Discover the List of Best Student Accommodations in Durham

Durham, a lovely city in northeast England, is a hidden gem just ready to be discovered by overseas students. With its spectacular Gothic cathedral and castle set high on a hill overlooking the River Wear, Durham flawlessly blends ancient heritage with modernity. The city is well-known for its outstanding university, which is often recognised as one of the finest in the world, as well as its vibrant student life. Durham is a city that has something for everyone, whether you wish to explore the city’s charming cobblestone streets, have a pint, or immerse yourself in its bustling cultural activities. If you’re an international student who’s hunting for cheap yet comfortable student accommodation in Durham, here’s a guide that’ll walk you through all you need to know in this regard.

Student Housing In Durham

Living away from home can be a thrilling experience that introduces students to a new world of freedom and independence, but it can also be tricky to adjust to. If you’re migrating to Durham for university, you’ll have a plethora of options for locating suitable student housing in Durham for the duration of your studies. We’ve listed the best student accommodation in Durham that you as an international student can opt for –

1. Chapel Heights

Price: £209 to £229 per week

Located within a short distance from the charming Durham Castle, Chapel Heights offers gold, silver, & bronze studios to students. Students can choose between fully furnished and large rooms. Each residence is outfitted with a variety of facilities to make students feel at ease. There is free internet, a kitchenette, a study space, a wardrobe, a living area, a game room, a communal area, and much more. The accommodations have been carefully selected to provide a comfortable and cost-effective stay.

2. The Viaduct Durham

Price: £129 to £221 per week

This student residence offers en-suite and studio rooms. Whichever you choose, you can count on a Wi-Fi connection, a study desk, and a double bed. On-site personnel is accessible 24/7.  There are several local restaurants, bars, and clubs, including Domino’s, Mona’s Cakes, and The Jumping Bean. All-inclusive bills, on-site laundry, bike storage, and a common area are all supplied.

Best Properties In Durham For Students 

Cost Of Living In Durham

Your total cost of living is impacted by several expenses that arise when living as an international student in Durham. To make it easier for you to prepare and budget well in advance, we have listed the monthly expenses that international students are likely to incur when in Durham –

Transportation

Average Cost: £52 per month

When you’re living in a new city, checking your commuting options and making sure you’re travelling within budget but also as per your convenience is what counts. Luckily, Durham has several affordable transportation options that are ideal for students. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Bus: Durham has an extensive bus network that serves most of the city and adjacent suburbs. Two local bus operators you can rely on include Arriva and Go North East, and both offer discounted student prices. To save money on your daily journey, you can get a student bus pass or a pay-as-you-go card which will significantly help reduce your overall cost of living.

Bike: Durham is a bike-friendly city with several bike routes and lanes. Renting or purchasing a bike may be an inexpensive way to get around, and numerous bike shops in the city offer student discounts.

Walk: Most students prefer when their student accommodation in Durham is within walking distance from their university or nearby stores. Thankfully, Durham is a compact city and more often than not, students find it pretty easy to walk to nearby attractions or access amenities. If you’re on a tight budget, walking is a preferred option and has a plethora of benefits for good health too.

Train: If you need to travel farther afield, Durham has excellent train links to other towns throughout the area and beyond. Rail tickets might be costly, but you can save money by reserving ahead of time or using a rail card. Durham also has a student travel discount programme called Unirider, which provides students with cheap train rates.

Employment Opportunities

As an international student looking for work in Durham, there are several resources and ways you may apply to improve your chances of success. The career centre at your institution can help you with job search tools, resume and cover letter writing, and interview skills. To identify job opportunities and connect with potential employers, you may also use job search websites and professional networking platforms like LinkedIn.

Consider reaching out to university alumni or professional groups in your sector for guidance and networking opportunities as well. Finally, ensure that you are aware of any visa or work permit requirements for international students in Durham in order to work legally. You may increase your chances of obtaining work as an international student in Durham by using these resources and tools.

Things To Do In Durham

Durham is a city in the UK, comprising major historical landmarks, ancient architecture, a world-famous cathedral and a castle. While the city may seem a tad bit compact initially, you’ll eventually notice how the city is enveloped not only with things to do and see but also includes an array of cafes, coffee shops, restaurants, pubs, and beyond. Don’t forget to step out of your student accommodation in Durham and visit Durham’s top attractions as listed below.

Historical Sites

Durham Cathedral: Durham Cathedral is a magnificent 11th-century cathedral that has been the centre of religious activity in the region for over 1,000 years. Dominating Durham, it provides a fascinating peek into mediaeval Britain as well as spectacular panoramas for anyone willing and able to ascend the 300 steps to the summit.

Barnard Castle: Barnard Castle is a ruined Medieval castle in County Durham that stands high above the Tees Valley. Once a major northern fortress, its remains now offer a dramatic tour through some of Britain’s most fascinating history, centred on royal authority and insurrection. Guy de Baliol, a Norman nobleman awarded the domain by King Rufus in 1095, erected the first stone defences at Barnard Castle. Nevertheless, it was under the supervision of his nephew Barnard de Baliol when the site expanded along with the town, due to which they were named after him.

Durham Castle: Durham Castle, commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1072, was built in the typical motte and bailey design to guarantee Norman rule in the North of England. It became the residence of the Bishops of Durham, who were responsible for enforcing royal authority in the area, and it was remodelled with each new tenant to represent his riches and prestige.

Museums & Art Galleries

Beamish Museum: This world-famous open-air museum, which depicts life in North East England in the 1840s, 1900s, and 1920s, is one of the area’s main attractions. Though it’s a little further out – near the town of Stanley in County Durham – you should spend some time learning about local history. 

Oriental Museum: The Oriental Museum is a great location for students to learn about a wide range of cultures and places, from prehistory to the present. There is a wide variety of archaeological artefacts and artworks from Asia and Northern Africa’s major cultures. The Egypt collection, which includes gold amulets and stone sculptures, is the largest in the North East.

Locomotion: This delightfully interactive experience brings the previous 200 years of rail to life in one’s thoughts, helped in no little part by the ambience of one of the world’s oldest railway towns, which has been moving passengers since 1825! The displays and facilities, on the other hand, are pleasingly contemporary, with an ever-changing choice of high-quality exhibitions and galleries relating to rail.  

Outdoor Places

You may spend numerous weekends covering the various museums and art galleries or historical sites that Durham comprises. However, there are days when you may just want an escape and go somewhere outdoors to relax and de-stress from your monotonous routine. Here are some of the best outdoor places that’ll get you on your toes, right out of your student accommodation in Durham –

1. Crook Hall & Gardens
2. The Durham Treasure Trail
3. Prince Bishop River Cruiser
4. Wear Canoes
5. Holmside Park
6. Diggerland Durham

Best Restaurants & Bars

Bored of eating the same food from the comfort of your student accommodation in Durham? If you’re looking for some nice restaurants to visit while also catching up on some pints, then you’re in for a treat, thanks to Durham’s chain of fancy and student-friendly restaurants & pubs. Listed below are a few of them –

1. Flat White Kitchen
2. Tealicious Tearoom
3. Vennels Cafe
4. Fat Hippo
5. Half Moon Inn
6. The Dun Cow
7. Tin of Sardines

Shopping Places

If you’re planning to go on a shopping spree in Durham and hoping for some cheap discounts, we have a list of shopping places you must visit –

1. The Riverwalk
2. Prince Bishops Shopping Centre
3. Durham Market Hall
4. Broom House Farm Shop
5. The Gates Shopping Centre

Education

The city of Durham witnesses international students from all over the world owing to its highly-reputed universities. To give you an idea of the best places to study, we have listed some of the top-ranking universities in the city for you –

Durham University

Durham University is a public research university located in Durham, United Kingdom, established in 1832. Some of the top courses for which the university has been ranked are Theology, Divinity, & Religious Studies, Archaeology, Geography, and more. Ranking #92 in the QS World University Rankings 2023, the university is one of the most sought-after universities in Durham. 

The university comprises over 20,000 students, with 30% of students coming from over 120 countries. Via its standards, foreign students can get admission to this university. This university accepts applicants based on the results of one of the above-mentioned English Proficiency Language examinations, such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and so on. The acceptance rate at Durham University is roughly 41%, making the entrance to the university more challenging for overseas students.

New College Durham

New College Durham is a sixth-form college in County Durham, England, with an additional higher education college. It was formed in 1977 by the merger of Neville’s Cross College of Education and Durham Technical College. New College Durham provides foundation, bachelor’s, master’s, professional, and apprentice courses and degrees in a variety of subjects such as arts, design, business, management, engineering, counselling, education, media, health, social work, sports, and tourism.

It is home to more than 200 overseas students from all around the world. 93% of the college’s further education students continue their education or find work. Apprenticeship success rates are regularly higher than the national average.

Final Verdict

As an international student, it may seem overwhelming in the beginning to find the ideal student accommodation in Durham well within your budget while also being within easy reach of your uni. However, we hope this guide walked you through all the options in store for overseas students and how you can prepare your finances.

FAQs

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