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Grey College

Our students pride themselves on their Grey Spirit: creativity and a strong sense of belonging to an inclusive community, with passion for making the most of the opportunities that College life brings.
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Overview

Year founded 1959
Motto Gradibus Ascendimus (Ascending by degrees)
Number of students living in the college 465 of 1,351 total students
1st year rooms

320
Catering options Fully Catered
Gowned formal dinners Gowned formal dinners
Map of Durham University highlighting the location of Grey College

Welcome to Grey College

Grey College is situated right next to the main Mountjoy Science Site and close to the Billy B Library. It has a beautiful landscaped setting on the ‘lower hill’ adjacent to the Botanic Gardens and woodlands.

Grey has just over 1,200 undergraduate students and a further 150 students who are studying for a postgraduate degree. Together with College officers, staff and mentors, they make up our vibrant College community. Grey College is named after the political reformer Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, who was a polical reformer who set in train changes that led to the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1833 and votes for all. His portrait and statue have pride of place in Grey College.

a person in a phoenix costume next to a statue of Charles. Earl Grey II

Creativity and an Inclusive Community Spirit

Our mascot reflects our indomitable spirit – Felix the Phoenix is a nod to the College’s founding in 1959, and its rising from the ashes when the buildings suffered a devasting fire but opened on time nonetheless.

At Grey, our students pride themselves on their creativity and inclusive community spirit, enjoying the wealth of opportunities that Collegiate life brings. Students choose to participate in a wide range of College and JCR activities, rounding off their personal and skills development, while building lasting friendships and networks. 

Thanks to our JCR’s ‘one fee for everything’ model our students are active in sport, musical and artistic teams and societies and in several excellent community outreach and fundraising projects. 

We hope that you will find something of interest here. If you need further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

 

  • Our History

    Find out how our College was founded and why we chose the phoenix as our mascot
    A photo from the Grey College Archive of the boat club Senate Crew in 1965

  • Our People

    Get to know our team at Grey College
    Event advert for a College Open Day featuring students dressed in pink tops standing with their phoenix mascot

Our History

Find out how our College was founded and why we chose the phoenix as our mascot
A photo from the Grey College Archive of the boat club Senate Crew in 1965

Our People

Get to know our team at Grey College
Event advert for a College Open Day featuring students dressed in pink tops standing with their phoenix mascot
Experience Our Virtual Tour

College Life

College life revolves around our beautiful dining hall where our first year and postgraduate ‘livers-in’ gather for daily meals, themed formal dinners, music and other events.

Students living out of College, predominantly those in second and later years of study, remain part of the community and are included in clubs and societies and events including College dinners. College life is about engendering a sense of belonging and supporting your personal development, well-being and welfare alongside your academic study. We provide mentoring, student support, careers seminars with alumni and much more, helping you to unlock your true potential.

A group of male and female students sit around a long table chatting

Latest news

  • Alumni donations bringing old sports court back to life

    The tired old tennis court is getting a new lease of life as a multi-purpose games arena, after a few years in the doldrums! The new MUGA will have new fencing, removable tennis net, integrated basketball hoops, and football goals and will also be suitable for netball. The work is being funded from a combination of alumni donations, College funds and JCR reserves and will greatly improve the facilities for our students.
    Alumni news
    machinery on a sports court

  • Grey College Boat Club News

    Last year Grey College Trust, funded by our alumni, supported the GCBC with a contribution towards a purchase of a new mens 8+, named after rowing enthusiast and previous Master of Grey College, Eric Halladay. The Club is in very good form and spirit, with a strong showing at recent events and at the annual GCBC Ball.
    Alumni news
    boat club ball group shot

  • Prof Nigel Glover FRS to give lecture to honour retiring SCR president

    Prof Nigel Glover FRS will speak on 'Interactions: weak, strong, and human'. Grey College is hosting this event on Tuesday 4th March 6.15 to 7.30pm in Holgate Conference Room, Grey College. All staff and students are welcome to attend.
    Research news
    event poster

Alumni donations bringing old sports court back to life

The tired old tennis court is getting a new lease of life as a multi-purpose games arena, after a few years in the doldrums! The new MUGA will have new fencing, removable tennis net, integrated basketball hoops, and football goals and will also be suitable for netball. The work is being funded from a combination of alumni donations, College funds and JCR reserves and will greatly improve the facilities for our students.

Alumni news
machinery on a sports court

Grey College Boat Club News

Last year Grey College Trust, funded by our alumni, supported the GCBC with a contribution towards a purchase of a new mens 8+, named after rowing enthusiast and previous Master of Grey College, Eric Halladay. The Club is in very good form and spirit, with a strong showing at recent events and at the annual GCBC Ball.
Alumni news
boat club ball group shot

Prof Nigel Glover FRS to give lecture to honour retiring SCR president

Prof Nigel Glover FRS will speak on 'Interactions: weak, strong, and human'. Grey College is hosting this event on Tuesday 4th March 6.15 to 7.30pm in Holgate Conference Room, Grey College. All staff and students are welcome to attend.
Research news
event poster
More News

Find out more

Student updates

Find out what our students get up to at Grey College.

Highlights

  • The Grey-t Race

    Second-year History Student and President of the Grey College Running Club, Ned Vessey tells us about his inspiration for establishing the Greyt Race.
    Person's feet in trainers running up steps

  • Living Back in College as a Fourth Year

    Combined Honours fourth-year student, Marina talks about her return to college life after a year abroad.
    Person's feet in trainers running up steps

The Grey-t Race

Second-year History Student and President of the Grey College Running Club, Ned Vessey tells us about his inspiration for establishing the Greyt Race.
/media/durham-university/colleges/grey-college/marina-college-1140x694.jpg

Living Back in College as a Fourth Year

Combined Honours fourth-year student, Marina talks about her return to college life after a year abroad.
Student posing outside Grey College

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Get in touch

Contact us by phone or email below to find out more about accommodation, admissions and student support.

Grey College

Durham University
South Road
Durham
DH1 3LG
UK


+44 (0) 191 334 5900

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