Durham is a proudly collegiate university and, as a Durham student, you are or will become a member of a college. Your college will be the hub of your non-academic life and each college offers access to many exciting student-led opportunities, from managing sports teams and organising social events, to representing your fellow students. By participating in this way, you can influence and deliver the activities and events within your college and across the University community.
Every college has a representative bodies of students. For undergraduates, there is the Junior Common Room (JCR), and for postgraduates, there is the Middle Common Room (MCR). Other names used include a Student Representative Council (SRC), or a Graduate Common Room (GCR). These student-led bodies organise many of the events, societies, sports, and other activities within our colleges. Common Rooms are led by an elected body of voluntary student officers, including an Executive Committee. Through the Common Rooms, student life at Durham is shaped by the students themselves.
To help fund the organisation and activities that Common Rooms provide, all students are asked to become a member of the appropriate College Common Room. Joining your Common Room means that you have the opportunity to play a full part in the life of your college community.
In addition to Common Room membership, many Colleges have additional facilities and services that can enhance your experience at Durham. Colleges ask their students to contribute to these services and facilities by making a donation; this varies across colleges depending on the service or facility offered.
Alongside the Colleges, there are also opportunities in Sport, Music and Theatre available across the University via Experience Durham and through the many and varied societies of the Students' Union. There may be some additional charges involved in becoming a member of teams and societies and this page provides information on and links to these charges.
It is important to point out that you have to opt-in to pay Common Room membership and other charges. If you choose not to opt-in, some services and facilities in your college, and those provided by the Common Rooms, may not be available to you and you will not be able to participate in Common Room elections. Your College and Common Room can give you more information on this.
Some Colleges have integrated common rooms - see below for full details.
College
JCR Levy (3 Years)
JCR Levy (4 Years)
College of St Hild and St Bede
£165
*
Collingwood College
£135
Grey College
£195
£235 (or £195 if taking year out)
Hatfield College
£220
John Snow College
£160
Josephine Butler College
£146
South College
£190
St Aidan's College
£200
St Chad's College
£90
£120
St Cuthbert's Society
£172.50
St John's College
St Mary's College
£95
£115
Stephenson College
£170
£225
Trevelyan College
£140
University College
£185
£240
Van Mildert College
*Same as JCR 3 Year Levy
MCR Levy
£53.50
£50
£55
£40
£38
Please note: South College does not have a separate Middle Common Room and its postgraduate students sit under the Junior Common Room (JCR). The levy listed here is the JCR levy for postgraduates.
£30
Combined with SCR £10
£35
£57.50
£45
£31
£65
University College (Full-Time)
University College (Part-Time)
Ustinov College
£135 for Undergraduate and Foundation students. Payable in your first year and lasting for the length of your undergraduate degree.
This contributes to the day-to-day running of the JCR, subsidising JCR services. If you wish to take part in any JCR events (including joining sports teams and societies) or to use their facilities, you must pay this charge.
The JCR Levy (membership fee) is £60per year, and on joining, you’ll be a member of a community of over 1,000 students. Most students opt to pay for the duration of their degree at the start of their studies (e.g. £165 for a 3-year BSc/BA, etc.). The JCR is run by students for students, and whilst JCR membership is optional, we strongly encourage all students to join to make the most of their time at Durham. The levy goes towards subsidising the running of the JCR and its activities. Through participation in sports and societies, students get to know many people from across the College.
The JCR organises most of the student life in College and allows members to:
One Year - £60
Three Year - £180
Four Year - £225
£53 (new)
£25 (second-hand)
Free (levy paid)
£40 (non-levy paid)
At John Snow College, the Junior Common Room is a student-led organisation, charged with creating your student experience from the day you move in, to the day you leave as a Graduate of Durham University! In order to create your student experience and cover our costs of running events, sports and societies we charge a one-off optional fee of £145 when you arrive, which covers you for your entire time at John Snow College. Opting into the JCR entitles you to a huge variety of perks.
These include priority access and member rates to college events, including College Balls and our College Day as well as eligibility to participate in our College sports and societies. Being a member also allows you to shape how college life is run, by being able to vote at student councils, and being eligible to run for student officer elections. We like to think of it as covering your costs in advance, and even with a relatively low level of participation, our students find that they have saved the money back from the member perks.
Being a JCR member also entitles you to access to our development initiatives, such as our generous Student Development Fund which funds members to travel all over the world taking part in exciting career and personal development programmes. Participation in the JCR is hugely popular and we find the majority remain opted in.
More information is available on our website or you can email us.
John Snow College is a gowned college. Gowns are worn to formal dinners and to University matriculation.
Gowns are provided by the JCR at the costs on the left.
£53 (levy paid)
£60 (non-levy paid)
For those attending formals and College dinners, appropriate formal dress is required.
This means, if wearing a suit, a tie is essential. We strongly recommend the John Snow College Tie as a proud way to show your membership in the College community.
£12.50 (non-levy paid)
If wearing a dress, the College pin is an important part of the formal dress code. The enamelled metal pin should be worn on the left side of your gown and is expected at formal dinners.
These items are necessary elements of the College's formal wear tradition, and help to create a sense of unity and belonging at our formal events.
£3 (non-levy paid)
£75 (levy paid)
£130 (non-levy paid)
Membership of the JCR is a unique element of Durham University life, creating a fund which helps us put on our amazing events throughout the year, including Freshers’ Week, Fashion Show and our annual Summer Ball. It also helps fund our groups and campaigns, such as buying in equipment for sports and societies, and helping towards welfare campaigns. This fund also helps improve the experience of those living outside of college. It is a one-off payment for a three-year UG programme.
We ask that you pay this charge to ensure that we can keep producing these great events and that we are able to provide for all the sports, societies, and committees that you would like the join throughout your entire time at the college. If you do not wish to pay, you will be asked to pay a premium for events and to join sports, societies, and committees. There are also some events which are restricted, and priority will be given to JCR members. The JCR makes your college experience truly memorable, so #GetInvolved and be part of something special.
This confers membership of the College Association for life. This fund also includes support for running and stocking the College Library (with many course texts and a laptop loan system) and support for members to bid for assets, development projects and opportunities.
The fund is overseen by the College Trust Board, with a majority independent membership and representation from the common rooms.
Long description
Charge
Junior Common Room (JCR) Levy for undergraduates - 3 Years
The JCR membership fee for undergraduates is a one-off payment of £150 for the duration of your course. For postgraduates, the fee is £50. While JCR membership is optional, we strongly encourage all members of South to join to make the most of your time at Durham.
The fee goes towards the running of the JCR, its sports teams, societies, activities, events, and more. By paying your fee, you will be providing the student body with funds to deliver activities and as a JCR member you will be able to participate in College clubs and societies, as well as opportunities to engage in available leadership positions within the JCR. The JCR membership also provides subsidised tickets for events and activities which require an additional fee. Please note that there could be additional fees for joining clubs and societies.
Postgraduate and Integrated Masters students are required to pay the appropriate JCR levy at the beginning of each year of your postgraduate course, or at the beginning of your fourth year of an Integrated Masters.
If you are unable to pay the upfront cost of the JCR membership fee, there are a number of bursaries and funds provided by the College to help. This includes the JCR Levy Fund, which pays directly for JCR membership of recipients.
Please note: if you are on an exchange to South College, please choose the levy that reflects how many terms you will spend with us.
Junior Common Room (JCR) Levy for postgraduates
£30 per year
Junior Common Room (JCR) Levy - Exchange / Erasmus / Turing students
£15 (1 term)
£30 (2 terms)
£45 (3 terms)
Gym
The Mount Oswald Gym is the largest College gym in the University with new state of the art equipment for all fitness and gym-going levels. It is managed by the South and John Snow JCRs and Colleges and is accessible to those members of the College who opt to join and complete the necessary Health and Safety requirements.
All gym membership fees are reinvested into the gym for essential maintenance and the replacement of equipment.
Academic Gown
South College is gowned, meaning gowns are worn to Matriculation and Formal Dinners. Matriculation is a ceremony to welcome you to the University community, and formal dinners are a communal dining experience which take place regularly throughout the year. Many South students choose to buy their own gown, but there is no requirement to do so.
Please note, South JCR has a small number of gowns that can be rented for occasions that require the wearing of a gown.
£50 (levy paid)
Tie
The College tie features the College crest and is one way to display your College pride.
There are two options:
100% silk:
£15 (levy paid)
£18 (non-levy paid)
Polyester:
£9 (levy paid)
£12 (non-levy paid)
Pin
The College pin is an enamelled metal pin displaying the College crest. We highly encourage you to wear your pin on your gown at formal dinners. It is traditionally worn on the left side of the gown opening, however at South we suggest you wear it however you wish.
£2 (non-levy paid)
Welcome Week Charge
Start your time off at Durham with a bang with South Welcome Week! We have a variety of events prepared for you, in College and around Durham City. The welcome week charge includes access to all internal events, external events, a wristband, and a t-shirt.
£20 (levy paid)
£25 (non-levy paid)
Annual Gym Membership (JCR Member)
Walker Gym Pass
Howlands Gym Pass
Combined Walker and Howlands Gym Pass
£60
Annual Gym Membership (Non-JCR)
£80
£100
MCR - 1 Year
Common Rooms are run by elected students who form the Executive Committee together with the elected Non-Executive officers and their committees. They are run by students for students to enhance your experience at university and to ensure there is a calendar of events, sports, societies, student welfare and other opportunities to get involved.
The Levy is a one-off payment to become a member of the JCR/MCR. Membership allows you to run for positions, vote in elections and participate in committees, ensuring you have the opportunity to contribute to and shape the student community.
There are over the course of the year activities carrying additional costs, for example, the Summer Ball, and facilities such as the on-site gym. JCR/MCR members benefit from a significant discount (up to 50% off) on charges for these.
JCR - 1 Year
£70
JCR/MCR - 3 Years (if paid at once)
JCR/MCR - 4 Years(if paid at once)
Bedding pack
This pack includes:
Kitchen pack
£52.74
Dining pack
1 x White Ceramic Dinner Plate
1 x White Ceramic Side Plate
1 x White Ceramic Cereal Bowl
1 x White Ceramic Mug
1 x Glass Tumbler
1 x Table Knife
1 x Table Fork
1 x Dessert Spoon
1 x Teaspoon
£9.38
JCR - Undergraduate Levy
Aidan’s JCR is an independent charity registered common room ran by Undergraduates and an elected Sabbatical JCR President. This common room is for our undergraduate student body. Providing a huge number of social and extracurricular opportunities.
The levy crucially contributes to the overall running of the JCR and the activities the JCR delivers.
Linen pack
This pack includes: 1 pillow, 1 pillowcase, 1 duvet, 1 duvet cover and 1 sheet.
SCR Joint Member Fee
The SCR offers joint subscriptions for those who wish to sign both themselves, and their partner up to the SCR. Both partners receive the same benefits as described under 'SCR Member Fee'.
£20
SCR Membership Fee
Aidan’s SCR is a common room made up of postgraduate students, PhD students, post-dr’s, DU staff and the local community. Unique to Durham, the SCR is run by dedicated students and staff volunteers who advocate and represent the voice of our postgraduates and local community.
Offering and hosting a variety of events, lectures, and community outings throughout the year.
Their membership doesn’t just include Aidan’s events, the Aidan’s SCR has set up a collaborative network within Durham and other Colleges' MCRs and SCRs.
£10
St Aidan's Association
Provides for graduates to enjoy life membership of the Alumni Association of St Aidan's College.
£25
For information on additional charges, please visit the St Chad's College website.
JCR
Over 90% of students at St Cuthbert’s Society are members of the JCR, which is a 1,400 strong student body. The JCR at St Cuthbert's Society represents both undergraduates and postgraduates. We have a dedicated Postgraduate and Mature Students' Committee and President who run events specifically aimed at Postgraduate students. Everything that Cuth's JCR offers is only available to its members who opt to join the JCR. We provide over 40 different sports and societies and a variety of facilities including two gyms, a music room, and we run our own College library. We also provide social events and regular activities, ranging from Freshers' Week itself, through to termly balls and our annual College Day - a music and food festival that is one of the largest events on the Bailey.
As an independent charity we have over a hundred volunteer positions available to students, from welfare, through to fundraising and volunteering, tech, finances, and more. The JCR is 'by students, for students'. But even if you choose not to get involved in this way, as a JCR member you can still take advantage of all of the opportunities that it gives you. We provide many of the extracurricular opportunities that makes being in Cuth's such a fantastic and unforgettable experience. Don't miss out! If you would like to find out more information, please visit our JCR website at cuths.com or email president@cuths.com
You may purchase a bedding pack. The pack comprises a duvet, duvet cover, pillow, pillow case and a sheet.
Association Charge
Alumni Association fee. The membership fee is for life-time membership. See College Fees and Charges for further details.
SRC - Postgraduate
Student Representative Council fee. See College Fees and Charges for further details.
£55 per year
SRC - Undergraduate
SRC - Foundation / Erasmus / Exchange
Gym membership(SRC members)
Access to the college gym for the academic year.
Gym membership(non-SRC members)
SJCR membership
Details of membership:
£165 (3-year course)
£220 (4-year course)
College Gym membership
Access to the College gym and fitness rooms (induction necessary).
£50 per year
Required at our formal dinners, matriculation and SJCR meetings.
£50 (new)
£35 (second-hand)
Room Damage Deposit
Included in first term’s accommodation invoice.
Returned at end of academic year subject to satisfactory check of your room and the common areas on your floor/corridor.
£100 refundable deposit
Linen Pack Purchase (College residents only)
Contains 1 sheet, 1 duvet cover, 2 pillowcases, 1 bath towel & 1 hand towel.
Pack will be delivered to the room.
£40 Single bed
£45 Double bed
Middle Common Room (MCR) membership
Access to our dedicated Postgraduate Centre:
£45 per year
St John’s Boat Club membership
Email St John’s Boat Club for details.
£35 per term (competitive)
£20 per term (social/casual)
Junior Common Room (JCR) Levy
Payable by undergraduate students in their first year of study, this subscription contributes to the day-to-day running of the JCR. The JCR is a student-led organisation that really can enhance the experience of being a student at Durham. The JCR organises a wide range of social events in College that are highlights of the student calendar. They also organise and run all College sport and societies, which cover a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities including art, music, drama, politics, volunteering and other individual interests.
It’s hard to convey just how vibrant the JCR is at St Mary’s College and the opportunities it provides to students to make friends with people from all years of study and all disciplines, and to get involved at whatever level feels right for them.
Students are members of their JCR for the duration of their studies and the subscription subsidises the cost of social activities organised by the JCR, the running of the College sports clubs and societies, as well as helping to maintain JCR facilities. If you wish to take part in any JCR activities, use their facilities, stand for an elected position, or vote, then you must be a member of the Common Room.
£95 (3-year course)
£115 (4-year course)
Middle Common Room (MCR) Levy
The MCR is the Common Room for postgraduate students, mature undergraduate students, and for undergraduates in their fourth year of study. Like the JCR, the MCR is a student-led organisation that is designed to enhance the experience of its members whilst at Durham. Payment of the MCR subscription provides access to JCR clubs and societies, to events organised by both the MCR and JCR, and to the dedicated space for the MCR and its facilities. It also allows members to stand for positions in the MCR and to vote in MCR elections.
£31 (1 year)
Gym Membership
The College has a gym, managed by the JCR, which is made accessible to those members of the College who opt to join and pay and complete the necessary Health and Safety requirements
£20 per year
St Mary’s is a ‘gowned’ College, which means we wear gowns at Formal Dinners. These dinners take place approximately three times a term and are popular events. Gowns are also worn at Matriculation, the University event where students are formally admitted to the University. Many of our students choose to buy their own gown (new or second-hand), but there is no requirement to do so. The Common Rooms have a small number of gowns that can be hired for occasions that require the wearing of a gown.
Library Contribution
An optional College Library contribution of £30 for three-year undergraduates, £40 for students who will spend four years in Durham, and £10 per year of attendance for postgraduates (and one-year undergraduates).
£30/£40/£10
Junior Common Room (JCR) Levy for Exchange and Erasmus students
JCR dues (membership of the undergraduate common room) are charged in the first year only. This payment will cover your whole time in Trevelyan. Only common room members will be able to play sport, engage in societies and join in JCR events and elections.
£46.66
MCR dues are charged each year at the rate of £35. MCR Dues are paid to help run all of our college activities. By opting in you can join any of the college societies, teams, and clubs of the JCR (see above) and MCR; run in, and vote on, MCR elections; attend all of the college formals; and many more things throughout the year.
The College has a gym, managed by the JCR, which is made accessible to those members of the College who opt to join and pay and complete the necessary Health and Safety requirements.
Annual gym membership for JCR members - £50
Annual gym membership for non-JCR members - £160
Trevelyan College is a gowned college. We wear gowns to formal dinners and to University matriculation. Gowns are provided by the JCR at the cost on the left and can be sold back to the JCR at the end of your degree.
£57 (new)
£37 (second-hand)
Linen Pack
Bed linen pack containing duvet, duvet cover, pillow, pillowcase and sheets (International Students only).
Society Subscriptions
A subscription charge may apply in some JCR Societies
Variable
JCR 3-Year membership
All University College undergraduate students are warmly invited to join the JCR (Junior Common Room), University College's undergraduate community for undergraduates studying here for three or four-year courses.
A one-off payment at the beginning of the course covers the full period of study.
JCR 4-Year membership
JCR 1 Year for Exchange or Erasmus Students
MCR membership (full-time PG students)
Membership to our MCR will unlock a whole range of events and opportunities which will enrich your Durham experience.
MCR membership (part-time PG students)
Part-time/ Affiliate / ERASMUS students - Membership to our MCR will unlock a whole range of events and opportunities which will enrich your Durham experience.
Freshers' Pack and entrance to Freshers week (for undergraduates only)
The Freshers’ Pack is a package that helps new students settle in and grants them entry to all JCR-organised events from their arrival to the Friday of Induction Week. The opportunity to purchase this, as well as a timetable of events, will be released via email just before arrival.
Academic Gown (undergraduates)
Gowns are an important part of the history of University College, dating back to its founding in 1832. They are worn at formal events throughout the year and at Matriculation during Induction Week.
£55 (new)
These packs can be purchased by undergraduates/postgraduates who will be living in College accommodation and can be collected upon arrival following the payment of this charge.
Graduate Common Room Levy
Ustinov Graduate Common Room (GCR) is a group made up of students and alumni, representing Durham University’s postgraduate community. The GCR is run by a committee of students and elections are held several times a year. We are also a registered charity. Our main aims are providing support to our students and running a social calendar for our members and other postgraduates.
The majority of our funding comes from the GCR levy, a small charge (one of the cheapest in the University) which gets you membership of the GCR. This gets you the ability to run and vote in our elections as well as discounted access to many of our events and facilities. This includes the Ustinov gym and music room as well as trips, formals, karaoke, parties and live music nights. We want to make your time at Ustinov one of the most memorable periods of your life!
Freshers' Week wristbands
Undergraduate
Postgraduate
Erasmus / Exchange Common room 1 term
Membership of the appropriate Common Room, JCR or MCR, for the duration of your studies at Van Mildert College.
£18
Erasmus / Exchange Common room 2 terms
£36
Erasmus / Exchange Common room 3 terms
£54
The JCR Levy (membership fee) contributes to the everyday running of the Junior Common Room and lasts for your whole time as an undergraduate. By being part of the JCR, you are becoming a part of a community of over 1000 students, and it entitles you to take part in our events, sports and societies.
The levy goes towards subsidising these activities, from Formals to Freshers’ week and more, meaning you can get involved in all the JCR has to offer. Opting out of the levy means you will not be entitled to take part in these activities.
The MCR membership fee lasts for one academic year. It provides you with membership of the MCR, which is a community of over 200 postgraduate students, all of whom are members of Van Mildert College. It also entitles you to membership of the JCR and SCR. As a result of opting into this charge you are able to participate, as a postgraduate student, in all events, sports and societies run by the JCR, MCR or SCR.
The MCR membership fee is used to subsidise a range of activities in College. Opting out of the charge means that you will not be entitled to take part in these activities or will be subject to an additional charge per event where non-members are invited.
Gym membership
1 Year - Gym membership (undergraduate and postgraduate)
3 Year - Gym membership (undergraduate and postgraduate)
Teikyo students - Gym membership
Bedding packs contain a duvet, duvet cover, pillow, pillowcase and fitted sheet.
Van Mildert Association membership
Payment of this one-off charge offers lifetime membership of the Van Mildert Association, the alumni association of Van Mildert College. The association offers current students access to a network of alumni who provide career mentorship and support, engagement with College life through the provision of vital scholarships and bursaries.
Alongside this, the association organises reunion events for current and former students throughout the year across the UK and overseas. It has a membership of many thousands of former students, many of whom remain in contact with the College long after graduation. The VMA is an independent organisation to which membership fees will be transferred.
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