Van Mildert College

Van Mildert College is one of the larger 'hill colleges' situated near the Science Site and the Business School. Our vibrant Middle Common Room (MCR) represents a diverse body of postgraduate students from all over the world, some of whom are recent graduates of the college and others who are new to Durham.

As a resident postgraduate you will quickly get to know your fellow students and hopefully Van Mildert will soon feel like your second home. The college provides an excellent learning environment with high quality accommodation, a student-run library and personal support responsive to your needs. Whether you live in college or 'out' in private accommodation in town, you will be able to make the most of your time at Durham by participating fully in the wide variety of extra-curricular activities. You will have a choice of numerous sports teams as well as music and theatre groups. At Van Mildert we are particularly proud of our links with the local community, which we maintain through a number of student-led outreach projects. All postgraduate students are welcome participate in any of these activities.

Additional college costs

• MCR fee £35 (includes membership of SCR)

Accommodation

• Standard rooms with shared facilities are located on a small corridor in the main College building.
• Most of our ensuite rooms are located in Deerness block, where all postgraduate students live together on the same corridors.
• 3 of our ensuite rooms are particularly spacious, each with a small kitchenette equipped with sink, fridge and microwave. These rooms are located on undergraduate corridors.
• Accessible accommodation: All ensuite rooms in Deerness block have lift access. One of the rooms has a bathroom with wheelchair access. Please contact us to enquire.

Catering

Postgraduates living in college accommodation are fully-catered during undergraduate term-time. During vacations students may purchase individual meals from the dining room (£5.00 each for lunch and dinner) or cater for themselves using the kitchens in Deerness block. Special dietary requirements can be met for vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, gluten-free, nut allergies or other options. Students should notify the Head Chef on arrival.

Facilities

Dedicated PG facility:

• Postgraduate Common Room equipped with TV lounge, computer work station and coffee making facilities

Other facilities:

The Middle Common Room

Postgraduate students are members of the Middle Common Room (MCR), an association which provides a student-led forum for discussion and social interaction exclusively for postgraduates. The MCR has a small executive committee which organises social events, peer group presentations and guest speakers throughout the year.

Societies, sports and outreach

All our clubs and societies are open to undergraduate and postgraduate students. Our postgraduate students are represented on all our sports teams and many of them take part in performing arts events such as our cabaret evening, our Sunday recitals, our annual musical production or the Christmas Pantomime. We also have a College Choir, a College Big Band and numerous other live bands. The college runs five community projects which postgraduate students are welcome to join: We operate a community visiting scheme where students visit elderly members of the local community, a prison visiting scheme, two school-based projects and a project supporting the local hospice.

If postgraduate students would like to set up any new societies specifically for other postgraduates, we would be pleased to receive suggestions. 

Support

Student support in college is provided by the Senior Tutors who deal with all aspects of personal and financial support and provide guidance and advice on issues relating to University regulations and procedures. Our College Chaplain is also available to students of all faiths or none for personal support. He acts as postgraduate tutor in college. Our College Secretary and our Admissions Secretary help with all administrative matters such as registration, bank letters, medical evidence etc.

The college offers competitive bursaries to MCR members registered for higher Durham degrees (doctorates and masters with a research focus). There are currently six of these per year worth up to £2,000 each. The college will provide further details and invite applications in October after the start of the academic year.

The Van Mildert College Trust is currently funding two full Postgraduate Scholarships which are held for 3 years and cover free residence plus a cost of living allowance. Our VMC Trust Scholarship will next be open to competition from 2017/18 and is not restricted to existing MCR members.

Contact us:

Jillian Turnbull
Admissions Secretary

T: 0191 334 7154
E: admissions.vanmildert@durham.ac.uk