FAQs
Frequently asked questions to help you get your head around Hild Bede and what goes on here. If you have any other questions do feel free to contact the SRC President at hild-bede.src@durham.ac.uk
Is Hild Bede "far away"?
Our temporary location at Rushford Court is situated in a fantastic spot in the Viaduct area of the City, yet our (false) reputation as a 'far away' college has unfortunately followed us to our new site!
Though we may look 'far away' from the action on the maps you may have seen, we promise this is an ideal location to live in! Being neither on the Hill nor on the Bailey, it goes without saying that we are not directly next to any other colleges but, given the small size of Durham as a city, we are a very short walk away from both (~10-15 minute walk to the Bailey, ~15-20 to the Hill), and still very close to the University site, depending on where you have your contact hours.
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A huge positive of this area is that the Viaduct (where we are), is an incredibly popular and sought-after location for returning 'livers-out', meaning you are surrounded by a diverse and student-focused community. Moreover, this is an ideal location for accessing the shops, bus station, and train station, and being a short walk from the centre of town also means we are incredibly well placed for trips to the many restaurants, coffee shops, and nightclubs in and around the city centre.
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What is the accommodation like?
All undergraduate rooms at Rushford Court are what the University calls 'En-Suite Plus Rooms', with each room comprising a study space, ¾-size bed, and private bathroom (toilet, sink, and shower). Your flat - and therefore your kitchen space - will be shared between 4 and 8 people, with rooms being allocated randomly.
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Postgraduates who live in College accommodation will have studio rooms at Rushford Court (self-contained studio accommodation with a private bedroom area, bathroom, and kitchen); like our undergraduate students, postgraduates will have access to all facilities on site (e.g. gym, common room, bar, library).
Room tours can be found on our TikTok!
Are there kitchen facilities?
Each flat has a shared kitchen with a dining space; larger ones have additional cooking facilities, scaled up to accommodate extra students. Cooking facilities in the postgraduate studio accommodation is private, and is therefore scaled to suit one individual. The provided kitchen facilities for each flat include a hob, oven, microwave, toaster, kettle, sink, and fridge/freezer.
Is there a gym at Hild Bede?
There is! Rushford Court has an on-site gym which is free for livers-in to use. Livers-out have the option to pay a membership for the gym too, with a yearly membership costing £45 per year for SRC members or £90 for non SRC members. There are also a plethora of out-of-college options in and around the city which offer a wider range of equipment at a higher price, including the University Fitness Centre Gym, Freeman's Quay, Result Fitness, Puregym, and a range of Yoga and Pilates studios (some with gym facilities attached).
What Clubs and Societies does Hild Bede have and where can I find a list of University wide sports teams and societies?
Information about Hild Bede’s Clubs and Societies can be found here! Details about general SU Societies can be found on the Durham SU website, and a full list of Team Durham sports and their affiliated pages can be found on the University website.
What level are the college sports and societies?
The great thing about college level sports is that you can get involved no matter what level you are, and our wide range of college sports and societies mean that there is something for everyone! Many Durham University athletes play multiple sports at a collegiate level but you're always welcome to join, even if you've not played before. You are also under no obligation to compete in your sport if you do not wish to, and many people also partake in certain clubs in a purely social capacity, something you will learn more about across your time here. Check our recent performance in the college sport league tables here.
Can I play more than one sport?
Absolutely! You can join as many of our Clubs and Societies as you wish, so long as you pay the correct subs upon joining. There tends to be training during the week and matches at the weekends, so it may be worth checking when these usually happen at the Freshers' Fair (during Freshers' Week) before signing up.
What is the nightlife like in Durham?
If you’re up for it, there are a range of night clubs in Durham, including Jimmy Allen's, Babylon, and the infamous Klute! If you're craving more, we are only a stone’s throw away from Newcastle which has thriving nightlife, including lots of big clubs, though many of our students have glowing reviews of Durham's own late-night scene.
Can people outside of Hild Bede come to our formals and balls?
Yes! Although priority for these events will go to SRC members, anyone is welcome at our events - including people who do not go to University here. As the SRC levy subsidises events such as the ball, there is a reduced ticket price for SRC members, so anyone you bring along who isn't a levy-paying member of the Hild Bede SRC will have to pay a higher ticket price.
What are College Parents and how are they assigned?
For years now, most Hild Bede Freshers have opted into the ‘Adopt-a-Fresher’ scheme, where they are figuratively adopted by a college-married ‘couple’ from the year above, becoming part of their ‘family’. This has always proven hugely popular, meaning many families stem back for ‘generations’ (by the time some fourth years leave, they are proud ‘great-grandparents’ in an extended college family!). You will receive a form to fill in that will then let you be matched by Joe, our Communities and Liberations officer, with suitable parents whom you will meet soon after Freshers’ week. They will help you get settled in, meet some people in the other year groups, and make sure you know how everything works here at Durham from a student perspective!
At some point in your first year (completely up to you when this happens) you yourself will become 'engaged' to your chosen 'college husband/wife/partner' to then be 'married' by your second year, where you will then 'adopt' your own children, thus continuing your family line!
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What is Hild Bede's mascot?
Our mascot is Bedo the Bear, named after the Venerable Saint Bede!
