One of the oldest colleges in the University, St Chad’s is spread out among superb historic locations in the heart of mediaeval Durham. We pride ourselves on maintaining the very highest academic standards, with students studying the whole range of Durham degrees in a relaxed, open, supportive atmosphere. We’re small enough to ensure that our claim to being a community is more than mere rhetoric, but we’re also large enough to be quite a diverse community which gives people scope simply to be themselves, and to make some wonderfully unlikely friendships with people from very different backgrounds. Student satisfaction is very high – in 2024, 98% of our students said they would choose Chad’s again. It’s a wonderful place to learn to see the world from a whole variety of different perspectives – fundamental to being truly educated!
Location: The College is beautifully situated, occupying a dramatic site just a few metres from Durham Cathedral – a World Heritage Site. Beyond the back gardens, the land falls away into the wooded gorge of the River Wear which winds round our high peninsula – once the citadel of the Prince Bishops and a symbol of Norman power.
Academic success: The College has excellent completion rates, and we have extensive library facilities and study spaces of any Durham college. Each year, Chad’s students achieve outstanding academic results: in 2024, 95% of our students graduated with a 1st or upper second class honours degree. Our students go on to a hugely varied array of vocations and careers.
Diversity: Chad’s students come from all over the UK, from Europe and from all over the world. A majority of our UK students come from the state sector, and anyone who can make the grades is encouraged to apply. We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries to support first generation students and students from under-represented communities in particular.
Size: Perfectly-sized (in our view) at just over 550 students, the College offers students the twin advantages of being part of a small, supportive, historic, inclusive community, while being fully part of one of the best universities in the UK.
International: The College is particularly committed to internationalism, co-sponsoring, for instance, the Ruth First Scholarship, which brings a postgraduate from Southern Africa to study for a year. Hear more from our international students in the video HERE.
Fantastic College Spirit
“I would say the thing I love most about Chad’s is how everyone gets involved with everything, from sport to drama and everything in-between. That is what helped me get settled into College life the best, as I made friends with loads of people in every year.”
Will – Third Year Classicist
Community: Every college says it’s friendly and has great spirit, and that’s no doubt true. But what makes Chad’s just a bit different is not only the College’s relaxed atmosphere, but the way students and staff work together. At St Chad’s, students share in the actual governance of the College, which is a self-governing institution recognised by the University. Because we share governance with students, there is little of the ‘we-they’ atmosphere you often find in large institutions, and there are countless opportunities to get involved and join, initiate, lead and help to run things. Chad’s is an enterprising and creative place, always encouraging people to “have a go”. We have an active college tutor team and a wonderful Senior Common Room and Alumni community who are keen to support our students. This is a real community for real adults – some young and some a bit older – who are keen to take personal responsibility and to make a difference, while still having the time of their lives.
“Chad’s is a small community that allows you to get to know everyone, regardless of age or common room. It is also an academic environment that allows you to reach your potential.”
Alastair – Third Year Computer Scientist
Sport, Music, Drama, the Arts The College has strong rowing, football, mixed lacrosse, frisbee, hockey and rugby traditions for men and women, and the highest rate for participation in sport in the whole University. There is a well-equipped (characterful) gym in College, which supplements the University’s facilities. The College not only supports sport, but also the arts, offering organ scholarships, poetry readings, music summer schools, and promoting just about everything else you can think of – from a jazz band, choral consort, brass band, strings group, the largest pop choir in the University, and a first-rate college chapel choir, headed by a student Director of Music.
Mind, Body – and Soul At Chad’s, we take seriously the fact that we are whole human beings and aim to support and challenge each other in an integrated way – body, mind and soul. We have a long-cherished chapel with regular services, a fantastic choir and a friendly chaplain who you are as likely to bump into in the bar or dining room as the chapel. We welcome people of all faiths and beliefs and hope that Chad’s will be a place where people can express, explore and question ultimate questions of meaning, belonging and identity and learn from each other in a relaxed and open atmosphere.
Our values At Chad’s, our motto is “non vestra sed vos” – not what you have but who you are, not yours but you. We welcome people from all sorts of backgrounds and celebrate each person’s (sometimes quirky) individuality. At Chad’s, you will find space to be yourself, and be part of a community that is both supportive and out-ward looking . We try to live out our commitment to social justice and inclusion in a variety of ways: including our work with local schools, our Internship Programme, our volunteering, and our support of fair trade.
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For information, please email chads.admissions@durham.ac.uk