Durham University

Durham University
Coat of arms of the university
Latin: Universitas Dunelmensis[1]
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; 192 years ago (1832) (university status)
Academic affiliations
Endowment£101.7 million (2023; exclusive of independent colleges)[2]
Budget£483.6 million (2022/23)[2]
ChancellorFiona Hill
Vice-Chancellor & WardenKaren O'Brien
Academic staff
2,530 (2022/23)[3]
Administrative staff
2,920 (2022/23)[3]
Students22,365 (2022/23)[4]
Undergraduates17,765 (2022/23)[4]
Postgraduates4,600 (2022/23)[4]
Location
Durham and Stockton-on-Tees
,
England

54°46′30″N 01°34′30″W / 54.77500°N 1.57500°W / 54.77500; -1.57500
Campus257 hectares (640 acres)[5]
Student newspaperPalatinate
Colours  Palatinate
Sporting affiliations
BUCS, Wallace Group
Sports teamTeam Durham
Websitedurham.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]

  1. ^ Anderson, Peter John (1907). Record of the Celebration of the Quatercentenary of the University of Aberdeen: From 25th to 28th September, 1906. Aberdeen, United Kingdom: Aberdeen University Press (University of Aberdeen). ASIN B001PK7B5G. ISBN 9781363625079.
  2. ^ a b "Durham University Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2023" (PDF). Durham University. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Who's working in HE?". www.hesa.ac.uk. Higher Education Statistics Agency.
  4. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference HESA citation was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  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.