Wider Student Experience

At Durham, academic success is only half the story. Our transformative wider student experience will also help you develop as a person.

17 colleges

in our distinctive collegiate system

Over 200

Students' Union societies

85%

of our students are involved in sport, music, theatre, volunteering or student enterprise

Sports University of the Year

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

Our Colleges

As a Durham student, you become a member of a college, somewhere that is so much more than just the place where you will live. In each of our colleges, you will find a sense of community that is distinctive to Durham.

Find out more about our colleges

Two of students walking outside of South College

I found it hard to get involved with things outside my studies at school but St Aidan’s is such a warm and welcoming place it was easy to get involved in college life.

Irenitemi Michael Agbejule

Computer Science

Accommodation and Catering Costs

Accommodation costs are based on whether your allocated college is catered or self-catered, and then by the room type the college offers.

Hockey players running towards the camera

Student enrichment

When you come to Durham, you are entering a community, not just embarking on a course of study and like all communities we create, perform, play and support, as well as working.

View more about student enrichment

Leadership and Personal Development

Durham University is world-leading in academic fields, but we also pride ourselves on challenging you to participate above and beyond your academic commitments.

Durham Leadership Framework

Our programme enables you to explore the core skills that define good leadership, and reflect on how you can put those skills to use yourself.
Leadership Mentors

As a highly competitive year-long practical programme, the Leadership Academy strives to create the leaders of tomorrow.
The Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme

The Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme aims to develop and invest in highly talented and motivated undergraduate students.

Durham Leadership Framework

Our programme enables you to explore the core skills that define good leadership, and reflect on how you can put those skills to use yourself.

Group of students balancing holding a plank

Leadership Mentors

As a highly competitive year-long practical programme, the Leadership Academy strives to create the leaders of tomorrow.

A woman and younger adult looking at a laptop

The Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme

The Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme aims to develop and invest in highly talented and motivated undergraduate students.

Male and Female student looking through a Laidlaw frame

Explore our Speaker Series

Durham Students' Union

Durham Students' Union is the representative body for all students of the University, and offers many different clubs and societies to join.

Find out more about Durham Students' Union

Get involved

Music

TGospel Choir Concert with Sir Thomas Allen in Durham Cathedral

Sport

Theatre & the Arts

Sign outside the theatre saying Assembly Rooms Theatre since 1891

Volunteering

Student support and wellbeing

As a Durham student you'll find a wide support network available to you while studying at the University.

Find out more about the support available to you

Discover what our students have to say

My advice to new students is to be really open to trying lots of new things. College is so much more than just a halls of residence; it’s a home, a community and a family.

Alice Cooper

Geography

Student Blogs

Find out more about what it's like to live and study at Durham from the people who are.

Highlights

What is your favourite thing about Durham?

International student video competition winner, Peter Liu from China, tells us why he’s still enjoying his Durham experience, now in his fourth year.
Student support at Durham

Second-year student, Ruby tells us about the types of support available at Durham.