How the University is run

Durham University is a legally independent and autonomous institution established by Act of Parliament in 1832 and Royal Charter in 1837. It is also an educational charity. The University receives about a third of its income directly from the UK Government, via HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England).

University Council

The University's governing and executive body, with ultimate responsibility for  the affairs of the University, is the University Council, currently chaired by Robert Gillespie. The Council is also the Trustee Board and its members are the Trustees of the University.

Senate

The Senate is the University's supreme governing body in all academic matters, subject to the powers of Council. It has overall responsibility for academic quality and standards and is chaired by the Vice-Chancellor.

The governance structure of the University is laid down in its Statutes from which both Council and Senate derive their powers.

Leadership 

The University is led by the Vice-Chancellor and Warden (parallel to Chief Executive), currently Chris Higgins FRSE FMedSci). The Vice-Chancellor and Warden chairs the University Executive Committee (UEC) which is responsible for the day-to-day running of the University.

In his role as Warden, the Vice-Chancellor and Warden also has overall responsibility for fourteen of the University's Colleges - the Heads of College are directly responsible to the Vice-Chancellor through the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Warden of the Colleges. The two recognised Colleges, St John's and St Chad's, are independent foundations with separate Governing Councils.

All Heads of Department, College, Research Institutes and Professional Support Services report directly to a member of UEC ensuring a flat line-management structure within the University.