Student accommodation in Durham works differently from most UK university cities. The collegiate system means your college is often your first home, your social base, and your primary community, not just a place to sleep. But it is also one of the most expensive student housing markets outside the south of England, and competition for the best private properties starts earlier than most students expect.
This guide covers every type of Durham student accommodation: university colleges, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), and private houses, with prices, areas, booking timelines, and verified listings you can act on today.
durham City properties
Find your perfect student accommodation
Types of Student Accommodation in Durham
There are three routes for housing at Durham University. Each suits a different year of study, budget, and lifestyle.
1. Durham University College Accommodation
First-year undergraduates at Durham University are guaranteed an offer of college accommodation. This is the distinctive feature of the Durham experience: your college is your community, sporting team, bar, and welfare network, not just your halls.
Durham has 17 colleges, split between two main areas:
- The Bailey (city centre and riverside): the historic core, with colleges including University College (Castle), St John's, St Chad's, Hatfield, and St Cuthbert's Society. Walking distance to everything.
- The Hill (near the Science Site): colleges including Collingwood, Grey, Van Mildert, Trevelyan, St Aidan's, and Stephenson. Better suited to science, engineering, and social science students based on the Hill site.
College rooms range from standard shared-bathroom rooms to en-suite and catered options. Prices for 2025/26 (39-week contract):
| Room type | Weekly cost (2025/26) |
| En-suite room (self-catered) | ~£200/week |
| Standard room with catering (21 meals/week) | £262/week+ |
Durham University college accommodation rose by 5% in 2025/26. A standard catered room with a shared bathroom now costs over £10,000 per year, around double the national student average of £135 per week, according to Save the Student.
Most colleges only guarantee accommodation in first year. Second and third-year students typically live in private housing or PBSA. Some colleges (St John's, St Chad's) offer rooms to returning students, but availability is limited and usually balloted.
2. Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)
PBSA in Durham offers en-suite rooms and studio flats in managed buildings close to the university. All bills are typically included, rooms are furnished, and facilities such as gyms, study rooms, and cinema rooms are often on-site.
Prices are higher than private houses on headline rent, but once bills are factored in, the gap is smaller than it looks. PBSA is also the most practical option for international students booking from abroad, since you can view virtually, book with cancellation protection, and arrive with everything set up.
Price range: £175–£360/week, bills included.
Browse all verified PBSA options near Durham University on Acolyte Living's Durham student accommodation page.
3. Private Student Houses and Flats
The most common choice for second and third-year Durham students. Shared houses across Gilesgate, Framwellgate Moor, Neville's Cross, and Viaduct give the most flexibility and typically the lowest headline rent.
The average rental cost for student houses in Durham is around £122 per week, excluding bills. Add £50–£80 per month per person for gas, electricity, water, and broadband, and the real cost typically lands between £135 and £155 per week, comparable with bills-included PBSA at the lower end.
Competition for good private houses in Durham is fierce. Most students need to find a group and start looking in early November, signing a lease before Christmas, if they want a decent choice.
Durham Student Accommodation by Area
Where you live in Durham affects your daily commute, your rent, and how connected you feel to university life. The city is small and walkable, but the hills make some routes harder than a map suggests.
The Bailey and City Centre
The historic peninsula at the heart of Durham. Closest to the Bailey colleges, Elvet Riverside lecture halls, the Bill Bryson Library, and the student union. High demand, limited private housing supply, and the highest rents in the city. Best for students in Hill colleges who want easy access to both sites, or those who prioritise location above budget.
Claypath
Just east of the city centre, Claypath is one of Durham's most popular student areas. Home to Student Castle Durham, one of the best-located PBSA properties in the city. Short walk to the centre, good bus links, supermarkets nearby. Central without being as expensive as the peninsula itself.
Elvet
On the opposite bank of the River Wear from Durham Cathedral. Close to Elvet Riverside lecture halls, the Bill Bryson Library, and the student union, making it particularly convenient for humanities and social science students. Prices are higher than average but the location justifies it for students with most teaching in this area.
Gilesgate
East of the centre, around 20 minutes on foot or a short bus ride to the main university buildings. One of the most affordable student areas in Durham, with a mix of private shared houses and PBSA. Good supermarket access. Popular with second and third-year students looking for better value without being far out.
Neville's Cross
South of the city, close to the Science Site and Hill colleges. Quieter and more residential than the centre. Well-suited to students with most teaching on the Hill. Prices sit below the city centre average.
Framwellgate Moor
North of Durham, furthest from the city centre but the most affordable area for student housing. Bus links are reliable. Best suited to students who prioritise budget and do not need to be walking distance from campus.
Viaduct
Between the city centre and the Hill. Close to the Viaduct area of the city, with a mix of private housing and purpose-built blocks. Popular with students at Hill colleges who want something between the two main sites.
Verified Student Accommodation in Durham: Top Properties
All properties below are listed on Acolyte Living with live prices, bills-included options, and up to £500 cashback on booking.
Student Castle Durham
Address: 20 Claypath, Durham DH1 1RH From: £309/week (en-suite), £359/week (studio) Bills included: Yes: utilities, broadband, contents insurance
Located on Claypath, 17 minutes on foot or 6 minutes by bike from Durham University. Seven minutes from the city centre. Room types include en-suite rooms in shared flats, single studios, and twin studios for single or double occupancy. Facilities include a gym, study room, cinema room, game room, courtyard, bike storage, and 24-hour reception.
"No Visa No Pay" and "No Place No Pay" cancellation policies make this a low-risk booking, particularly for international students.
Chapel Heights Durham
From: £110/week (check live availability) Bills included: Check listing
One of the more affordable options on Acolyte Living for Durham students. Studio rooms with private bathroom and kitchenette. Good for students wanting self-contained living at a lower price point than central PBSA.
The Village at The Viaduct
From: £110/week (check live availability) Bills included: Yes on selected rooms
A popular community-focused option in Durham. En-suite bedrooms and studio apartments, with a communal lounge, games room, rooftop area, courtyard, and laundry facilities. Well located between the city centre and the Hill.
View The Village at The Viaduct
Elvet Studios
From: £110/week (check live availability) Bills included: Yes
Close to the Elvet Riverside lecture halls and the Bill Bryson Library. Strong option for humanities, law, and social science students who want to be walkable to their main teaching buildings. En-suite bedrooms and studios available.
Houghall Court
From: £110/week (check live availability) Bills included: Yes on selected rooms
Around a 14-minute walk from Durham University, slightly further out which keeps prices lower. Classic en-suite and premium rooms. A practical choice for students based on the Science Site or at East Durham College.
Durham Student Accommodation Prices: Full Comparison
| Option | Weekly cost | Bills included | Best for |
| Private house, Framwellgate Moor | £90–£110 | No | Budget-first students |
| Private house, Gilesgate | £100–£130 | No | Value, 2nd/3rd year |
| PBSA entry-level (e.g. Houghall Court) | from £110 | Yes | International, 1st year |
| PBSA mid-range (e.g. Student Castle en-suite) | £175–£310 | Yes | Modern facilities |
| PBSA studio | £220–£360 | Yes | Independence |
| Durham University college (catered) | £262+ | No (catering extra) | Full college experience |
rices flagged as time-sensitive: confirm current rates directly on each listing.
When to Book Durham Student Accommodation
Timing matters more in Durham than in most UK cities. The market moves fast and the cheapest rooms go first.
| Student type | When to start looking | When to commit |
| First year (college) | Allocation handled by university | After receiving college offer |
| First year (PBSA) | October–November | December–January at the latest |
| Second/third year (private house) | October–November | Before Christmas break |
| Second/third year (PBSA) | November–January | February at the latest for best rooms |
| International students | As soon as offer confirmed | ASAP (book with cancellation protection) |
The cheapest and most popular rooms on Acolyte Living's Durham listings typically fill between November and February for the following academic year. If you are reading this in spring or summer, check live availability: rooms do become available later, but choice narrows.
Student Accommodation in Durham: Who Suits What
You are a first-year student: College accommodation is the right choice. The social integration, welfare support, and collegiate identity that Durham is known for are built around the college experience. You will be allocated a college, and living in it gives you the best start.
You are in second or third year: Most students move out of college and into private houses or PBSA. Start looking in October, move fast on anything good, and sign before Christmas if you want a real choice of property.
You are an international student: PBSA with bills included, virtual tours, and No Visa No Pay protection is the most practical route. Acolyte Living's Durham page lists verified options with these features, bookable from abroad.
You are on a tight budget: Private shared houses in Gilesgate or Framwellgate Moor offer the lowest headline rents. See the cheap student accommodation in Durham guide for a full breakdown of the most affordable options and how to compare bills-in vs bills-out costs properly.
You are visiting Durham before deciding: Use the Durham University open days guide to plan your visit. Walking the routes between the colleges, the city centre, and the two main teaching sites is the best way to understand which areas are actually walkable for your timetable.
Browse all verified student accommodation near Durham University on Acolyte Living. Prices from £110/week, bills included on most properties, up to £500 cashback on booking.
If you are still at the research stage, the Durham University open days guide covers what to expect on a visit and how to use the day to assess which areas work for you. For planning around the academic calendar, see the Durham term dates guide and the Durham University timetable guide.
Wassup
Instagram??
FAQs: Student Accommodation in Durham
Is accommodation guaranteed at Durham University?
First-year undergraduates are guaranteed an offer of college accommodation at Durham University. This does not guarantee a specific college or room type, but every first-year student receives an offer. Second and third-year students are not guaranteed accommodation and must arrange private or PBSA housing independently.
How much does student accommodation in Durham cost per week?
Student accommodation in Durham starts at around £90 per week for shared private houses, up to over £300 per week for premium PBSA options. The average for a private student house is around £122 per week excluding bills, and around £155 per week for purpose-built student accommodation with bills included.
What is the best area to live in Durham as a student?
It depends on your course and college. Students at Bailey colleges and those with teaching at Elvet Riverside favour the city centre and Claypath. Students at Hill colleges suit Neville's Cross and Viaduct. Students prioritising budget over location choose Gilesgate or Framwellgate Moor. See the area breakdown above for a full comparison.
When should I start looking for student accommodation in Durham?
Second and third-year students should start looking in October and sign a lease before Christmas. The best private houses in Durham are often gone by December. For PBSA, rooms fill between November and February. First-year students are handled through the university's college allocation process.
Can international students book Durham student accommodation from abroad?
Yes. Several PBSA properties near Durham University offer virtual tours, bills-included contracts, and No Visa No Pay or No Place No Pay cancellation protection. All verified options are listed on Acolyte Living's Durham accommodation page.
What is the difference between The Bailey and The Hill at Durham?
The Bailey is the historic city centre area of Durham, home to the oldest colleges, the cathedral, and the riverside. The Hill is the area south of the city centre where the Science Site, sports facilities, and several modern colleges are based. Most students have teaching across both sites during their degree. Your college location affects your daily commute, so it is worth thinking about when choosing accommodation in your later years.
Is Durham expensive for student accommodation?
Relative to other northern UK cities, yes. Durham University's standard self-catered room costs £262 per week in 2025/26, nearly double the national student average of £135 per week. Private housing brings the cost down, but Durham is not as cheap as Manchester, Leeds, or Newcastle. The trade-off is a world-class university in a small, safe, walkable city.