University College, Durham#Great Hall

University College was formed upon the creation of University of Durham in 1832. It was the first college of the university, and is therefore known as the "foundation college", but the university was founded explicitly on the Oxbridge model; the intention was already for the university to develop along collegiate lines in the manner of Oxford and Cambridge, as it has.

{{cite web

| last = Durham University

| author-link = Durham University

| title = Foundation of Durham University

| date = 17 January 2005

| url = http://www.dur.ac.uk/about/history/foundation/

| access-date = 7 August 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060617081426/http://www.dur.ac.uk/about/history/foundation/ |archive-date = 17 June 2006}}

Previously, for centuries, Durham Castle had been the bishop's palace for the Bishop of Durham until the residence was moved to Auckland Castle in 1832.{{cite web|url=https://www.britainexpress.com/counties/durham/az/durham/castle.htm|title=Durham Castle|publisher=Britain Express|access-date=29 October 2019}} Bishop William van Mildert, one of the founders of the university, had intended for the castle to be given to the college. Temporary accommodation for students was provided at the Archdeacon's Inn (now known as Cosin's Hall) on Palace Green until University College moved into its permanent home in 1837 after van Mildert's successor, Edward Maltby, completed renovations of the Castle.

{{cite web

| last = Durham University

| author-link = Durham University

| title = History of the Castle

| date = 14 February 2006

| url = http://www.dur.ac.uk/university.college/history/

| access-date = 7 August 2006}}

The castle's keep, formerly a ruin, was redeveloped for student accommodation; in particular, the college's chapels and Great Hall have been restored. Since then high levels of maintenance have been, and still are, necessary to preserve the buildings of the castle.File:Great Hall, University College, Durham.jpgThe university's second college, Hatfield Hall, was formed in 1846 as a response to the high costs of maintaining Castle. These costs arose from the students' expectations of being provided with servants and room furnishings.{{cite web|last=Hatfield College |author-link=Hatfield College |title=History of the College |publisher=Durham University |date=23 January 2006 |url=http://www.dur.ac.uk/hatfield.college/contact_us/about_the_college/history/ |access-date=7 August 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060603103410/http://www.dur.ac.uk/hatfield.college/contact_us/about_the_college/history/ |archive-date=3 June 2006 }}

The university struggled for the rest of the 19th century, held back by a lack of prestige and a distance from the centres of power in the UK.

{{cite book

| last = Whiting

| first = Charles Edwin

| title = The University of Durham

| publisher = Sheldon Press

| year = 1932

| location = London

| isbn = 0-8223-2340-0 }}

By 1882, Castle contained some 79 undergraduates out of 205 at the university as a whole. Despite the university largely failing to gain recognition and prestige, a number of other colleges had opened by the end of the nineteenth century. Of these, Bishop Cosin's Hall failed to become financially viable and was absorbed into University College in 1864. Enrolment numbers continued to fluctuate.

The inter-war years were transformative for Castle. The college was the smallest in Durham university, with just 34 undergraduates in 1928,

{{cite book

| last = Jones

| first = Edgar

| title = University College, Durham: A Social History

| publisher = Edgar Jones

| year = 1996

| location = Aberystwyth

| isbn = 0-9528264-0-2 }}

and was struggling to meet maintenance costs. The Castle, situated on the banks of "The Peninsula", was in danger of collapsing into the River Wear and many of its internal structures were weak. The combination of high costs and low undergraduate numbers meant that the college was often threatened with closure or merger with Hatfield.

{{cite journal

| last = Darwin

| first = K

| title = The Junior Common Room, University College, Durham

| journal = Castellum

| volume = 1

| pages = 11–14

| year = 1948 }}

Castle was saved largely through charitable donations. A visit in the 1920s from Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII), helped increase the profile of the cause. In the 1920s, the castle's foundations were secured through reinforcement with concrete. Following these and other extensive building refurbishments of the 1920s and 1930s the college was now able to expand.

One of its most successful periods followed during the Second World War when personnel of the Durham University Air Squadron were posted in the castle, doing short courses before joining the Royal Air Force. Those from the college who died during World War II were commemorated by the redevelopment of the Norman Gallery area of the Castle in the 1950s. This period also saw the launch of Castellum, an annual journal of the Castle Society, created to keep former students in touch with college life.

{{cite journal

| last = Chase

| first = F.S.M.

| title = Editorial

| journal = Castellum

| volume = 1

| pages = 1–11

| year = 1948 }}

In order to continue this expansion, the college purchased Lumley Castle in 1946 to house students, and by 1948 seventy five students were housed there. This section of the college developed a spirit of its own and is still remembered today through activities such as the Lumley Run.File:Tunstall Chapel.jpg

During the 1950s and 1960s the college expanded through developments at Owengate (later renovated in 2014) and Bailey Court, both around Palace Green.{{Cite web|url=https://castlejcr.com/rooms/|title=Bedrooms – Castle JCR}} In the 1970s, the college's lease of Lumley Castle ended.

{{cite web

|last = No Ordinary Hotels

|title = Our History

|year = 2006

|url = http://www.lumleycastle.com/aboutus/history.htm

|access-date = 11 January 2007

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070110061517/http://www.lumleycastle.com/aboutus/history.htm

|archive-date = 10 January 2007}}

Moatside Court was instead developed, and meant that all the college's students were now housed within five minutes of the main castle. During this period there was rapid change in the size and structure of the college, which expanded to over 300 undergraduates by 1979.

File:Palace Green (1973) - geograph.org.uk - 987660.jpg

Female students were admitted to the college for the first time in 1987; until then it had been single sex.

{{cite web

| last = University College

| title = Castle Society

| date = 12 April 2006

| url = http://www.dur.ac.uk/university.college/castlesociety/

| access-date = 10 August 2006}}

Since this time the college has become fully mixed, with undergraduate numbers expanding to nearly seven hundred. Expansion caused a strain on college numbers, however, and in 2004 the college was unable to provide accommodation for all of its fresher students for the first time in its history.

{{cite journal

| last = Tucker

| first = Maurice

| title = Letter From the Master – October 2004

| journal = Castellum

| volume = 57

| pages = 2–5

| year = 2004 }}

Following the foundation of Josephine Butler in 2006, Durham's first new college to be opened since 1972, pressure from the university to take on additional students lessened, and undergraduate numbers were intentionally reduced in the following years.

{{cite news

| last = Hajibagheri

| first = Sarah

|author2=Purser, Emily

| title = Fresher intake upsets the balance

| page = 2

| publisher = Palatinate

| date = 23 October 2006 }}

In line with the wider UK expansion of the higher education sector, the college expanded again in the 2010's, with the opening of a new self catered site in Durham City centre at Kepier Court.

{{cite web

| last = University College

| title = Accommodation and Catering

| date = 15 February 2025

| url = https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/colleges/university/accommodation/

| access-date = 10 February 2025}}

Although it had been in use before this period, the college arms were officially granted by the College of Arms on 29 May 1912, on the occasion of the eightieth anniversary since the founding of the college by the Bishop of Durham in 1832. The arms are blazoned: Azure, a Cross patonce or, between four Lions rampant Argent, on a Chief of the last, the Cross of St Cuthbert Sable, between two Durham Mitres Gules. The blue field with the gold cross and four lions are the arms of the Diocese of Durham, the mitres represent the Bishop and St. Cuthbert's cross is included as Durham Cathedral is dedicated to, and is the resting place of St. Cuthbert.{{Cite book|last=Fox-Davies|first=Arthur Charles|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/33316096|title=The book of public arms : a complete encyclopaedia of all royal, territorial, municipal, corporate, official, and impersonal arms|publisher=T.C. & E.C. Jack|year=1915|pages=814|oclc=33316096}} Underneath is the motto, in Latin, "Non nobis solum", meaning "Not for ourselves alone". It is derived from a sentence quoting Plato in Cicero's most influential philosophical work, his treatise De Officiis (On Duties).Cicero De officiis 1.22. https://sententiaeantiquae.com/2019/01/01/we-are-not-born-for-ourselves-cicero-on-private-property/

File:University College, Durham -- College Arms (1915).png. ]]

Before being served at formal hall, on the Tuesday and Thursday evening of each week during term-time,{{Cite web|title=University College : Catering - Durham University|url=https://www.dur.ac.uk/university.college/undergraduate/catering/|access-date=2020-09-03|website=www.dur.ac.uk}} students recite the following Latin grace, led by a senior member of the JCR. Although the origin of the grace is officially unknown,{{Cite web|last=Teasdal|first=Andrew|title=A History of the Chapels of Durham Castle|url=https://www.ambrose.thurman.org.uk/websitebackup/castle.chapel/history.php|access-date=2020-09-03|website=www.ambrose.thurman.org.uk}} an almost identical version was in use at the time as a post-prandial grace by Westminster School.{{Cite book|last=Dixon|first=Henry Lancelot|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/25884450|title="Saying grace" historically considered, and numerous forms of grace taken from ancient and modern sources; with appendices.|date=1903|publisher=J. Parker|pages=205|oclc=25884450}}

Domine omnipotens, aeterne Deus; qui tam benigne nos pascere hoc tempore dignatus es; largire nobis, ut tibi semper pro tua in nos bonitate ex animo gratias agamus; vitam honeste et pie transigamus; et studia ea sectemur quae gloriam tuam illustrare et ecclesiae tuae adiumenta esse possint; per Christum dominum nostrum. Amen.

Almighty Lord, eternal God; who hast so graciously deigned to feed us at this time; grant to us, that we may ever give Thee heartfelt thanks for Thy goodness to us; that we may pass our lives honourably and piously; and that we may follow such pursuits as can shed light on Thy glory and afford assistance to Thy church; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Construction of Durham Castle began in 1072,

{{cite web

| last = Durham City Tourism

| author-link = Durham, England

| title = Things to see and do in the City of Durham – Durham Castle

| url = http://www.durhamtourism.co.uk/at_castle.html

| access-date = 30 December 2006 }}

which makes it the oldest building in use at any University in the world.

{{cite news

| last = McCall

| first = Alastair

| title = Widening access without diluting quality

| newspaper = The Sunday Times

| date = 2 October 2005

| url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8403-1795844,00.html

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060106030504/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8403-1795844,00.html

| url-status = dead

| archive-date = 6 January 2006

| access-date = 7 August 2006

| location=London}}

{{cite web

|last=University College JCR

|title=For Prospective Students

|url=http://castle-jcr.dur.ac.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=94&Itemid=78

|access-date=7 August 2006

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061010134853/http://castle-jcr.dur.ac.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=94&Itemid=78

|archive-date=10 October 2006

}}

The castle retains much of its original design and structure, and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Durham Cathedral.

The castle's northern wing originally contained a dining hall, but this was later divided up to make more luxurious quarters for the Prince Bishop. This area is also home to the two chapels of the college. The Norman Chapel dates from the 11th century and is the oldest accessible part of the castle, and retains its original Saxon architectural style. The Tunstall Chapel is the larger of the two; it dates from the 15th century and is named after Cuthbert Tunstall. It houses the college organ. Both chapels are used for worship within the college.

{{cite web

|last = University College chapels

|title = History, Chapels of University College, Durham

|url = http://www.dur.ac.uk/castle.chapel/history.php

|access-date = 13 December 2010

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110514091804/http://www.dur.ac.uk/castle.chapel/history.php

|archive-date = 14 May 2011

|url-status = dead}} [http://www.dur.ac.uk/castle.chapel/ College Chapels] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404013226/http://www.dur.ac.uk/castle.chapel/ |date=4 April 2013 }} Retrieved December 2010 University College is one of two colleges in Durham to have two chapels, the other being Hild Bede.

File:City of Durham (13270321503).jpg

To the east of the courtyard lies the Keep. It was re-built in the 1840 by Anthony Salvin, having previously lain in ruins.{{Cite book|last=Pevsner|first=Nikolaus|title=The Buildings of England: Durham|publisher=Penguin|year=1953|location=Harmandsworth|pages=122}} This area has the largest concentration of students living in the castle. To the south of the courtyard is the Gatehouse, built originally by Hugh de Puiset in the 12th century and re-developed in the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. Around this are the college's more modern offices.

The college's other buildings are at Moatside Court, Owengate and Bailey Court. The developments at Moatside Court and Bailey Court date from the 1960s and 1970s, whilst Owengate was formed from a series of old houses in the 1950s. Of these, Moatside Court's rooms were of a notoriously poor quality,

{{cite news

| last = Macleod

| first = Donald

|author2=Berrow, Heather

| title = Dark days

|work=The Guardian

| date = 15 January 2002

| url = http://education.guardian.co.uk/students/story/0,9860,632693,00.html

| access-date = 11 October 2006

| location=London}}

but were renovated in 2006 at the cost of over £1 million. Moatside now contains a gym and kitchens on every floor.

File:Great Hall.jpg

To the west of the courtyard is the medieval Great Hall, still used as a dining room by students and staff. It was built during the time of Anthony Bek in the 13th century. For two hundred years this was the largest Great Hall in Great Britain; however, it was shortened by Richard Foxe.{{cite web

| last = Simpson

| first = David

| title = Durham Castle

| publisher = North East England History

| year = 2006

| url = http://www.northeastengland.talktalk.net/DurhamCastle.htm

| access-date = 7 November 2006

| archive-date = 3 April 2009

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090403034402/http://www.northeastengland.talktalk.net/DurhamCastle.htm

| url-status = dead

}} It still stands some 14 m (46 ft) high and 30 m (98 ft) long. The black staircase that leads from the Great Hall to the Senior Common Room dates from 1662, and is another of the older sections of the college still in use. Underneath the Hall is the college bar, located in an 11th-century undercroft.{{cite web|last=The Undercroft Bar |title=Home – about the Undie |year=2006 |url=http://www.undercroftbar.com/index.php |access-date=7 August 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315143734/http://www.undercroftbar.com/index.php |archive-date=15 March 2007 }}

Around these are student accommodation, the Lowe Library, and kitchens. The Victorian minstrel's gallery at the southern end of the hall is now used a student study space.{{Cite web|title=The Lowe Library – Castle JCR|url=https://castlejcr.com/the-lowe-library/|access-date=2021-06-03|website=castlejcr.com}}

The Lowe Library is the college's library. It was formed from a bequest from Colonel W.D.Lowe, an officer of the Durham University Officers' Training Corps. He later became a Classics tutor at the university and rowing coach for University College,{{cite book |title=A History of Durham Rowing|editor1-first=Captain A.A.|editor1-last=Macfarlane-Grieve|year=1922|publisher=Andrew Ried and Company, Limited|location=Newcastle-upon-Tyne}} staying until his death in 1921. The library was opened in 1925, extended into the college's wine cellar in 1997,

{{cite journal

| last = Hollier

| first = John

| title = Lowe Library Project

| journal = Castellum

| volume = 49

| pages = 27–30

| year = 1997 }}

and now contains over 10,000 books. Spread over three floors, it acts as a support to the central university library, providing access to core textbooks.

File:The Venerable Charles Thorp.jpg

The college is formerly headed by a "Master", since 2020 titled principal, which is the most senior position in the SCR. As the first master of University College, Archdeacon Charles Thorp, also held the post of university warden. Following Thorp's death in 1862 the mastership was created as a separate position. All past Masters have their portrait hanging in the Great Hall or SCR ante-room.{{Cite web|last=Durham Castle Society|date=2019|title=Durham Castle Society - Masters|url=https://www.castlealumni.uk/history/masters|access-date=2020-09-04|website=www.castlealumni.uk}}

• Charles Thorp 1832–1862
• Joseph Waite 1865–1873
• Herbert Booth 1873–1875
• Alfred Plummer 1875–1902
• Henry Gee 1902–1919
• Henry Ellershaw 1919–1930
• J. H. How 1930–1939
• Angus Macfarlane-Grieve 1939–1954
• Len Slater 1954–1973
• D. W. McDowall 1973–1978
• Edward Salthouse 1979–1998
• Maurice Tucker 1998–2011
• Eva Schumacher-Reid (acting) 2011
• David Held 2012–2019
• Richard Lawrie (acting) 2019
• Graham Towl (acting) 2019
• Wendy Powers 2020–present

University College is the most over-subscribed college at the university; for entry in 2006, there were 2,858 applications for 170 places (approximately 17 applicants for every place). As with all colleges at Durham, students study for degrees with Durham University, not their college, and teaching takes place in academic departments. University College is a "listed body" under the Education Reform Act (1988).{{cite web|last=Department for Education and Skills |author-link=Department for Education and Skills (United Kingdom) |title=A-Z of Colleges, halls and institutions of a University, University of Durham |year=2005 |url=http://www.dfes.gov.uk/recognisedukdegrees/index.cfm?fuseaction=institutes.list&InstituteCategoryID=2&InstituteSubCategoryID=6&AssociatedInstituteID=32 |access-date=9 November 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061209140726/http://www.dfes.gov.uk/recognisedukdegrees/index.cfm?fuseaction=institutes.list&InstituteCategoryID=2&InstituteSubCategoryID=6&AssociatedInstituteID=32 |archive-date=9 December 2006 }}

Although colleges are largely concerned with welfare, leisure and accommodation, University College has been running the 'Durham Castle Lecture Series' since 2012.{{cite web|title=Durham Castle Lecture Series|url=https://www.dur.ac.uk/university.college/events/durhamcastlelectures/|publisher=Durham University|access-date=25 October 2013}} Past speakers have included Saskia Sassen, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Rowan Williams, Anthony Giddens, Justin Welby, Martin Wolf, Noam Chomsky and Peter Singer.

Within Durham's colleges, there is a strong competitive rivalry. Castle's main rival is Hatfield College, which is Durham's second oldest college, having separated from Castle in the 1850s. The rivalry is maintained by student pranks and tricks and in various intercollegiate sporting events.

The college has a commercial arm, taking advantage of the attractive nature of the college's buildings. It hosts corporate events, conferences and weddings during the university vacations.

{{cite web

| last = University College

| title = Conferences and Tourism

| date = 24 November 2006

| url = http://www.dur.ac.uk/university.college/conferences/

| access-date = 20 December 2006}}

The Castle is open to tourists only via guided tours. These occur daily outside of term time, but are more restricted during the term due to potential conflicts with the running of the college. Furthermore, events in the university timetable may result in their cancellation. Tourists are not otherwise permitted entry to the college or any common areas.

{{cite web

| last = Ross

| first = David

| work =Britain Express

| title = Durham Castle

| url = http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/durham/az/durham/castle.htm

| access-date = 9 November 2006}}

There is relatively little conflict between students and tourists, with many of the guided tours done by students themselves.

Students are expected to wear smart clothes and gowns during Formals, which take place twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Great Hall. All those attending the formal must stand when the High Table enters, when grace is being said or sung, and when the Senior Student is bowing out. Complete silence is observed during these periods. Following grace, there is no standing throughout the formal until the Senior Student has bowed out to the Master, a symbol of the official opening or closing of the formal meal.{{Cite book|last=University College, Durham|title=UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DURHAM -- INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES 2018-2019|year=2018|url=https://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/university.college/college/CollegeInfo2018-19.pdf|pages=13}}

File:June Ball.jpg

Some 700 undergraduates attend Castle, making it slightly smaller than the average Durham college. Of these students, around 100 live in the castle itself, while another 250 are housed in the college's surrounding buildings.{{cite web

|last = Durham University

|author-link = Durham University

|title = Undergraduate Student Accommodation – Full Time

|year = 2004

|url = http://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/spa/statistics/college/4.1accommodation/4.1ft/054-1a.pdf

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150408021225/https://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/spa/statistics/college/4.1accommodation/4.1ft/054-1a.pdf

|url-status = dead

|archive-date = 8 April 2015

|access-date = 9 October 2006

}}

It remains the most popular college in Durham for applications, with around 27 students applying for every available place.

The undergraduate student body (Junior Common Room or JCR) is governed by an elected Executive Committee headed by the Senior Student and supported by several other officers. Regular JCR meetings are held to discuss and vote on important issues. There are several other elected non-executive officers such as Returning Officer, Fresher Rep and Sports Captain who organise other important college functions. The Senior Student meets regularly with college and university authorities to represent the JCR.

The JCR runs three balls every year for its students, with one held during each term. The largest is the end of year June Ball, which is the social highlight of the academic year. Tradition dictates that its theme remains closely hidden until the doors to the Castle open.

{{cite web

| last = University College JCR Social Chairman

|author2=June Ball Committee

| title = The June Ball

| url = http://www.thejuneball.com/

| access-date = 7 August 2006}}

The graduate community at Castle forms the Middle Common Room (MCR), which is based in the Maurice Tucker{{cite web |url=http://www.dur.ac.uk/castle.mcr/tucker.html |title=University College MCR |website=www.dur.ac.uk |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628060856/http://www.dur.ac.uk/castle.mcr/tucker.html |archive-date=28 June 2011 |url-status=dead}} (previously William de St-Calais{{cite web |url=http://www.dur.ac.uk/castle.mcr/calais.html |title=University College MCR |website=www.dur.ac.uk |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326165425/http://www.dur.ac.uk/castle.mcr/calais.html |archive-date=26 March 2011 |url-status=dead}}) Room. However, due to size restrictions, no members of the MCR are currently able to live in the college grounds.

{{cite web

| last = Nawroyckyi

| first = Nick

| title = Information for Prospective Postgraduates

| publisher = University College MCR

| year = 2006

| url = http://www.dur.ac.uk/castle.mcr/

| access-date = 8 October 2006}}

The MCR, like the JCR, organises a number of social events and activities, such as the college's entry into the inter-collegiate University Challenge competition, which acts as trials for the university's team. The Senior Common Room (SCR), is an organisation of academics and tutors connected to the college. The SCR also organises formal meals with guest speakers.

The student bar of University College is called the Undercroft Bar (known colloquially as The Undie), due to its location in an 11th-century Undercroft. It developed from the original Junior Common Room, which opened in the early 1950s. It is currently run by the Food and Beverage Services Manager with the help of several JCR members. In 2018 a new college café replaced the Toastie Bar in the West Courtyard.

File:UCBC2008.jpg is a popular student society and has previously qualified to race at Henley Royal Regatta.]]

University College JCR also supports many societies run exclusively for Castle students. The most popular societies include University College Boat Club (UCBC), Castle Theatre Company, Mixed Lacrosse, Castle Rugby Club, Castle Football Club, and Castle Hockey Club.

There are a number of arts societies within the college. Most notable is Castle Theatre Company, which produces a play each term. These plays are usually performed on the college's grounds, although they sometimes tour nationally.

{{cite web

|last = Castle Theatre Company

|title = As You Like It

|year = 2006

|url = http://www.castletheatre.co.uk/shakespeare/

|access-date = 19 October 2006

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://archive.today/20070208104116/http://www.castletheatre.co.uk/shakespeare/

|archive-date = 8 February 2007}}

They have also appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

{{cite web

|last = Castle Theatre Company

|title = Young Macbeth

|year = 2006

|url = http://www.youngmacbeth.co.uk/

|access-date = 19 October 2006

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070208231126/http://www.youngmacbeth.co.uk/

|archive-date = 8 February 2007}}

The Castle Society was formed in 1947 by Castle Alumni. It was originally named the Durham Castleman's Society. Membership is open to anyone with academic ties to the college, and its aim is to create a wider Castle community beyond its immediate students. The society makes regular donations to the college library, chapel, student bursaries, and various college societies. It has helped fund a number of projects in the college, including the accommodation at Moatside Court and Fellows Garden, as well as the West Courtyard Common Room. The Castle Society produces the annual journal "Castellum", which chronicles life at the Castle and reports on activities of Castle alumni.

{{cite web

| last = Castle Society

| title = Castellum

| publisher = Durham University

| date = 12 July 2006

| url = http://www.dur.ac.uk/university.college/castlesociety/castellum/

| access-date = 7 August 2006}}

Since 1990, it has contributed towards the University College Durham Trust, the college's charitable fund.

{{Main article|List of alumni of University College, Durham}}

Castle alumni are active through organisations and events such as the two annual reunion dinners, which cater for the more than 7,000 living alumni.{{cite web|url=http://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/DARO/TheDurhamDifference.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629183326/http://www.dur.ac.uk/resources/DARO/TheDurhamDifference.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-06-29 |title=The Durham Difference |publisher=Durham University |access-date=2009-04-03 }}

A number of Castle alumni have made significant contributions in the fields of government, law, science, academia, business, arts, journalism, and athletics, among others.

File:Walter Robert Adams.jpg|Walter Adams, Archbishop of Yukon.

File:Crispin-blunt-high-res-web.jpg|Crispin Blunt, Conservative MP for Reigate, Surrey.

File:Jackie Doyle Price.JPG|Jackie Doyle-Price, Conservative MP for Thurrock.

File:Sir Harold Evans 6 Shankbone 2009 NYC.jpg|Sir Harold Evans, journalist and writer who was editor of The Sunday Times from 1967 to 1981.

File:Mr Justice Goss.png|Sir James Goss, Justice of the High Court.

File:Helen Grace in 2003.jpg|Helen Grace, English actress.

File:Piers Merchant.jpg|Piers Merchant was a British Conservative Party politician.

File:Stephenmortimerwarner.jpg|Stephen Warner, one of Britain's leading evangelists, and rector of Holy Trinity, Eastbourne.

File:James Wharton 2016.jpg|James Wharton, former Conservative MP for Stockton South.

File:Teophilus III.jpg|Theophilos III of Jerusalem, current Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem

File:York Minster - RWB Hornby Window.jpg window in York Minster, dedicated to a Castle alumnus.|278x278px]]

File:Durham Castle Bergfried.jpg|The Keep of Durham Castle - where some students are accommodated - as seen from the street.

File:Durham Castle Innenhof.jpg|The main entrance to the college from the courtyard.

File:Durham Castle from the Cathedral - geograph.org.uk - 1691102.jpg|University College as seen from Durham Cathedral in winter.

File:Durham View from Cathedral.JPG|Aerial view of the college.

File:Durham Gatehouse.JPG|Durham Gatehouse, the main entrance to the college from Palace Green.

File:Owengate, Durham - geograph.org.uk - 1619720.jpg|Houses in Owengate, the oldest of which dates back to the 16th century. They are now used as student accommodation.

File:Palace Green Durham Panorama.jpg|Panoramic view of Palace Green, showing Durham Cathedral to the left, the old University Library in centre, and University College and Owengate to the right.

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Refbegin}}

• Bythell, Duncan. (1985) Durham Castle: University College, Durham. Norwich: Jarrold Colour Publications.
• Jones, Edgar (1996), University College Durham: A Social History, Edgar Jones

{{Refend}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.dur.ac.uk/university.college/ University College] official website
• [http://www.castlejcr.com University College JCR] undergraduate student organisation
• [http://www.dur.ac.uk/castle.mcr/ University College MCR] postgraduate student organisation
• [http://www.dur.ac.uk/castle.scr/ University College SCR] staff organisation

{{University of Durham}}

{{Authority control}}

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Category:Colleges of Durham University

Category:Educational institutions established in 1832

Category:1832 establishments in England

Category:Grade I listed educational buildings

Category:Grade I listed buildings in County Durham

Category:University College, Durham