Durham is a proudly collegiate university and, as a Durham student, you are or will become a member of a college. Your college will be the hub of your non-academic life and each college offers access to many exciting student-led opportunities, from managing sports teams and organising social events, to representing your fellow students. By participating in this way, you can influence and deliver the activities and events within your college and across the University community.
Every college has a representative bodies of students. For undergraduates, there is the Junior Common Room (JCR), and for postgraduates, there is the Middle Common Room (MCR). Other names used include a Student Representative Council (SRC), or a Graduate Common Room (GCR). These student-led bodies organise many of the events, societies, sports, and other activities within our colleges. Common Rooms are led by an elected body of voluntary student officers, including an Executive Committee. Through the Common Rooms, student life at Durham is shaped by the students themselves.
To help fund the organisation and activities that Common Rooms provide, all students are asked to become a member of the appropriate College Common Room. Joining your Common Room means that you have the opportunity to play a full part in the life of your college community.
In addition to Common Room membership, many Colleges have additional facilities and services that can enhance your experience at Durham. Colleges ask their students to contribute to these services and facilities by making a donation; this varies across colleges depending on the service or facility offered.
Alongside the Colleges, there are also opportunities in Sport, Music and Theatre available across the University via Experience Durham and through the many and varied societies of the Students' Union. There may be some additional charges involved in becoming a member of teams and societies and this page provides information on and links to these charges.
It is important to point out that you have to opt-in to pay Common Room membership and other charges. If you choose not to opt-in, some services and facilities in your college, and those provided by the Common Rooms, may not be available to you and you will not be able to participate in Common Room elections. Your College and Common Room can give you more information on this.
This page outlines 2022/23 charges except where stated.
College
JCR Levy (3 Years)
JCR Levy (4 Years)
College of St Hild and St Bede
£165.00
*
Collingwood College
£130
Grey College
£180
£225
Hatfield College
£200
John Snow College
£135
Josephine Butler College
£146
South College
£150
St Aidan's College
St Chad's College
£30
St Cuthbert's Society
£160.50
St John's College
£165
£220
St Mary's College
£95
£115
Stephenson College
Trevelyan College
£140
University College
£240
Van Mildert College
£168
*Same as JCR 3 Year Levy
MCR Levy
£53.50
£50
£55
£38
£60
£35
St Cuthbert's College
£45
£31
£65
University College (Full-Time)
University College (Part-Time)
£27.50
Ustinov College
£40
Long Description
Charge
Junior Common Room (JCR) Levy
£130 for Undergraduate and Foundation students. Payable in your first year and lasting for the length of your undergraduate degree.
This contributes to the day-to-day running of the JCR, subsidising JCR services. If you wish to take part in any JCR events (including joining sports teams and societies) or to use their facilities you must pay this charge. Explore this explanation on levies for more information.
Middle Common Room (MCR) Levy
This covers the cost of joining Collingwood's postgraduate, fourth-year undergraduate, and mature student body. Anyone who pays this levy benefits from automatic JCR and SCR membership too! Postgraduates must pay the levy every year of their degree course to renew their membership.
The price is reduced to £5 for:
1972 Club Contribution
Payable in your first year. This contribution supports the ongoing work of the College and The 1972 Club in providing students with access to invaluable careers advice and expertise from alumni, networking events, once-in-a-lifetime internships, and funding to support student projects. It also ensures that graduates have access to annual newsletters and invitations to alumni events at Collingwood, elsewhere in the UK, and around the world!
£19.72
Lormor Library & Learning Resource Centre
Payable in your first year. This is a contribution to the ongoing work of the College’s Lormor Library: its upkeep, resources, and activities. More than just a study space, the Lormor Library is also a social hub, which hosts regular student-led events and sessions to support your personal and academic development.
£10
Erasmus students
JCR levy for Erasmus students is £45. Plus an optional £5 if you wish to also join the MCR during your time at Collingwood.
£45 + Optional £5
Gym Membership
The gym will open on the first day of the academic year (Monday 3rd October). Your membership runs until the end of the academic year (25th June 2023) although the gym opens term time only. Membership includes access to gym classes.
Grey Association
This covers the cost of joining Grey Association for life. The Association is the body of alumni (former students of Grey College) and helps the College by supporting its work with our past students. For further information refer to your Induction Handbook.
£51
The JCR Levy (membership fee) is £60per year, and on joining you’ll be a member of a community of over 1,000 students. Most students opt to pay for the duration of their degree at the start of their studies (e.g. £165 for a 3-year BSc/BA etc.). The JCR is run by students for students, and whilst JCR membership is optional we strongly encourage all students to join to make the most of their time at Durham. The levy goes towards subsidising the running of the JCR and its activities. Through participation in sports and societies, students get to know many people from across the College.
The JCR organises most of the student life in College and allows members to:
One Year - £60
Three Year - £180
Four Year - £225
This covers the cost of joining Grey's postgraduate student body for one year. Members of the MCR also benefit from automatic membership of the JCR, with all of the benefits listed above. Not opting into the charge means that you will not be entitled to take part in these activities or will be subject to an additional charge per event where non-members are invited.
Academic Gown
Grey is a gowned College. We wear gowns to Matriculation, and Formal Dinners that take place regularly throughout the year. Many of our students choose to buy their own gown (new or second hand) but there is no requirement to do so. The Common Rooms have a small number of gowns that can be hired for occasions that require the wearing of a gown.
£53 new OR £25 (second hand)
Hatfield Association
This is for associate membership of the College's alumni association. This is a one-off payment for the duration of a student's period of study.
£25
Hatfield Trust
The Hatfield Trust makes grants, scholarships, payments, and awards to students.
£20
Undergraduate students elect JCR Officers who represent undergraduate students to the College and University. Being a part of Hatfield's JCR allows you to use facilities within College such as the Music Room and Computer Room, as well as attending subsidised formal meals and Hatfield JCR-run events. Paying the JCR levy transforms the College from being little more than individual residences to being a community. This is a one-off payment for the duration of a student's period of study for their undergraduate course.
Postgraduate students elect MCR Officers who represent postgraduate students to the College and University. The Common Room arranges social and other recreational events for its members. This is a one-off payment for the duration of a student's period of postgraduate study.
Linen pack
You may purchase a bedlinen pack. The pack comprises a duvet, duvet cover, pillow, pillow case and a sheet.
Access to College Gym
Free for Levy payers, £40 for non-levy payers
JCR for 1 year (or less) UG courses;MCR for all PG courses
At John Snow College the Junior Common Room is a student-led organisation, charged with creating your student experience from the day you move in, to the day you leave as a Graduate of Durham University! In order to create your student experience and cover our costs of running events, sports and societies we charge a one-off optional fee of £135 when you arrive, which covers you for your entire time at John Snow College. Opting into the JCR entitles you to a huge variety of perks.
These include priority access and member rates to college events including College Balls and our College Day as well as eligibility to participate in our College sports and societies. Being a member also allows you to shape how college life is run, by being able to vote at student councils, and being eligible to run for student officer elections. We like to think of it as covering your costs in advance, and even with a relatively low level of participation, our students find that they have saved the money back from the member perks.
Being a JCR member also entitles you to access to our development initiatives, such as our generous Student Development Fund which funds members to travel all over the world taking part in exciting career and personal development programmes. Participation in the JCR is hugely popular and we find the majority remain opted in.
More information is available on our website or you can email us.
JCR for 3 and 4-year UG courses
Membership of the JCR is a unique element of Durham University life creating a fund which helps us put on our amazing events throughout the year, including Freshers’ Week, Fashion Show and our annual Summer Ball. It also helps fund our groups and campaigns, such as buying in equipment for sports and societies, and helping towards welfare campaigns. This fund also helps improve the experience of those living outside of college. It is a one-off payment for a three-year UG programme.
We ask that you pay this charge to ensure that we can keep producing these great events and that we are able to provide for all the sports, societies, and committees that you would like the join throughout your entire time at the college. If you do not wish to pay you will be asked to pay a premium for events and to join sports, societies, and committees. There are also some events which are restricted, and priority will be given to JCR members. The JCR makes your college experience truly memorable, so #GetInvolved and be part of something special.
This confers membership of the MCR (including the JCR - see above) for one year of your postgraduate degree or the 4th year of your undergraduate studies. 4th-year UGs will no longer have JCR membership if they do not pay the MCR levy. The MCR together with the JCR make your college experience truly memorable, so #GetInvolved and be part of something special.
Butler Association Fund (One year courses)
This confers membership of the College Association for life. This fund also includes support for running and stocking the College Library (with many course texts and a laptop loan system) and support for members to bid for assets, development projects and opportunities.
The fund is overseen by the College Trust Board, with a majority independent membership and representation from the common rooms.
Butler Association Fund (Two or more year courses)
This confers membership of the College Association for life. This fund also includes support for running and stocking the College Library (with many course texts and a laptop loan system) and support for members to bid for assets, development projects and opportunities. The fund is overseen by the College Trust Board, with a majority independent membership and representation from the common rooms.
Gym Membership (JCR Member)
Access to the College gym for the academic year.
Gym Membership (Non-JCR)
£80
The JCR membership fee is a one-off payment of £150 for the duration of your course. While JCR membership is optional, we strongly encourage all Undergraduate members of South to join to make the most of your time at Durham.
The fee goes towards the running of the JCR, its sports teams, societies, activities, and events. By paying your fee, you will be providing the student body with funds to deliver activities and you will be able to participate in College clubs and societies, attend events and use JCR owned facilities. Please note that in some cases there may be additional fees for joining clubs and societies.
The MCR membership fee is £50 per year. While optional, membership in the South College MCR gives Postgraduate members access to all JCR sports teams, societies, activities, and events. It also allows for access to Postgraduate specific events and societies. Please note that in some cases there may be additional fees for joining clubs and societies.
Gym
We have the largest College gym in the University with new state of the art equipment for all levels. It is managed by the JCR in conjunction with John Snow College and is accessible to those members of the College who opt to join and complete the necessary Health and Safety requirements.
All gym membership fees are reinvested into the gym for essential maintenance and the replacement of equipment.
Gown
South is a gowned College. We wear gowns to Matriculation, and Formal Dinners that take place regularly throughout the year. Many of our students choose to buy their own gown but there is no requirement to do so.
The Common Rooms have a small number of gowns that can be borrowed for occasions that require the wearing of a gown.
£53
MCR - 1 Year
Common Rooms are run by elected students who form the Executive Committee together with the elected Non-Executive officers and their committees. They are run by students for students to enhance your experience at university and to ensure there is a calendar of events, sports, societies, student welfare and other opportunities to get involved.
The Levy is a one-off payment to become a member of the JCR/MCR. Membership allows you to run for positions, vote in elections and participate in committees, ensuring you have the opportunity to contribute to and shape the student community. There are over the course of the year activities carrying additional costs, for example the Summer Ball, and facilities such as the on-site gym. JCR/MCR members benefit from a significant discount (up to 50% off) on charges for these.
JCR - 1 Year
JCR/MCR - 3 Years (if paid at once)
JCR/MCR - 4 Years
Charities Donation
The charities contribution enables the college to conduct charitable missions, and by paying the charitable donation, you gain a say in which charities receive aid from the college.
£18
1 Year Levy for Postgraduate and Erasmus Students
The JCR is the student body compromising of undergraduates and postgraduates, providing a huge number of social and extracurricular opportunities. The JCR Levy provides membership of the JCR and is excellent value for money.
Membership benefits include voting rights in JCR Meetings, subsidised access to sports teams and societies as well as subsidised entry to many large events that take place in college throughout the year and the college gym. On top of this, the levy crucially contributes to the overall running of the JCR and the activities within it as well as funding many aspects of college life.
The vast majority of students join the JCR; over 90% of new students signed up for membership of Aidan's JCR in 2017! If you decide to opt-out of paying the JCR Levy you will be subject to paying a premium for most JCR activities; the extent of the premium is specific to the particular activity and will be publicised appropriately. For example, if you are non-member you will pay more to attend JCR events such as formals and the summer ball. Ultimately, paying the levy ensures you have full access to the St Aidan's student community, a decision which year on year students feel is both worthwhile and value for money!Please note: if you paid the Levy as an undergraduate at Aidan’s you do not need to pay again for your Masters.
JCR - Undergraduate Levy (Three/Four Years)
This pack includes: 1 pillow, 1 pillowcase, 1 duvet, 1 duvet cover and 1 sheet (£35).
SCR Joint Member Fee
The SCR offers joint subscriptions for those who wish to sign both themselves, and their partner up to the SCR. Both partners receive the same benefits as described under 'SCR Member Fee'.
SCR Membership Fee
Membership gives you access to SCR facilities and events, and JCR facilities, some of which are free and some carry a separate or additional charge. Membership allows you to stand for committee positions within the SCR. You can join both the SCR and the JCR, subject to subscribing to each.
Please see ‘1 Year Levy for Postgraduate and Erasmus Students’ above for JCR subscription charges and information about the full benefits of the JCR. For more information please see the SCR website.
£15
St Aidan's Association
Provides for graduates to enjoy life membership of the Alumni Association of St Aidan's College.
For information on additional charges, please visit the St Chad's College website.
JCR
Over 98% of students who are in St Cuthbert’s Society are members of the JCR, which is a 1400 strong student body. Everything that the JCR offers is only available to its members, those that pay this one-off fee. The JCR provides over 40 different sports and societies and a variety of facilities including two gyms, a music room, a conference room and it runs the college library.
Additionally, its charity runs its own finances and organises the main social events of the year. These JCR events include but are not limited to: Michaelmas Ball, St Cuthbert’s Feast, Summer Ball and Cuth’s Day. There is also an outreach committee that provides volunteering and fundraising opportunities as well as an international and welfare committee to represent and support you. The JCR is run for students, by students, and there are over 110 positions in the JCR ranging from a ball manager to a member of finance committee.
You can run for any of these positions in a JCR meeting and it’s a great way to meet people and develop employable skills, no experience required! Cuth’s JCR is a registered charity, which aims to enrich and support students’ lives during their degrees. When you meet Durham Alumni, the first question is not ‘what subject did you study?’ but ‘what college were you at?’.
Cuth’s JCR provides the extracurricular opportunities that make Cuth’s the unforgettable community that it is. Please contact us if you would like any more information.
Postgraduate JCR
Association Charge
Alumni Association fee. The membership fee is for life-time membership. See College Fees and Charges for further details.
SRC - Postgraduate
Student Representative Council fee. See College Fees and Charges for further details.
£55.00 per year
SRC - Undergraduate
SRC - Foundation/Erasmus/Exchange
SJCR Membership
Details of membership:
£165(3 year course)£220(4 year course)
College Gym Membership
Access to the College gym and fitness rooms (induction necessary).
£30 per year
Required at our formal dinners, matriculation and SJCR meetings.
£55 (new)£35 (second hand)
Room Damage Deposit
Included in first term’s accommodation invoice.
Returned at end of academic year subject to satisfactory check of your room and the common areas on your floor/corridor.
£100 refundable deposit
Linen Pack Purchase (College Residents Only)
Contains 1 sheet, 1 duvet cover, 2 pillowcases, 1 bath towel & 1 hand towel.
Pack will be delivered to the room.
£30 Single bed£35 Double bed
Laundry Card (College residents only)
Free laundry and drying. Deposit payment invoiced in the first term's accommodation bill. Deposit refunded at the end of the academic year when card returned to finance office.
£20 refundable deposit
Library
Access to books and study space in the brand new Learning Resource Centre.
For students who have paid a College residential fee for a year, College library membership is automatically included and issued for the duration of their course, including if they live out of College later.
For all other students, College library membership is £50 for a full academic year. Email us to sign up.
Free (for students who have lived in College for a year)£50 per academic year (for students who have never lived in College)
Middle Common Room (MCR) Membership
Access to our dedicated Postgraduate Centre:
£45 per year
St John’s Boat Club membership
Email St John’s Boat Club for details.
£30 per term (competitive)£10 per term (social/casual)
Payable by undergraduate students in their first year of study, this subscription contributes to the day-to-day running of the JCR. The JCR is a student-led organisation that really can enhance the experience of being a student at Durham. The JCR organises a wide range of social events in College that are highlights of the student calendar. They also organise and run all College sport and societies, which cover a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities including art, music, drama, politics, volunteering and other individual interests.
It’s hard to convey just how vibrant the JCR is at St Mary’s College and the opportunities it provides to students to make friends with people from all years of study and all disciplines, and to get involved at whatever level feels right for them, but you can find out more by visiting the JCR website.
Students are members of their JCR for the duration of their studies and the subscription subsidises the cost of social activities organised by the JCR, the running of the College sports clubs and societies, as well as helping to maintain JCR facilities. If you wish to take part in any JCR activities, use their facilities, stand for an elected position, or vote, then you must be a member of the Common Room.
£95 (3-year course)£115 (4-year course)
The MCR is the Common Room for postgraduate students, mature undergraduate students, and for undergraduates in their fourth year of study. Like the JCR, the MCR is a student-led organisation that is designed to enhance the experience of its members whilst at Durham. Payment of the MCR subscription provides access to JCR clubs and societies, to events organised by both the MCR and JCR, and to the dedicated space for the MCR and its facilities. It also allows members to stand for positions in the MCR and to vote in MCR elections.
£31 (1 year)
The College has a gym, managed by the JCR which is made accessible to those members of the College who opt to join and pay and complete the necessary Health and Safety requirements
£20 per year
St Mary’s is a ‘gowned’ College, which means we wear gowns at Formal Dinners. These dinners take place approximately three times a term and are popular events. Gowns are also worn at Matriculation, the University event where students are formally admitted to the University. Many of our students choose to buy their own gown (new or second-hand) but there is no requirement to do so. The Common Rooms have a small number of gowns that can be hired for occasions that require the wearing of a gown.
£53 (new) OR £25 (second-hand)
Library Contribution
An optional College Library contribution of £30 for three-year undergraduates, £40 for students who will spend four years in Durham, and £10 per year of attendance for postgraduates (and one-year undergraduates), is also levied on the first bill to help cover the costs of our college library.
£30/£40/£10
Junior Common Room (JCR) Levy for Exchange and Erasmus students
JCR dues (membership of the undergraduate common room) are charged in the first year only. This payment will cover your whole time in Trevelyan. Only common room members will be able to play sport, engage in societies and join in JCR events and elections.
£46.66
MCR dues are charged each year at the rate of £35. MCR Dues are paid to help run all of our college activities. By opting in you can join any of the college societies, teams, and clubs of the JCR (see above) and MCR; run in, and vote on, MCR elections; attend all of the college formals; and many more things throughout the year.
The College has a gym, managed by the JCR which is made accessible to those members of the College who opt to join and pay and complete the necessary Health and Safety requirements.
Annual gym membership for JCR members - £30Annual gym membership for non-JCR members - £160One-term gym membership for JCR members - £12One-term gym membership for non-JCR members - £57
Trevelyan College is a gowned college. We wear gowns to formal dinners and to University matriculation. Gowns are provided by the JCR at the cost on the left and can be sold back to the JCR at the end of your degree.
£57 (new) £35 (second hand)
Society Subscriptions
A subscription charge may apply in some JCR Societies
Variable
Castle Society Membership - Postgraduate
Covers life membership of the Durham Castle Society, College's alumni association for current and former members of the College. Find out more at the Castle Alumni website.
Castle Society Membership - Undergraduate
JCR 1 Year
One-off payment at beginning of the course, covering the full period of your study (The JCR levy is £60 a year).
JCR 3 Years
JCR 4 Years
MCR Full-Time
The MCR membership fee grants you access to twice weekly formals as well as all other MCR events including all of the University College Balls for a full year of study.
MCR Part-Time
Gowns are a very important part of the history of University College, dating back to its founding in 1832. They are worn at formal events throughout the year and at Matriculation during induction week.
£51.00
Graduate Common Room Levy
Ustinov Graduate Common Room (GCR) is a group made up of students and alumni, representing Durham University’s postgraduate community. The GCR is run by a committee of students and elections are held several times a year. We are also a registered charity. Our main aims are providing support to our students and running a social calendar for our members and other postgraduates.
The majority of our funding comes from the GCR levy, a small charge (one of the cheapest in the University) which gets you membership of the GCR. This gets you the ability to run and vote in our elections as well as discounted access to many of our events and facilities. This includes the Ustinov gym and music room as well as trips, formals, karaoke, parties and live music nights. We want to make your time at Ustinov one of the most memorable periods of your life!
Erasmus/Exchange Common room 1 term
Membership of the appropriate Common Room, JCR or MCR, for the duration of your studies at Van Mildert College.
Erasmus/Exchange Common room 2 terms
£36
Erasmus/Exchange Common room 3 terms
£54
The JCR Levy (Membership Fee) contributes to the everyday running of the Junior Common Room and lasts for your whole time as an undergraduate. By being part of the JCR, you are becoming a part of a community of over 1000 students, and it entitles you to take part in our events, sports and societies.
The levy goes towards subsidising these activities, from Formals to Fresher’s week and more, meaning you can get involved in all the JCR has to offer. Opting out of the levy means you will not be entitled to take part in these activities.
The MCR Membership Fee lasts for one academic year. It provides you with membership of the MCR which is a community of over 200 postgraduate students, all of whom are members of Van Mildert College. It also entitles you to membership of the JCR and SCR. As a result of opting into this charge you are able to participate, as a postgraduate student, in all events, sports and societies run by the JCR, MCR or SCR.
The MCR Membership Fee is used to subsidise a range of activities in College. Opting out of the charge means that you will not be entitled to take part in these activities or will be subject to an additional charge per event where non-members are invited.
Linen Pack
Bedding packs contain a duvet, duvet cover, pillow, pillowcase and fitted sheet.
Van Mildert Association Membership
Payment of this one-off charge offers lifetime membership of the Van Mildert Association; the alumni association of Van Mildert College. The association offers current students access to a network of alumni who provide careers mentorship and support engagement with College life through the provision of vital scholarships and bursaries.
Alongside this the association organises reunion events for current and former students throughout the year across the UK and overseas. It has a membership of many thousands of former students many of whom remain in contact with the College long after graduation. The VMA is an independent organisation to which membership fees will be transferred.
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