're in. Most finalists return to live in College, taking advantage of the proximity of College libraries, facilities and the dining hall.

All our students live in a context that is steeped in history, where you quite consciously pick up the torch of previous generations of students, on a site that was renowned for scholarship for a millennium -- long before the birth of the University itself.
 

Dining

Surveys of student dining halls in Durham generally put St Chad's in first or second place. The College has three full-time chefs; and the Head Chef, Tony Bell, may look easy-going, but he runs a mean kitchen.  Outside of term-time, the College has a burgeoning catering and conference business, supplying weddings, conferences, and formal meals.  The proceeds of the conferences are ploughed back into the College, thus directly benefiting the students.

The College provides a full hot breakfast most weekdays, though students can choose to have cereal, yoghurt, fruit and toast if they prefer (or both a hot and a cold breakfast).

Lunch is a light meal, with soup and extensive salad options, a noodle bar and several main course options.  Dinner is the major meal, with more substantial offerings and deserts, though again with light options available. These meals are usually served cafeteria style.  There are always vegetarian options, and many special dietary needs can be accommodated (please consult the College if you think your dietary requirements are particularly unusual).

Formal Hall

Every Tuesday and Thursday, students and staff have four-course formal dinners.  These formal meals provide an occasion for a relaxed meal, with wine, good conversation and a bit of fun.  Once or twice a term we have super-formals or college feasts; and this is where the Chefs really show off.

Because Chad's sees such dining together as a crucial part of college life, the College offers all these formal meals and feasts at no extra charge to students who live in College.

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The Meeting Places

The Quad and the College Bar are the undisputed meeting places in College.  The College bar currently sports a pop-art  theme, which replaced the former Little Mermaid and Simpsons themes - all of which says something about our not taking ourselves too seriously.  The bar was last renovated in 2008.

The Quad was built in 2004 for the College's Centenary, and the glass-covered Quad is a unique space in Durham.  The Quad Bar was added in 2005 and was upgraded in 2008.  It is opened for special events or when we anticipate a larger-than-usual crowd during the week.

The College and the JCR are planning to provide a commercial espresso/cappuccino service in the Quad.  This, as well as the provision of cheap soft drinks in all bars, will enable more students to socialise in College without necessarily buying into the contemporary drink-culture.

The Quad can also be used as an extension to the dining hall: with the Dining Hall, the College can serve up to 250 people for a sit-down meal.  Normally, though, the Quad is a student-oriented meeting place during the day (with ping-pong and table hockey).

Community

Being one of the smaller colleges in the University, St Chad's students try that much harder, and that perhaps accounts for the College's incredible spirit.  The College has had more than enough opportunities to expand, but there are evident advantages in staying at our current 450 or so members: for one, in larger institutions people become 'familiar strangers' and don't really get to know one another; in smaller institutions there has to be more give and take.

Oddly, we find that a smaller group can be more accepting of differences than larger groups, chiefly because there is less likelihood of the group fracturing into factions.  Nor is there any real fear of living in a goldfish bowl, of everyone knowing everyone else's business:  being part of a small community means having to be respectful of each other's need for privacy and for keeping a respectful distance.  And it also means trying harder to ensure that people feel free to opt in and out of communal activities as they see fit.  Being a community means being friends, not being members of a dominant tribe.

The JCR

All undergraduates automatically become members of the Junior Common Room (JCR).  The JCR organises many aspects of life in College and represents students on all the key college bodies, including the College's Governing Body. The JCR Executive (the Exec) is elected each year, and it includes such officers as the Social Secretary, the Welfare Officer, and the President of the Bar Committee. The Executive is led by the Senior Man or Senior Woman.  A similar parallel structure exists for postgraduates.

In addition to serving on the Executive, students can be involved in numerous ways in College. Students organize the College's social events, including the Candlemas Ball.  They put on plays and concerts; they help write the Alumni Newsletter (The Chadsian) and the College Magazine.  Some students are employed during the vacations, and the Libraries and College Bars always need staff.

Staff and Exec members meet twice a term for formal meetings, where the emphasis is on decision-making. The College is proud of its ability to react quickly to student needs; and while not everything on everyone's wish list can be fulfilled, a shared view usually develops among the students and staff.

Another key committee is the College Committee, which works closely with the Bursar to ensure that students' physical needs are all being met. The JCR Social Secretary regularly needs volunteers to help organise dances, talent shows, contests, music events, excursions as well as some of the key social events that take place in College every year.

Culture

St Chad's College is located very close to both the Music Department and the Cathedral, with whom we work closely. Our students put on an annual music series, and there are twice-termly informal concerts.  At various times, there are high profile events held in College, such as Durham's Jazz festival and other recitals.

We have an excellent college choir (40-50 voices), organ and choral scholars, and several musical ensembles.  The choir tours internationally every year and generally produces a CD during the year.  The College is home during the summer to a number of visiting choirs.  There are pianos available in the College for music practice.

The College also puts on at least one play per year, and many students perform in other productions around town (see Culture page).  The College is fortunate in having a professional stage director as a College Fellow who mentors budding actors. 

The Durham Cathedral Artist in Residence is associated with the College and resides each year in College.  We have other visiting scholars, and over the years the College has had several Poets in Residence.  Not surprisingly, we have regular poetry readings and other literary events throughout the year.

Beyond the Bailey: The Collegiate Studies Programme

The College is committed to playing its part in the region.  In recent years, the College has been attracting staff with a special interest in urban regeneration, small business support, and microeconomics.  The College's unique  Collegiate Studies Programme builds on this commitment, and students are given opportunities to get to know the region and to understand the roots of its stubborn economic problems.  The College sponsors Away Days for students and staff, with trips throughout the region, mixing a bit of fun with some serious academic engagement.

The College is also committed to playing its part in international development, being a member of the Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion, co-sponsoring the Ruth First Scholarship (aimed at South African students), working closely with Traidcraft to promote fair trade (and jointly sponsoring the Traidcraft Fellowship in College), and nurturing relationships with several overseas colleges and NGOs throughout the developing world.

Sports

St Chad's has an enviable sporting tradition: a look at all the rowing pictures, oars and bits of boats in the College's libraries would show you how serious we take our sport. Most first year students sign up for the rowing club (the rowing club has 90 members) and give it a try. The College has its own boat house on the River Wear, and we own a good portion of the river (the College is legally entitled to charge a toll to allow people to pass through our portion of the river.  Though we don't do so, it would be a nice way to slow down our competitors during a race!).  See our Boat Club page.

Whether or not you're into rowing, the College has men's and women's teams in almost all university sports. Our men's rugby team (coached by our own staff coach) and our women's hockey team are particularly strong, and our fan support is even stronger. See our sports pages.

St Chad's College has a new fitness suite built in 2005, equipped with weights, several rowing machines and other exercise equipment. 

Libraries and IT

St Chad's College has the largest college library in the University, which is not bad for the smallest college! The College actually has eight library rooms located in its main building.  The three library rooms on the ground floor (the Bettenson Room, the Brewis Library and the Williams Library) contain the core curricula texts for many of the courses currently on offer in the University. 

There are two libraries on the first floor: the Wetherall Library, which houses most of the Theology and Philosophy collections; and the Research Library, which contains some of the College's rarer and older books, which tend to be of more interest to staff and postgraduates.

The Fenton Library opened in October 2006 and is located on the third floor.  Comprising three separate rooms, the Fenton Library is used primarily for private study.

In addition, the College's special collections and medieval manuscripts are held both in the University's Main Library and in the Palace Green Library.

The libraries are open during the day and evening, and they are surprisingly quiet. An honour system is observed for borrowing. A student library committee works with the Librarian to order and process books, and student librarians receive a small stipend for their work.

St Chad's College has a particularly high student-to-computer ratio (10 students per college computer).  In addition, all student rooms and libraries have high-speed fibre-optic access to the internet, and our computer room is equipped with the latest generation of Pentium computers.  The whole College network is linked via fibre-optics to the University network and to the worldwide web, and a wireless network operates through most of the public space in Main College, allowing students to use portables in more relaxed settings.

Chapel

St Chad's has been using a temporary building as its chapel for most of the last century.  On Sundays there is a choral communion service. On many Sundays, a visiting preacher addresses the community. The College has its own Chaplain, who is available to anyone who wants to have a chat.

The Chapel is open during the day for quiet reflection (as is the Cathedral just across the street). Chapel attendance is, of course, absolutely voluntary.

Durham has an abundance of churches, and most faiths are represented.

St Chad's is a Church of England (Anglican) foundation, but students and staff come from a variety of religious and not-so-religious traditions.  In an effort to enhance the lives of students, and indeed of staff, the College is committed to being inclusive, and it seeks to have as diverse a student body as possible.

Mentoring System

Our College prides itself on its mentor system.  We have a student to mentor ratio of  ten to one, which, as far as we know, is the best ratio in the University.  In Durham, College mentors are the front-line of student support, and they help students adjust to university and college life.  They offer moral support and they refer students to the Senior Tutor or to others for specialised support and advice. In the past 'mentors' were known as 'tutors' but their roles have not changed

Many College mentors are also subject-specialists who can augment the academic support provided by departments: they won't teach you per se, but they'll help you to get a handle on the challenges of academic life.  Other mentors work outside the University, offering students not just day-to-day support, but golden opportunities to discuss career prospects from a real-world perspective. Postgraduates regularly volunteer to help undergraduates working in the same field -- especially if an undergraduate needs a bit of extra support in his or field of study; and students are invited to subject-specific events in College, where undergraduates, postgraduates and staff share their passion for their subjects.

At St Chad's, even though are assigned a particular mentor, students are encouraged to approach other mentors, especially to explore career options, but also to seek other forms of advice.

All mentors schedule regular meetings with their students (at least one per term plus a social meeting).  The Senior Tutor ensures that the whole mentoring system is running smoothly and that the quality and level of support are just right. The Senior Tutor is available most days and can refer students to professionals outside the College whenever circumstances require it.  In addition, the Principal, the Chaplain and the other resident College Fellows are available throughout the week.

The most important support network is constituted by the students themselves. First year students are all given the opportunity to link up with a more senior student (a student 'parent'), who will be available to guide them through the wonderful maze of College life, not to mention the maze of cobbled streets around Durham. The JCR student welfare officers are also invaluable to students who need a welcoming and patient ear. 

For further information...

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For further information about St Chad's College, read our longer on-line prospectus and check out the rest of our website.

At St Chad's College, we welcome applications from men and women of all social and ethnic backgrounds without reference to political or religious beliefs to read for degrees at the University of Durham.

The College operates a transparent admissions process. It particularly encourages students from a wide variety of backgrounds to apply.