Accommodation and Catering

Durham is a collegiate university and all full-time students are required to be a member of a college. There are fourteen colleges in Durham City and two at Queen’s Campus, Stockton. College membership and accommodation for postgraduates is co-ordinated through the Colleges Postgraduate Office. Once you have accepted your offer, the Colleges Postgraduate Office will contact you with further information about college membership and accommodation options. You don’t need to specify a college preference, but can do if you want to. Please note, if you do not complete the College Membership and Accommodation form, you will be allocated membership of a college.

Accommodation

All full-time students can choose whether they would like to live in college accommodation or elsewhere. About one-third of postgraduates live in college.

Every college offers a variety of comfortable, networked study bedrooms, some with en-suite facilities. All postgraduate bedrooms are single (except for family accommodation). Each college has different types of rooms on offer, so for more information visit our individual college summary pages.

You can apply for accommodation in the college of which you are a member after you have received an offer from the University.

Postgraduates based at Queen's Campus

For postgraduates based at Queen’s Campus, Stockton, college membership is normally arranged for you at one of the Queen’s Campus colleges. Full-time applicants can also apply for accommodation and information will be provided by the Colleges Postgraduate Office after you have accepted your offer. Accommodation for students at the colleges at Queen’s Campus is currently being finalised and further information will appear in the near future.

Part-Time and Distance-Learning Postgraduates

Please note that part-time or distance learning students are not eligible to live in University accommodation. Some colleges may be able to provide short term, temporary accommodation for part-time or distance learning students who are members. You should contact your college directly to enquire. For information about private accommodation, please see www.durhamstudentpad.co.uk/

Family accommodation

If you are planning to stay at Durham City with your partner or family, then Ustinov College manages a limited number of postgraduate flats for couples and families. The flats are primarily based in Keenan House, a modern student residence on the Dryburn Court site. Flats at Keenan House are furnished self-contained and are one-bedroom, two-bedroom or three-bedroom, with gas central heating. There are also a number of 'Don's sets' for couples at Howland's Farm on the main Ustinov College site. These consist of a bedroom, living room, shower and toilet, with the kitchen shared with two other sets. Demand for this accommodation is high so please contact Ustinov College early if you intend to bring a spouse or children with you. If accommodation within Keenan House is not available, the University Accommodation Office can help you find private accommodation for you and your family within the local community.

Catering

Many of our colleges are catered, while others are self-catered. Students who live in college eat together, either in the dining hall in catered colleges or in their shared kitchens in self-catered colleges.

Catered colleges provide you with a self-service breakfast, lunch and dinner served in your college dining hall. Eating together in your college dining hall is a great way to socialise and catch up with your friends. Please note: Catering is only provided throughout undergraduate term-time. Self-catering facilities are available outside of term time.

At self-catered colleges you share a kitchen with your fellow students (usually six people share one kitchen). Kitchens are a great social space where you can cook and eat together, giving you the flexibility and freedom to eat when and what you want. Some colleges offer self-catering accommodation with a 'pay as you go' option enabling you to opt into college dining as and when you want to.

Please see individual college summary pages for more detail.

*Please note, catering is only provided throughout undergraduate term-time. Self-catering facilities are available outside of term time.