What makes the collegiate system in Durham unique?
Perhaps the most important feature of Durham is its collegiate system, which continues to attract students of many different nationalities and backgrounds. There are 16 colleges in the University, each with their own distinct characteristics and premises. Each college has its own bar (or bars), accommodation, welfare support, tutorial system and facilities (like dining rooms, computer rooms and libraries). Whilst students are taught in their departments most activity in Durham goes on at a college level – be it watching telly in the lounge, working in the library, having a drink in the bar, or working in the college shop.Our colleges are larger than those in Oxford and Cambridge and as a result there tends to be a stronger college identity and much more going on ‘in college’. Each college comes under the umbrella of the University of Durham; each has a mixture of first years, second years, finalists and postgraduates of all disciplines in residence, and this contributes to the friendly
