[Quagers]

Not university ones, although many colleges will have computer rooms which you can probably access all night

[velociraptor]

(Original post by Quagers)
Not university ones, although many colleges will have computer rooms which you can probably access all night

Haven't thought of that. I'll try find on in my college. Thank you

[sohail.s]

DOes Durham still provide new undergrads with an internet connection and/or computer/laptop? I can't remember where I've read that they include this as part of accomodation costs.

[Renacata]

(Original post by sohail.s)
DOes Durham still provide new undergrads with an internet connection and/or computer/laptop? I can't remember where I've read that they include this as part of accomodation costs.

Internet connection, yes; your own computer/laptop no, although there are computer rooms in the main library (always busy) and most departments and colleges.

[River85]

(Original post by sohail.s)
DOes Durham still provide new undergrads with an internet connection and/or computer/laptop? I can't remember where I've read that they include this as part of accomodation costs.

They have never provided a laptop or computer as far as I'm aware, certainly not since 2004 when I first arrived. If you're entitled to a grant then you'll be able to spend your grant on one, of course, or if you're entitled to Disabled Students Allowace you might be eligible for one (if needed by the student, they need specialist software for example) but you obviously need to have a disability or chronic medical condition to be eligible for DSA - a grant through SFE and not the university.

As mentioned there are computer rooms across the university, some areas are postgrad only (the reading room in Elvet Riverside was quite useful but since 2005 only postgraduate students in the arts faculty can use it) and other rooms might be booked in advance for teaching. Computer rooms in the library are always free and certain rooms in Elvet Riverside and certain departments. I think there are also computers in the private bookable study rooms in the main library (I've only ever used the DUSSD study room and this is only available to students registered with DUSSD) but I see no reason why they shouldn't be available in other study rooms. Even then there are a limited number of study rooms and they need to be pre-booked. I wouldn't rely on having access to a study room or even a computer in computer rooms unless you get there early.

If you can afford a laptop or computer then I strongly recommend you get one.

What you might have read is that a certain number of laptops are available to loan for a few hours but I don't think you can take them out of the library.

[cbyrnex]

Sorry, I know no student may be able to answer this, but do Durham tend to reject students straightaway? Because I applied for single History and have been expecting a rejection - hardly positive I know - yet they've had my UCAS for 3 weeks, does this mean they may be considering it? Thanks

[KayteeKaytee]

(Original post by cbyrnex)
Sorry, I know no student may be able to answer this, but do Durham tend to reject students straightaway? Because I applied for single History and have been expecting a rejection - hardly positive I know - yet they've had my UCAS for 3 weeks, does this mean they may be considering it? Thanks

I don't know about history but some Durham departments are notoriously slow to make offers. Many of the "better" universities are the same. They accept and reject only the very best and worst early on and keep everyone in the middle hanging on. I didn't hear from Bristol until late April.

[River85]

(Original post by cbyrnex)
Sorry, I know no student may be able to answer this, but do Durham tend to reject students straightaway? Because I applied for single History and have been expecting a rejection - hardly positive I know - yet they've had my UCAS for 3 weeks, does this mean they may be considering it? Thanks

All applications are considered. No application will be rejected outright within the first days unless there is something fatally wrong or suspicious about their application (very poor GCSE results at a top school, prediction of A*AA when the student managed CCC - DDD at AS, or where the student couldn't be arsed with the personal statement - none of these particularly likely). but even this an application like this must be considered in order to make such a decision.

I wouldn't read too much into this as Durham can be slower than other universities (due to volume of applicants and the collegiate structure amongst other things).

It might be that they are waiting for more applications to arrive and that you're a borderline candidate (or even a good candidate) and they want to see the quality of applicants who haven't submitted their UCAS for yet. Or that they haven't been able to adequately consider all applications yet. Don't forgot that admissions tutors are academics who are also busy with teaching, research and other administrative work.

All you can do is wait with very, very cautious hope. All universities have a different time frane when it comes to giving out offers. My own experience, which was in the 2002-2003 application cycle - so quite a while ago now was this: -

Glasgow - 2 days
Newcastle - 6 weeks
Durham and Leeds - 8 - 10 weeks

Leeds were notoriously slow that year across all departments with those who submitted their form in late Sept/early Oct receiving offers and rejections in February and March. You can't really infer too much from the timeframe except that, if they have looked at your application, there isn't anything fatally wrong with it in quite a major way.

[Zenobia]

(Original post by cbyrnex)
Sorry, I know no student may be able to answer this, but do Durham tend to reject students straightaway? Because I applied for single History and have been expecting a rejection - hardly positive I know - yet they've had my UCAS for 3 weeks, does this mean they may be considering it? Thanks

Not as far as I am aware. I guess as far as I know about Classics you stand a chance to be rejected sooner if you apply with marks that simply do not come anywhere near the requirements for the course - but even then they occasionally consider students from very underprivileged backgrounds (considering that they may simply not have had a chance to get the right marks) or from overseas (money).

I got my reply from Durham in (mid or end)March, the last of all universities I applied to. In contrast I heard from St Andrews the day of the January application deadline =P

Edit: River's reply wins from my reply.

[law-bug]

Speaking about BSc Geography here : Is it possible to get an offer below the entrance requirements? e.g. AAA rather than A*AA, which is frikken' insane!

[KayteeKaytee]

(Original post by law-bug)
Speaking about BSc Geography here : Is it possible to get an offer below the entrance requirements? e.g. AAA rather than A*AA, which is frikken' insane!

Mine was AAA last year. I did hope they'd make me a lower offer as I had 2 science subjects with Geography and was applying from a state school, but they didn't. I think the offer was only increased to AAA in the last couple of years but they must have got more than enough applicants for them to have increased it this year, especially with the fees increase.

[fzzz]

Do they consider about As result because I got AAB in As(maths economic and psy) but my predicted grades were very low(ABBC) i'm applying for Business Finance at Durham Business School

[law-bug]

(Original post by KayteeKaytee)
Mine was AAA last year. I did hope they'd make me a lower offer as I had 2 science subjects with Geography and was applying from a state school, but they didn't. I think the offer was only increased to AAA in the last couple of years but they must have got more than enough applicants for them to have increased it this year, especially with the fees increase.

Do you enjoy geography at Durham? How many contact hours per week? Is it difficult/challenging? How many hours per day studying to keep up with the course and do well?

[DavidCrow]

(Original post by law-bug)
Speaking about BSc Geography here : Is it possible to get an offer below the entrance requirements? e.g. AAA rather than A*AA, which is frikken' insane!

The typical offer went up to A*AA just this year :/ We've been done by tuition fees and now higher entry requirements *sigh. oh well. good luck for your application!

[law-bug]

do I need to write about my gap year on my PS? it's purely financial and would remove quality content

[River85]

(Original post by DavidCrow)
The typical offer went up to A*AA just this year :/ We've been done by tuition fees and now higher entry requirements *sigh. oh well. good luck for your application!

Fairly sure it was ABB back in my day and tuition fees were only £1225 (as this was before top up fees were introduced in 2006). Don't hate though, there were fewer students receiving top grades even if it was still a large number and grade inflation was certainly rampant.

You're entitled to more financial support that us pre-2006 starters, so at least that's something, just a shame it's means tested.

This isn't me bragging. Someone who studied 10 years before me could say, "it was BCC entry, there weren't any tuition fees at all, and we all received grants". I felt like I was being screwed compared to those who started only a few years before and so are you. Goodness knows what our Higher Education system will be like in 10 years time so, really, try and keep positive.

[Itareldie]

(Original post by law-bug)
do I need to write about my gap year on my PS? it's purely financial and would remove quality content

Sounds like you've answered the question yourself already! If you think it would add anything useful then include it. Otherwise I don't think anyone is obliged to mention what they were up to.

[River85]

(Original post by law-bug)
do I need to write about my gap year on my PS? it's purely financial and would remove quality content

Try and do some volunteering alongside the paid employment if you can, or relevant internships and, if you do this, it is worth a brief mention. The university will know you're taking a year out and will want to know what you're doing during this time. If you don't then it isn't worth mentioning.

Ultimately get your PS reviewed by the PS helpers on this website and they'll be able to give good advice.

Do you actually have a job lined up? If not you might find you won't be able to sign on for Job Seekers Allowance (as you have a university place being kept open for you) and we all know how difficult it can be finding a job right now.

[law-bug]

(Original post by River85)
Try and do some volunteering alongside the paid employment if you can, or relevant internships and, if you do this, it is worth a brief mention. The university will know you're taking a year out and will want to know what you're doing during this time. If you don't then it isn't worth mentioning.

Ultimately get your PS reviewed by the PS helpers on this website and they'll be able to give good advice.

Do you actually have a job lined up? If not you might find you won't be able to sign on for Job Seekers Allowance (as you have a university place being kept open for you) and we all know how difficult it can be finding a job right now.

This is the dilemma i'm having- study hard now, get grades for Durham, but cut out part time job to study more ( A*AA is damn hard, even with A*A*A* predicted), which means if I take a gap year i'l have no references for jobs. I was thinking of trying some secretarial type job with just A levels but who wants to take a kid who will leave in a year?

[River85]

(Original post by law-bug)
This is the dilemma i'm having- study hard now, get grades for Durham, but cut out part time job to study more ( A*AA is damn hard, even with A*A*A* predicted), which means if I take a gap year i'l have no references for jobs. I was thinking of trying some secretarial type job with just A levels but who wants to take a kid who will leave in a year?

Temp work is available but, depending on where you live, limited.

You won't necessarily need to inform an employer you're going to university in a year. But if you don't then they'll probably suspect you're only there for the short-term anyway (judging by your qualifications and grades) and you'll get bored easily. It's what I've found when looking for admin work in the past.

Secretarial work is probably beyond your reach as you'll need other qualifications and experience, it's quite a professional job.

There are students who are still able to find shop work, if you don't think that will bore you. In the end it's still money and you can combine it with volunteering.

I'd check whether or not you'd be entilted to Job Seekers Allowance. I believe I was when I took a year out before university (travel plans fell through due to illness and couldn't find a job despite efforts). However, this was in 2004 and I think the rules have changed. When I withdrew from university in 2007 - 2009 I was initially told I'm not entitled to job seekers as, if you have a place open at university, you're effectively classed as a student. In the end I was able to as I left due to medical reasons and medical exceptions are made. It might just be that the jobcentre staff had no idea what they were talking about. It wouldn't surpise me as I signed off soon after as the staff are so patronising and crap...

As well as not informing an employer you could just not inform the JobCentre staff about your university plans. I can't remember if there's anything on the application form asking if you have a place open for you on a course. If it does ask on the form then I wouldn't recommend lying,