Welcome to New Undergraduate Students

Congratulations and Welcome to New Undergraduate Students

Welcome from the College Principal

Sonia - New Students "On behalf of the whole College Family at Grey, I would like to extend a warm welcome from all members of the College.

Grey College is a wonderful place to engage with both your studies and the wider aspects of student life.

As a student here, you’ll be part of an active and friendly community of people from all around the world, from many different backgrounds, and having a whole host of interests.

I hope the rest of your summer goes well and look forward to meeting you later in the year."

Professor Sonia Virdee
Principal, Grey College

Welcome to Grey! I'm Freddie your Junior Common Room (JCR) President this year. Congratulations following your exam results, you are going to be a student at Durham University. This is an achievement you can be proud of for the rest of your life. I love Grey, which is why I was honoured to be elected as your JCR President this year. I’ll be working full-time to represent your voices to College staff, the University, and the wider world. I, and the wider Grey community, cannot wait for you to all arrive in September: it’s going to be fantastic!

Freddie Bloom

JCR President

College Information

Before your arrival, College will send several emails over the next few weeks. Please read all the information sent to you carefully, making sure you complete all the tasks needed.

Welcome letters

College Principal Letter - Prof Sonia Virdee (Principal) Welcome Letter 2025

JCR President Letter - Freddie Bloom (JCR President) Welcome Letter 2025

Find out more

Enrol online

Enrolment opens eight weeks before the start of your programme.

Two students studying in Teaching and Learning Centre with hot drink

Junior Common Room

Find more events and opportunities with Grey College Junior Common Room (JCR).

Students working in a group on laptops in the common room

Transitioning to Higher Education

FAQs and key areas of support

Welcome and Orientation 2025

We're looking forward to welcoming you from September 2025

Three female students, one facing the camera

Your first week in Durham – University Welcome Week Events Timetable

The Timetable has been designed so College events don’t clash with any of your academic departmental events, but offer you lots of opportunities to meet your fellow Freshers, find your way around and settle into student life.

To help you keep track of where you need to be, and what you need to do during your first busy days at university, in your College and your Department, we have created a day-by-day University Welcome Week Planner. This should help you to plan your schedule, so you don't miss anything - from being issued with your Campus Card or meeting the staff in your Department, to trying out for a sports team or joining a student society.

Create Your Personal Welcome Week Planner

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Useful links

Matriculation

Departments

Library

Durham Students' Union

Enrichment

Students studying in the Teaching and Learning Centre

Finding Your Way Around Durham

Learn more about the wider student experience at Durham

Student updates

Check out our student blogs to read more about life at Durham from our students. Don't forget to follow us on social media!

Highlights

What to bring to University

Read our top recommendations to add to your packing list ready for your arrival at Durham.
Welcome to Durham – and stop worrying!

Moving to University can be a daunting prospect but there’s no need to worry, you’ll feel right at home here.