About St Cuthbert's

As a college of Durham University, St Cuthbert's Society offers an unrivalled student experience steeped in history and tradition but forward looking. The college had an interesting start to its life. In 1888, following University approval, St Cuthbert's Society was set up as a non residential college and in order to distinguish itself from residential colleges, it was given the title "Society". A member of University staff was appointed to oversee the running of the Society, referred to as a Censor, and the students were mature and traditionally from the local area who tended to have family responsibilities.

Whilst it is not called "St Cuthbert's College", it is a college with the decisions on its operation, including the bar and the library, resting with the college officers and the University. The University agreed in 2008 to allow the college to retain the title of Society as a reflection of its heritage.

Who is St Cuthbert?

St Cuthbert's Society is named after the well know saint, St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne (c. 634-20 March 687).  He was an Anglo-Saxon monk and bishop in the  north east England and south east Scotland and as far as the Firth of Forth.  This area was referred to as the Kingdom of Northumbria. Afterwards he became one of the most important medieval saints of England, with widespread recognition in the places he had been in Scotland. Cuthbert is regarded as the patron saint of Northumbria. His feast day is 20 March.