Allocations Queries

Q. Do I need to apply for accommodation? 

Undergraduates

You will be contacted by the Accommodation and Allocations Office, to ask you to register your interest to receive an offer of College accommodation. If you have not received communications from the University please do let us know at vm.ug.newstudent@durham.ac.uk.

Postgraduates
You can express a preference for membership and accommodation or membership only; for more information please see the dedicated webpage here.
If you have any queries please let us know at vm.pg.newstudent@durham.ac.uk.

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Q. How does the College allocation process work, and can I change Colleges?

Once College membership has been allocated, it cannot be changed at an applicant’s request other than for exceptional circumstances such as a medical need or any other access requirements that cannot be met by your allocated College. You can find out more about the Undergraduate allocation process here and the Postgraduate allocation process here. 

If you have concerns about your allocated college not being able to meet your requirements, please complete the Disability Disclosure Form.

Q. Can I change my allocated college if I do not want to live in University accommodation?

If you decide to live outside of College in your first year that is absolutely fine!  Your College Membership will remain with your allocated College and you will still be able to engage with everything College and your JCR have to offer.  We would encourage you to get involved in College life – it really is an amazing way to get to know people and to have fun!

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Q. Do all first year students live in College? 

New undergraduate students are expected to live in College accommodation during their first year of study and there are a number of rooms in College reserved for new postgraduate students. We also welcome “returning students” (returning second, third and fourth year students) wishing to live in College in subsequent years. Please ensure you fill out the accommodation forms sent to you in a timely fashion to ensure your offer for accommodation. You can find out more about accommodation at Van Mildert on our Accommodation page.
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Q. I have a disability/medical condition which requires special facilities in my accommodation. Who shall I tell? 

If you have special requirements for your accommodation, please complete the Disability Disclosure Form.

 1. Once you have completed the Disability Disclosure Form you will receive an individual link asking you to upload any relevant supporting documentation to our secure platform.

 2. The information we receive via our Disability Disclosure Form will be assessed and used as a basis to provide appropriate support/adjustments for you during your programme.

 3. For applicants applying for college accommodation at Durham the form enables you to indicate any disability related accommodation needs.

Contact details for Disability Support are also available on our website at www.durham.ac.uk/disability.support/.

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What to Expect

Q. What should I do if I'm worried or have questions about life at college?

We're here for you at Van Mildert, and will do all we can to help if you're worried or have questions. You can contact us via our new undergraduate student email:
Undergraduate Students: vm.ug.newstudent@durham.ac.uk.
Postgraduate Students: vm.pg.newstudent@durham.ac.uk 

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Q. What is a College and what can I expect when I start college life?

Durham is a collegiate university, with 17 Colleges across Durham City.  All students at Durham are a member of a College and tend to ‘live in’ during their first year. Colleges are diverse communities, welcoming students from around the world and studying across all disciplines within the University. Whilst no teaching takes place within the Colleges, they provide opportunities for personal development, extracurricular activities and a range of events for students to enjoy. Each College has common rooms representing its student body and designated social spaces and facilities such as a bar, study spaces and areas for arts and sports. 

Don't worry! We will try to make your first few days with us as simple as possible. You can find more about what your journey with us will be like on our College Life pages. Additional information will be sent out to you from the middle of August in our pre-arrival communications, make sure you are checking your email and reading through the Sways we send out to ensure you don't miss anything!

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Q. What is accommodation like at Van Mildert?

Our accommodation is spread across seven accommodation blocks. Your room has a standard single bed, desk and chair, shelving, wardrobe, draws, sink and underbed storage for suitcases and holdalls that you will not be using. You can find out more on our Accommodation page. 

You will be allocated a single study bedroom with shared bathroom/shower facilities unless you have filled in the Disability Disclosure Form and require an ensuite room. 

You will have the opportunity to purchase a bedding pack which consists of a single duvet, one single duvet cover, one pillow, one pillowcase and a fitted sheet.

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Q. What can I expect from the catering at Van Mildert?

All our students, both undergraduates and postgraduates, are offered fully catered accommodation here at Van Mildert. We offer breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout term times to all our livers in. You can find out more about catering at Van Mildert on our Catering page.

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Pre-Arrival Information

Q. What Items should I bring to college?

You will be sent a College Handbook as part of the pre-arrivals information we send out from mid-August onwards, this will include ALL the information you need for arriving at University. Please ensure you read this information to know what to bring and what not to bring to University.

If you do not wish to purchase the bedding pack mentioned above, please do bring bedding including a duvet and pillows for a single bed, toiletries, towels, a valid form of photographic ID, coat hangers, suitable clothes for formals and warm clothes (as it gets pretty cold in Durham!).

It is also advised that you bring a dressing gown and some sliders/flip flops/slippers as you have communal areas within your accommodation block, including showers, toilets and a small pantry. You may also want to bring some tissues and cold medicines.

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Q. When should I arrive at Van Mildert?

You will receive further guidance about arrivals once your place is confirmed in August of your year of entry. Keep an eye on your emails and read through the Sways we send out to all our incoming new students, so you don't miss useful information or your arrival time slot!

Q. Can I arrive early before my Licence Agreement starts?

Typically, students will arrive on the date their Licence Agreement starts, unless there are exceptional circumstances. If you do require your room earlier you will need to contact us in advance to see if your accommodation will be ready. Additional cost will be incurred for an early arrival and we can get you a figure for this when you contact us.

Undergraduate Students - vm.ug.newstudent@durham.ac.uk 
Postgraduate Students - vm.pg.newstudent@durham.ac.uk 

Please ensure you contact us with enough time to arrange this for you as your room may not be ready for the date you are wanting to arrive!

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Q. Can I arrange to have parcels delivered before I arrive?     

No, unfortunately we do not have the storage facilities at college to hold parcels before students arrive. We would prefer that if you are having anything delivered to College it is delivered on the day that you arrive or the day after. 

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Finance Queries

Q. I cannot afford a catered college; can I change to self-catered?

If you are struggling with anything to do with your financial situation, please do get in touch with us and we will endeavour to get you some support.

Undergraduate Students - vm.ug.newstudent@durham.ac.uk
Postgraduate Students - vm.pg.newstudent@durham.ac.uk 

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Q. How do I pay my fees?

Tuition and accommodation fees are payable in termly instalments following your arrival at the University. An invoice will be issued to you indicating the date by which you must pay these fees. Payments, in sterling, can be made by direct debit, credit card, cheque or bankers draft or bank transfer, however, direct debit is the University's preferred method of payment.  You can also choose to pay your fees in one lump sum if you would prefer.

Please visit our fees and funding page for more information.

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