10 things you should know about Durham University
Sunday Times University of the Year 2005
1. A world-class research university
Durham University is one of the UK's leading research universities in two locations: in the city of Durham and in Stockton-on-Tees. In the 2001 national research assessment exercise, 20 of our 33 departments gained top 5 or 5-star grades. 85% of our staff work in research of national or international standing.
2. A learning community
We have over 13,000 full-time, 2000 part-time students and about 150 visiting students, who read for a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in science, technology, the arts, languages and social sciences, and update their professional skills in business, IT, social work, languages, and education. Durham is ranked as a top 10 university in the 2004 Times University League Table for overall quality.
3. Top-class students
We attract some of the best brains to Durham coming from over 100 different countries. Our alumni include businessmen Sir George Russell, Robert Hawley and Peter Ogden; politicians Mo Mowlam and Edward Leigh; writers and journalists Harold Evans, Hunter Davies, Minette Walters and Catherine Fox; actor James Wilby; sportsmen Jonathan Edwards, Will Carling, Nasser Hussain and James Foster; broadcasters Gabby Logan, Judith Hann, George Alagiah, and Matthew Amroliwala.
4. Collegiality
We are a collegiate university. Every student of the University joins one of our 16 Colleges or Societies, where they can meet staff and students from a range of disciplines on an informal basis. Nearly 60% of full-time undergraduates live in University accommodation.
5. A first-class library and information network
Durham is one of only six English universities to be listed in Colin Steele's definitive 'Major Libraries of the World' and is a member of the prestigious Consortium of Research Libraries (CURL). The University is part of the Joint Academic Network (JANET) which allows staff and students rapid access to national and international IT networks. With over 2000 links our campus network facilities connect Departments and Colleges, and provide email, Internet access, Library and information services.
6. Caring community...
Departmental staff, College tutors, our careers and welfare services, our Students' Union and support networks including health care and accommodation advice, all exist to ensure our students have the support they need to complete their studies successfully. 98% of Durham's undergraduates complete their degrees.
7. ... and a diverse community
By understanding, respecting and valuing differences in people, we recognise that we can maximise our success as a leading University. It is our policy to make full use of the talents and resources of everyone regardless of age, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender, marital or parental status, religion, political belief or socio-economic background.
8. A balanced approach
At Durham we promote a broad view of education and encourage our students to maintain a balance between their personal and intellectual development. Our students have the opportunity to join over 50 university sports clubs and over 100 university societies. Our sports clubs have won over 160 national titles, and our music and drama have a strong regional following.
9. Major economic role
Our annual turnover is over £150m, the equivalent of a top 30 North Eastern business. As the third biggest employer in Durham we employ over 3,000 people. The University, staff and students purchase over £60m in local goods and services, which sustains a further 1,500 jobs. Every year we provide research, training and consultancy for over 3,500 organisations in the UK and overseas, 1,400 of them in the North East. Our services to business include: the NE Centre for Scientific Enterprise and Durham Business School.
10. Tourism and leisure
We are joint guardians of Durham's World Heritage Site, and maintain over 85 Grade 1 and Grade 2 listed buildings, three scheduled monuments, and 50 hectares of woodland. Our Colleges record over 140,000 conference and tourist bednights a year. Over 100,000 people visit the Castle every year, 50,000 our Botanic Garden, and 20,000 the Oriental and Archaeological Museums. Our sports facilities have hosted first-class cricket, world-class athletics and premier league and international football team training.
