Durham University is a collegiate public research university in Durham, England, founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832 and incorporated by royal charter in 1837. It was one of the first universities to open in England for more than 600 years and is one of the country’s oldest universities. It is a member of the Russell Group of British research universities. Durham is known for its academic excellence and its distinctive collegiate system. It has a strong reputation in a wide range of subjects, including the arts and humanities, sciences, and social sciences.