Durham Colleges - The complete guide/tour 

POV: you are entering in 2021 and Durham asked you for a list of your preferences

If anyone is interested, here's a few things about the colleges I've learnt from my first year in Durham: 1. The vast majority of people fall in love with their college, even if it's not the one they originally picked. I was reallocated but now I honestly can't imagine being at a different college 2. Durham is a small city and most sites are within easy walking distance of all colleges 3. Most colleges allow guests to participate in their formals and events, so you may be able to experience a gowned formal at a friend's college, or vice versa 4. You will be able to make friends with people from other colleges. Most people will be lovely, but don't feel like you can only get to know the people on your corridor 5. You tend to get out of the colleges what you put in. If you spend a lot of time in the college bar or with college mates, you'll feel part of the community very quickly. On the other hand, some choose to spend more time with course or society mates, and they're equally happy Hope that's helpful!

I love how this video isn't particularly positive about any colleges except St. Cuthbert's

Your videos are sooo helpful, got into Durham this year and this is like a complete guide before entering the uni. Thankyou :) Hope to see you there

Thanks for this video! Memories are rushing to my mind!! I'm an Ustinovian 2010-11 batch 😍

I have been searching for a video like this for MONTHS thank you so so much you've just saved hours of my life 🤩

This was legitimately so so so helpful! thank you!!

I'm so glad there is finally a good college guide video! THANK YOU - when I was choosing my college, this is exactly what I would have needed! You'll be helping A LOT of people with this video :)

i am hoping to apply to go this year and just looking at these colleges and reading about them im 100% aiming for collingwood or aidans they are the colleges i feel i would be most at home in and i really love the thought of catered so its one less stress i have ontop of the studies i want to do it will give me more of a chance to do societies and sports clubs and study

On a Durham YT binge right now, I’m coming in September for English Lit! Honestly can’t wait, love the video :-)

Thank you for this video! I was unsure on what college to pick but this has made it easier for me. I got an offer for Theology and Religion back in January.

I’m not a uni student but I’ve hopped the fence at collingwood astro more than 100 times it’s pretty class

Hoping I get into St Marys! Watching this now even though I already firmed my preferences a while back haha. I'd totally be ready to take on the St Marys running challenge😂

thank you SO much for this video.

I used your video to put my preferences for the colleges thanks!

Starting at Butler this year, can't wait!

I am a mother from Hong Kong. This video is very useful for me and my daughter to choose college preference.Thank you very much

Thanks so much, really helpful! :D

Thank you very much for the video guide!!! Cannot wait to be there Mid Sep!!!😀😀😀😀

Yay I’m actually living at south atm 🎉 glad you didn’t forget it haha

the new Jack Edwards

Do all of the colleges cost the same? Ignoring the fact that catered are going to be more than self catered, which rooms/colleges are more expensive (or are they the same)?

Very helpful video :)) which college would be best if you wanted to study English lit! One on the Bailey??

if you get put in st cuthberts, can you choose between the catered and self catered accom or is it randomly allocated?

my school has close relations with van mildert college, it’s a great laugh and has a great community vibe with everyone being like one family, just watch out for the swans

Chads bar is my FAVOURITE! Also had pres there before going to Jimmys!

I originally wanted to apply to South College due to how modern it is and the new hub building, however, after speaking to someone who goes to Durham she said that the best colleges in her opinion are university college, st johns, chads and Mary’s. I am really stuck as to which one to go for. What colleges would you recommend (one with good performing arts facilities, a high chance of getting a big bedroom with an en-suite and ideally catered)? :)

I go to mildert! I’m in my second year now as a psych student. Won’t miss college catered food though😂

really helpful!!!!! thank youuuuuuuu

This makes me want to go to Uni!

if you live in a different college, can you access facilities from other colleges?

Charlie can you please tell me the courses or what ever you know about the FORENSIC SCIENCE department ( for external students as well) in Durham ?! That would be of great help. Btw you look healthy and ig you gained some ❤ :)

im thinking of applying to durham and if i get in i will be moving from sweden to england which i find to be a massive step so im quite nervous hahahah i was wondering what college is the best if your taking a psychology, philosophy or music course. Im interested in castle but ive heard its quite hard to get into, do they choose randomly or is it grade based?

Great video! Thank you so much! I have one question regarding the allocation process: I entered “O” at UCAS. I get accepted, will I have the chance to still express my preference or will I get allocated to a random college? And what are the best colleges with en-suite bathrooms? Do you have this at Cuths? If yes, I’m definitely gonna apply at Cuths Let’s see… fingers crossed

Would you say the people who go there are from working-class or a mix of different backgrounds?

Hello! I live in the US but I am seriously considering applying to this college. Were there any/many international students at Durham? Just curious. Thanks for an amazing video!

does this count for only the first year of accommodation? I hope the question makes sense

hello, I'm 22fall durham offer holder and I choose St Cuthbert's society, I would like to know how to choose baily and parsons.....Thanks!

What's the deal with having two accomodation sites for Cuths? Can you choose? I'd like to have the option of being self catered sometimes but I prefer the Bailey site..

Which of these colleges is the best for Bacherlors in Engineering?

Just watched this out of curiosity because it came up in my recommended and it makes Durham look a lot better and nicer than it is ahah

hey thx 4 the video. im currently debating between johns and chads, whats ur take on this?

Hey! Just wondering obviously each college had their bar but how much/what drinks should I bring for freshers??

Hey Charlie!Hope you’re well, this was so helpful! I’m applying for History & Combined honours this year. So torn which college I should apply to. I want to be near the Bailey & want traditional - gowned college? Don’t wanna apply for castle cause you don’t actually live in the castle & will most likely to be allocated elsewhere ... same with Chads. I’ll be 20 when I start, is it normal at Durham for people to be 1-2 years old in first year?

I was allocated in Collingwood, which may be a good college but it wasn't one of my three preferences😂😭why this happen...but still, thx a lot for making this video

Nice ,man

how likely is it that you get a shared room? really want to apply to cuths or chads but i think a lot of the rooms are shared. are there many colleges on the bailey with no shared rooms? thanks so much for this video, was really helpful!!

Hi, I’m thinking of applying to Durham this year (start 2021). Is it harder to get into a college such as St Chads/St John as they are smaller? I would much prefer a smaller college as I’m not the most outgoing! And would also love to be in the Bailey.

Hello, I’m not from the uk so I’m not very familiar with the “college” term. Can you please explain what you mean by college? Is it where you take your classes or the accommodations? I really like Durham and wanna apply there when I’m older! I’m just confused on what everyone means by college. Thanks!

I am about to list my preferences. I’ve got a conditional offer for next fall but I still can’t decide which college. I was thinking about St Johns. Do you have any other opinions about that college?

Do they reallocate you in a college which is similar to one you put down? Like if you put down one on the Bailey will you most likely get another on the Bailey?

I put my top choice as st chad’s but got Hatfield instead and im currently in a bit of a spiral. I’ve seen many mixed reviews on the college and I just really want to switch...

Can’t wait to join South this year

Emm just wanna ask if I'm taking Archaeology, which college should I choose in terms of locations and stuff? I'm considering St.Mary, Cuth's and Grey rn

Hello 👋, do you get assigned a college or do you choose. If I was doing psychology would I be put in a specific one or is it just random.

i miss my uni. i need to visit soon

Do you ever wear a gown if you go to Cuths?

Is st Mary’s good for sport/dance/performing arts? Also, what are the top 5 most popular colleges?

Hi! I am trying to choose a college and I will be applying for economics which is in the business department. Do you think it would be a long walk to St.Chads every day?

I debating between Grey and Mary’s I can’t decide!

How are the law students like in durham and what college do you think most of them are in?

Hey! just curious do you know which college would be best for someone taking a finance degree, dont want to have to walk too far haha!

Hi, I am an international student, as a Latina I am quite interested if there are any colleges that might be less inclusive? or that are lacking diversity? As well I seem to find a lot of clubs of Durham Uni yet idk which college they belong to? are there non-assigned college clubs? I will be studying Business and Castle seems lovely but let me know if it might not be the right option. Thank you!

if you had to pick another college other than cuths which would you want to be in?

Which is cheaper self catered or catered? 😭 and also what colleges have the best but cheapest formals? Ty!

Are the stereotypes of colleges actually that relevant in practice? I’m applying to Durham this year and want to apply to Castle as I’ve dreamed of going there since I was like 13 lol. Even though it’s so unlikely that I’ll get into Durham and even less likely to get allocated Castle, would I be less likely to fit in since I’m from a state school and not at all posh (actually left a private school as I didn’t fit the stereotypes there)?

how far is st johns to the science department I'm applying for geophysics and having difficulty choosing between st marys st johns and st Cuthberts also greys too

which is closest to the languages area? I have an offer from castle but I’ve got no idea how far away it is haha

This might sound really dumb (I went to a state school 🤣) but what’s a gown formal ?

St John’s is the best

I have applied to Archeology and Anthopology at Durham, which colleges are the closest ones to the departments?

Hello, I am looking to attend either Durham or Newcastle Uni in Sept 2021 but I will be living at home as a mature student, do you only sign up for a college at Durham if you are going to be living there? UCAS application for Durham has thrown me off, asking which college I want to be in, along side my course.

just got allocated to cuthbert!

Got to say, I really rate your intro music haha! Ooooyyyyyyy.

I should see this video before i chose the college on last year 🤣

Can you choose to be at parsons field in st cuthberts?

Does it matter if your college is on the Bailey but your department is on the hill??

Are there halal meal plans in collingwood college?

I'm vegan so I was just wondering if any catered colleges have (nice) vegan options (especially Cuths), or is it better just to go for self-catered?

Which is closer to the psychology buildings, St. Mary’s or Josephine Butler?

What is Buiness What Mangement Who is the Master Of Buiness Kindly Understand In MBA Four things Very important

when you apply to durham does the college you apply to affect your chance of getting into the university generally. like if i applied to a very popular college like castle would that lessen my chances of getting in overall??

Do many Americans get accepted to Durham... I want to go so bad but I live in New York?

Hoping someone can help me with this - is Durham a wheelchair-friendly city? In recent months my health has deteriorated badly and my GP has said I may need to use a wheelchair "most days" once I start my Masters. some of these pavements looked quite cobbled and it looks quite hilly, can anyone confirm/deny?

I’m not having this . Mildert’s lake is beautiful and houses Dave the swan (an actual icon) . Yes, it might be a biohazard but it’s beautiful to me 😍

Lived in London my whole life might consider Durham for uni

I heard that you get to choose the colleges when you accept the offer, like a house in Harry Potter, is that true,? And your college community will be like your family. ?

Is the Castle the most difficult to get into?!

When can I apply for next year 2021-2022? :O Can someone help me with this info?

Just wondering when you apply for accommodation do you rank you put one down or a few ranked. Also does location matter with colleges?

Hi I’m thinking of applying to Durham and I was wondering what the diversity is like as I have heard some horror stories

hmm feeling like maybe i should have actually picked a college on my application now...

aw i miss durham 🥺Grey's the BEST thoooooo just saying

I was looking for accommodation at Durham, I've understood that we call these accommodations as college !?

What about South College?

What a shame you dismissed Hild Bede, both as being an outlier and with the shortest information. It has beautiful views, great facilities, and right next to the river. Why not visit the bar and meet everyone there?

💚💚💚wow

I applied for hatfield bc i did no research before applying............i'm not a rah.......severely regretting that decision

how many of the college songs do you know?

What is the nearest college to the economics dept ?