In Durham you do not choose a hall: every undergraduate is allocated to a college, which then determines the rooms you can be offered. University college rooms for new undergraduates cost from £169.15 to £308.22 a week for 2026/27, with the highest figures including catering. Rank colleges carefully, but do not count on your first choice.
Our picks for student halls in Durham
These are Unifresher’s editorial picks, based on the prices, contracts and locations listed below. No hall paid to be here.
It combines a central location with catered and self-catered rooms, and has the widest price range of the colleges we list, from £169.15 a week.
It has a single self-catered standard room for £185.06 a week. Only a shared twin room at St Cuthbert's costs less.
Durham puts it about six minutes on foot from the Mountjoy site, the shortest walk of the colleges on this page.
It has the most student members of any college here, plus a theatre, recording studio, media suite and a large bar with a terrace.
Catered en-suite plus rooms reach £308.22 a week, with meals in the Great Hall of Durham Castle.
Durham halls compared on price
The weekly figure is only half the story, because contract lengths differ. The table below multiplies each rent by its charged weeks so you can compare what a year really costs.
Lowest listed weekly rent. Prices are for the latest year each provider has published, so compare the years shown. Your room type and contract may cost more.
| Hall | Type | From/week | Weeks | Contract total | Food | Bills in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Cuthbert's Society | College | £169.152026/27 | 39 | £6,597 | Optional | Yes |
| Stephenson College | College | £185.062026/27 | 39 | £7,217 | Self-catered | Yes |
| South College | College | £207.572026/27 | 39 | £8,095 | Self-catered | Yes |
| Josephine Butler College | College | £217.262026/27 | 39 | £8,473 | Self-catered | Yes |
| College of St Hild and St Bede | College | £225.822026/27 | 39 | £8,807 | Self-catered | Yes |
| University College | College | £225.822026/27 | 39 | £8,807 | Optional | Yes |
| Houghall Court | Private | £2342027/28 | Check | Check | Self-catered | Yes |
| Hatfield College | College | £251.552026/27 | 39 | £9,810 | Catered | Yes |
| Grey College | College | £251.552026/27 | 39 | £9,810 | Catered | Yes |
| Collingwood College | College | £267.462026/27 | 39 | £10,431 | Catered | Yes |
| Chapel Heights | Private | £2822026/27 | Check | Check | Self-catered | Yes |
| Elvet Studios | Private | £2842027/28 | Check | Check | Self-catered | Yes |
The best student halls in Durham
Jump to a hall
St Cuthbert's Society
Cuth's spreads across the historic Bailey and modern Parson's Field, and offers both catered and self-catered rooms. Its self-catered twin room at £169.15 is the cheapest room in any University-priced college we checked. With boathouse, gyms and bars on both sites, it suits anyone wanting a central base.
Worth knowing: The lowest price is a twin room, so you would share with another student.
Key facts
Popular with: Durham University
Where: Bailey and Parson's Field
Getting in: 12 minutes' walk to the Mountjoy site and 10 minutes to the city centre
Best for: Central location with flexible catering
Stephenson College
Stephenson is our budget pick among single rooms, with a self-catered standard room at £185.06 a week and £7,217.24 for the year. Former farmland gives it a greener setting close to the Bill Bryson Library and Teaching and Learning Centre. Two gyms, a cafe bar and an art studio round it out.
Worth knowing: It is 28 minutes on foot from the city centre, so nights out mean a longer trek home.
Key facts
Popular with: Durham University
Where: Hill, former Howlands Farm
Getting in: 13 minutes' walk to the Mountjoy site and 28 minutes to the city centre
Best for: Cheapest single room with self-catering
South College
South is Durham's newest college, founded in 2020, with a theatre, drama studio, yoga and dance studio, gym and bar. Even its shared-bathroom rooms have a three-quarter bed and share between just two people. Prices match John Snow College, which has the same room types, and all rooms are self-catered.
Worth knowing: It is one of the longest walks to the city centre at 31 minutes.
Key facts
Popular with: Durham University
Where: Hill
Getting in: 17 minutes' walk to the Mountjoy site and 31 minutes to the city centre
Best for: Modern facilities at a mid-range rent
Josephine Butler College
Butler is the simple choice if you want a private bathroom and no meal plan: all its rooms are en-suite, at one published first-year price of £217.26. That makes it about £82 a week below the catered en-suite rate, though you will need to budget for food yourself. A bar, gym, music and art rooms are on site.
Worth knowing: You buy and cook all your own food, so add your grocery costs to the rent.
Key facts
Popular with: Durham University
Where: Hill
Getting in: 13 minutes' walk to the Mountjoy site and 26 minutes to the city centre
Best for: A private bathroom on the Hill
College of St Hild and St Bede
Hild Bede is fully en-suite and self-catered, built around a new common room, cafe bar, gym and study spaces. It is one of the few self-catered colleges with rooms close to the city, so you get a shorter walk to the city centre. Studios at £249.77 are the top rate.
Worth knowing: Anyone based at the Mountjoy site may find the 25-minute walk long.
Key facts
Popular with: Durham University
Where: City
Getting in: 25 minutes' walk to the Mountjoy site and 12 minutes to the city centre
Best for: Self-catering closer to the city
University College
This is the college in Durham Castle, with meals in the Great Hall and more than 40 sports clubs, groups and societies. Catered shared, single and limited en-suite rooms sit in and around the Castle, while New Kepier Court, 15 minutes away, offers self-catered studios. It is our premium pick, for the setting more than for the rooms themselves.
Worth knowing: Studios and flats are at New Kepier Court, 15 minutes from the Castle itself, so check which site you might get.
Key facts
Popular with: Durham University
Where: Durham Castle and New Kepier Court
Getting in: 13 minutes' walk to the Mountjoy site and 4 minutes to the city centre
Best for: Living in a castle, if allocated
Hatfield College
Hatfield is on the Bailey close to the Cathedral, in a mix of listed buildings and more modern blocks. A sports court, gym and boathouse sit alongside its own chapel and multi-purpose bar, and gowned formal dinners are part of college life. Catering is compulsory, which raises the weekly bill but saves on shopping.
Worth knowing: Catering is compulsory for all, and some rooms are shared.
Key facts
Popular with: Durham University
Where: Bailey
Getting in: 11 minutes' walk to the Mountjoy site and 6 minutes to the city centre
Best for: Traditional Bailey life with catering
Grey College
Grey has the shortest walk to the Mountjoy site of the colleges here, at about six minutes. Most rooms are standard singles, and there are four blocks for first years. The Greyhound bar, toastie bar, multi-use games area and music practice rooms give plenty to do without leaving the grounds.
Worth knowing: Most rooms lack a private bathroom, and the city centre is 22 minutes away.
Key facts
Popular with: Durham University
Where: Hill, by the Mountjoy site
Getting in: 6 minutes' walk to the Mountjoy site and 22 minutes to the city centre
Best for: Short walk to Mountjoy lectures
Collingwood College
Collingwood is the largest college by membership, at 1,797 students, on a big site near the Botanic Garden. Its theatre, media suite, recording studio, dance studio and large bar with an outdoor terrace make it strong for extracurricular life. We think that range is what justifies choosing it over a smaller Hill college.
Worth knowing: With no room under £267.46, it costs more than colleges offering shared twins, and the city centre is a 23-minute walk.
Key facts
Popular with: Durham University
Where: Hill, near the Botanic Garden
Getting in: 10 minutes' walk to the Mountjoy site and 23 minutes to the city centre
Best for: Societies, theatre and a big community
Houghall Court
Houghall Court houses 222 students on East Durham College's Houghall campus by the River Wear, with Durham University's Graham Sports Centre across the road. Bills are included, and Unite says there is no deposit. It is worth a look for a sporty student who decides not to take a college room, or misses the offer deadline.
Worth knowing: University sites are a bus ride away rather than a short walk.
Key facts
Popular with: Durham University
Where: Houghall, East Durham College campus
Getting in: A local bus serves the Durham University campuses, and the city centre is under a mile away
Best for: Private option beside the sports centre
Elvet Studios
All 112 rooms here are self-contained studios with a private kitchen and bathroom, overlooking a cricket ground by the river. It suits older or postgraduate students who want their own space, though it costs about as much per week as a catered college room with all its food. Bills are included.
Worth knowing: It costs well above a self-catered college en-suite at £217.26, with no meals included.
Key facts
Popular with: Durham University
Where: Green Lane, near the River Wear
Getting in: About 15 minutes' walk to the city centre and Bill Bryson Library, and about 20 to the main campus
Best for: Private studio life near the river
Chapel Heights
Chapel Heights offers studios with a double bed, TV and dishwasher, plus a 24-hour gym, cinema room and hosting kitchen. Dual occupancy is available. For the money, it only makes sense if you specifically want a studio outside the college system.
Worth knowing: Its studios were marked fully booked for 2026/27 when we checked, with a waitlist.
Key facts
Popular with: Durham University
Where: Durham city
Getting in: 20-minute walk to Durham University, by the operator's figure; its FAQ says about 15 to the main campus
Best for: Studios with a gym and cinema room
Will the maintenance loan cover it?
The maximum loan for a student in England living away from home outside London is £10,830 for 2026/27. Most students get less, because it is means-tested. Here is how the cheapest and dearest contracts on this page compare with that maximum.
St Cuthbert's Society: £6,597 over 39 weeks leaves £4,233 for everything else.
Collingwood College: £10,431 over 39 weeks leaves £399 for everything else.
Where students live in Durham
The Bailey
The historic centre around the Cathedral, home to colleges including Hatfield and St Cuthbert's. Close to Elvet Riverside lecture theatres and the Students' Union, with the Mountjoy site 10 to 15 minutes away.
Worth knowing: Catering is compulsory at some Bailey colleges, including Hatfield.
The Hill
South of the city and five to 10 minutes' walk from the Mountjoy site, the Bill Bryson Library and the Teaching and Learning Centre. Grey, Collingwood, Stephenson and others are here.
Worth knowing: The city centre is around 15 to 30 minutes on foot.
City and Elvet
Hild Bede and St Cuthbert's Parson's Field site sit closer to the centre. Chapel Heights and Elvet Studios are private options about 15 to 20 minutes' walk from the university.
Worth knowing: Mountjoy lectures can mean a 25-minute walk.
Houghall
A quieter spot by the River Wear, on East Durham College's campus, with a local bus to the university sites. Houghall Court is here.
Worth knowing: You will rely on the bus for many trips.
When to apply for Durham halls
- 14 JanuaryCollege preference submission opened for 2026 entry. Rank up to 16 colleges in the Undergraduate Applicant Portal.
- 15 May, 2pmDeadline for on-time applicants to submit college preferences in 2026.
- End of MayPreliminary college allocations are sent by email. They are provisional until results are in.
- 8 JuneThe accommodation preference form was emailed to firm and insurance offer holders.
- 28 JulyThe accommodation preference form closed for 2026 entry.
- After A-level resultsFinal college membership is confirmed and accommodation offers are issued. Accept by the stated deadline or the room is reallocated.
of the 500 UK students in our 2026 Student Experience Survey had hit at least one housing issue. Housemates (34%), the property itself (32%) and Wi-Fi (29%) came up most, so read the contract and ask about repairs and internet before you commit.
Keep planning your move to Durham
FAQs
How does Durham college allocation work?
Rank up to 16 colleges in the applicant portal. Durham then puts offer holders in a random order and tries each person's first preference, subject to space for their department and fee status, then moves to further preferences. If none are available, you can be placed in a college you did not list. There are no waiting lists.
Can I choose my college or change it afterwards?
You can state preferences, but they are not guaranteed, and allocations cannot be negotiated. Durham does not run waiting lists or transfer lists for changes based on personal preference. Every undergraduate gets a college, even without University accommodation. Your college stays with you for your whole degree, so rank honestly, and think about catering and location.
What are the cheapest rooms in Durham colleges?
The cheapest new undergraduate room we found is a self-catered twin at St Cuthbert's Society, £169.15 a week for 2026/27. A self-catered single standard room costs £185.06 at Stephenson or St Cuthbert's. Durham says the same room type and contract costs the same across colleges, so a college's mix of rooms matters more than its name.
Are first years guaranteed a room in Durham?
Yes. All new undergraduates are guaranteed an offer of University accommodation, as long as they say they want one on the preference form. It does not promise a specific college, site or room type. If you decline or miss the deadline, a further offer is not guaranteed. Second and third years normally live in private housing.
What do catered colleges in Durham cost?
Catered colleges add a compulsory catering charge of £3,213.57 to the room charge for 2026/27. That gives you 21 meals a week during term, at £107.11 a week for 30 weeks. A catered en-suite totals £11,686.83 for 39 weeks, against £8,473.26 for a self-catered en-suite. Your college allocation decides which applies.
When should I submit my Durham preferences?
There are two steps. For 2026 entry, college preferences opened on 14 January and closed for on-time applicants on 15 May. The accommodation form was emailed on 8 June and closed on 28 July. Dates for 2027 entry were not confirmed when we checked, so watch your email and the Durham website.
What about St Chad's and St John's?
These are recognised colleges that run their own accommodation. St John's published 2026/27 undergraduate rooms from £251.55 to £299.66 a week, all catered on the Bailey. St Chad's says its charges align with the University's, and that most first years share a room, with catered Bailey or self-catered Trinity Hall options.
Should I take a private hall instead of a college room?
Most first years will find the college room simpler and often cheaper. Private studios we checked start from £234 at Houghall Court and £284 at Elvet Studios for 2027/28, and £282 at Chapel Heights for 2026/27. You stay a college member either way, but declining your University offer means a further one is not guaranteed.
Official resources
- Durham University accommodation Official halls information
- Durham undergraduate residence charges Every college, room type and weekly equivalent
- How college allocation works The randomised process, step by step
- Expressing a college preference Portal dates and what preferences mean
- Applying for accommodation The guarantee and preference form
- Durham colleges overview Compare colleges and download the guide
Run student accommodation in Durham?
Put your rooms in front of students choosing where to live. Talk to us about clearly labelled partner placements and campaigns.
How we built this guide: prices, contract lengths and facilities come from university and operator websites where they publish them, and from named listing sites otherwise. We checked them in November 2026 and each price links to its source. Rent for the contract is our own sum of the lowest listed weekly rent multiplied by its charged weeks, before any deposit, booking fee or discount. Rooms sell out and prices change, so confirm with the provider before you book. How we compare student accommodation.