The multi-million pound project will create purpose-built accommodation for 1,000 students and should be completed in 2006.

The university says the development, off South Road in Durham is a "firm commitment" to the collegiate system.

University officials hope the �35.5m project will allay concerns about the number of students living in the city of Durham.

The new college will also provide new postgraduate student housing for the adjacent Ustinov College and new residential facilities for St. Cuthbert's Society with the replacement of three existing blocks at Parson's Field.

Student population

Professor Tim Burt, Dean of colleges and student support services at the university, said: "We recognise the advantages of getting more students into collegiate facilities."

He also acknowledged recent concerns from residents in Durham City over the rising student population.

The university has expanded student numbers over the past 15 years in line with the policies of successive governments.

Although it has already built about 1,000 extra rooms during the same period, the number of students who live out of college in rented housing has increased.

The new building programme will ensure that the majority of Durham students will reside in university accommodation.

All Durham students join one of the 15 colleges and societies.

Unlike Oxbridge colleges, Durham colleges are not teaching bodies and neither, unlike halls of residence, are they purely residential.