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Student Enrichment

When you come to Durham, you are entering a community, not just embarking on a course of study and like all communities we create, perform, play and support, as well as work.
A group of students around a table chat enthusiastically about what they have been up to

Wider Student Experience

Whatever you love doing, whatever you may like to try, you will find support and inspiration here.

Broad and unique opportunities can be found across all parts of the University including our academic departments, our unique and vibrant Colleges and the 1000+ student-led clubs and societies sat within our Common Rooms, the Students’ Union, the Student Enrichment Directorate and the Careers & Enterprise Centre.
More about the Student Enrichment Directorate
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Student Enrichment Opportunities

Opportunities can be found across all parts of the University.

87% of Students engage, participate, excel and give back in a prolific variety of extra-curricular events, programmes and activities.
1000+ student-led societies within our Common Rooms, the Students’ Union, the Student Enrichment Directorate and the Careers & Enterprise Centre

Enrichment Areas

Search Opportunities

80+ student-led music societies
27 theatre companies across the University
54 sports to participate in at Durham
50 annual community, educational and recreational projects for student volunteering

Participation Opportunities

At Durham we split our student enrichment activity into seven themes. We call them Domains of Participation, and they help to demonstrate the breadth of opportunity available across the University:

Arts and Culture

You can showcase your talents, do something entirely different or enjoy the entertainment and appreciate the work of others. Our performing arts, our visual arts, our museums, our art collections and our student media are thriving at Durham and there really is something for everyone to enjoy with over 80+ student-led music societies, 30+ theatre companies, dance societies, 20+ visual arts societies, 1 multi-award winning radio station.

Enterprise and Employment

Your career can get started long before you graduate, from organising student-led events to participating in work-study opportunities and developing start-up companies.

Intellectual Enquiry

You’ll have many opportunities for curiosity-led academic activity beyond your degree course - from engaging with guest lecturers in your Department, to taking part in dissertation “open mic” nights in your College. Over 1,000 guest speakers, talks and debates per year across departments, societies and colleges.

Building Communities

Some would say this is the foundation of the Durham experience! Dining as a community, helping to run your Common Room, taking part in celebration events, faith societies or peer mentoring - and much more.

Sport and Wellbeing

Physical activity is a cornerstone of the student experience at Durham. From international representation and University and College Sport, right through to personal training, fitness and wellbeing classes, there is so much for you to enjoy and participate in. At Durham we are  Britain’s Number 1 Team Sport University, over 10,000 community sports facility users per year and 700 College Teams.

Wider Community Engagement

Volunteering, supporting environmental projects and pro-bono work are some of the most meaningful memories many students build of their time at Durham. Our students collectively participate in over 40,000 volunteering hours per year.

Active Citizenship

Our students don’t hesitate to stand up and work for positive change. The University and the Students’ Union are home to a host of issues-based and political groups and campaigns on key student issues.

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We give our graduates the edge they need to succeed, that special character and commitment that makes them really stand out.
Student Enrichment Directorate
Durham University

World-Class Facilities

  • Sports and Wellbeing Facilities

    We’ve invested £32 million into our sports facilities with state-of-the-art equipment at our sports hub Maiden Castle Sports and Wellbeing Park to inspire the extraordinary.

  • Music

    Regular performance opportunities with access to masterclasses with professional musicians and use of venues within and beyond the University, including the Gala Theatre and Durham Cathedral.

  • Theatre Spaces

    A plethora of innovative and charming locations to create unique and immersive experiences including a 175 seat theatre filled with history and tradition, Black-Box Spaces and Site-Specific spaces.

Find out more about what we have to offer
The front of Maiden Castle at dusk

Maiden Castle Sports and Wellbeing Park offers 12 badminton court sports hall with spectator provision, a five-lane cricket hall, Purpose built martial arts studio and 90 station fitness suite with additional strength and conditioning

A Steinway & Sons piano

58 new Steinway & Sons pianos are to be installed across our campus as we join the All-Steinway Initiative, with an intention to become an All-Steinway University

Open doors leading into the Assembly Rooms Theatre

Outside Assembly Rooms Theatre situated on North Bailey in the most historic part of Durham. It is the main venue used by Durham Student Theatre and is host to over 30 productions a year. It is also home to the Durham Student Theatre executive committee office, a box office, workshop, green room, two changing rooms, props and costume store, and a scene dock.

Find Out More