[evantej]

(Original post by River85)
What do you mean by campus, as the site in Durham City isn't a campus but spread out across the city? Do you mean the Mountjoy Science site?

Your best option is to probably walk to the bus station and get a number of buses from there, the X1 (Middlesbrough) or 57 (Peterlee) for example. These will stop opposite the science site.

Or you can get a few buses from the bus station or Milburngate to the New Inn on Church St like the 6 (Cockfield) or the PR2 service.

There aren't any direct from the train station.

Fiddle around on Traveline using "Durham Bus station" and Mountjoy Research Centre.

I have got to go to IT services to pick up a campus card, and then I will go to the main library. I would just walk, but my girlfriend is coming with me and will complain if she has to walk too much...

[River85]

(Original post by evantej)
I have got to go to IT services to pick up a campus card, and then I will go to the main library. I would just walk, but my girlfriend is coming with me and will complain if she has to walk too much...

Right, well the buses I mentioned should be OK with the X1 from the bus station probably your best bet as it's reasonably frequent and, if you have a campus card, you may be able to use the bus for free (on the way back). At least the walk from the train to bus station is not even 10 minutes and downhill.

[BiscuitTin]

Hi,
I attended the post offer open day, I really like my course and now I'm thinking about firming Durham. I have a couple of little worries though and would appreciate others opinions. Does anyone ever feel a little claustrophobic staying in a small town and an even smaller college community? I'm used to living in a city and even though I wouldn't be too worried about there being a varied night life or anything, I'm afraid that I'd feel a little stifled. Also at the open day everyone was just so enthusiastic and chirpy and I found it a little overwhelming. I know they were just being nice and friendly but there does seem to be a lot of emphasis on 'college spirit' and I probably wouldn't be all that bothered about that stuff. Finally I was wondering if, as an Irish student, would I fit in? I'd be afraid that I'd stick out because very few Irish students go to Durham, and I might never really feel like I belonged.
I know these are silly minor things but any help would be appreciated.

[River85]

(Original post by BiscuitTin)
Hi,
I attended the post offer open day, I really like my course and now I'm thinking about firming Durham. I have a couple of little worries though and would appreciate others opinions. Does anyone ever feel a little claustrophobic staying in a small town and an even smaller college community? I'm used to living in a city and even though I wouldn't be too worried about there being a varied night life or anything, I'm afraid that I'd feel a little stifled. Also at the open day everyone was just so enthusiastic and chirpy and I found it a little overwhelming. I know they were just being nice and friendly but there does seem to be a lot of emphasis on 'college spirit' and I probably wouldn't be all that bothered about that stuff. Finally I was wondering if, as an Irish student, would I fit in? I'd be afraid that I'd stick out because very few Irish students go to Durham, and I might never really feel like I belonged.
I know these are silly minor things but any help would be appreciated.

Not being too pedantic but Durham, although small, is a city (and one of the oldest in the country). Some are a little sensitive about that.

Although the number of Irish students are small in number compared to, say, Chinese or Indian, this is to be expected considering the populations of the respective countries. I think there are still over 100 Irish students (undergraduates alone) which, considering the relatively small population of Ireland, isn't a bad number even if you won't meet (m)any if you don't deliberately intend to, with a student population of 15k or so. Whether you will "fit in" will depend on your attitude more than. I don't see why someone from Ireland should be less likely to fit in than a Glaswegian, Cornish person, or French person. The UK and Ireland obviously share a history, language and culture, once being part of the same country until not long ago. People won't care whether you're Irish, Dutch or South African.

As for feeling claustrophobic, I won't deny that it can feel a little claustrophobic after a while. I think three or four years spent in Durham is fine (I've spent much longer than that, but only three living in Durham). If you're not a big clubber there's still a surprisingly good collection of pubs and restaurants, student theatre, the Gala, poetry readings and many socieities so it's unlikely you'll get bored. The big problem for me is just how much the student body dominates the city and sometimes you just want to get away from your fellow students, and this can be your opportunity to get out of the city and explore. If you've got a spare Saturday you can always head to York or Edinburgh (even as far as London) for the day, or just keep it regional and explore the Durham Dales, Northumberland or Newcastle. Societies and volunteering also give a good opportunity to spend time outside the city. You can volunteer in local community projects or local houses and this can provide some relief.

As for college spirit, I'm not denying that it is a major feature of Durham and something the university like to promote. Though I do feel it was perhaps forced onto you to an extent, with it being an Open day. I've never really been bothered about the collegiate structure. If you don't want to get involved in it then don't! You only live in college for your first year, so can live out in the remaining years if you want.

[sadiya18]

Does anyone do Applied ICT, Psychology and Business all Edexcel exam board?

[River85]

(Original post by sadiya18)
Does anyone do Applied ICT, Psychology and Business all Edexcel exam board?

Sorry, this is the Ask a Current Student thread in the Durham subforum for current or former undergrads/postgrads to ask applicants' questions. I doubt there are any current students taking A-levels.

[KayteeKaytee]

(Original post by BiscuitTin)
Hi,
I attended the post offer open day, I really like my course and now I'm thinking about firming Durham. I have a couple of little worries though and would appreciate others opinions. Does anyone ever feel a little claustrophobic staying in a small town and an even smaller college community? I'm used to living in a city and even though I wouldn't be too worried about there being a varied night life or anything, I'm afraid that I'd feel a little stifled. Also at the open day everyone was just so enthusiastic and chirpy and I found it a little overwhelming. I know they were just being nice and friendly but there does seem to be a lot of emphasis on 'college spirit' and I probably wouldn't be all that bothered about that stuff. Finally I was wondering if, as an Irish student, would I fit in? I'd be afraid that I'd stick out because very few Irish students go to Durham, and I might never really feel like I belonged.
I know these are silly minor things but any help would be appreciated.

I'm from Manchester and have quite a lively social life at home. I love Durham and have never felt my social activities are lacking. Newcastle is not far but I've only been twice in a year and only then because they were nights out arranged by my college. There'e something for everyone.

Being Irish? No problem whatsoever.

[scaredofexams]

This thread has been really helpful I have been trying to read most of it but I given up now and just thought I had better ask my questions!

Do Durham City students mix with Stockton students much?

What are the placements like for business i.e. are they any good in comparisons to other unis and does this impact your social life because when you return friends have left.

If anyone is doing the business/marketing course can you tell me how you find it please?

I will positive rep all people answering this

Thanks!

[Awoodrow2]

(Original post by scaredofexams)
Do Durham City students mix with Stockton students much?

Short answer; not in my experience. I regularly talk to three Stockton students, all because of societies, and can't recall speaking to any others in the past two years [oh wait, one at a friend's party in Cardiff].

Durham City students generally have no reason to go to Stockton except for the full college bar crawl challenge, DSU business, or other society/volunteering reasons.

Stockton campus students generally aren't as involved in DSU societies because of the off-putting distance.

[lozvegas]

How much do you think you spend a week (in catered halls, so excluding accommodation prices)?

Thanks!

[undergradstudent]

(Original post by lozvegas)
How much do you think you spend a week (in catered halls, so excluding accommodation prices)?

Thanks!

I think I spent about £60 a week in first year, but I did go out a lot and also bought a lot of textbooks which was completely pointless as I never opened half of them! I also got into going for coffee with friends which is quite expensive.

You can make going out really cheap by pre-drinking and then not drinking in clubs though. My group of friends tended to go to the college bar instead of pre-drinking in our rooms so I ended up spending more than most people.

I would definitely advise not buying any books and using the ones in the library for first month or two, then you'll be able to tell if you need to buy them or not. I think science and economics modules tend to have a core textbook that you need to buy, but for most essay subjects you won't need to buy the books.

It's possible to spend anything between £10 and £100+ a week, it depends on what you're doing and how intent you are on saving money.

[lozvegas]

(Original post by undergradstudent)
I think I spent about £60 a week in first year, but I did go out a lot and also bought a lot of textbooks which was completely pointless as I never opened half of them! I also got into going for coffee with friends which is quite expensive.

You can make going out really cheap by pre-drinking and then not drinking in clubs though. My group of friends tended to go to the college bar instead of pre-drinking in our rooms so I ended up spending more than most people.

I would definitely advise not buying any books and using the ones in the library for first month or two, then you'll be able to tell if you need to buy them or not. I think science and economics modules tend to have a core textbook that you need to buy, but for most essay subjects you won't need to buy the books.

It's possible to spend anything between £10 and £100+ a week, it depends on what you're doing and how intent you are on saving money.

Were you catered or self-catered?

Thanks for the help!

[BiscuitTin]

(Original post by River85)
As for college spirit, I'm not denying that it is a major feature of Durham and something the university like to promote. Though I do feel it was perhaps forced onto you to an extent, with it being an Open day. I've never really been bothered about the collegiate structure. If you don't want to get involved in it then don't! You only live in college for your first year, so can live out in the remaining years if you want.

(Original post by KayteeKaytee)
I'm from Manchester and have quite a lively social life at home. I love Durham and have never felt my social activities are lacking. Newcastle is not far but I've only been twice in a year and only then because they were nights out arranged by my college. There'e something for everyone.

Being Irish? No problem whatsoever.

Thanks for your help! It was very reassuring

[lozvegas]

Also, is it easy to get a part-time/weekend job?

Thanks!

[purple-girl]

(Original post by lozvegas)
Also, is it easy to get a part-time/weekend job?

Thanks!

If you want to earn a bit of cash it'd be easiest to work in your college shop or behind the bar, more people do this than get a real job. However if you really don't want to do this but want a job anyway then there are quite a few shops in town that you could ask though I don't know how reluctant they are to employ students...

[LostOnAnIsland]

I have an offer for MSci Natural Science joint honours in chemistry and maths, and i couldnt go to the open day so have a few questions:
1. Is it possible to chance to the non-joint honours masters degree, or even to transfer to a single honours chemistry degree?
2. Are there any opportunities to study abroad or work for a year in industry within the natural sciences degree?

[Number6]

(Original post by LostOnAnIsland)
I have an offer for MSci Natural Science joint honours in chemistry and maths, and i couldnt go to the open day so have a few questions:
1. Is it possible to chance to the non-joint honours masters degree, or even to transfer to a single honours chemistry degree?
2. Are there any opportunities to study abroad or work for a year in industry within the natural sciences degree?

1. There are no guarantees of being able to transfer, but the main problem with transferring into chemistry is the limited lab space. Given that you're already doing Core 1A, which has labs, I don't see a problem on this front. Looking at the standard offers for the natural sciences MSci and a chemistry degree (which one doesn't really matter as the first two years of all chemistry degrees are the same and you can transfer between them up until the end of second year) you're better off trying to change to chemistry (as off the top of my head the offer is lower) and taking some maths modules as electives (you can take 2/6 in first year and 1/6 in second year).

2. I have no idea about natural sciences, it can get quite complicated with which modules you pick/are allowed to pick so I have no idea whether you'd be able to study abroad/in industry in your fourth year of natsci (the project abroad/in industry is 5/6 modules). Your best bet is emailing the head of natsci (Dr James Blowey, natural.sciences@durham.ac.uk)

Hope that helps

[ndenny]

Hi,
I'm absolutely set on going to Durham and love the look of butler, but i was wondering about the social life there, i dont want to be a person who just sits in all the time! Obvs im going to work as well, but i just wanted to make sure its not going to be full of boring times?! Also, does anyone know the best signal for being up there, im switching contracts and want to get something that actually gives me signal in Durham and in my halls!

[Awoodrow2]

(Original post by ndenny)
Hi,
I'm absolutely set on going to Durham and love the look of butler, but i was wondering about the social life there, i dont want to be a person who just sits in all the time! Obvs im going to work as well, but i just wanted to make sure its not going to be full of boring times?! Also, does anyone know the best signal for being up there, im switching contracts and want to get something that actually gives me signal in Durham and in my halls!

I'm not quite sure what you're asking - whatever college, whatever university you go to, there'll always be social opportunities. The only way you'll end up sitting in all the time, is if you choose to do that.

There'll be people you live with, people on your course, people organising college events, and societies doing all sorts of things you never even knew existed.


As for phones, I rarely have any problems at all on the O2 network (Tesco).

[undergradstudent]

(Original post by lozvegas)
Were you catered or self-catered?

Thanks for the help!

Catered, you get 3 meals a day, 7 days a week.

No problem!