Welcome to New Students - Durham University

Welcome to Ustinov

Photo of Glenn

Welcome to Ustinov College, Durham University’s sole postgraduate-only College, comprising a community of scholars representing over 100 nationalities.

Renamed in 2003 in honour of the actor and writer Sir Peter Ustinov, who was Chancellor of Durham University, Ustinov College was formerly known as the Graduate Society.

Our focus at Ustinov College is to provide a safe, supportive, motivating and enjoyable collegiate environment that nurtures global citizenship and enables its members to grow intellectually and socially. Globally the College is recognised as a friendly and welcoming place that openly celebrates the strength arising from diversity, interdisciplinarity and collegiality and applauds leadership, creativity, innovation, teamwork and excellence.

At Ustinov I trust you will have a truly unique experience as a ‘Ustinovian’ that will lay the basis for a life-long mutually rewarding relationship with the College, University and the people and communities of the North East of England.

On behalf of all staff at Ustinov I would like to extend a warm and hearty welcome. We look forward to meeting you at one of the many events organised as part of the College’s social and academic calendar.

Prof Glenn McGregor (Principal, Ustinov College)

Recent College Communications:

Emails and newsletters will be sent to all new applicants over the summer months, so please keep an eye out for these.

Welcome from Ustinov College 2024-2025
Global Citizenship Programme & Scholarships 2024-2025
Mentor Programme
Welcome for the GCR
Newsletter 1
Newsletter 2
Newsletter 3

Contacts

If you have any queries about arriving in Durham or the information on these pages, please contact us:

	Email
Ustinov College	ustinov.college@durham.ac.uk
College Admissions	ustinov.admissions@durham.ac.uk
College Accommodation	ustinov.accommodation@durham.ac.uk

Tweets by UstinovCollege

To all incoming students, it is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to Durham on behalf of all the Graduate Common Room. You’ll soon see for yourself that you’re about to embark on a journey of a lifetime, in a city that looks like it’s right out of some fairy tale. Congratulations on getting into this prestigious university! I am thrilled to invite you to join all the events, formals, trips, etc. that the GCR organises for you during the year. We’ve got some amazing activities planned already, but we’re always on the lookout for members on the committee! Best of luck for the coming year – we can’t wait to have you join us!

Ahmed Shafquat Hassan

GCR President 2024/25

College Information

You can find the College Handbooks below:

Find out more

Enrol online

Enrolment opens eight weeks before the start of your programme.

Graduate Common Room

Ustinov College Graduate Common Room (GCR) is the student body representing Durham University’s postgraduate community.

Postgraduate students outside in evening wear at Beamish formal

Your first week in Durham – University Induction Week Events Timetable

The Timetable has been designed so College events don’t clash with any of your academic departmental events, but offer you lots of opportunities to meet your fellow Freshers, find your way around and settle into student life.

To help you keep track of where you need to be, and what you need to do during your first busy days at university, in your College and your Department, we have created a day-by-day University Induction Planner. This should help you to plan your schedule, so you don't miss anything - from being issued with your Campus Card or meeting the staff in your Department, to trying out for a sports team or joining a student society.

Your Personal Induction Planner