The Student Room Group

which college to choose at durham?

i’m accepted to durham for law, am currently exploring their colleges, and am def in need for some help. im an international student, and i want my college to be catered. my current ecas are mainly pubspeak and dance if that makes a difference. i dont really know much about the living environment or the actual vibes of the colleges since those things are clearly not reflected in their website. could use some advice or just anything in general that i should know!! thankss!!
Hello!

As an international student myself, I definitely can relate to the stress that was selecting a college. If this is any consolation, I don't think I've ever met a student at Durham who isn't obnoxiously proud of their college so regardless of which college you end up at, I'm sure you'll end up loving it anyways! (especially if you end up in the best college, which is my college, John Snow) :smile:

I would recommend going through the college comparison page on Durham's website here to find out more about what each college offers in terms of amenities. For me, my biggest considerations for which college I chose was whether it was catered/non-catered, its location, room types, and traditions.

For catering, the summary is that some colleges are catered and others are self-catered. Therefore if you are a picky-eater (like I am) it may make more sense to go to a self-catered college. Alternatively, if you don't want to worry about cooking for a year, self-catered may be a better option!

Some colleges also have different room types (including both shared and ensuite rooms) and if you're really dead-set on getting an ensuite - which was my main motivation in selecting a college - you should check out some of the newer colleges on the hill (but again, check the link!) I should point out that different room-types are also priced differently, so make sure to check out the residence charges here.

Durham's colleges are also informally split into the "hill" and "bailey" colleges, with the older, more Hogwart-y colleges located on the Bailey and the newer, more decked-out colleges located on the hill. As a member of a hill college myself, I find that the hill colleges generally are a lot more chill than the older colleges, which can be more traditional (but again, I am definitely biased!) Some colleges are also located closer to different teaching sites across Durham, and I would recommend going through this map to see which colleges are close to the sites important to you.

Finally, some colleges have gowned formals and some do not. Gowns are a tradition some colleges have at some colleges, which are type of cloak/robe that we wear to some events, primarily matriculation (our ceremony where we are formally accepted into the university). Some colleges have gowned formals (Durham-speak for fancy dinners) which require you to wear gowns and some don't. Just to clarify, all colleges have matriculation, formals, balls and all the bells and whistles that is Durham so the gowns are a pretty minor difference but again, most of the differences between colleges are pretty minor!

For your ECAs, I would definitely recommend continuing them at Durham! There are many societies at the university level (you can see the full list on the Durham Student Union website here) and also at the college level (you can check out the JCR webpages for each of the colleges you're interested in joining for this!) and you'll definitely be able to find something for you (or if not, you can start it!) I do know that there is a Dance Sport Team at the university level and the Durham Union for debating, which may pique your interest!

Now that I am actually here, I would like to reassure you that genuinely everyone loves their college and it isn't as big a deal as it seems when you're applying. Even though you will make friends at your college and find your community there, you'll also end up making friends from your course, other colleges and societies anyways so your college isn't the be all end all!

Hope this helps and hopefully, I'll see you next year :smile:
Lesath (DU Rep.)
#BleedBlue
Original post by DurhamRep Lesath
Hello!
As an international student myself, I definitely can relate to the stress that was selecting a college. If this is any consolation, I don't think I've ever met a student at Durham who isn't obnoxiously proud of their college so regardless of which college you end up at, I'm sure you'll end up loving it anyways! (especially if you end up in the best college, which is my college, John Snow) :smile:
I would recommend going through the college comparison page on Durham's website here to find out more about what each college offers in terms of amenities. For me, my biggest considerations for which college I chose was whether it was catered/non-catered, its location, room types, and traditions.
For catering, the summary is that some colleges are catered and others are self-catered. Therefore if you are a picky-eater (like I am) it may make more sense to go to a self-catered college. Alternatively, if you don't want to worry about cooking for a year, self-catered may be a better option!
Some colleges also have different room types (including both shared and ensuite rooms) and if you're really dead-set on getting an ensuite - which was my main motivation in selecting a college - you should check out some of the newer colleges on the hill (but again, check the link!) I should point out that different room-types are also priced differently, so make sure to check out the residence charges here.
Durham's colleges are also informally split into the "hill" and "bailey" colleges, with the older, more Hogwart-y colleges located on the Bailey and the newer, more decked-out colleges located on the hill. As a member of a hill college myself, I find that the hill colleges generally are a lot more chill than the older colleges, which can be more traditional (but again, I am definitely biased!) Some colleges are also located closer to different teaching sites across Durham, and I would recommend going through this map to see which colleges are close to the sites important to you.
Finally, some colleges have gowned formals and some do not. Gowns are a tradition some colleges have at some colleges, which are type of cloak/robe that we wear to some events, primarily matriculation (our ceremony where we are formally accepted into the university). Some colleges have gowned formals (Durham-speak for fancy dinners) which require you to wear gowns and some don't. Just to clarify, all colleges have matriculation, formals, balls and all the bells and whistles that is Durham so the gowns are a pretty minor difference but again, most of the differences between colleges are pretty minor!
For your ECAs, I would definitely recommend continuing them at Durham! There are many societies at the university level (you can see the full list on the Durham Student Union website here) and also at the college level (you can check out the JCR webpages for each of the colleges you're interested in joining for this!) and you'll definitely be able to find something for you (or if not, you can start it!) I do know that there is a Dance Sport Team at the university level and the Durham Union for debating, which may pique your interest!
Now that I am actually here, I would like to reassure you that genuinely everyone loves their college and it isn't as big a deal as it seems when you're applying. Even though you will make friends at your college and find your community there, you'll also end up making friends from your course, other colleges and societies anyways so your college isn't the be all end all!
Hope this helps and hopefully, I'll see you next year :smile:
Lesath (DU Rep.)
#BleedBlue

Hi there! I've just received an offer from Durham not long ago and only intend to stay in a college for my first year as I live locally but still want to get the uni experience, but the 16k I'll save from not staying at a college in yr 2 & 3 would be nice! I've put John Snow as my first choice and South college as my second, I was just wondering how likely it's gonna be for me to get into either of them?
Reply 3
Original post by DurhamRep Lesath
Hello!
As an international student myself, I definitely can relate to the stress that was selecting a college. If this is any consolation, I don't think I've ever met a student at Durham who isn't obnoxiously proud of their college so regardless of which college you end up at, I'm sure you'll end up loving it anyways! (especially if you end up in the best college, which is my college, John Snow) :smile:
I would recommend going through the college comparison page on Durham's website here to find out more about what each college offers in terms of amenities. For me, my biggest considerations for which college I chose was whether it was catered/non-catered, its location, room types, and traditions.
For catering, the summary is that some colleges are catered and others are self-catered. Therefore if you are a picky-eater (like I am) it may make more sense to go to a self-catered college. Alternatively, if you don't want to worry about cooking for a year, self-catered may be a better option!
Some colleges also have different room types (including both shared and ensuite rooms) and if you're really dead-set on getting an ensuite - which was my main motivation in selecting a college - you should check out some of the newer colleges on the hill (but again, check the link!) I should point out that different room-types are also priced differently, so make sure to check out the residence charges here.
Durham's colleges are also informally split into the "hill" and "bailey" colleges, with the older, more Hogwart-y colleges located on the Bailey and the newer, more decked-out colleges located on the hill. As a member of a hill college myself, I find that the hill colleges generally are a lot more chill than the older colleges, which can be more traditional (but again, I am definitely biased!) Some colleges are also located closer to different teaching sites across Durham, and I would recommend going through this map to see which colleges are close to the sites important to you.
Finally, some colleges have gowned formals and some do not. Gowns are a tradition some colleges have at some colleges, which are type of cloak/robe that we wear to some events, primarily matriculation (our ceremony where we are formally accepted into the university). Some colleges have gowned formals (Durham-speak for fancy dinners) which require you to wear gowns and some don't. Just to clarify, all colleges have matriculation, formals, balls and all the bells and whistles that is Durham so the gowns are a pretty minor difference but again, most of the differences between colleges are pretty minor!
For your ECAs, I would definitely recommend continuing them at Durham! There are many societies at the university level (you can see the full list on the Durham Student Union website here) and also at the college level (you can check out the JCR webpages for each of the colleges you're interested in joining for this!) and you'll definitely be able to find something for you (or if not, you can start it!) I do know that there is a Dance Sport Team at the university level and the Durham Union for debating, which may pique your interest!
Now that I am actually here, I would like to reassure you that genuinely everyone loves their college and it isn't as big a deal as it seems when you're applying. Even though you will make friends at your college and find your community there, you'll also end up making friends from your course, other colleges and societies anyways so your college isn't the be all end all!
Hope this helps and hopefully, I'll see you next year :smile:
Lesath (DU Rep.)
#BleedBlue

Hi. Thanks for the link to the comparison table. It shows Van Mildert having 61 shared rooms. However, other info and the accommodation services say there will be no shared rooms at Van Mildert.
Can you check and confirm please? And if that table is wrong, is there anyway to get it updated? There’s a big difference between having the most shared rooms if any college and having none! Cheers.
Original post by Anonymous
Hi there! I've just received an offer from Durham not long ago and only intend to stay in a college for my first year as I live locally but still want to get the uni experience, but the 16k I'll save from not staying at a college in yr 2 & 3 would be nice! I've put John Snow as my first choice and South college as my second, I was just wondering how likely it's gonna be for me to get into either of them?

Hello!!

Well done on getting into Durham and more importantly well done on getting into John Snow (which is my college a.k.a. the best college!)

Firstly, most students at Durham only stay one year in college because they university only guarantees one year of accommodation in college so you'll definitely not be missing out!

And as for your college preferences, the university tries to allocate you to your preferred colleges based on your college preference form but they also consider factors like the distribution of students from different courses across colleges when making their allocations. I would say that John Snow was my first choice and I did get in so hopefully you'll have the same luck!

For reference, the Palatinate (our student newspaper here in Durham) has reported that John Snow and South were the fifth and sixth most popular college this year (2024-25) based on which college students have chosen as their first choice, but again this may change and you are as likely as anyone else to get allocated to your first choice!

I do hope you get your preferred colleges!
Hope this helps!
Lesath (DU Rep.)
Original post by Wombat11
Hi. Thanks for the link to the comparison table. It shows Van Mildert having 61 shared rooms. However, other info and the accommodation services say there will be no shared rooms at Van Mildert.
Can you check and confirm please? And if that table is wrong, is there anyway to get it updated? There’s a big difference between having the most shared rooms if any college and having none! Cheers.

Hello!

Thank you for pointing this out! I'll try to find out how many shared rooms they have and let you know!

Lesath (DU Rep.)
Reply 6
Original post by Wombat11
Hi. Thanks for the link to the comparison table. It shows Van Mildert having 61 shared rooms. However, other info and the accommodation services say there will be no shared rooms at Van Mildert.
Can you check and confirm please? And if that table is wrong, is there anyway to get it updated? There’s a big difference between having the most shared rooms if any college and having none! Cheers.

Also, when I looked at the Undergraduate comparison table, it said that there were 2013 first year rooms at St Mary's when I believe it should be 213 (as it says on their college page)
Original post by DurhamRep Lesath
Hello!
Thank you for pointing this out! I'll try to find out how many shared rooms they have and let you know!
Lesath (DU Rep.)

Hi I am also trying to work out which college to go to, I would like a single room and I enjoy sports too, I was wondering if you had any thoughts?
Reply 8
Original post by Anonymous
Hi I am also trying to work out which college to go to, I would like a single room and I enjoy sports too, I was wondering if you had any thoughts?

Collingwood is said to be very good for sport and has good results
Original post by DurhamRep Lesath
Hello!
Thank you for pointing this out! I'll try to find out how many shared rooms they have and let you know!
Lesath (DU Rep.)

Hi!

I have checked with our team and they recommended looking at the Official College Guide for more accurate information!

We're really sorry about the mix up and we are working on trying to fix it ASAP :smile:

Lesath (DU Rep.)
Original post by Anonymous
Hi I am also trying to work out which college to go to, I would like a single room and I enjoy sports too, I was wondering if you had any thoughts?

Hi!

I would definitely recommend checking out the hill colleges if you want to have a higher chance of getting single room (though most of the Bailey colleges do have single rooms it's just that the hill colleges have more of them). As for sports, I thinking Collingwood college would be the most sport-y college in general, but again I would recommend checking out the JCR pages for each of the colleges to see if the sports you play are available!

Lesath (DU Rep.)

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