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Ustinov College ...your guide to a unique experience
Ustinov College
A warm welcome from our Principal | Contents | 03 | Welcome from our Principal
Welcome to Ustinov College, Durham University’s sole postgraduate only College, comprising a community of scholars representing over 100 nationalities.
04 | Durham's Postgraduate College 06 | The Durham College System 07 | The Graduate Common Room 08 | College Student Support 09 | Induction & Welcome 11 | An Academic Community 14 | College Facilities 16 | The Ustinov Association 17 | Visiting Ustinov 18 | Sir Peter Ustinov 19 | College Accommodation
www.durham.ac.uk/ustinov.college
Renamed in 2003 in honour of the actor and writer Sir Peter Ustinov, who was Chancellor of Durham University, Ustinov College was formerly known as the Graduate Society. Our focus at Ustinov is to provide a safe, supportive, motivating and enjoyable collegiate environment that nurtures global citizenship and enables its members to grow intellectually and socially. Globally the College is recognised as a friendly and
welcoming place that openly celebrates the strength arising from diversity, interdisciplinarity and collegiality and applauds leadership, creativity, innovation, teamwork and excellence. At Ustinov I trust you will have a truly unique experience as a “Ustinovian” that will lay the basis for a lifelong mutually rewarding relationship with the College, University and the people and communities of the North East. On behalf of all staff at Ustinov I would like to extend to you a warm and hearty welcome. We look forward to meeting you at one of the many events organised as part of the College’s social and academic calendar. Professor Glenn McGregor Principal
Ustinov College
Durham’s Postgraduate College Ustinov College is the largest college in Durham, with a multi-national and multidisciplinary ethos and a student population of 1700, all studying for postgraduate degrees. Our membership includes students from 100 nationalities studying 100 subjects, and is split approximately 50% following taught postgraduate programmes and 50% conducting research. We were founded in 1965 as The Graduate Society to provide a home for the increasing number of graduate students choosing to study at Durham. In 2003 we were renamed Ustinov College and have subsequently established Ustinov as a community of students, staff and senior members dedicated to the best postgraduate environment. We are known for being relaxed, informal, modern and egalitarian. The College Office is set among the green environs of Howlands Farm and next to the Botanic Gardens, bringing the benefits of
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proximity to all university buildings in Durham city and a sense of tranquillity. By concentrating solely on providing the best postgraduate experience and support we are able to provide a specialist service for our members and for Durham University. This specialist mission to support postgraduates is balanced by the diversity of our membership. The college motto, ‘diversitate valemus’, makes clear that we view diversity as a core strength—the diversity of membership in terms of subjects studied, backgrounds, nationalities and cultures, interests and outlooks.
“We are known for being relaxed, informal, modern and egalitarian.”
Ustinov College offers: • dedicated postgraduate accommodation for 650 students • a wide variety of intellectual, cultural and social activities • a comprehensive Induction & Welcome programme • full-time student support staff specialising in providing support to postgraduate students • student representation through the Graduate Common Room • the opportunity to create your own experience and leave your mark on Ustinov and Durham • opportunities to develop useful skills through a diverse range of clubs and societies and sports teams • the Ustinov College Global Citizenship Programme, to help prepare you for your future as a citizen of the world
• outlets for your talents and interests, including the College magazine (The Ustinovian), the Ustinov Seminar, the Cafés Politique, des Arts and Scientifique, and the Intercultural Forum • a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to mix with students from all four corners of the globe
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Ustinov College
The Durham College System Many students new to Durham are unsure what ‘College’ means. A College is a community for students and staff. It’s a physical place where people can meet and socialise outside their academic departments. Whether members live in College accommodation or elsewhere in Durham, it’s a place to which people belong and to which they can feel a sense of attachment. The Ustinov community is made up of three parts – the student community, the largest part of the College and known as the ‘Graduate Common Room’ (GCR); the College Officers and staff, who run the College buildings and provide student support on a day-to-day basis; and the senior members, who form the Senior Common Room (SCR). The community in Durham is supplemented by our community around the world, the Ustinov Association, for Ustinov College alumni and friends. Our College offers practical support such as accommodation for members and student
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support services; social activities and student representation through the GCR; and it contributes to the wider university community and beyond. At Ustinov, this contribution is represented by groups such as the SCR, the Ustinov Association for alumni and friends; and by such initiatives as the Ustinov College Global Citizenship Programme. During your time as a College member, you will have many opportunities to create your own experience and benefit from College life. This could involve being a member of the Graduate Common Room Committee, organising events and seminars representing the full range of postgraduate scholarly and research interests at Ustinov. You can play sport or attend events in the College bar, or plan and organise a seminar or a discussion group. How much you do is really up to you, but the more you get involved the more you will gain from your time as a postgraduate student.
The Graduate Common Room The Graduate Common Room is the organisation at Ustinov College of which every student is a member. An Executive Committee, led by the President, is elected by the student members of the College, and represents your views within the College and throughout the University. Any College member can stand for election to posts such as Social Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Sports Officer and Livers’ Out Representatives. In addition to representing your views, the GCR Social Committee organises many events throughout the year including the summer barbeque, formal dinners and balls, and also co-ordinates College sport, clubs and societies. For more information on the GCR, see http://ustinovgcr.com.
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Ustinov College
College Student Support At Durham University, course tutors and lecturers provide academic support, and non-academic support is provided primarily by your College. Personal support for students is therefore a central part of Ustinov’s mission and is available to all College members. Ustinov's student support team is led by the Vice Principal, who works with the Assistant Principals, Student Support Officer and College Secretary to provide pastoral support and advice to College members. This involves dealing with admissions and accommodation requests, working with departments and the admissions office, co-ordinating Induction & Welcome arrangements, and providing advice and support during your time in Durham. The Student Support Officer provides support and advice for students bringing their family with them to Durham. This includes offering
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advice about arranging schooling for your children and ongoing support while you are in Durham. Students can choose to be allocated a College Mentor, and be part of a Mentor Group of about 25 students. Your College Mentor is often a member of University staff, or someone who has close connections to the University, who volunteers some of their time to act as a mentor to new students, to help you settle into living and studying in Durham. The Bursar and Operations Team provide student services for members, including College accommodation, facilities, bar and café management and arrangements for fee payments. The Porters’ Lodge is often a student’s first port of call for practical advice.
Induction & Welcome Arriving in a new place or starting a new programme is an exciting prospect. To help you gain the most from your time, Durham University offers a comprehensive Induction & Welcome programme which runs at the start of the academic year in September/October. At Ustinov we organise a variety of activities, to help you settle in, make new friends, learn about the University and your College and enjoy your arrival in Durham.
• city & campus tours • Clubs and Societies Fair • induction & orientation meetings • international Information Sessions • matriculation in Durham Cathedral • departmental induction • induction for postgraduate researchers
The welcome programme includes: • a Meet and Greet transport service for overseas students • formal welcome events • social events organised by the Graduate Common Room • academic and cultural events organised as part of the Ustinov College Global Citizenship Programme
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Ustinov College
“Before coming to Durham I had never lived in the UK before. I was leaving behind my friends, my family, my home. I was expecting to feel alone and homesick for some time. Well, nothing turned out quite as expected. I got off the plane, and then… the next thing I remember, I was exhausted after a non-stop-eventful week, I had friends, I knew how to get around. And I was actually feeling at home. I loved Induction Week so much and I felt so grateful for the welcome I had received that I decided to organise Induction Week the following year, which was again full of wonderful memories! I hope this year’s newcomers will have the same experience as I did – everyone works hard to make sure you won’t be disappointed!” Pauline Moret (PhD student, School of Modern Languages & Cultures)
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An Academic Community Being at Durham is about more than your studies – college life takes the academic environment into the heart of where students live, socialise and study. The distinctive strength of Ustinov as a postgraduate college lies in providing a place where academic, interdisciplinary and intercultural discussion, debate and experience finds a natural home. Since 2013 we have offered our members the opportunity to take part in the Ustinov College Global Citizenship Programme. Graduates demonstrating the attributes of global citizens are highly valued by employers. As a member of Ustinov College you will be able to shape the development of the Global Citizenship Programme, benefit from greater understanding of the interaction of local and global concerns, and hone the skills you need to be happy, fulfilled and successful in your future life and career.
The Ustinov Seminar & Café Discussion Groups The Ustinov Seminar is a student-based forum for all postgraduates to discuss their research. The seminars are both social and academic gatherings: like the Café discussion groups, they are held in the Fisher House Coffee Shop, are interdisciplinary and encourage informal networking. We collaborate with research institutes, departments, other colleges and outside agencies. You have the opportunity to become a member of the organising committee of the Ustinov Seminar, the Cafés Politique, Scientifique and des Arts, organise or speak at events, write for the Ustinovian college magazine, become involved in alumni activity, work with the community through our community engagement project or initiate your own contribution to the Global Citizenship programme.
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Ustinov College
For further information on our academic activities, see the Ustinov College Annual Review, www.durham.ac.uk/ustinov.college/ annualreport and our Academic Community pages www.durham.ac.uk/ustinov.college/ academic_community.
“Leading the Ustinov Seminar Series has been a privilege. The experience of bringing together speakers from across a vast range of disciplines, and providing postgraduate speakers with the opportunity to present their research, has proven to be a fascinating, enjoyable and rewarding task.”
“Working on the Café des Arts has allowed me the privilege of meeting some incredible people that I don't think I would have met otherwise. I have been able to contribute my own training and knowledge, but also gained a great deal from others.” Ariadne Schulz, Ustinov Café des Arts Committee, (PhD student, Department of Archaeology)
Anna Jobe, Ustinov Seminar Committee Chair (PhD student, Law School)
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Ustinov College
College Facilities Ustinov College is based on two sites. The College Office and the central social facilities are located with the majority of our accommodation at Howlands Farm, to the south of the city centre. Our family accommodation is based at Keenan House which is located in Dryburn Court to the north of the city centre. Fisher House, named after Professor Fisher who founded the Graduate Society, at Howlands Farm is the hub of the College. The bar, with big-screen satellite TV, wifienabled cafe and games room are here. The 12 student residences are clustered around Fisher House. Most of the rooms at Howlands Farm are single student bedrooms with their own en-suite shower and WC, and share a kitchen with other students. There are also some two-room sets for couples. On the Howlands site, there is a handy shop in the Howlands Building, a facility shared between Ustinov College and Josephine
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Butler College next door. The Howlands Building also houses a laundry, multi-gym, music practice room, seminar room, meeting room and large events hall. Just behind the college there is the Multi-Use Games Area with facilities for basketball, netball, tennis and five-a-side football.
Living in College We have a resident community of 650 students: • self-catered accommodation is available for single students, couples and families • College staff are available 24 hours a day • all accommodation is linked to the University computer network and there is wifi available on both sites
Facilities for Students with a Disability There are four wheelchair accessible en-suite rooms at Howlands Farm, plus wheelchair-accessible flats in Keenan House. Further information about accessibility of the site is available at www.disabledgo.com/en/accessguide/ustinov-college/durham-university. Students with additional requirements due to health or disability should contact Durham University Disabilities Service www.durham.ac.uk/dussd. Details of the accommodation we offer can be found on pages 19 – 23.
• rooms and services are available throughout the postgraduate academic year • accommodation charges are inclusive of gas and electricity.
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Ustinov College
The Ustinov Association “I didn’t realise that when I left here 15 years ago it didn’t all finish, that I didn’t leave behind all my memories and friends. It’s been great to come to the Alumni Reunion weekend, and realise that I’m still a member of the Ustinov Community. It’s been like a big family gathering, and I (and my family) will definitely be back!” Grad Society/Ustinov Alumnus
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Starting with 90 new college members in 1965, the Ustinov family now includes 16000 alumni around the world. The Ustinov Association is for alumni and friends of Ustinov, and provides a forum for Ustinovians old and new to keep in touch after graduation. Ustinov alumni can be found in any country of the world and in (almost) any profession. In 2013 we celebrated 10 years of Ustinov College with special events including an Artist and a Writer-in-Residence, an international cookbook, the 10th anniversary weekend, the publication of a 10-year history of Ustinov College, and the installation of paintings, sculpture and art-work in Fisher House. The Graduate Society attains the landmark age of 50 years in 2015, giving plenty of opportunity for you to be involved as a Ustinovian, current or alum.
Visiting Ustinov If you would like to visit Ustinov College for yourself, we would be delighted to meet you and offer you a tour. College visits normally take place on Wednesdays, but we can usually arrange for someone to give you a College tour most days if you let us know when you are coming. Prospective members may also be able to stay overnight for a small charge, subject to room availability. Please contact ustinov.college@durham.ac.uk for details.
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Ustinov College
Sir Peter Ustinov It is entirely appropriate that Durham’s most culturally diverse College is named after Sir Peter Ustinov, distinguished actor, comedian, writer, internationalist and Renaissance man. Sir Peter was born in London in 1921, but was truly international, with Russian, French, German, Italian and Ethiopian blood, and he spoke several languages, including French, German, Russian, Italian, Greek and Turkish. He began his acting career in 1938, winning his first Oscar for Spartacus in 1961, and a second supporting actor Oscar for Topkapı in 1965. As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, UNESCO volunteer and President of the World Federalist Movement, he travelled the world to publicise their work. He believed that economic, democratic and political union would lead to greater freedom and reduce war. He was knighted in 1990 and became Chancellor of Durham University in 1992. The Graduate Society was renamed Ustinov College in his honour in 2003.
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Accommodation “There is nothing that can replace the contact of young people of different nations in contributing to a world at peace and freedom from ugly prejudice. My experience has taught me that children are born without prejudice. I am sure it is possible for young adults to maintain this same pristine tradition, and hopefully these young adults in Durham will be able to influence their seniors.” Sir Peter Ustinov, 4 April 2003 College Naming Ceremony
An important consideration when studying for your postgraduate degree is where to live. Many students decide that living in college makes it easier to take part in college life and the academic and social activities that take place at Howlands Farm. A number of students choose to live somewhere in Durham, with friends or family, and come to college often by bike, the Park and Ride bus or public transport. Accommodation options are outlined over the next few pages. For more information and images of college accommodation, see www.ustinov.college/college_life/ accommodation.
College Accommodation Accommodation is available for single students, couples and students with families. At Howlands Farm there are approximately
540 single study bedrooms. Most single accommodation is en-suite. There are 20 don’s sets for couples at Howlands Farm. Most couple and family accommodation is located at Keenan House, Dryburn Court. If you need any further information, contact the College Office at ustinov.college@durham.ac.uk.
Types of Accommodation Single Rooms Single rooms typically contain a bed, wardrobe, desk, chair and shelves, and bed linen is provided at an additional charge. Kitchens contain cupboard space, cookers, microwaves, refrigerators and freezers, irons and ironing-boards. You provide your own cutlery, crockery and saucepans. There are between 6 and 10 bedrooms in each flat, which share a kitchen. Ensuite
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Ustinov College
rooms have their shower and toilet, paired rooms are single rooms that share a shower and toilet with one other student of the same gender, and standard rooms share bathroom facilities with all the people in the flat. Families & Couples There are 20 don’s sets for couples at Howlands Farm. These consist of a living room, bedroom and shower room, with the kitchen shared usually with two other don’s sets. Bed linen is provided at an additional charge. Kitchens contain cupboard space, cookers, microwaves, refrigerators and freezers, irons and ironing boards. Keenan House, a residence containing one, two and three-bedroom flats for couples and families, opened in September 2005. There are 16 one-bedroom flats for couples or students with small babies, 46 two-bedroom flats for families with one or two children and 8 three-bedroom flats available for families with two or three
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children. The residence charge includes a reasonable amount for gas and electricity charges. Bed linen is provided at an additional charge. Kitchens contain cupboard space, cookers, microwaves, refrigerators and freezers, a washing machine, irons and ironing boards. You will need to provide your own cutlery, crockery and saucepans. Accessible Accommodation There are a number of rooms and flats which are wheelchair accessible and have vibrating pillows as an alternative emergency alarm for deaf students. Please state on your application if you need an accessible room and contact us to discuss your requirements via email at ustinov.college@durham.ac.uk. If you require adaptations to your room, please be aware that this can take some time to arrange and for the work to be carried out, so please contact the College and the Student Disabilities Service (disabilities.service@ durham.ac.uk) as early as possible.
Further information about accessibility of the site is available at www.disabledgo.com/en/ access-guide/ustinov-college/durham-university. How to Apply Once you have accepted your offer to study at Durham University you will have the opportunity to specify a college. If you would like to join Ustinov College, select us as your first choice on the online application form. Make sure you return the form and pay the booking fee as early as you can. When your accommodation is allocated, you will be asked to sign a residence agreement to confirm you accept the accommodation. Private-Sector Accommodation While most new students apply to live in College, some ‘live out’ in private accommodation in Durham or the surrounding area. You should make sure that you personally view any accommodation and that you read and understand the tenancy agreement before signing it – you can get advice from the Durham Student Union
Advice Centre, dsu.reception@durham.ac.uk. Private accommodation in Durham tends to be more expensive the closer you are to the city centre. A very popular location is the Viaduct, which is near the train station. Many postgraduate students live at Nevilles Cross, Merryoaks and in Gilesgate. Students with families may find that most of the private accommodation in the centre of the city is for single students, so may live a little further from the centre. If you are bringing your family to Durham and not living in College family accommodation, we recommend that you come to Durham on your own first to look for accommodation for your family. The University Accommodation Office has a website where you can search for available private accommodation, www.durham studentpad.co.uk/Accommodation.
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Ustinov College
College Residences Howlands Farm Howlands Farm is the College’s main site, situated to the south of the city and within 10-20 minutes’ walk of almost all university departments in Durham city. Alder, Birch, Boxtree, Cedar, Cherry, Chestnut, Cypress & Cycas • 165 bedrooms in total
• 6 bedrooms to a flat • kitchen shared by 6 bedrooms • internet point in all bedrooms • 3 wheelchair-accessible bedrooms *you have your own shower and toilet **these are not shared rooms - you have your own room and share the shower room with one other student of the same gender.
• 20 don’s sets for couples
Couple Accommodation Don’s Sets for couples include:
• 36 en-suite rooms*
• one double bedroom
• 60 paired rooms**
• living room
• 50 standard rooms
• shower room & WC
• 1 wheelchair accessible en-suite room
• internet point
• 7–10 rooms on each floor
• kitchen shared with other residents
• internet point in all bedrooms
Dryburn Court Situated to the north of the city centre, Dryburn Court is just over a mile from the city centre, and two and a half miles from Howlands Farm. Walking time to
Elm, Oak, Pine, Redwood • 395 bedrooms in total • all bedrooms en-suite*
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departments in the centre of Durham city is about 30 minutes, or residents can get the Park and Ride bus for a small charge, or the X1 or X2 bus for a small or no charge.
Two-bedroom flats for families with one or two children include:
Keenan House Keenan House includes one-bedroom flats for couples and two and three-bedroom flats for families with children. Cots for babies and bunk beds for young children are available.
• other facilities as for one-bedroom flats. Three-bedroom flats for families with two or three children include:
One-bedroom flats for couples
• two single bedrooms
• one double bedroom
• other facilities as for one-bedroom flats.
• living room
Most two and three-bedroom flats have a shower over the bath. Wheelchair-accessible flats have a large shower area and no bath.
• bathroom • kitchen
• one double bedroom • one single bedroom
• one double bedroom
• fully furnished • washing machine in all flats • internet point
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Ustinov College Howlands Farm South Road Durham DH1 3DE United Kingdom Telephone: + 44 (0) 191 334 5470 Email: Ustinov.College@durham.ac.uk www.durham.ac.uk/ustinov.college www.facebook.com/UstinovCollege Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate at the time of going to press in June 2014. However, changes may occur and Durham University reserves the right to amend or change any information contained in this brochure at any time. Copyright Š Durham University 2014 Durham University and the Durham University Logo are registered trade marks of the University of Durham trading as Durham University. All rights reserved. Ž HPM/xx/xx/xxx