Durham University

Durham is a collegiate university, with its main functions divided between the central departments of the University and 16 colleges. In general, the departments perform research and provide centralised lectures to students, while the colleges are responsible for the domestic arrangements and welfare of undergraduate students, graduate students, post-doctoral researches and some University staff. Colleges decide which students they are to admit, and appoint their own fellows (senior members). In Durham, "the university" often refers to the University as opposed to the colleges.

The Chancellor of the University is Bill Bryson, appointed by the University's Convocation on 4 April 2005. The University was named Sunday Times University of the Year in 2005, having previously been shortlisted for the award in 2004.

The post-nominal letters of graduates have "Dunelm" attached to indicate the university.

History

The University was founded in 1832, and developed in Durham and Newcastle until 1963, when the independent University of Newcastle upon Tyne came into being. The University is collegiate and is located in the city of Durham and the nearby town of Stockton-on-Tees. The colleges are not teaching bodies, nor are they purely residential - typically they provide a centre for students' sporting, social and residential activities.

The University's Queen's Campus, Stockton opened in 1992. Over 2,000 full-time students are now studying in purpose-built accommodation 23 miles south of Durham, on the banks of the River Tees.

• 2007 Durham University celebrates its 175th anniversary
• 2005 Durham University named Sunday Times University of the Year
• 2005 Bill Bryson is named as the University's next Chancellor
• 2002 Congregation ceremony moves from Durham Castle to Durham Cathedral
• 2002 University of Durham, Stockton Campus becomes Queen's Campus, Stockton
• 2001 First intake of students to Stockton's new Medicine programme.
• 2001 John Snow College and George Stephenson College established.
• 2000 University of Durham wins University Challenge (for the second time).
• 1999 In Stockton, the new student social centre, the Rocket Union, opens.
• 1997 Durham triumphs in first Northumbrian Water University Boat Race between Newcastle and Durham.
• 1994 University College, Stockton on Tees becomes a college of the University of Durham.
• 1992 Sir Peter Ustinov is installed as the University's tenth Chancellor. At the same ceremony an Honorary Degree is conferred on Terry Waite (this was five years after the nomination was originally announced, because he was taken hostage in the Middle East).
• 1992 University College, Stockton on Tees opened.
• 1990 Duchess of Kent opens the new Teikyo University of Japan in Durham
• 1989 The University runs its first British Sign Language course.
• 1988 Paulina Lubacz becomes the first woman to run a British university finance department.
• 1987 Durham Cathedral and Castle become a World Heritage Site.
• 1987 MA degree awarded for first deaf-blind graduate Philip Gafga
• 1977 First Durham Rag Week starts raising money for worthy causes. Rag week later became Durham University Charity Kommittee (DUCK)
• 1977 University of Durham wins University Challenge.
• 1963 University of Newcastle Upon Tyne established as a separate institution
• 1908 George Kitchin, Warden since 1894, becomes the first Chancellor.
• 1904 St Chad's Hall opens as the first independent licensed hall.
• 1896 The first four women students matriculate, all of them members of St. Hild's College.
• 1895 Royal Charter granted to allow degrees to be given to women.
• 1837 First degrees conferred.
• 1837 Durham Castle handed over to the University.
• 1837 Royal Charter granted to the University by King William IV on 1 June.