 University College was formed upon the creation of University of Durham in 1832 . It was the first college of the university , and is therefore known as the " foundation college " , but the university was founded explicitly on the Oxbridge model , and the intention was already for the university to develop along collegiate lines in the manner of Oxford and Cambridge , as indeed it has . Durham Castle had been the home of the Prince Bishops of Durham , and William van Mildert , one of the founders of the university , had intended for the castle to be given to the college . Temporary accommodation for students was provided at the Archdeacon 's Inn ( part of Cosin 's Hall ) on Palace Green until University College moved into its permanent home . Castle moved to its current location at Durham Castle in 1837 after van Mildert 's successor , Edward Maltby , completed renovations of the building . The castle 's keep , formerly a ruin , was redeveloped for student accommodation ; in particular , the college 's chapels and Great Hall have been restored . Since then high levels of maintenance have been , and still are , necessary to preserve the buildings of the castle . 
