[Kristina_Lucy]

Firmed Durham last week and have got my confirmation letter!!

Name - Kristina Small
College - Hatfield
Subject - Physics, but probably changing to theoretical physics
Offer - Conditional, A*AA
Why Durham? Loved the place, especially the college system, was torn between Durham and St. Andrews but the open day made me love Durham! Also it's reasonably close to home (about half an hour away) so moving away won't be as difficult!

Would love to hear from anyone else in hatfield or who will be doing physics!

[DaitaG]

(Original post by canŵio)
i'm not an international, no!
deferring helped because each uni has their quota of students from the government, and if they go over, they get fined. so each student they let in over quota is a £10,000 fine! when they're making decisions, they'll either say yes or no. but if you say you're willing to wait another year, then it means they don't have to try and fit you in this year, and if they've let in too many people already then they can still give you an offer.

the thing is, once they've updated UCAS, they can't change it so you've got to get them early! i hope that kind of makes sense.

re-applying this year was so much easier, because with my grades the unis just gave me unconditionals - no pressure, i just had to choose where i wanted to go!! i just wish i'd decided i wanted a gap year when i was still at school!

thank you so much! really appreciate your replies ooh god, I didn't know about the quota. I knew there was one for medicine for international students but beyond that I wasn't aware it was government set. I will bear that tip in mind if I happen to miss my ib points. do you think being international would make any difference?

[Quoi?]

(Original post by DaitaG)
thank you so much! really appreciate your replies ooh god, I didn't know about the quota. I knew there was one for medicine for international students but beyond that I wasn't aware it was government set. I will bear that tip in mind if I happen to miss my ib points. do you think being international would make any difference?

Universities have no quotas on international students - that only applies to home/EU students.

[undergradstudent]

(Original post by Quoi?)
Universities have no quotas on international students - that only applies to home/EU students.

There is a government quota for international students studying medicine (but not for other subjects).

[Lucyyy.]

Firmed Durham last week!

Name: Lucy Olley
College: Van Mildert
Subject: Law
Offer: Conditional, A*AA
Why Durham? Loved the atmosphere, the old buildings, the college system, the course structure. Just loved it all really!

Anyone else in Mildert doing Law?

[abigailjw]

Name: Abigail
College: Van Mildert
Subject: Natural Sciences
Offer: Conditional, A*AA
Why Durham? Love the collegiate system, also the course looks pretty good and the uni has a good reputation

[Magickal]

(Original post by RealIsReal)
Also: I'd like to hear from other soon-to-be cuthswomen and -men, also from you natural scientists. How is it that one rarely reads from people in this biggest course and almost biggest college ?

I'm a fellow Cuth's Applicant, actually hoping to switch into Natural Sciences but Anthropology & Biology :P
Name: Alex
College: St Cuthbert's Society
Subject: Biological Sciences
Offer (conditional/unconditional): AAB
Why Durham?: I loved the town and I love the course
Other: My insurance is Lancaster

[Stir fried Giblets]

(Original post by Magickal)
I'm a fellow Cuth's Applicant, actually hoping to switch into Natural Sciences but Anthropology & Biology :P
Name: Alex
College: St Cuthbert's Society
Subject: Biological Sciences
Offer (conditional/unconditional): AAB
Why Durham?: I loved the town and I love the course
Other: My insurance is Lancaster

Hey, you're doing Biological sciences with placement too, woohoo! ...well potentially.. I thought I was the only one around who applied for the placement degree Durham's anthropology department is brilliant! I have tonnes of photos from when I did a taster session there. The academic who did the presentation was pretty good, he was doing research on sex and sexual partners I think lol so there's plenty of variety.

[Magickal]

(Original post by Stir fried Giblets)
Hey, you're doing Biological sciences with placement too, woohoo! ...well potentially.. I thought I was the only one around who applied for the placement degree Durham's anthropology department is brilliant! I have tonnes of photos from when I did a taster session there. The academic who did the presentation was pretty good, he was doing research on sex and sexual partners I think lol so there's plenty of variety.

Yeah, I'm on the placement course at the minute but Anthropology just seems so interesting, so I'm thinking about switching so I can do it too. It's really difficult to decide, but I'd like to get into Primatology so a combination of the 2 seems the best way to go.

[SophieArcher]

Name: Sophie
College: St Mary's
Subject: Biological sciences with a year in industry
Offer: AAB
Why Durham?: I loved the atmosphere in my college, the quality of the course and how close my college is to the science site!
Other: I'm a Cambridge reject, my insurance is Reading with a really low offer.

[NavyBlueAndPearls]

(Original post by evening sunrise)
It is not so much that we decided to go, we have always been going, the question was one of timing. I had a place in 1981 (physics), but elected to become a computer programmer as graduate employment then was truly dire and the new field was very lucrative. So we have bided our time, never ever lost site of the objective, raised a family and had an awsome 3 gap decades. About 3 years ago we set a soft target of 2012 entry, and we made that target hard last September. My employer was a bit shocked I will admit.

I am totally relaxed about it, my wife slightly more nervous. I will not be living in college, my wife and I, plus the 2 of our 4 kids still to fledge are getting a house in Durham. I will not be very visible at Uni. When not studying I will be out in countryside, dressed as a bush, with my cameras, sometimes a tent. The most likely place I will be spotted, excepting the actual course and formals, is at Uni sporting events, again with cameras, or at live rock gigs if Durham has those.

All the best with hitting your offer. You will have a great time once you get to Uni.

You sound awesome. I like you. I'm in Castle now (2nd Year, Soc and Law)- bring your family to the undie some time, they'll love it. Good luck for next year!

[NavyBlueAndPearls]

(Original post by lollijade)
Name: Lauren
College: Castle
Subject: Biological Sciences
Offer: Conditional AAB
Why Durham?: I loved the Biology course and fell in love with the city. Castle college is amazing, very similar to Hogwarts!

Don't let Eva (Senior Tutor) hear you call us 'Castle college'; 'Castle' or 'University College' only If you have any questions I'd be happy to help - I'm a Castle 2nd year atm. Congrats on getting in, fresh. Good luck in your exams and hopefully see you in October.

[NavyBlueAndPearls]

(Original post by JPDub)
Name: Jill
College: University
Subject: English
Offer (conditional/unconditional): conditonal, I have to maintain an average of 80% across five 30-level, 5 credit courses including English.
Why Durham?: It's beautiful, of course, and I was attracted to the traditions and college system since it is so unlike anything I can attend in Canada. Oh, and my sister-in-law's family is from Durham and the surronding area so moving so far doesn't seem as scary.
Other: Canadian student

Same goes to you, Jill. Any questions - I'm happy to help. Good luck and see you in October

[JPDub]

(Original post by NavyBlueAndPearls)
Same goes to you, Jill. Any questions - I'm happy to help. Good luck and see you in October

Ah, that's awesome which subject are you studying?

[emilyjadethomas]

Name: Emily
College: Hatfield
Subject: English Literature
Offer: A*AA
Why Durham?: I haven't managed to visit Durham, as my offer was announced too late to go on the open day. However, Durham looks fantastic. It is such a beautiful place, and offers everything I want out of university. When I was allocated to Hatfield, I knew I would firm Durham. It has everything from jazz bands (I play saxophone myself) to sport. Perfect, with a capital P.
Other: I originally applied for English and History, however was offered a place for Single Honours English Literature despite my personal statement being lenient towards history.

Is anyone else in Hatfield? What are you looking forward to the most in Durham University?

[nbuck]

Name: Nat
College: University
Subject:Combined Honours in Arts and Sciences
Offer (conditional/unconditional): Conditional - A*AA
Why Durham?:The course is great! I'm interested in politics/economics/history so it gives a lot of choice as I'm not entirely sure what I want to do. Durham itself is a great town, as I didn't really want to be in a big city. Far from home (which is good as I don't want to be going back too often) and the sport is great.

[Kristina_Lucy]

(Original post by emilyjadethomas)
Name: Emily
College: Hatfield
Subject: English Literature
Offer: A*AA
Why Durham?: I haven't managed to visit Durham, as my offer was announced too late to go on the open day. However, Durham looks fantastic. It is such a beautiful place, and offers everything I want out of university. When I was allocated to Hatfield, I knew I would firm Durham. It has everything from jazz bands (I play saxophone myself) to sport. Perfect, with a capital P.
Other: I originally applied for English and History, however was offered a place for Single Honours English Literature despite my personal statement being lenient towards history.

Is anyone else in Hatfield? What are you looking forward to the most in Durham University?

Hi, I'm a hatfielder as well, hoping to get the grades to do physics I can't wait to go to durham! I'm liking the idea of the jazz bands - I'm just starting grade 8 piano and I love the jazz pieces
It's a shame you couldn't go to the open day - everyone was so nice, and the college was amazing. We even got to experience a formal and 'spooning!'

[emilyjadethomas]

(Original post by Kristina_Lucy)
Hi, I'm a hatfielder as well, hoping to get the grades to do physics I can't wait to go to durham! I'm liking the idea of the jazz bands - I'm just starting grade 8 piano and I love the jazz pieces
It's a shame you couldn't go to the open day - everyone was so nice, and the college was amazing. We even got to experience a formal and 'spooning!'

I really wanted to go! But Durham is six hours (and £200) away on the train.
Grade 8 piano? That is fantastic! I have just sat my grade 5 exam (which I think I have failed). Have you heard about the ukulele society too? I had a look on the society page and purchased a cheap uke off Amazon straight away. How did you find the formal? It all sounds too good, fingers crossed I get the grades!

[Kristina_Lucy]

(Original post by emilyjadethomas)
I really wanted to go! But Durham is six hours (and £200) away on the train.
Grade 8 piano? That is fantastic! I have just sat my grade 5 exam (which I think I have failed). Have you heard about the ukulele society too? I had a look on the society page and purchased a cheap uke off Amazon straight away. How did you find the formal? It all sounds too good, fingers crossed I get the grades!

6 hours!!!! Can't imagine that - I live half an hour away :P and seriously? I need a ukelele! Can't play, but I'll give it a go :P
Loved the formal, apart from the debate as to what to wear (everyone had that dilemma!). Have you heard about 'spooning' yet? Very important tradition at hatfield

[NavyBlueAndPearls]

(Original post by JPDub)
Ah, that's awesome which subject are you studying?

Law with sociology. We're a rare species, lol. Have you been to the open days? Excited?!