The "Ask a Durham Student" Thread :)

Hello! I'm not sure if I've already commented on this thread or not but nevermind!

I was wondering if a student could tell me more about sociology at Durham?

And also if you could tell me more about St. Aidens college?
Everyone seems to talk about castle, or cuths or collinwood or wherever but I haven't heard anyone talk about St. Aidens! Someone told me it was the 'party' college? Is it really far? Does it have a good rep?

THANKS GUYYYSSS!

I was just wandering if any current Chemistry students could give me their view of chemistry at durham and what it is like? To help me with my dicision.

Also a view on St Cuths (particually Parsons Field) would be helpful also, just generally what it is like living there, the atomosphere, weather people like to go out lots etc.

Thanks

All the colleges are nice.

I meant like what's the general view of it? Some people have said it's the 'party college' like they've said that Cuth's is the 'sporty college' (I think) and St Mary's is just for the 'left overs'. What do most people think of St Aiden's, cause hardly anyone talks about it x

Cuths has lots of sporty people in it. Aidans has some people who like to party. Marys is a fantastic college. However, in the same way that not all French people where black and white stripes and hang onions around their necks, I don't think this is a very good way to judge them.

For instance, what does 'sporty college' mean? It has a lot of sports teams? How many is a lot? How many do the other colleges have? Does everyone play sport there? Does a larger proportion of students than average play sport there?

And what would 'party college' mean? Would partying be obligatory? Do they just have particularly big events and bops?

I know that's completely not what you want to hear, but I do think that describing a college with two words of dubious meaning isn't a good way to form an opinion of it. Especially if that leads to considering a fantastic college like Marys 'just for the left-overs'.

have you applied yet, or are you thinking of applying next year? if you have applied already it may be difficult to switch to natural sciences once you arrive, and if you want to then you should ring the department to see what spaces they have.

Basically, with natural sciences you can pick modules from any department you want, but by the end of your degree, at least half of your modules must be from a "science" (subjects that classify are listed on the website somewhere). Each year you do 6 modules, if you are wanting to do a joint honours in biology and psychology then first you must check that there is actually a joint honours degree available and then you must see what modules you need to do in order to get a JH degree. There are probably "core" modules from both subjects that you will have to do, and then you will be able to choose the others.

Probably havent explained that very well, if you have anymore questions then ask away!

xx

The same query applies to me actually! I was wondering if you could explain the UCAS form a bit. Apparently you put 3 or 4 subjects down in the further information section on the application but the other subjects from group 3 and I think group 2 aren't listed. It's all rather mind-boggling haha!

With natural sciences, can you apply for BSc or a MSci from A-Level. and I've heard that the MSci is more restricting than the BSc. Is this true? I agree that the website is confusing. Are there any pathology related modules that you can do in durham? Also, whats that new science building theyre building near Butler, and is Butler near the science departments?

A lot of questions there, I hope you can help and thanks in advance ^^

Realistically, how many clubs/societies can you join without having clashes/impacting on your work? I was thinking of trying netball (I used to be really good at it, but it's been a few years), cheerleading (might be a bit of a laugh, never done it before ) and maybe Mostly Harmless/something similar/debating. I'd love to add more to the mix but I'm wary of stretching myself too thin. And yes, I know it's a long way off, but what can I say, I'm excited

Also, what do most people wear for sports in Durham? I haven't done any sports in years, and even then it was in my school's rank PE kits

Realistically, how many clubs/societies can you join without having clashes/impacting on your work? I was thinking of trying netball (I used to be really good at it, but it's been a few years), cheerleading (might be a bit of a laugh, never done it before ) and maybe Mostly Harmless/something similar/debating. I'd love to add more to the mix but I'm wary of stretching myself too thin. And yes, I know it's a long way off, but what can I say, I'm excited

Also, what do most people wear for sports in Durham? I haven't done any sports in years, and even then it was in my school's rank PE kits