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Postgraduate Frequently Asked Questions
College Membership & Allocation
What college membership means, how preferences work, and how allocations are made.
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Every postgraduate student at Durham University is a member of a college. Colleges form a core part of the postgraduate experience, providing academic communities, social opportunities, wellbeing support, and a sense of belonging, regardless of whether you live in college accommodation.
Further information about postgraduate college membership is available on the University website.
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Yes. Postgraduate applicants must formally accept an academic offer from Durham University before they are eligible to submit a College Membership & Accommodation Application and rank college preferences.
Accepting an offer makes you eligible to apply for college membership but does not guarantee allocation to a particular college. -
Yes. Postgraduate applicants may rank five colleges in order of preference within the College Membership & Accommodation Application. You may also submit an ‘open’ application if you do not wish to express a preference.
Preferences are taken into account as part of the allocation process but cannot be guaranteed.
All preferences are considered in line with the University’s published allocation processes.
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No. All colleges are multidisciplinary communities and are not linked to specific academic subjects. You may express a preference for any of the 17 colleges that admit postgraduate students.
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Postgraduate college allocations normally commence from June, although timings may vary depending on your programme start date and mode of study.
You will be contacted directly once your allocation has been confirmed.Further details are published on the postgraduate allocation process webpages.
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No. Once a college allocation has been made, it will not normally be changed at an applicant’s request.
An exception may be considered where a student has a medical or disability-related needthat cannot reasonably be met within the allocated college, following assessment and recommendation by Disability Support Services through the Disability Disclosure process.
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No. All colleges are multidisciplinary communities and offer a wide range of activities and opportunities.
There are also extensive inter-collegiate and University-wide activities available to all students. Individual interests, skills, or abilities are not considered as part of the published college allocation process.
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No. College allocation is based on two principles only:
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maintaining multidisciplinary academic communities; and
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applicant preference.
Colleges are not allocated based on facilities. Allocation confirms membership of a college community, not access to a particular room type, catering arrangement, or facility.
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No. Durham University does not operate college waiting lists, either centrally or within individual colleges.
Once a college allocation has been made, it will not normally be changed at an applicant’s request. An exception may be considered where a student has a medical or disability-related need that cannot reasonably be met within the allocated college, following assessment and recommendation by Disability Support Services through the Disability Disclosure process.
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No. College swaps are not permitted.
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There is no appeals process for college allocation decisions.
Where a student has a medical or disability-related need, they must follow the Disability Disclosure process. The University will first consider whether reasonable adjustments can be made within the allocated college.
Only where a student’s needs cannot reasonably be met will a change of college be considered, based on an assessment and recommendation by Disability Support Services. Decisions reached through this process are final.
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You may submit or update a combined College Membership & Accommodation Application up until the postgraduate college allocation process begins (normally June). You will be notified of the relevant deadline as part of the application process.
The most recent application received before allocations commence will be used when determining both your college allocation and consideration for University accommodation. Changes cannot be made once the allocation process has begun.
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Yes. Applicants who have previously been members of a Durham college are normally able to retain their college for postgraduate membership, subject to eligibility and published allocation processes.
To be considered, you must submit the College Membership & Accommodation Application, indicating that you are a previous college member and that you wish to remain a member of your current college.
Applicants studying on a part-time or distance learning basis are allocated to specific colleges based on their programme of study and are not able to express preferences for college membership.
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No. If you defer your postgraduate offer, any college allocation and accommodation consideration will be withdrawn.
You will be required to submit a new College Membership & Accommodation Application for the academic year in which you intend to commence your studies. Neither college membership nor accommodation can be guaranteed following deferral.
Accommodation, Living Arrangements & Support
Accommodation interest, catering, medical needs, and returning students.
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University accommodation is applied for through the College Membership & Accommodation Application.
Within the application, you can indicate whether you wish to be considered for University accommodation alongside your college membership preferences.
Indicating an interest in accommodation does not guarantee an offer. All accommodation offers are made subject to availability and operational requirements at the time of allocation.
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Postgraduate students may express interest in returning to their college for accommodation in subsequent years through the relevant application process.
Accommodation beyond the first year is not guaranteed and is subject to availability and college capacity.
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No. College allocation relates to membership, not accommodation alone.
Your college provides academic, social, and pastoral support, as well as opportunities for involvement and leadership, regardless of where you live.
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No. Once a college allocation has been made, it will not normally be changed at an applicant’s request on financial grounds.
An exception may be considered where a student has a medical or disability-related need that cannot reasonably be met within the allocated college, following assessment and recommendation by Disability Support Services through the Disability Disclosure process.
Catered colleges typically provide around 650 meals per year, averaging just over £4 per meal, and remove the need for food shopping or cooking equipment.
Information on managing your finances, cost of living, and additional support is available on the University website.
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Yes. All colleges are experienced in supporting a wide range of dietary requirements, including complex needs, where reasonably practicable.
You are encouraged to contact your allocated college directly to discuss your individual requirements.
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Where a student has a medical or disability-related need, the University will first consider whether reasonable adjustments can be made within the allocated college.
If your needs cannot reasonably be met, you should complete the Disability Disclosure Form so that your circumstances can be assessed by Disability Support Services. A change of college will only be considered where recommended following this assessment.