We hope you can find all the information that you need to make an informed decision about applying to St. Cuthbert’s Society. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you require any further information, or would like to arrange a visit and a tour.
Use the navigation bar on the right to research the application process and the facilities that Cuth’s has to offer. You may also want to check out the Current Students information tab to see the sort of things that current students get up to at Cuth’s.
Also take a look at the St Cuthbert’s Society webpage if you haven’t done already.
St Cuthbert’s Society is the third oldest institution in the University. Our ethos is open and exciting, and our students are expected to play a major role in the running of the JCR. Members play a major part in University affairs and clubs. The Society also supports a wide range of internal activities with notable strengths in sport and drama.
In 1832, the university only had one college, now known as University College, situated in Durham Castle. In 1846 this was followed by Hatfield Hall. Before 1888 a significant number of students registered for degree courses but chose not to be allocated to a college. They were known as the ‘unattached’. These unattached came together informally and on October 25th 1888 established themselves as St. Cuthbert’s Society with the objective of giving a dimension other than the academic to their lives in Durham.
In the 1870s, there were a number of students who wished to study at Durham but not have to belong to a college. These were primarily local and mature students who already had homes nearby and families. The University agreed to recognise these students as having no collegiate designation. They were designated into what the University called the ‘College of Science’ although they were known as ‘The Unattached’. After a number of years, the Unattached began to desire some of what their fellow students had: sports teams, societies, clubs and a real identity. In 1888 they founded themselves as St. Cuthbert’s Society; a society of students but not a college.
St Cuthbert’s Society, one of the largest colleges in Durham University, is moving on. Brooks House, a purpose built student residential block, was completed and handed over by Laing O’Rourke in mid-September 2006. Brooks House is named after one of St. Cuthbert’s longest serving principals: Professor Leslie Brooks, Principal of the Society from 1963 to 1985.
Standing on the Parsons Field site alongside the River and next to the Rugby Club, the handsome and well-appointed new residence was officially opened by Professor Brooks’ daughter, Dinah Michie, on the 6 October 2006