Durham is a collegiate university, so most first-year students live in one of its colleges, and the university says all new undergraduates are guaranteed an offer of university accommodation. Charges depend on your college. At St John’s College, for example, 2026/27 undergraduate rooms cost £251.55 to £299.66 a week on a catered basis. This guide explains how college accommodation works, what one college charges, the guarantee and what to check before you accept.
Durham’s colleges set their own residence charges. The only college price list I could verify for this page is St John’s College for 2026/27, so use it as an example, not an average. Check your own college’s current charges.
How college accommodation works at Durham
According to the university’s undergraduate accommodation page, all new undergraduates are guaranteed an offer of university accommodation. The sequence is:
- A preference form is emailed to all firm and insurance offer holders in early June.
- For 2026 entry the form stayed open until August 2026, with the final date published in advance.
- Accommodation offers are made once final college membership allocations are confirmed.
- If you decline or miss the deadline, the university cannot guarantee a further offer.
The university’s menu lists 17 colleges. The page does not explain how colleges are allocated, so read the university’s separate page on the membership allocation process before you fill in your preferences.
Example college charges: St John’s College (2026/27)
St John’s College publishes its 2026 residence charges. Undergraduate accommodation there is catered, and the weekly figure is an average across catered and non-catered weeks:
| Room type | Let length | Total | Weekly equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twin room, shared bathroom | 39 weeks | £9,810.41 | £251.55 |
| Standard room, shared bathroom | 39 weeks | £10,430.80 | £267.46 |
| Twin room, shared en suite | 39 weeks | £11,019.65 | £282.56 |
| En suite room | 39 weeks | £11,686.83 | £299.66 |
| Standard room, shared bathroom | 40 weeks | £10,616.06 | £265.40 |
| En suite room | 40 weeks | £11,904.31 | £297.61 |
These totals include catering of £3,213.57 for 39 or 40 weeks. St John’s also lists 38-week lets. The college says not to use the weekly equivalent to calculate charges for periods shorter than the full licence, so compare the totals. Postgraduate charges at St John’s are on 43 to 52-week lets and are listed on the same document.
Living out and private options
Most students move out of college after the first year into shared houses in and around the city, or into private purpose-built blocks. I did not verify current prices for these, so compare each landlord’s or provider’s own price list, bills and contract length. Our guide to university halls versus private student housing explains the differences.
What to check before you accept
- Your own college’s residence charges, including catering and let length, not only the weekly equivalent.
- Twin, standard or en suite, as the price gap is significant.
- Whether the college is catered or self-catered, and how that affects your food budget.
- The deadline on your preference form and what happens if you decline.
- Safety basics. See our student accommodation safety guide and checklist.
For help with the wider costs, read our student budgeting tips. Comparing cities? See our guides to York, Newcastle and Exeter, or browse all UK city guides.
Frequently asked questions
Does Durham guarantee accommodation?
Yes. The university says all new undergraduate students are guaranteed an offer of university accommodation. If you decline an offer or miss the preference form deadline, it cannot guarantee a further offer.
How much does Durham college accommodation cost?
It varies by college. At St John’s College for 2026/27, catered undergraduate rooms work out at £251.55 to £299.66 a week on 39 or 40-week lets, with totals of about £9,810 to £11,904. Check your own college’s charges.
How many colleges does Durham have?
The university’s website lists 17 colleges for undergraduates.
When do I choose my Durham college preferences?
The preference form is emailed to firm and insurance offer holders in early June. For 2026 entry it stayed open until August 2026. Offers follow once final college membership is confirmed.
