Stephenson College

Our History So Far

1832: SHAPED BY THE PAST

Durham was one of the first universities to establish medical training (1834), to admit women on an equal footing to men (1890), and the first to award Civil and Mining Engineering degrees to meet regional and national needs during the industrial revolution (1838). Durham led in the development of science and established one of the earliest observatories in England.

1992: CAMPUS OPENS

In 1992 the Stockton-on-Tees campus welcomes its first 190 students as part of the University’s major contribution to the regeneration of the Tees Valley.

1993: ROYAL VISIT

University College, Stockton is officially opened by HRH Elizabeth II in 1993 and in 1995 the first students graduate in a ceremony at Stockton Parish Church. University College was the only Durham college with teaching responsibilities.

1994: FIRST RESIDENCES

The Earl of Stockton opens the first student residences – home to 234 first year students.

1998: EBSWORTH BUILDING AND NEW RESIDENCES

The £15 million extension of facilities is officially opened by the Chancellor of the University, Sir Peter Ustinov. The doubling of facilities includes a new academic building (the Ebsworth Building) and new residential accommodation for students.

2001: TWO NEW COLLEGES

In line with the University’s collegiate tradition, two new colleges - John Snow and Stephenson - are created, which provide communities for all our students. This coincides with the opening of the purpose-built Wolfson Research Institute to house world leading multi-disciplinary research.

2002: TEN YEAR CELEBRATIONS

2002-03 marks the tenth anniversary of the campus. The University of Durham Stockton Campus, which was opened by HRH Elizabeth II in 1993, is awarded the title

“Queen’s Campus” in the Queen’s Golden Jubilee year. The Duke of Edinburgh announces the distinction on 8 May 2002, during a visit to the Campus at the end of a two-day royal tour of the North East.

2010: NEW SPORTS CENTRE

A multi-million-pound, state-of-the-art Sports Centre opens along with a purpose-built Boat House to accommodate John Snow & Stephenson Colleges’ Boat Clubs at Queen’s Campus. It is also the year that new social and study facilities are opened in both colleges.

2011: NEW FACILITIES

Significant investment is made in developing the central campus library, the Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre, Café Aroma, and a dedicated postgraduate study area.

2012: CREATING THE FUTURE

This year sees a major extension to the Wolfson Building to deliver a state-of-the-art NHS Primary Care training facility and provision for Durham Business School for research and postgraduate study.

2013: NEW PHARMACY DEGREE

Introduction of new Pharmacy undergraduate course (MPharm) that will eventually bring another 450 students to Queen’s Campus.

2017: NEW BEGINNINGS

Stephenson College, along with John Snow College, move to the city of Durham on a phased basis. Stephenson College is housed in Hilton Cottage for the first year.

2018: THE NEXT CHAPTER

Stephenson College relocates to the former home of Ustinov College at Howlands Farm, Durham City.

2021: TWENTY YEAR CELEBRATIONS

Stephenson College celebrates its twentieth anniversary!