Isn't it the only uni appart from ox and cam where you get to put little letters after your name?? That's pretty cool.![]()
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Whats so great about Durham. watch talk to the uni Official Rep
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- 03-06-2004 22:10
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- 03-06-2004 22:11
Kate, howcome you always appear "offline"?....'cause you can't be offline - you're on here posting
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- 03-06-2004 22:12
(Original post by Louise_1988)
Isn't it the only uni appart from ox and cam where you get to put little letters after your name?? That's pretty cool. -
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- 03-06-2004 22:16
(Original post by serendipity)
If you search this subject you'll see that this has been debated time and time again.
Leekey i know you have a hatred for Durham (based on the fact that you didn't meet nice people there?!) but some of us are actually quite looking forward to going to a uni that suits them down to the ground, so please stop putting such a downer on it. It isn't the pretender to the hallowed seat of learning that is Oxbridge that it's made out to be,but it is a damn sight better than a lot of other unis.
Durham is a first class university and there are very few seat of learning in this country and that can come anywhere close to their level. I personally wouldn't like to study there but I am absolutely certain that it is a wonderful place to study if you do like it (it is afterall very pretty). I was simply trying to agree with JS that it is not the prime Oxbridge alternative that it used to be. This is not because of any defficiency on the part of Durham but more the way that other universities have improve themselves to the same level and provided other alternatives to talented applicants. -
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- 03-06-2004 22:17
(Original post by Louise_1988)
Isn't it the only uni appart from ox and cam where you get to put little letters after your name?? That's pretty cool. -
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- 03-06-2004 22:22
(Original post by Leekey)
That should be brought back for all uni's I think -
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- 04-06-2004 00:15
(Original post by serendipity)
some of us are actually quite looking forward to going to a uni that suits them down to the ground, so please stop putting such a downer on it. It isn't the pretender to the hallowed seat of learning that is Oxbridge that it's made out to be,but it is a damn sight better than a lot of other unis.
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- 04-06-2004 01:09
(Original post by serendipity)
I'm going to be picky here, but I really hate it when people make sweeping degrading statements. Durham is widely considered to be top in the country for geography, and is consistently third or fourth for English, ahead of all the other universities you mention. It also comes second for history, below Cambridge and above Oxford. For Physics it comes top; for Law third; for Theology fourth. I think, therefore, that your "trivial, but nevertheless quite effective" arguement is perhaps not quite as effective as you thought.
(Original post by serendipity)
I'm not quite sure whether you're referring just to research here. True, Durham isn't big on research. It focusses much more closely on its teaching. This is partly because as a very small univerity with just 10,000 students it can't support the research staff. If your comment on not being in the same league as Oxbridge is referring to teaching, see above.
(Original post by serendipity)
There's a "class" of collegiate system? I think you're mistaken in attempting to compare Durham's collegiate system with that of Oxbridge. Durham's system doesn't attempt to emmulate Oxbridge's, it has a totally different purpose.
On a more serious mote, I think the reason as to why people associate Durham with Oxbridge rejection is not so much that a greater number of Oxbridge rejects attend the university - they're quite evenly spread around Warwick, UCL, Bristol, Notts and even LSE and Imperial. However, I believe the reason is, that at least to the general public, it's MORE difficult for a student at Durham to justify being there as opposed to Oxbridge, unless they've been rejected from the latter. With say for e.g. Imperial, there's the appeal of being in London, the appeal of a specialist institution, also more specifically being in South Kensington - all this is fairly distinct as compared with what Oxbridge offers. The appeal of Durham as a university is rather more similar to Oxbridge. I'm not saying this is totally justified, although it probably is to an extent; so please Durham students, do not bite my head off - this is just the general impression. -
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- 04-06-2004 01:36
(Original post by J.S.)
God, isn’t it such great fun winding Durham students up – it ought to be given the equivalent status to that of a popular sport.
Okay...now go "wind up" the future students of some other university; the flogging-a-dead-horse approach to debating on this thread is becoming extremely tiresome.
We have now firmly established, that:
(a) Durham is a very good uni in its own right (regardless of whether you want to obssess over putting it in the context of Oxbridge or not) and that we "future Durhamites" all love Durham, and are really siked about going there this coming October(yay!)
(b) many like you will forever be convinced that the only reason we're going there is to pretend we are at Oxbridge. Obviously it's impossible that anyone should actually want to go there("It's more difficult for a student at Durham to justify being there"?! - I mean, bloody hell...why should anyone have to "justify" wanting to go somewhere like Durham?)
It seems we will never be able to reconcile these two points of view. It can't be helped, and there doesn't seem much point in trying. But, no biggy really, as we are the ones going there, and I, for one, feel absolutely no need to justify this to anyone. -
lilsunflower
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- 04-06-2004 05:47
If I didn't know JS better, I'd think him a meanie.
But really, JS is cool and he's just winding us up. He used to do that to me before (and still does *cough*gigantic brain*cough*) but he's honestly a real sweetie. -
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- 04-06-2004 06:43
(Original post by lilsunflower)
If I didn't know JS better, I'd think him a meanie.
But really, JS is cool and he's just winding us up. He used to do that to me before (and still does *cough*gigantic brain*cough*) but he's honestly a real sweetie.I would quite like to keep my reputation as the big bad wolf of the UKL university forum intact, thank you very much! Incidentally, how's that gigantic brain of yours coping over the exam period?
Oh and well done to all those who've gotten into Durham, all the best! -
serendipity
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- 04-06-2004 09:43
(Original post by Leekey)
No, no you misunderstand what I am saying...
Durham is a first class university and there are very few seat of learning in this country and that can come anywhere close to their level. I personally wouldn't like to study there but I am absolutely certain that it is a wonderful place to study if you do like it (it is afterall very pretty). I was simply trying to agree with JS that it is not the prime Oxbridge alternative that it used to be. This is not because of any defficiency on the part of Durham but more the way that other universities have improve themselves to the same level and provided other alternatives to talented applicants. -
serendipity
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- 04-06-2004 10:19
(Original post by J.S.)
This is a pretty poor attempt actually, you've pointed out that in several areas according to a league table, or whatever else you’ve used, that Durham is rather good - pretty easy to do this for each of the universities I named,
(Original post by J.S.)
In using the terms: "research standing" - what else could I have been commenting on?
(Original post by J.S.)
As for Oxbridge, with all due respect, Durham isn't even in the same league-aside from maybe 1 or 2 exceptional departments.(Original post by J.S.)
It's easy to form a hierarchy,
(Original post by J.S.)
and also lack the high standard of students too, i.e. Oxbridge as compared with Durham. It’s harsh but true, methinks.
(Original post by J.S.)
God, isn’t it such great fun winding Durham students up
(Original post by J.S.)
it's MORE difficult for a student at Durham to justify being there as opposed to Oxbridge, unless they've been rejected from the latter. With say for e.g. Imperial, there's the appeal of being in London, the appeal of a specialist institution, also more specifically being in South Kensington - all this is fairly distinct as compared with what Oxbridge offers.
1. Durham is third for English. Full stop.
2. It is away from London and the South East, where I am now. I want to spend my uni years somewhere different.
3. Durham's proximity to Newcastle, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Britain.
4. Durham's overall friendliness
5. Its collegiate system. I didn't like the claustrophobia of Oxbridge's, and I liked how Durham's offers more pastoral care than being in halls.
6. Its excellent libraries (an obvious consideration for someone taking English Lit) and sports facilities
Need I go on?
And just in case you were wondering, I didn't apply to Oxbridge even though my school advised that I should. I'm fed up with some individuals on this forum insinuating that if you have the grades you're mad if you don't apply to Oxbridge.
Out of interest, what university are you going to, JS? -
lilsunflower
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- 04-06-2004 10:19
(Original post by J.S.)
I beg your pardon?I would quite like to keep my reputation as the big bad wolf of the UKL university forum intact, thank you very much! Incidentally, how's that gigantic brain of yours coping over the exam period?
Oh and well done to all those who've gotten into Durham, all the best!
You're too nice for that role. Just give up on the gigantic brain joke and I might actually think that you're the nicest person on these forums! Exams are killing me and I'm stressed to the max - that's why I hardly chat with you. But once they're over.. I'm holidaying in Bali, Singapore and wherever I want to go to *yayz!*.
xoxo <3 -
presebjenada
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- 04-06-2004 11:04
(Original post by J.S.)
it's MORE difficult for a student at Durham to justify being there as opposed to Oxbridge, unless they've been rejected from the latter. With say for e.g. Imperial, there's the appeal of being in London, the appeal of a specialist institution, also more specifically being in South Kensington - all this is fairly distinct as compared with what Oxbridge offers. The appeal of Durham as a university is rather more similar to Oxbridge. I'm not saying this is totally justified, although it probably is to an extent; so please Durham students, do not bite my head off - this is just the general impression.
i hope in future people wont instantly presume that we're just looking for alternatives to oxbridge, or that we're convincing ourselves that we REALLY DO like durham when inside we wish it was cambridge.. i would honestly have chosen durham over cambridge if i had been given a place. ive been to a competitive school, and im sick of the constant pressure..and durham is perfect for me. the college system is not the same as oxbridge and for the last time: the outdated view that durham considers itslef the alternative, and is trying to emulate oxbridge is gladly dying out with the previous generation of academic obsessives.. it's durham - its individual and its not an oxbridge wannabe ..(if you want to find those, then i suggest you go to the oxbridge forums) -
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- 04-06-2004 11:56
(Original post by serendipity)
I did it because in your first post you asserted that Durham wasn't as good as the universities you mentioned. That is all. (FYI: I used the Times league tables - widely regarded as the most reliable well known league table.)
(Original post by serendipity)
Does it not occur to you that students perfectly capable of doing well at Oxbridge would choose Durham instead?
(Original post by serendipity)
For a start I don't see why I should have to justify my reasons for choosing Durham over other universities for English, but you asked for it:
(Original post by serendipity)
Need I go on?
(Original post by serendipity)
Out of interest, what university are you going to, JS?
I’ve stated that Durham is a good university, I tried to be objective. Now, lets forget these petty arguments. Btw, all the best during your time there. -
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- 04-06-2004 12:14
(Original post by presebjenada)
if that is the general impression you get from us and other students, then i cant argue with your opinion
I agree with pretty much all of this, and I do not think it's impossible to justify Durham over Oxbridge, it's just that in a larger proportion of cases, relatively speaking, it is rather more difficult than for students of other universities - this is perhaps from where the Durham/Oxbridge reject association arises from.
I agree that the collegiate system is appealing, very much so, btw - especially regarding sports. I can also understand how people would want to avoid a great deal of constant competition regarding academic work. Although, personally, I am very competitive regarding academic work, and even if I were not - I wouldn't give a damn about the people around me. However, I can understand your point of view.
I never intended to make this seem like an attack on your university. I personally think Durham is an excellent place to study, and I've already commented on employment prospects. So all the best there -
serendipity
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- 04-06-2004 12:25
(Original post by J.S.)
I agree with pretty much all of this, and I do not think it's impossible to justify Durham over Oxbridge, it's just that in a larger proportion of cases, relatively speaking, it is rather more difficult than for students of other universities - this is perhaps from where the Durham/Oxbridge reject association arises from. -
serendipity
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- 04-06-2004 12:29
(Original post by J.S.)
If you must, but you're boring the hell out of me, as it's totally irrelevant.
(Original post by J.S.)
Is this some sneaky way in which you're going to argue that I'm biased in favour of Oxford? .
(Original post by J.S.)
I tried to be objective. Now, lets forget these petty arguments. -
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- 04-06-2004 12:34
(Original post by J.S.)
I agree with pretty much all of this, and I do not think it's impossible to justify Durham over Oxbridge, it's just that in a larger proportion of cases, relatively speaking, it is rather more difficult than for students of other universities - this is perhaps from where the Durham/Oxbridge reject association arises from.)...it isn't as though Durham was the only place most "Oxbridge rejects" had offers from. So why exactly should I find it harder to "justify" going to Durham, than if I had chosen to go to say York or Edinburgh, if I happened to feel that I personally was better suited to Durham, and was more likely to enjoy my three years there? And anyway, should anyone have to "justify" not having been accepted to any given uni? And if so, should I also sit around next year fretting over Cardiff and trying to justify why I'm at Durham and not there? Because that would be no less ridiculous, considering I was no more bent on getting into Cambridge than I was Cardiff, or Durham or Exeter or any other uni I applied to.
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