Finding cheap student accommodation in Durham is harder than it looks. Durham University sits in a small city with a large student population, which keeps rents higher than most northern cities. But affordable options do exist, if you know where to look and what to compare.
This guide covers the cheapest areas to live, a realistic price breakdown by room type, and verified properties near Durham University where you can book today.
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How Much Does Student Accommodation in Durham Cost?
Before searching, it helps to know what "cheap" actually means in Durham. Prices vary significantly depending on whether you choose a private house, a purpose-built student block, or university college accommodation.
| Accommodation type | Average weekly cost | Bills included? |
| Shared student house (private) | £90–£130/week | Usually no |
| Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) | £155–£310/week | Usually yes |
| Durham University college (standard room) | £169–£262/week | No (catered extra) |
| En-suite room (PBSA) | £175–£220/week | Yes |
| Studio flat (PBSA) | £220–£360/week | Yes |
The average rent for a student house in Durham is around £122 per week excluding bills, according to StuRents (2025). Purpose-built student accommodation averages £155 per week with bills included, making the actual gap between the two smaller than it first appears.
Durham University college accommodation rose by 5% in 2025/26, with a standard self-catered room now costing around £262 per week, nearly double the national student average of £135 per week.
The cheapest route: a private shared house in Gilesgate or Framwellgate Moor, where rents can start from £90 per week. The trade-off is bills on top and fewer on-site facilities.
Cheapest Areas to Live Near Durham University
Where you live in Durham makes a bigger difference to cost than the type of room you choose. The closer to the city centre and Bailey, the more expensive.
Gilesgate
East of the centre, Gilesgate is one of the most affordable areas for Durham students. It is around a 20-minute walk or short bus ride from the main university buildings. Private shared houses here tend to come in well below the Durham average, and there are good supermarket and bus links.
Framwellgate Moor
North of the city, Framwellgate Moor offers the lowest rents in the Durham student market. Rooms in shared houses can start from around £90 per week. Bus links into the city are reliable. Best suited to students who prioritise budget over walkability.
Neville's Cross
South of the centre, close to the Science Site. Quieter and more residential than central Durham, with prices below the city centre without being as far out as Framwellgate Moor. Popular with students based on the Hill colleges.
Claypath
Central and walkable to most Durham University colleges and the Bill Bryson Library. More expensive than the areas above, but purpose-built student blocks here often include bills, which narrows the real cost gap.
City Centre and Bailey
The most expensive area. Worth it for students in Hill colleges or who want to walk everywhere, but not where you look if budget is the priority.
Verified Cheap Student Accommodation in Durham You Can Book Now
All properties below are listed on Acolyte Living's Durham student accommodation page with verified prices, bills-included options, and up to £500 cashback on booking.
Student Castle Durham
Location: 20 Claypath, Durham DH1 1RH Price: from £309/week (en-suite), £359/week (studio) Bills included: Yes: water, electricity, gas, broadband, contents insurance all included
Student Castle Durham is a 17-minute walk or 6-minute cycle from Durham University. It sits on Claypath, seven minutes from the city centre, close to supermarkets, the bus station, and the river.
Room types include en-suite rooms in shared flats and twin studios for single or double occupancy. The twin studio with double occupancy splits the weekly cost between two people, making it one of the more affordable PBSA options in central Durham.
Facilities include a gym, study room, cinema room, game room, courtyard, bike storage, and a 24-hour reception. The "No Visa No Pay" and "No Place No Pay" cancellation policies make it a lower-risk booking for international students.
View Student Castle Durham and check availability
Chapel Heights Durham
Location: Durham city Price: from £110/week (check live pricing) Bills included: Check listing
One of the more affordable options on the Acolyte Living platform for Durham. Studio rooms with kitchenette and private bathroom.
The Village at The Viaduct
Location: Near Durham University Price: from £110/week (check live pricing) Bills included: Yes on selected rooms
A popular choice for students wanting a community feel. En-suite bedrooms and studio apartments, with a communal lounge, games room, rooftop area, and courtyard. One of the more competitively priced PBSA options in Durham.
View The Village at The Viaduct
Elvet Studios
Location: Near Durham University and Elvet Riverside Price: from £110/week (check live pricing) Bills included: Yes
Close to the Elvet Riverside lecture halls, the Bill Bryson Library, and the student union. Good option for students taking humanities or social sciences courses. En-suite bedrooms and studio flats available.
Houghall Court
Location: South of Durham city, 14-minute walk to campus Price: from £110/week (check live pricing) Bills included: Yes on selected rooms
Slightly further from the centre, which is what keeps prices lower. Classic en-suite and premium rooms. A good option if you are based on the Science Site or studying at East Durham College.
Private Student Houses vs Purpose-Built Accommodation: Which is Cheaper?
This is the question most Durham students ask in second year, once they are off college accommodation.
On headline rent, private houses win. A shared house in Gilesgate can cost £90–£110 per week per person, versus £155+ for PBSA.
On total cost, it is closer. Add gas, electricity, water, broadband, and contents insurance to a private house, typically £50–£80 per month per person, and the gap closes considerably. Many PBSA contracts bundle all of this.
How to Cut Costs on Durham Student Accommodation
Book early. The cheapest rooms in any Durham PBSA fill first. For 2026/27, the best deals were gone by February. If you are reading this for next year, start now.
Consider double occupancy. Twin studios at Student Castle Durham and similar properties split the weekly rate between two people. If you have a friend to live with, this can be the most affordable PBSA option in the city centre.
Get cashback. Booking through Acolyte Living gives you up to £500 cashback on your Durham accommodation. That covers around a month's rent at the cheaper end of the market.
Compare bills-included vs bills-excluded carefully. Always add £50–£80 per month to the advertised rent of any private house before comparing with PBSA prices.
Look slightly outside the centre. Framwellgate Moor and Gilesgate are not far, 20 minutes on foot or a short bus, and the rent difference pays for the commute several times over across the year.
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FAQs: Cheap Student Accommodation in Durham
What is the cheapest student accommodation in Durham?
The cheapest student accommodation in Durham is in private shared houses in Gilesgate and Framwellgate Moor, where rents can start from around £90 per week per person, excluding bills. For purpose-built student accommodation with bills included, prices on Acolyte Living's Durham listings start from around £110 per week, depending on room type and availability.
Is Durham University accommodation expensive?
Yes, relative to most UK universities outside the south of England. Durham University college accommodation rose by 5% in 2025/26, with a standard self-catered room costing around £262 per week. Private and PBSA options are generally cheaper. See the full comparison table above.
Where is the cheapest area to live in Durham as a student?
Framwellgate Moor (north of the city) and Gilesgate (east of the centre) have the lowest student rents in Durham. Both areas have bus links to the university and city centre.
Can international students find cheap accommodation near Durham University?
Yes. Several PBSA options near Durham University offer bills-included rooms, virtual tours, and "No Visa No Pay" cancellation protection. Browse verified options on Acolyte Living to compare properties and book without travelling to Durham first.
Is it cheaper to live in a student house or PBSA in Durham?
On headline rent, private houses are usually cheaper. But once bills, broadband, and contents insurance are added, the total cost often closes to within £20–£30 per week of PBSA. PBSA also offers more flexibility for international students and those booking remotely.
How much is student accommodation in Durham per week?
Private shared houses average around £122 per week excluding bills. Purpose-built student accommodation averages around £155 per week with bills included. Durham University college accommodation ranges from £169 to £262 per week.
What to Do Next
If you are looking for cheap student accommodation in Durham for 2025/26 or 2026/27, the fastest route is to browse verified listings with live prices, bills included, and cashback on booking.
View all student accommodation in Durham on Acolyte Living, prices from £110/week, up to £500 cashback, "No Visa No Pay" available on selected properties.
If you are still comparing Durham to other cities or weighing up areas, the Durham University open days guide is the best place to start, an in-person visit shows you which areas are actually walkable and which feel further than they look on a map.
For term dates and booking timeline planning, see the Durham term dates guide.