Economics at Durham

Hey all. I'm new and have just been reading some of your threads. I think a lot of people are unfairly harsh about Durham. It was University of the Year last year and was shortlisted the previous year. Its econ department is not up with its law, history or english departments, I agree, but it is still one of the best there. The average tariff score of the 2005 entrants was 467, above York, UCL, the same as Warwick and only beaten by Oxbridge, LSE and Nottingham. In terms of its League table position, it is let down by the reasearch assessments, but league tables are of limited use in my opinion.

I have just put down my offer from Durham as my Firm, York as my insurance and rejected Bristol and Manchester. When i went up to Durham for the Open Day, I loved the city, the atmosphere and the social. I felt like Durham really wanted me to choose them whereas when I went to York, I felt like they didnt really care either way.

Oh well, thats what I have to say. I guess travelling up North every term isnt everyones cup of tea. I dont know so much about job prospects after uni but Durham must be up there. Maybe not with the LSE and Oxbridge graduates but apart from that there cant be that much of a difference can there? I'd say a first from Durham would carry much more weight than a 2:2 from Bristol or York. Anyway, I guess you're all going to have your own opinions but I just thought i'd post mine.

Charlie

Reply 1

Biffy Clyro

I was under the impression that Unis such as UCL, LSE, Oxbridge, Warwick and Bristol were at least a bit higher than Durham in terms of Economics degree quality. I don't doubt that its a good Uni for Economics though. (Its my insurance)

Reply 2

Kentish Man

No I agree that they are higher. Oxbridge and LSE degrees would probably carry reasonably more weight than a Durham one. However, I believe that Durham is on a level playing field with York, Bristol, Nottingham, maybe not quite Warwick and UCL but close. My opinion is that with such small differences in overall uni reputation, degree classificaiton is far more important.

Reply 3

ÁňûβİŚ

requirements does not rate a universit.and i guess league tables are created by some professional ppl, not the the other guy who serves coffe in starbucks... there is something in it. if its of no use, how come LSE and OxBridge rules both the tables and our minds?

Reply 4

Student2000

charlie_w

I don't think anyone on here is saying that Durham is bad as an overall university. It has a good reputation, has an attractive location and attracts decent students. The problem is that the economics department at Durham is quite poor in comparison to rivals like Warwick, UCL, Bristol or York . Their department was in a small cramped house, had hardly any staff, and the course was a BA and lacked options (especially in terms of maths). If you combine this with a poor research performance, you start to realise why people are critical about Durham economics.
Also, you can explain the high Durham tariff score as most of those other unis offer a BSc and demand A-Level maths, so this lowers their tariff score for economics.

Charlie_w

I have just put down my offer from Durham as my Firm, York as my insurance and rejected Bristol and Manchester. When i went up to Durham for the Open Day, I loved the city, the atmosphere and the social. I felt like Durham really wanted me to choose them whereas when I went to York, I felt like they didnt really care either way.

The thing you have to remember is that Durham open days are overnight. I think that most universities would seem attractive if they had an overnight open day and put so much effort into selling themselves. Regarding your choice in my opinion York has a 'far' better economics department than Durham, although overall they probably have a similiar reputation.
Although, I certainly don't think that you will be at a disadvantage with a Durham degree as it is respected by most people.

Reply 5

Kentish Man

Student2000

Also, you can explain the high Durham tariff score as most of those other unis offer a BSc and demand A-Level maths, so this lowers their tariff score for economics.

How does that work? I dont understand that. Most of the people Durham give offers to do have A-Level Maths anyway. I spoke to the admissions tutor at open day and all of the people they gave offers to this year are predicted straight As.

I am probably going to do modules from the maths department because your right, there arent a lot of mathematical econmics modules!

I know that the York economics department is probably 'better' but I have chosen the uni I think i wil have the best time at and therefore achieve my potential in terms of degree classification.

Reply 6

minibailey27

Durham's teaching quality for economics is 24/24 isnt it? i thought it's weak point was its research quality, which to be fair won't make much difference to you!

Reply 7

Special

Too many people seem to be fooled by the 'initial attractiveness' of Durham when they visit for their overnight open days (I knew at least two), and come away thinking it is the best thing behind Oxbridge. I personally think that Durham is slightly overrated academically- it is nowhere near York in terms of economics for example.
But the fact is if you want to go there you should, it is well-respected and you will not be disadvantaged in terms of employment for going there.

Reply 8

Roberto Tomato

Overall, it is a superb university but for economics it lags behind Oxford, LSE, Warwick, UCL etc etc.

Reply 9

ivy45

God, I'm worried about studying Econ at Durham now...
Please could anyone tell me whether economics at Durham is still non-mathy, weak in research, with bad lecturers and a small staff?