We invite you as a ‘livers out’ student to see St John’s as your second home during your studies. We hope that you will attend formal dinners, use the library and dedicated study space (the Learning Resource Centre) and just come over to hang out between lectures (free tea and coffee on us!).
College key for students living out
As all College buildings except the Learning Resource Centre & Library require a key for access, our members who live out are welcome to sign out a general Assa key for the academic year at Reception (bring your campus card with you). You will need to pay a deposit of £30 and the charge for a lost key is £50. We are also working on livers-out lockers – more on this soon.
Meals in College for students living out
Haughton Dining Room is the heart of the College, where people get to know each other over food. St John’s students living out are welcome to have discounted meals in College during term time, at the members-only price of £4.50 per meal (standard price £6). Meals available are breakfast, lunch and dinner, and brunch on weekends.
Meal timings: Monday to Friday: Breakfast 8:00am-10:00am, Lunch 11.30am-1.30pm, Dinner 5.15pm-7.15pm. Saturday and Sunday: Breakfast 8.30am-10.00am, Brunch 10:00am-1.30pm, Dinner 5.15pm-7.15pm.
Buy a regular meal package in advance: If you know what days you will require meals (e.g. lunch every Monday and Tuesday and brunch on Saturday), we can set a package up for you. This will ensure your meal is booked in, and you can simply scan your campus card at the catering till. Email johns.finance@durham.ac.uk with the pattern you would like to order and include any dietary requirements. The Finance Office will send your invoice which must be paid before the start of term.
Buy a meal on the day: Meals can be purchased at Reception on the day for breakfast, lunch or dinner, paid by card. Reception will top up your campus card which is then scanned at the catering till. Please note that stand-alone livers out meals are subject to availability.
Local students – offer to live in College during Welcome Week
If you are a local ‘livers out’ student, i.e. you don’t live in College or rent private accommodation in Durham city, but live with family in the North East, you will be invited to stay in a College room for part of Welcome Week at a discounted cost. This is to enable to you take part in Fresher activities and get to know your college peers without thinking about transport home late at night. We will contact local students separately with details about this.
"It's great knowing I can always come to John's, even when I'm living elsewhere in the city; whether it's to see friends in the bar, go to one of the many awesome events, or get support. In exam season the LRC became my second home with the coffee machine in College nearby!"
On behalf of all the students you will be joining, it's a privilege to welcome you to the St John's College family. During my time here I have learned quite how special this place is, and I hope you do too. This is a place where people truly look out for each other, and I hope you feel that from the moment you arrive on the Bailey, then for your entire degree, and for your life beyond. You will find that your College forms a fantastic part of your life whilst you are here. I would encourage each new student to get involved in College life, from our largest events to our fantastic sports teams and societies, you have both the joy of being part of this community and the power to shape it.
For more information about our accommodation, read the answers to our frequently asked questions.
Below are some useful links for before you start your course.
The Timetable has been designed so College events don’t clash with any of your academic departmental events, but offer you lots of opportunities to meet your fellow Freshers, find your way around and settle into student life.
Check out our student blogs to read more about life at Durham from our students. Don't forget to follow us on social media!
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