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Three female students studying indoors

Congratulations!

Congratulations to all our new students!

Find out the next steps in your education journey

Welcome from the Principal, Professor Wendy Powers

Professor Wendy Powers

Welcome to Castle!

Our college community provides a dynamic environment in which you will explore who you are, what you believe, and where you are going.  Your peers will be doing the same, and their journey will be different from yours.  As we get to know one another and engage interesting conversations, we will co-create community grounded in the values of civility, respect and appreciation of difference. 

We hope you’ll use these first weeks and months as an opportunity to get involved – try new activities, meet new people, and ask lots of questions.  There are college, department and uni-wide opportunities for involvement.  The most successful students find ways to engage in a bit of both.

Attending university can be challenging for all sorts of reasons, and we have a wonderful Student Support Team in Castle that is here to assist you along the journey.  The professional staff partners with our student welfare team to ensure there are many educational and supportive outlets for you and your peers. 

We also enjoy the privilege of living and learning in a castle on a world heritage site.  Together, we are trusted caretakers of history while we prepare for and advance the future. 

Remember these keys to Castle student success – those who open their hearts and minds to others, those who practice civility and respect, those who ask for assistance, and those who show up – these are the students most likely to flourish in this renowned learning community. 

On behalf of everyone at Castle, we are delighted you’ve joined us!

Floreat Castellum!

Long live Castle

Wendy

PS: please share this letter with your families or supporters: Note for Families and Supporters of our new students

University student
The Castle JCR (Junior Common Room) executive committee and I are excited to welcome you to the place we’ve all called home for the last 2 years; we hope that you’re looking forward to joining us and to what will become some of the most formative years of your life.
Olivia Grace Smith
JCR Senior Student
University student
Hi everyone, and welcome to Freshers’ Week at Castle! The week is run by us as Head Frep and social chair, helped along by our fantastic Frep team. The week is packed full of fun events, games, nights out, icebreakers, and more, so there are loads of opportunities to find your place here at Castle (as well as plenty of down-time too). There really is something for everyone, and we want to make everyone feel included in our community right from the start of term. We can’t wait to welcome you all, and introduce you to (in our opinion) the best Durham college!
Diya
Head Frep

 

 Banner image of the Castle and things you need to do before you arrive

Checklist: things you need to do before you arrive

Before you become a member of Castle, there’s a number of documents to read and forms to complete. We will be sending you a weekly newsletter, Countdown to Castle, to share more information on what you need to do. Some students prefer to have a tick list and overview from the beginning, which is below.

What you need to do

Where

Deadline & Notes

1. College involvement form 

Complete the form; the link will be sent in Countdown to Castle newsletter #1

By 19 September 2025

2. Accommodation

Find out more Applying for Accommodation - Undergraduate - Durham University

Our College Accommodation Guide will be sent to students as part of Countdown to Castle.

We will be in touch with further information about accommodation allocation.

Costs are available at Accommodation and Catering - Durham University

3. University College Handbook 

This will be sent to new students via Countdown to Castle newsletter #1

All students should read this handbook carefully before arriving at Durham. Please note you will need to confirm you have read the handbook and agree to abide by the guidance in it when you complete your college involvement form.

4. Enrolment 

Checklist for New Students - Durham University

Make sure you complete enrolment so we can complete identity verification when you arrive.

 

5. Student Community Induction Course

We require you to complete the course ‘Consent Matters’, and 'Respect, Values and Behaviours' accessed online. 

New students are automatically enrolled into the training and will be able to complete it once they have their emails/IDs and have access to Blackboard.

6. Healthcare / GP

www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/student-support-and-wellbeing/medical-registration-and-advice/  

If you're moving to Durham, please register with a healthcare practice (GP).

Details on vaccinations can be found here: www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/student-support-and-wellbeing/vaccinations/#d.en.1238066 

7. JCR

You are warmly invited to join the Junior Common Room, our student-led undergraduate group.

Find out more about Castle JCR here: University College JCR (castlejcr.co.uk)

Join the Junior Common Room, our student body for undergraduate students. We will introduce you to Castle JCR via Countdown to Castle newsletters in the coming weeks.

8. Freshers' Week and Orientation

Our programme for Freshers’ week events for all Undergraduates will be emailed to you in coming weeks.

 

9. Optional things to buy

We will have a number of optional extras available to purchase, including:

  • a Freshers' wristband for access to JCR-organised social events in Freshers' Week
  • an academic gown for Matriculation and college Formal dinners
  • Bedding packs (duvet, pillow, sheets) 

Links to buy these will be available soon.

 

If you're travelling long distances and living in college accommodation you may wish to buy a bedding pack.

 

We will be sending weekly newsletters, called Countdown to Castle, over the next few weeks so please make sure we have your current email address so you don't miss important updates.

Countdown to Castle

Got a problem with registration, enrolment or IT access? Students can access the Smart Service Gateway via the Start of Term Self-Service Form, which will be open from 15 August to 27 October.

Arriving in Durham

We look forward to meeting you! If you are arriving from overseas please find more information here: www.durham.ac.uk/study/international/arrivals/

If you're travelling from the UK and living in College accommodation you will be invited to book an arrival slot:

  • Self-catered accommodation at New Kepier Court: Saturday 27 September 2025, 12-4pm (anytime)
  • Catered accommodation: you will be invited to book a timed arrival slot for Sunday 28 September, to help manage the traffic flow along the Bailey. The booking link will be shared with students via email along with your licence agreement in due course.

Students registered with Disability Support who need to arrive early to help settle into College accommodation can do so from Wednesday 24 September.

 

MCR and the Principal at Holi

Freshers' Week and Orientation

We'll be sharing more information about plans for Freshers' Week and Orientation in the coming weeks, as well as how to join the Junior Common Room. Check back soon for updates.

Castle JCR

Your first week in Durham – University Induction Week Events Timetable

You can also read more about what you need to do next on our Welcome and Orientation webpages.

You can start planning your Welcome Week by using our online Student Induction Planner. This will show you all of the welcome activities from both your college and your department. If you already have your Durham log in details, simply log in and your planner will automatically populate with your events. If you don’t yet have a log in, simply select University College and choose your department from the options.
Your Personal Induction Planner
Students on laptop with cups of tea in Josephine Butler College café

Useful links

Get in touch

If you have any queries in the meantime, please contact us. Please be aware that it's a busy time for staff & students and we will endeavour to get back to you as soon as we can.

University College

Durham Castle, Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3RW

College Reception Tel: +44 (0) 191 334 3800