UNIVERSITY
DURHAM.
Find verified student accommodation near Durham University. Explore affordable student rooms, flats, and housing in the City Centre, Gilesgate, Neville's Cross & Framwellgate.
Campus
Durham City Campus
Campus
Queen's Campus Stockton
Campus
Ustinov College
ACOLYTE COMMUNITY
11,640 Students Housed
The Cribs
Verified student homes near Durham University.
The Lore
Flat White Kitchen
Durham's best coffee and one of its best brunch spots on Saddler Street. Usually has queues out the door — arrive early. Cathedral views from the outdoor seating make the wait worthwhile.
Durham Market — Wednesday Asian Market
Market Place in the heart of Durham has a bustling Saturday market and a specialist Wednesday Asian market with South Asian grocers, spices, and street food. Affordable, authentic, and central.
Old Tom's Gin Bar
A tiny, charming riverside gin bar with a terrace overlooking the River Wear at sunset. Over 200 gin varieties. One of Durham's most atmospheric spots — the best place to celebrate an essay submission.
Riverview Kitchen
Relaxed café-bar on the riverbank. Perfect for a working lunch with views of the cathedral and castle.
Side Quests
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Durham University
Research Assistant
Durham Research Departments
Barista / Café Staff
Flat White Kitchen / Riverview
Front of House
Durham riverside restaurants
Tutor / Academic Mentor
Tutorful / Self-employed
Library Assistant
Durham Library Services
£500 scholarship.
50 winners. Every year.
We created the Acolyte Scholarship to give international students — including Durham students — a meaningful head start on the biggest financial challenge of studying abroad: the cost of housing.
- ✓Open to all nationalities — no restrictions
- ✓No GPA or grade requirement
- ✓Must be studying internationally (Durham qualifies)
- ✓500-word essay — your story, in your words
- ✓£500 paid directly to your bank account
Student FAQs
The City Centre and areas like Gilesgate, Neville's Cross, and Framwellgate Moor are the most popular for Durham students. The city centre gives you the shortest walk to most colleges and the main library, while Gilesgate and Neville's Cross offer more affordable shared housing with good bus links. Durham is a compact city — nowhere is far from campus.
Durham is more affordable than London but can be competitive given the small size of the city and high student demand. Shared houses typically range from £550 to £750 per person per month. Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) runs from £900 to £1,200. Booking early — ideally 4 to 6 months ahead — gives you the best prices and room choices.
Yes. Most Durham landlords accept overseas guarantors. For properties requiring a UK-based guarantor, services like Housing Hand are widely accepted. Acolyte's verified landlord network is experienced with international student requirements.
Durham operates a collegiate system — most first-year students live in college accommodation. From second year onwards, students typically move into private housing in the city. This means the private rental market is primarily used by second, third, and postgraduate students. Booking early is essential as the city's housing stock is limited relative to student numbers.
Durham is a small city with a large student population relative to its size. For a September start, begin your search in February or March. Properties in the city centre and Gilesgate fill up quickly. Booking 4 to 6 months ahead gives you the best selection and most competitive prices.
Most listings include water, electricity, gas, and broadband. This is clearly stated on every Acolyte property page — no hidden costs after you sign.
Durham University
Finding the right student accommodation near Durham University is one of the most important decisions you will make before starting your studies in one of England's most historic and prestigious university cities. Durham University is consistently ranked among the top universities in the UK and attracts thousands of domestic and international students every year. Because the city is compact and the student population is large relative to its size, demand for quality private accommodation is high — particularly from second-year students moving out of college housing.
Private student accommodation near Durham University is available in a range of room types, including ensuite rooms, studio apartments, shared houses, and purpose-built student accommodation. Most modern student properties offer fully furnished rooms, high-speed Wi-Fi, communal study spaces, laundry facilities, and all-inclusive utility bills. The most popular areas for students are the City Centre, Gilesgate, Neville's Cross, and Framwellgate Moor, all of which offer good transport links and easy access to the university's colleges and facilities.
Durham University is one of the most selective universities in the UK and has a highly competitive admissions process. The Durham University acceptance rate is estimated at around 55% to 65% overall, though this varies significantly by course. Highly competitive programmes such as Medicine, Law, and PPE typically have much lower acceptance rates.
The Durham University Law acceptance rate is estimated at around 25% to 35%, reflecting strong competition for places. For postgraduate applicants, the Durham University Masters acceptance rate ranges from 40% to 60% depending on the department and applicant profile.
Durham University Acceptance Rate by Subject
| Course / Program | Estimated Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| Durham University Overall Acceptance Rate | 55% to 65% |
| Durham University Law Acceptance Rate | 25% to 35% |
| Durham University Medicine Acceptance Rate | 10% to 15% |
| Durham University Masters Acceptance Rate | 40% to 60% |
| Durham University Engineering Acceptance Rate | 50% to 60% |
| Durham University Computer Science Acceptance Rate | 45% to 55% |
Durham University is located in Durham City in the northeast of England, approximately 20 minutes south of Newcastle by train. The university's main colleges and academic buildings are clustered around the historic Durham City Centre, with the iconic Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle — both UNESCO World Heritage Sites — at the heart of the campus. This makes Durham one of the most visually striking university settings in the world.
The university also operates Queen's Campus in Stockton-on-Tees, which is home to several academic departments and colleges. For most students based in Durham City, the best areas for private accommodation are the City Centre, Gilesgate, Neville's Cross, and Framwellgate Moor. All of these areas are within walking distance or a short bus ride from the main university buildings and colleges.
The Durham University ranking consistently places it among the top 5 to 10 universities in the UK, making it one of the most sought-after destinations for both domestic and international students. It is a member of the Russell Group and is particularly well regarded for Law, Business, Natural Sciences, and the Humanities. Its strong academic reputation and collegiate lifestyle attract a highly competitive applicant pool every year.
Because Durham is a small city with a large student population, the private rental market is highly competitive. Students are strongly advised to begin their accommodation search early — ideally 4 to 6 months before their intake — to secure the best room types and locations close to their college or department.
Postgraduate students at Durham University typically look for quieter, more independent living arrangements that support focused research and academic work. Studio apartments and private ensuite rooms in the City Centre and Gilesgate are popular choices, offering privacy and a study-friendly environment while remaining close to the university's libraries, research facilities, and Ustinov College — Durham's dedicated postgraduate college.
Many purpose-built student accommodations near Durham University include dedicated study rooms, high-speed internet, communal lounges, and 24/7 security — all of which are particularly valued by postgraduate and international students. Comparing room types, commute times, and included amenities before booking will help you find the best fit for your academic and personal needs.