Durham University
Durham University (legally the University of Durham) is a collegiate public research university in Durham, England, founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832 and incorporated by royal charter in 1837. It was the first recognised university to open in England for more than 600 years, after Oxford and Cambridge, and is thus the third-oldest university in England. As a collegiate university, its main functions are divided between the academic departments of the university and its 17 colleges. In general, the departments perform research and provide teaching to students, while the colleges are responsible for their domestic arrangements and welfare.
Coat of arms of the university | |
| Latin: Universitas Dunelmensīs | |
Other name | The University of Durham |
|---|---|
| Motto | Latin: Fundamenta eius super montibus sanctis |
Motto in English | Her foundations are upon the holy hills (Psalm 87:1) |
| Type | Public research university |
| Established | 1832 (university status) |
Academic affiliations | |
| Endowment | £101.7 million (2023; exclusive of independent colleges) |
| Budget | £483.6 million (2022/23) |
| Chancellor | Fiona Hill CMG |
| Vice-Chancellor & Warden | Karen O’Brien |
Academic staff | 1,830 (2020) |
Administrative staff | 2,640 (2018/19) |
| Students | 19,520 (2019/20) |
| Undergraduates | 14,730 (2019/20) |
| Postgraduates | 4,790 (2019/20) |
| Location | , |
| Campus | 257 hectares (640 acres) |
| Student newspaper | Palatinate |
| Colours | Palatinate |
Sporting affiliations | BUCS, Wallace Group |
| Sports team | Team Durham |
| Website | www |
| Official name | Durham Castle and Cathedral |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | ii, iv, vi |
| Designated | 1986 (10th session) |
| Reference no. | 370 |
| Extension | 2008 |
| Region | Western Europe |
The university is a member of the Russell Group of British research universities and is also affiliated with the regional N8 Research Partnership and international university groups including the Matariki Network of Universities and the Coimbra Group. The university estate includes 83 listed buildings, ranging from the 11th-century Durham Castle to the 1960s brutalist students' union. The university also owns and manages the Durham World Heritage Site in partnership with Durham Cathedral. The university's ownership of the world heritage site includes Durham Castle, Palace Green and the surrounding buildings including the historic Cosin's Library.
Current and emeritus academics as of 2018 included 15 Fellows of the Royal Society, 18 Fellows of the British Academy, 16 Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences, 5 Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 3 Fellows of the Royal Society of Arts, 2 Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering and 2 Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences. Durham graduates have long used the Latin post-nominal letters Dunelm after their degree, from Dunelmensis (of, belonging to, or from Durham).
Among British universities, it had the tenth highest average UCAS Tariff for new entrants in 2021 and the third lowest proportion of state-school educated students starting courses in 2016, at 62.9 per cent (fifth lowest compared to its benchmark).