Durham University

Durham University
Coat of arms of the university
Latin: Universitas Dunelmensīs
Other name
The University of Durham
MottoLatin: Fundamenta eius super montibus sanctis
Motto in English
Her foundations are upon the holy hills (Psalm 87:1)
TypePublic research university
Established1832 (1832) (university status)
Academic affiliations
Endowment£101.7 million (2023; exclusive of independent colleges)[1]
Budget£483.6 million (2022/23)[1]
ChancellorFiona Hill CMG
Vice-Chancellor & WardenKaren O’Brien
Academic staff
1,830 (2020)[2]
Administrative staff
2,640 (2018/19)[3]
Students19,520 (2019/20)[4]
Undergraduates14,730 (2019/20)[4]
Postgraduates4,790 (2019/20)[4]
Location,
Campus257 hectares (640 acres)[5]
Student newspaperPalatinate
Colours  Palatinate
Sporting affiliations
BUCS, Wallace Group
Sports teamTeam Durham
Websitewww.durham.ac.uk Edit this at Wikidata
Official nameDurham Castle and Cathedral
TypeCultural
Criteriaii, iv, vi
Designated1986 (10th session)
Reference no.370
Extension2008
RegionWestern Europe

Durham University (legally the University of Durham)[6] is a collegiate public research university in Durham, England, founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832 and incorporated by royal charter in 1837. It was the first recognised university to open in England for more than 600 years, after Oxford and Cambridge, and is thus the third-oldest university in England.[7] As a collegiate university, its main functions are divided between the academic departments of the university and its 17 colleges. In general, the departments perform research and provide teaching to students, while the colleges are responsible for their domestic arrangements and welfare.

The university is a member of the Russell Group of British research universities[8] and is also affiliated with the regional N8 Research Partnership and international university groups including the Matariki Network of Universities and the Coimbra Group. The university estate includes 83 listed buildings, ranging from the 11th-century Durham Castle to the 1960s brutalist students' union. The university also owns and manages the Durham World Heritage Site in partnership with Durham Cathedral. The university's ownership of the world heritage site includes Durham Castle, Palace Green and the surrounding buildings including the historic Cosin's Library.[9]

Current and emeritus academics as of 2018 included 15 Fellows of the Royal Society, 18 Fellows of the British Academy, 16 Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences, 5 Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 3 Fellows of the Royal Society of Arts, 2 Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering and 2 Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences.[10] Durham graduates have long used the Latin post-nominal letters Dunelm after their degree, from Dunelmensis (of, belonging to, or from Durham).[11]

Among British universities, it had the tenth highest average UCAS Tariff for new entrants in 2021[12] and the third lowest proportion of state-school educated students starting courses in 2016, at 62.9 per cent (fifth lowest compared to its benchmark).[13]

  1. ^ a b "Durham University Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2023" (PDF). Durham University. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Who's working in HE? | HESA". hesa.ac.uk.
  3. ^ "Who's working in HE". Higher Education Statistics Agency. Staff numbers by HE provider. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Where do HE students study?". Higher Education Statistics Agency. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  5. ^ "HE Provider Data: Estates Management". Higher Education Statistics Agency. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  6. ^ "The University: Trading Name". Durham University. 8 April 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  7. ^ Bertie Dockeril (22 September 2017). "The Debating Societies of Durham and Liverpool 1900–1939". In Jodi Burkett (ed.). Students in Twentieth-Century Britain and Ireland. Springer. pp. 101, 120. ISBN 9783319582412.
  8. ^ "Our Universities". Russell Group. 12 March 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Site Boundaries: An Evolving Definition of Heritage". Durham World Heritage Site. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  10. ^ "Members of learned societies". University of Durham. 3 September 2015. Archived from the original on 3 December 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  11. ^ "What's in a Name?". Durham First. 27. Durham University. Autumn 2009. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  12. ^ "University League Tables entry standards 2024". The Complete University Guide. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  13. ^ Simon Baker (1 February 2018). "Oxford universities both struggling on state school recruitment". Times Higher Education. Retrieved 7 February 2018.