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Welcome to Ustinov

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Welcome to Ustinov College, Durham University’s sole postgraduate-only College. 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 from 1965 – 2003. Currently, our diverse and welcoming community includes around 1400 students from over 90 countries studying at both Masters and PhD level.   

Our focus at Ustinov College is to provide a safe, supportive, motivating and enjoyable collegiate environment that nurtures global citizenship and enables members to grow intellectually and socially. Our College motto ‘Diversitate  Valemus’ celebrates the strength arising from diversity and we actively promote inter-disciplinarity and collegiality. Our core community values include respect, fairness, kindness, and creativity and we aim to provide our members the opportunity to feel part of a local community while also exploring themes and topics relating to global citizenship.

As a ‘Ustinovian’,  you are beginning a journey 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 our whole team here at Ustinov I would like to extend a very warm welcome; we look forward to meeting you at one of the many events organised as part of the College’s social and academic calendar during the year.

Sarah Prescott (Acting 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.

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

 

University student
Welcome to Durham and to Ustinov from me and all of us in the Ustinov GCR team! Congratulations on making it into Durham, it’s a beautiful city and a fantastic place to study. Outside of your academic commitments, Ustinov GCR runs the social side of the college with countless parties, formals, trips and many more events throughout the year. Each year there are elections to find new people to join the committee and help run the GCR for the benefit of everyone in Ustinov. I’d be delighted for you to join the team so watch out for our updates throughout the year! I wish you every success for your year in Durham and hope to see you at many of our events throughout the year.

Anthony Jones
GCR President 2023/24

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College Information

Find out more

Enrol online

Enrolment opens eight weeks before the start of your programme.
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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

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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
photo of students sitting in the cafe chatting.