Colleges
Durham University is a ‘collegiate’ university. The colleges are a major part of the Durham University experience and are one of the key reasons our students give for applying.
Engagement with College life
There are several ways in which members of staff can become involved in college life. One of these is by becoming a college tutor, another is by becoming a member of a Senior Common Room (SCR). Details of the college tutor system and SCRs follow below. Any member of staff who is interested in becoming a member of a college's SCR or a college tutor should approach the college Principal in the first instance. Further details of the activities and events of college SCRs and the tutor system can be found on the individual web pages of each College.
The tutor system
Each individual college has a tutor system which provides a support network for students. A college's tutorial body is a diverse group of people from a variety of backgrounds who are recruited both from within the university (administrative as well as academic staff) and from the local community. College tutors do not have a direct input into teaching but offer friendship, advice and support to students within the college. The overriding aim of the tutor system is to create and enhance a sense of community within the college and the wider University. The link on the right-hand side of this page gives an insight into the role of the college tutor.
Senior Common Room
The Senior Common Room (SCR) is an important part of any college. The SCR is a community of past and present staff members of the University, college tutors and local people who take an interest in and support the work of the college. A college's SCR provides a relaxing place to meet colleagues and entertain visitors and the SCRs hold a series of dinners and events throughout the year.
