Durham · Student city guide
A small, beautiful city built around a UNESCO World Heritage cathedral and castle, a world-class university and a college system that shapes your whole social life. This is how Durham actually works for students: where to live, what it costs and where to go out.
17
colleges, the heart of Durham student life
£145–£195
a week for a room in a shared house
£1
bus singles if you're 21 or under
UNESCO
World Heritage cathedral and castle in the middle of town
Last checked: November 2026
Peninsula to the Hill
Durham is tiny and walkable, but hilly. The university's colleges split into the Bailey colleges, on the peninsula by the cathedral, and the Hill colleges, near the Science Site to the south. Here's how the student map fits together.
Bring good shoes: almost everything is walkable, but the cobbles and hills are steep. If you're 21 or under, bus singles in the North East are £1. Adult singles are capped at £2.50.
1
The cathedral, the castle (home to University College) and the Bailey colleges on the river peninsula.
2
The city centre, the 175-year-old Market Hall, the Gala Theatre and riverside bars.
3
Durham's most famous student area, between the station, the Science Site and town.
4
The Hill colleges, the Science Site, the Botanic Garden and the Business School.
5
Riverside walks, rowing clubs and Prebends Bridge, with the best view of the cathedral.
“If you ask a Durham student where they're living, there's a good chance they'll say the Viaduct.”
Bea Pescott-Khan, Unifresher Durham writer · Read: the fresher's guide to Durham's neighbourhoods →
University
Durham University is collegiate: every student belongs to a college, which is your home in first year and the centre of your social life. Most students live in college in first year, then move out to the Viaduct, Gilesgate or Elvet.
Russell Group · City campus
One of the UK's top universities, known for law, history, English, sciences and business, with departments spread between the peninsula and the Science Site.
Bailey and Hill
From University College in Durham Castle to modern Hill colleges, each has its own bar, formals, sports teams and traditions.
Still deciding? Read our guide: is Durham University good? →
Neighbourhoods
Six areas cover most of Durham's student housing. Durham is one of the pricier student cities outside London, so the pound signs show how areas compare with each other.
£££ · Classic studenty
01
Durham's best-known student area, between the station, the Science Site and town. Houses go fast, and cost more for it.
Best for: second-years who want to be where everyone is
££ · Good value
02
Shared houses up the hill east of the Market Place, usually a little cheaper than the Viaduct.
Best for: students keeping rent down
££–£££ · Central
03
Streets around Old Elvet and the river, close to the Hill and the city centre.
Best for: Hill college students
££ · Characterful
04
Cosy pubs and cafés just west of the river, a short walk to the Viaduct and town.
Best for: Bailey college students who want quieter streets
£££ · Historic
05
Cobbled streets on the peninsula, home to the Bailey colleges, with some college rooms for returning students.
Best for: students staying in college
££–£££ · City living
06
Purpose-built student flats near the Market Place and the station, often with bills included.
Best for: students who want everything on the doorstep
Want a local's view? Our Durham writer walks through the Viaduct, Crossgate, the city centre and more.
The fresher's guide to Durham's neighbourhoodsNot sure where to live?
Most first-years live in college, so this is for your second year and beyond. Tell us which side of Durham your college is on, what matters most and your budget.
1. Which side is your college on?
2. What matters most?
3. What's your budget?
Cheaper shared houses up the hill from the Market Place, a short walk to the Bailey and the bars.
Find a letting agentWhere to book
Compare Durham's letting agents and accommodation, or work out which type of housing suits you.
Shared houses · Durham
The student letting agents worth knowing in Durham, and what to check before you sign.
Read the guide →
Halls · Durham
Durham's colleges and purpose-built accommodation compared.
Read the guide →
Choosing
What Durham is like for courses, colleges and student life.
Read the guide →
Not sure yet?
The pros, cons and costs of each, so you know what to look for.
Compare your options →
Money
Durham is small but not cheap, mostly because of rent. The good news: you'll walk almost everywhere, and college bars are cheap. Pick a lifestyle to see what a typical month looks like.
Shared house on the Viaduct, a weekly night out and the odd takeaway.
Rent
£750
Bills
£90
Food shop
£170
Buses
£20
Going out
£110
Phone and everything else
£70
About £14,520 a year
£1,210 a month
Estimates to help you plan, not quotes. Durham houses often go a year in advance, so check what's included and the contract dates before you sign.
Where a typical £1,210 month goes
■ Rent · 62%
■ Food · 14%
■ Going out · 9%
■ Bills · 7%
■ Everything else · 6%
■ Buses · 2%
Money tips
1
Use the £1 fare if you're 21 or under
Bus singles in the North East are £1 for under-22s and capped at £2.50 for everyone else. Most of the time you'll walk anyway.
2
Catch a £5 film
Every ticket at the Gala Theatre's cinema is £5.
3
Drink in your college bar
College bars are some of the cheapest places to drink, and each one has its own character.
4
Do the free stuff
Durham Cathedral is free to enter, and the riverside walks, Wharton Park and Prebends Bridge are too.
5
Don't panic-sign too early
Durham's house hunt starts very early. Take time to choose housemates and view properly before signing.
“One of the facets of nightlife at Durham that sets the city apart from its competitors is the college bars.”
Bea Pescott-Khan, Unifresher Durham writer · Read: does Durham have good nightlife? →
Going out
Durham's nightlife is small but busy, built around college bars, cosy pubs and a few much-loved clubs. Pick a scene to see where students go.
The Durham dictionary
A mix of Durham University lingo and North East words. Guess what each one means, then tap to check.
Bailey vs Hill
The two groups of colleges: the old ones on the peninsula and the newer ones on the hill.
"Are you Bailey or Hill?"
JCR
Junior Common Room: your college's student body and common room.
"Are you running for JCR president?"
Formal
A dressed-up dinner in college hall, often with gowns.
"What are you wearing to formal?"
The Durham bubble
The feeling that the whole world is just your college and the Viaduct.
"I haven't left the Durham bubble in weeks."
Klute
The club everyone loves to hate, and goes to anyway.
"Klute tonight?"
Pet
A friendly word for anyone in the North East.
"There you go, pet."
Howay
Come on!
"Howay, we'll be late for formal."
Canny
Good, nice, or quite.
"That's a canny view from Prebends Bridge."
Written by Durham students
Our student writers pick their favourite places so you don't have to work it out alone.
Fresh from our writers
New guides, reviews and things to do in Durham, written by students who live there.
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Partner with usJust arrived?
Eight small jobs that make your first term in Durham much easier. Most take ten minutes.
✓
Register with a GP
Sign up near your term-time address before freshers' flu hits. Your uni will point you to a local practice.
✓
Get to know your college
Go to your college's freshers' events, join a team or society, and find out when formals are.
✓
Get a 16–25 Railcard
A third off most rail fares, so it pays for itself after a couple of trips home.
✓
Find your Students' Union
Go to the Freshers' Fair and join a society or two. It's the easiest way to meet people outside your flat.
✓
Save campus security's number
Every university has a 24-hour security line. Put it in your phone now.
✓
Check your contents insurance
Bikes, phones and laptops do get stolen in student areas. Find out whether your halls or house already include cover.
✓
Learn your route home
Durham's riverbanks and cobbled paths are dark and slippery at night, so stick to well-lit routes and stay away from the river after drinking.
✓
Sort a TV Licence if you need one
You need one to watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer, even on a laptop or phone.
Useful links
University accommodation, travel and the admin every student needs to sort.
FAQs
Is Durham a good place for students?
For most people, yes. It's beautiful, safe and very student-focused, with a strong college community. It's small, so the nightlife is limited, but Newcastle is only about 12 minutes away by train.
Where do Durham students live?
Most first-years live in their college. After that, many move to shared houses on the Viaduct, in Gilesgate, Elvet or Crossgate, or stay in college.
How much is student rent in Durham?
A room in a shared house often costs about £145–£195 a week in 2026/27, with the Viaduct at the top end. Purpose-built rooms and studios cost more but include bills.
Is Durham safe for students?
Durham is generally seen as very safe. The main risk is the river at night, so stick to well-lit routes and stay away from the riverbanks after drinking.
How do students get around Durham?
Mostly on foot. Bus singles are £1 if you're 21 or under and capped at £2.50 for everyone else. Trains reach Newcastle in about 12 minutes and London in about three hours.
What is Durham famous for?
Its cathedral and castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its collegiate university, Durham Miners' Gala, rowing on the River Wear and the Harry Potter scenes filmed in the cathedral.
Pitch a guide or join our team of student writers. We're always looking for people at Durham University.
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