The University of Durham was founded in 1832 by Bishop Van Mildert and the Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral, and is England’s third oldest university after Oxford and Cambridge. Durham University is distinctive – a Collegiate University with ancient traditions and modern values. Durham is a world top 100 university (as per QS World University rankings 2025). In the 2024 QS University rankings for Europe it is on position 27. It hosts over 330 undergrduate and postgraduate courses, and boosts a distinctive collegiate system with 17 colleges. Bill Bryson, famous international author and former Chancellor of Durham University, said “Durham, I have come to realise, has a capacity to astound out of all proportion to its size. I don’t know any place that manages to be more intimate and infinite at once.”. In national league tables, Durham, a member of the prestigious Russell group, is consistently recognised as one of the top universities in the UK. The University is ranked sixth in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022, seventh in the Guardian University Guide 2024; and seventh in The Complete University Guide 2025. Durham University is distinctive – a residential collegiate university with long traditions and modern values. It seeks the highest distinction in research and scholarship and is committed to excellence in all aspects of education and transmission of knowledge. Its research and scholarship affect every continent. It is proud to be an international scholarly community which reflects the ambitions of cultures from around the world. It promotes individual participation, providing a rounded education in which students, staff and alumni gain both the academic and the personal skills required to flourish.

Durham lies in the heart of North East England, one of the country’s most vibrant and rapidly developing regions. Few venues in the world can rival the splendour, prestige and heritage of the City of Durham. Located on a dramatic peninsula overlooking the River Wear, Durham’s unique Norman Cathedral and Castle not only dominate the skyline, they are also a designated World Heritage Site.

Durham is a small and compact city, and everything is within easy walking distance. Just minutes from the bustling centre, you can enjoy the tranquillity of leafy riverside footpaths along the banks of the River Wear, or the changing seasonal displays at the Botanic Garden. The Oriental Museum holds fascinating collections of international significance, as well as offering key insights into local history. Palace Green Library is currently being transformed into a very special home for the University’s internationally renowned archive and rare book collections

For the more energetic, why not take a boat out on the river, or admire the breath-taking view from the top of the Cathedral tower?

Hidden gems abound across the city and never fail to delight the visitor. Why not pay a visit to medieval Crook Hall, or explore the ruins of Finchale Priory?

Durham’s bustling selection of riverside cafes, bars and restaurants await you at the end of the day and provide the perfect location to relax and get away from it all.

Local Transport. Compact, clean and accessible, it couldn’t be easier to get around Durham.

Durham City Park and Ride: Durham City is served by three Park and Ride sites on the key routes into the city. These are situated at Belmont, Sniperley and Howlands. A direct bus service runs every 10 minutes to the city centre from each site.

The sites offer free parking for users of the Park and Ride bus service and unlimited daily travel into the city centre and back. Park and Ride users can also use the Cathedral Bus for free.

By Foot: Much of the city is accessible and with the benefit of being such a compact city, delegates can enjoy a stroll around the city accessing venues within minutes

By Bike: Bikes can be hired in the city to offer a cost-effective way to get around.