A UNIVERSITY college could be on the move as part of plans to relocate around 2,000 students from another North-East campus.

Durham University is due to discuss a proposal to move Ustinov College from its current home at Howlands Farm, on the outskirts of the city.

It is understood one of the options is that Ustinov, the university’s postgraduate college, could be moved to the new Sheraton Park site in Neville’s Cross, which is currently under development.

If it goes ahead, alternative accommodation would be found for its students within Durham and Ustinov’s buildings, which can house up to 600 students, would be used for undergraduates being relocated from Queen’s Campus, in Stockton, which has around 2,000 students.

It is understood the university is looking at two options for finding homes for students from Queen’s campus, in either an existing college or a purpose built student accommodation development.

A spokesperson said: “As part of this, the university is considering the best use of its student accommodation. One proposal is to use the existing Ustinov College accommodation at the Howlands Site to house undergraduates relocating from Queen’s Campus.

“This means that the current Ustinov College community of postgraduate, mature and international students would be housed on an alternative site in Durham City that most suits their needs.

“In reaching a decision, the university will be mindful that any changes in student accommodation should be balanced with the needs of the local community.”

The proposal will be discussed by the university’s governing council at a meeting due to be held tomorrow [Friday], when a decision will be made about carrying out a full feasibility study.

Ustinov’s graduate common room [GCR] – the college’s student body representing Durham’s postgraduate community – is currently surveying its members about the proposal to move from Howlands to Sheraton Park, which it says is planned for 2018/19.