The Student Room Group

Bristol Vs Durham

I'm currently on a gap year and trying to choose between Durham and Bristol to study English Lit. Bristol attracts me because of the social life and vibrant city but at Durham I like the college system and it's slightly better for English. Also, if I went to Bristol I'd really want to get into Goldney Hall as I think the stoke bishop halls are too far away from the centre. Any pros/cons of either unis would be helpful!
Reply 1
Original post by parratt12
I'm currently on a gap year and trying to choose between Durham and Bristol to study English Lit. Bristol attracts me because of the social life and vibrant city but at Durham I like the college system and it's slightly better for English. Also, if I went to Bristol I'd really want to get into Goldney Hall as I think the stoke bishop halls are too far away from the centre. Any pros/cons of either unis would be helpful!


Im in the same boat!! For me its not the social side of things but proximity to my fam (daughter and childcare). Plus Bristol is much more coursework based, which appeals too as puts less stress on me. But I just love Durham and the uni, r u going to post application day?? Also Durham is almost on par with Oxford and Cambridge. What other offers did u get??
I don't go to either but I've visited Durham. Bristol has a slightly stronger international reputation but in the UK they're both seen as very top universities. Going to either won't hold you back in the job market, however that doesn't necessarily mean you as an individual will impress the top employers; it's about what else you do alongside your degree. With that in mind, go to the uni you're most likely to achieve a First at and feel as though you can in general accomplish more.
Reply 3
Original post by kss2660
Im in the same boat!! For me its not the social side of things but proximity to my fam (daughter and childcare). Plus Bristol is much more coursework based, which appeals too as puts less stress on me. But I just love Durham and the uni, r u going to post application day?? Also Durham is almost on par with Oxford and Cambridge. What other offers did u get??


It's so tricky isn't it! Are you going to study English too? I didn't know there was more coursework at Bristol actually, like you, i'd prefer coursework to exams! I actually started at Durham last year but when I wanted to swap courses I took a year out to re-apply for English. I did love it when I was there but not sure if I should go for a fresh start. What college at Durham have you applied to? Besides Durham and Bristol I've got offers from Edinburgh, Newcastle and York. How about you?
Reply 4
Original post by Interstellar
I don't go to either but I've visited Durham. Bristol has a slightly stronger international reputation but in the UK they're both seen as very top universities. Going to either won't hold you back in the job market, however that doesn't necessarily mean you as an individual will impress the top employers; it's about what else you do alongside your degree. With that in mind, go to the uni you're most likely to achieve a First at and feel as though you can in general accomplish more.


Okay, thanks for the advice :smile: I feel at Durham there may be slightly more opportunities to get involved due to the college system as it seems easier to be part of editing teams for the college magazine etc.However I'm sure there are plenty of opportunities at Bristol too. I didn't know that Bristol had a stronger interantional reputation, that's interesting. But then Durham is ranked higher for English, although this often changes.
Reply 5
I've got a conditional offer from both Bristol and Durham to study accounting and finance. Anyone has any idea about Durham and Bristol Business School?
Original post by parratt12
I'm currently on a gap year and trying to choose between Durham and Bristol to study English Lit. Bristol attracts me because of the social life and vibrant city but at Durham I like the college system and it's slightly better for English. Also, if I went to Bristol I'd really want to get into Goldney Hall as I think the stoke bishop halls are too far away from the centre. Any pros/cons of either unis would be helpful!


It's important to attend to whether by this you mean 'seen as better' or that the course is in some way intrinsically better. If it's the former, then I suspect that employers will not see a real distinction between the two (though I may be wrong in the case of niche fields). If it's the latter, then 'better' is often quite subjective. What's better about it? Is it the teaching? The library space? Declaring one university 'better' for English disguises a raft of value judgments, and you need to first clarify what your own selection priorities are and then dig deeper into the respective courses (and the respective universities more generally).

Other posters are also right to raise the issues of (i) extra-curricular opportunities - as an arts student it may benefit your prospects to pad your CV with stuff that will demonstrate transferable skills - and (ii) how likely you are to excel academically at each institution. This may be affected by any differences in modes of assessment (coursework/exam balance) but also don't underestimate the effect the environment can have on your ability and willingness to study. Have you visited both universities? Did either of them strike you as providing better facilities for what you want to do, or have a more scholarly vibe (if that's what you're after)? The cities are very different as you say: is the ability to blow off some steam important to you for being able to get down to work, or for your idea of a good time at university in general?

I don't know anything about the respective English courses, but hopefully these questions offer a starting point for working out where you stand.
Original post by parratt12
I'm currently on a gap year and trying to choose between Durham and Bristol to study English Lit. Bristol attracts me because of the social life and vibrant city but at Durham I like the college system and it's slightly better for English. Also, if I went to Bristol I'd really want to get into Goldney Hall as I think the stoke bishop halls are too far away from the centre. Any pros/cons of either unis would be helpful!


Hi, so I don't go to either Bristol or Durham but I live in Bristol so I just thought I'd say the city is an amazing place to be. The nightlife is really good and there are lots of different choices. If you're into shopping, Broadmead and Cabot Circus have pretty much everything you need. The area around Clifton suspension bridge is really nice if you want to have picnics etc, and places like Watershed are really good, cheap places to eat.

A word of advice for studying English: I'm studying it at Exeter and I would suggest you consider the idea of module options. Whilst some of my first year modules were compulsory, there was a certain degree of choice with other modules, which I think made the experience all the more enjoyable. Take a look at the current second and third year modules; it's all very well enjoying the first year but if there's nothing you're particularly interested in for the next two years, you won't enjoy it.

Hope I helped!
Reply 8
Original post by parratt12
It's so tricky isn't it! Are you going to study English too? I didn't know there was more coursework at Bristol actually, like you, i'd prefer coursework to exams! I actually started at Durham last year but when I wanted to swap courses I took a year out to re-apply for English. I did love it when I was there but not sure if I should go for a fresh start. What college at Durham have you applied to? Besides Durham and Bristol I've got offers from Edinburgh, Newcastle and York. How about you?


Its hard and i'm indecisive at the best of times. Lol. I have lived in the Bristol area for a long time too, so a change would be quite nice too. Bristol is 70% coursework based vs Durham which is 90% exams. I have not heard from Exeter yet but I dont really know much about the uni or area. You should go with what u feel is right, look at the modules and structure etc...guess its not a light decision that will have an answer overnight. What did u originally begin to study at Durham. I got allocated st hilde and bebe. But wont be living there as I have family commitments.
Reply 9
Original post by TurboCretin
It's important to attend to whether by this you mean 'seen as better' or that the course is in some way intrinsically better. If it's the former, then I suspect that employers will not see a real distinction between the two (though I may be wrong in the case of niche fields). If it's the latter, then 'better' is often quite subjective. What's better about it? Is it the teaching? The library space? Declaring one university 'better' for English disguises a raft of value judgments, and you need to first clarify what your own selection priorities are and then dig deeper into the respective courses (and the respective universities more generally).

Other posters are also right to raise the issues of (i) extra-curricular opportunities - as an arts student it may benefit your prospects to pad your CV with stuff that will demonstrate transferable skills - and (ii) how likely you are to excel academically at each institution. This may be affected by any differences in modes of assessment (coursework/exam balance) but also don't underestimate the effect the environment can have on your ability and willingness to study. Have you visited both universities? Did either of them strike you as providing better facilities for what you want to do, or have a more scholarly vibe (if that's what you're after)? The cities are very different as you say: is the ability to blow off some steam important to you for being able to get down to work, or for your idea of a good time at university in general?

I don't know anything about the respective English courses, but hopefully these questions offer a starting point for working out where you stand.


Thankyou, these questions have helped me think even more about the environment in which I wish to study. I realise that my saying 'slightly better' is very vague and what I meant is that Durham is ranked 1st for English compared to Bristol's 9th. However, as ranks are forever changing I do not think this means too much. Once again, thanks for your help. I am now contemplating the questions you have posed and it is helping me in my decision making process.
Reply 10
Original post by theimprobableone
Hi, so I don't go to either Bristol or Durham but I live in Bristol so I just thought I'd say the city is an amazing place to be. The nightlife is really good and there are lots of different choices. If you're into shopping, Broadmead and Cabot Circus have pretty much everything you need. The area around Clifton suspension bridge is really nice if you want to have picnics etc, and places like Watershed are really good, cheap places to eat.

A word of advice for studying English: I'm studying it at Exeter and I would suggest you consider the idea of module options. Whilst some of my first year modules were compulsory, there was a certain degree of choice with other modules, which I think made the experience all the more enjoyable. Take a look at the current second and third year modules; it's all very well enjoying the first year but if there's nothing you're particularly interested in for the next two years, you won't enjoy it.

Hope I helped!


Thanks v much for this info, it was really helpful :smile: I feel that the city of Bristol would be a great, vibrant place to be, as you've said, it has loads to offer! I have had an extra look into the module options for the English courses at both universities and to be honest there are many in each that I think look great! Thanks again for your help :smile:
Reply 11
I am swaying towards Bristol :smile:
Love the area and I know it well
And its not cold
Uni rankings change all the time too and getting a first at Bristol will be better then a 2.1 from Durham. The posts have been helpful..thanks everyone
Reply 12
Original post by kss2660
Its hard and i'm indecisive at the best of times. Lol. I have lived in the Bristol area for a long time too, so a change would be quite nice too. Bristol is 70% coursework based vs Durham which is 90% exams. I have not heard from Exeter yet but I dont really know much about the uni or area. You should go with what u feel is right, look at the modules and structure etc...guess its not a light decision that will have an answer overnight. What did u originally begin to study at Durham. I got allocated st hilde and bebe. But wont be living there as I have family commitments.


I live quite near to Exeter and have heard from some friends at the uni that they love it. I think it's quite a similar town to Durham, although with slightly more clubs and shops etc. I originally went to Durham to study French and did two english modules alongside the french course and loved them. I've decided that I'm going to go back to Durham! Have you come closer to a decision?
Reply 13
Thanks everyone for your help! I've finally decided to accept Durham as it's a great uni and I can really see myself at uni there.
Reply 14
I visited both, I hated Durham and liked Bristol, its a very personal thing.

In Bristol the tutors were engaged and on the ball, and in Durham the ones we spoke to barely had a grasp on what IB is! We sat in on a lecture at Durham and even though I speak several languages I couldn't understand a word the bloke said, everyone else was looking around shrugging too.

I looked around a few of the Durham colleges, some were fab (Butler for example) but some were dire (especially Trevelyan) and as you cannot be 100% sure of where you will be put its a huge risk, I know its only a year living in but there is no way I would live somewhere like that! In Bristol and all the other places I saw there was a difference between the best and worst accommodation, but nothing else that I physically couldnt live in.
I'm in the same position but for maths. I really can't decide. Durham is ranked higher, has better accommodation, everywhere is walkable, better module choices and I like the college system. But it's so cold- I don't know if I could deal with that. Plus expensive. Bristol seems more organised in every respect and looks like a more vibrant city.
Reply 16
Was in exactly the same position but for Law. I ended up firming Durham and insuring Bristol as my offer from them is unconditional unlike Durham's. The thing that swayed me was the college system at Durham, it is such a unique and wonderful experience to have which I think results in a more enjoyable university experience. Saying that, I would love to go to Bristol anyway so really don't mind if I do miss my Durham offer.
Original post by Unsworth
Was in exactly the same position but for Law. I ended up firming Durham and insuring Bristol as my offer from them is unconditional unlike Durham's. The thing that swayed me was the college system at Durham, it is such a unique and wonderful experience to have which I think results in a more enjoyable university experience. Saying that, I would love to go to Bristol anyway so really don't mind if I do miss my Durham offer.

fast forward 10 years and I'm in the exact position you were. similar to you, Durhams collegiate system is the main reason I haven't firmed Bristol yet. looking back at your college experience, would you have any words of advice for me that will help me make this decision?

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