Founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832 and incorporated by royal charter in 1837, Durham University is a prestigious collegiate public research university located in Durham, England. It holds the distinction of being the third-oldest university in England, following in the footsteps of Oxford and Cambridge, making it a significant institution in the country’s educational history. With its academic departments and 17 colleges, the university efficiently fulfills its main functions as a collegiate institution. Typically, the departments focus on conducting research and delivering educational instruction to students, while the colleges oversee their day-to-day operations and well-being. Durham University is part of the prestigious Russell Group of British research universities and has strong affiliations with the regional N8 Research Partnership and international university groups such as the Matariki Network of Universities and the Coimbra Group. The university estate boasts an impressive collection of 83 listed buildings, spanning from the historic Durham Castle to the modernist students’ union. The university is also responsible for the management of the Durham World Heritage Site, in collaboration with Durham Cathedral. The university possesses the world heritage site, which encompasses Durham Castle, Palace Green, and the adjacent buildings, including the esteemed Cosin’s Library. In 2018, the esteemed faculty consisted of 15 members of the Royal Society, 18 members of the British Academy, 16 members of the Academy of Social Sciences, 5 members of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 3 members of the Royal Society of Arts, 2 members of the Royal Academy of Engineering, and 2 members of the Academy of Medical Sciences. For years, Durham graduates have proudly adopted the Latin post-nominal letters Dunelm after their degree, signifying their connection to Durham. Durham University ranked tenth among British universities in terms of average UCAS Tariff for new entrants in 2021. Additionally, it had a relatively low proportion of state-school educated students starting courses in 2016, at 62.9 per cent (fifth lowest compared to its benchmark).