Durham University
Durham
The "Ask a Durham Student" Thread :)
Scroll to see replies
What's studying Earth Science like at UCL?
Posted from TSR Mobile
Posted from TSR Mobile
Durham University
Durham
...do you find out for definite which college you have been allocated please?
Hi guys,
Looking for some info please.
We went to the Open Day @ Durham last week, the city is lovely, the course looks good, liked the facilities etc. We really didn't know which colleges to look around and picked three at random. Two were fab and we all liked them and one was frightful, a real deal breaker.
So I asked whether the offer came from the university or from the college, I get that if you apply to an oversubscribed college they pass your application on, but my question was more at what point specifically do students have a college allocated to them please?
We asked this question of several people, and all the replies were different!
The main thing I would like to know is does the name of the college form part of the offer or does it come afterwards, would you have to choose Durham as a firm or insurance choice before knowing for sure? One person we spoke to (a Principal of one of the colleges) said if Durham was only your insurance they could not even then say for absolute certain.
So if you were allocated a college as the one you wanted was oversubscribed is it negotiable?
It would be horrid to put Durham as insurance, and end up somewhere awful! I suppose the thing to then would be to go into clearing?
And also, how do the colleges decide which students to take? I mean if they have 80 places and 100 applications is it first come, or does it depend on things like sporting achievements (my thinking here is that academic achievement is likely to be more important to the department than the college?) or do the colleges also want first dibs on people with huge predictions?
Reading that back it sounds like a bit of a random brain dump, but I hope someone who can pick the questions out of it can help with an answer!
Cheers guys!
Hi guys,
Looking for some info please.
We went to the Open Day @ Durham last week, the city is lovely, the course looks good, liked the facilities etc. We really didn't know which colleges to look around and picked three at random. Two were fab and we all liked them and one was frightful, a real deal breaker.
So I asked whether the offer came from the university or from the college, I get that if you apply to an oversubscribed college they pass your application on, but my question was more at what point specifically do students have a college allocated to them please?
We asked this question of several people, and all the replies were different!
The main thing I would like to know is does the name of the college form part of the offer or does it come afterwards, would you have to choose Durham as a firm or insurance choice before knowing for sure? One person we spoke to (a Principal of one of the colleges) said if Durham was only your insurance they could not even then say for absolute certain.
So if you were allocated a college as the one you wanted was oversubscribed is it negotiable?
It would be horrid to put Durham as insurance, and end up somewhere awful! I suppose the thing to then would be to go into clearing?
And also, how do the colleges decide which students to take? I mean if they have 80 places and 100 applications is it first come, or does it depend on things like sporting achievements (my thinking here is that academic achievement is likely to be more important to the department than the college?) or do the colleges also want first dibs on people with huge predictions?
Reading that back it sounds like a bit of a random brain dump, but I hope someone who can pick the questions out of it can help with an answer!
Cheers guys!
Original post by xstarsx67
Sorry, but this is the Durham University subforum - you'll do better to post somewhere else!
I think maybe I should change the thread title...
You get accepted by your department first which means you are definitely given a place at a college.
After you are accepted by the department, your application passes to your first preference of college (if you gave one) and you are either accepted there, or you get passed on if there is not enough space for you. This is now allocated by random rather than the senior tutors getting a list and picking their favourites like it used to be :P
Also there is a pooling system in place. Each college belongs to a group of supposedly similar colleges. If you apply to one, but there is no space, then you get sent to another college within that pool. The exception to this is University College as receives the most applications.
Even if Durham is your insurance, you will get a place at a college and accommodation for your first year. I haven't heard of any cases where a student has had to get private accommodation, which happens at other unis.
Also, it is very difficult to change college once you have been allocated one. And tbh you will probably end up loving whichever college you end up at even if it doesn't seem that way at the beginning :P
Out of interest, which colleges did you look at on the open day?
After you are accepted by the department, your application passes to your first preference of college (if you gave one) and you are either accepted there, or you get passed on if there is not enough space for you. This is now allocated by random rather than the senior tutors getting a list and picking their favourites like it used to be :P
Also there is a pooling system in place. Each college belongs to a group of supposedly similar colleges. If you apply to one, but there is no space, then you get sent to another college within that pool. The exception to this is University College as receives the most applications.
Even if Durham is your insurance, you will get a place at a college and accommodation for your first year. I haven't heard of any cases where a student has had to get private accommodation, which happens at other unis.
Also, it is very difficult to change college once you have been allocated one. And tbh you will probably end up loving whichever college you end up at even if it doesn't seem that way at the beginning :P
Out of interest, which colleges did you look at on the open day?
Thank you for this, that's cleared it up. I thought it would be hard if you didn't get to know which college before choosing it as firm/insurance, imagined missing firm choice THEN being told the college that had been allocated was somewhere you know you couldn't stand to live.
Looked at Josephine Butler and St Mary's, totally loved them, plus the students we spoke to there all loved it, it probably would not be fair to say the one we hated though as some people on here will already be there or will be going in Sept! It is a personal taste thing I guess, but we hung at the back of the tour and ducked out the door and ran as soon as we had seen the rooms. So many things I didn't like, for one it was FILTHY and I don't think there is an excuse for that, if they cant get that right on an Open Day.... I realise its only a partial collegiate system as its just a living space and not a living and working space like Oxbridge, and I know its only for a year, but its an important factor I think.
Looked at Josephine Butler and St Mary's, totally loved them, plus the students we spoke to there all loved it, it probably would not be fair to say the one we hated though as some people on here will already be there or will be going in Sept! It is a personal taste thing I guess, but we hung at the back of the tour and ducked out the door and ran as soon as we had seen the rooms. So many things I didn't like, for one it was FILTHY and I don't think there is an excuse for that, if they cant get that right on an Open Day.... I realise its only a partial collegiate system as its just a living space and not a living and working space like Oxbridge, and I know its only for a year, but its an important factor I think.
Original post by Helioghost
Sorry, but this is the Durham University subforum - you'll do better to post somewhere else!
I think maybe I should change the thread title...
I think maybe I should change the thread title...
Oh yeah thanks, I see you've changed the name now, sorry about that!
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by Will's mum
Thank you for this, that's cleared it up.
If you've got a question like this in future, I recommend checking my pinned FAQ thread, or trawling through the University website - it's pretty comprehensive on most questions people ask on this forum, and it's where I get most of my information from. E-mail someone who works at the University with a question, and half the time they'll look up the answer on the website in order to tell you.
Original post by Helioghost
If you've got a question like this in future, I recommend checking my pinned FAQ thread, or trawling through the University website - it's pretty comprehensive on most questions people ask on this forum, and it's where I get most of my information from. E-mail someone who works at the University with a question, and half the time they'll look up the answer on the website in order to tell you.
Didn't think of looking for a FAQ page
duh!Thanks!
Could anybody please inform me specifically:
1. When the anthropology/sociology exam dates are
2. How many exams I should expect to take in first year
3. Are the exams (that count towards your 2:1 etc.) all in May/June, or are there any given in the other months? If so, when?
I've looked on Durham's website and it states all "main exams are between 13th - 31st May 2013" so I'm assuming the dates will change slightly but pretty much around the same time? Hope someone can help, thank you if you can!
1. When the anthropology/sociology exam dates are
2. How many exams I should expect to take in first year
3. Are the exams (that count towards your 2:1 etc.) all in May/June, or are there any given in the other months? If so, when?
I've looked on Durham's website and it states all "main exams are between 13th - 31st May 2013" so I'm assuming the dates will change slightly but pretty much around the same time?
Hope someone can help, thank you if you can!
Original post by feelinginfinite
Could anybody please inform me specifically:
1. When the anthropology/sociology exam dates are
2. How many exams I should expect to take in first year
3. Are the exams (that count towards your 2:1 etc.) all in May/June, or are there any given in the other months? If so, when?
I've looked on Durham's website and it states all "main exams are between 13th - 31st May 2013" so I'm assuming the dates will change slightly but pretty much around the same time? Hope someone can help, thank you if you can!
1. When the anthropology/sociology exam dates are
2. How many exams I should expect to take in first year
3. Are the exams (that count towards your 2:1 etc.) all in May/June, or are there any given in the other months? If so, when?
I've looked on Durham's website and it states all "main exams are between 13th - 31st May 2013" so I'm assuming the dates will change slightly but pretty much around the same time?
Hope someone can help, thank you if you can!All exams are held in May, some subjects have small exams at other times. Anthropology doesn't, not sure about Sociology though.
I had six exams in first year doing the BA Anthropology, 4 in second year, and then you pick your own modules for third year so it depends on what you choose. I will have two exams next May.
Exact dates of exams change each year and you get told during the academic year exactly when they are.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by Antifazian
All exams are held in May, some subjects have small exams at other times. Anthropology doesn't, not sure about Sociology though.
I had six exams in first year doing the BA Anthropology, 4 in second year, and then you pick your own modules for third year so it depends on what you choose. I will have two exams next May.
Exact dates of exams change each year and you get told during the academic year exactly when they are.
Posted from TSR Mobile
I had six exams in first year doing the BA Anthropology, 4 in second year, and then you pick your own modules for third year so it depends on what you choose. I will have two exams next May.
Exact dates of exams change each year and you get told during the academic year exactly when they are.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Thanks, this helps
In first year, are you given any assignments/ coursework/ presentations that count towards your first year grade (e.g 2:1)? If so, do these continue throughout the year with the deadline of May, or something else? Sorry for all the questions, I'm still a bit confused looking on the website with all the different modules having different test methods Original post by feelinginfinite
Thanks, this helps In first year, are you given any assignments/ coursework/ presentations that count towards your first year grade (e.g 2:1)? If so, do these continue throughout the year with the deadline of May, or something else? Sorry for all the questions, I'm still a bit confused looking on the website with all the different modules having different test methods
In first year, are you given any assignments/ coursework/ presentations that count towards your first year grade (e.g 2:1)? If so, do these continue throughout the year with the deadline of May, or something else? Sorry for all the questions, I'm still a bit confused looking on the website with all the different modules having different test methods Nothing you do in first year counts towards your final grade, you just need to pass which is 40%. Each piece of work has its own deadline which are at different times, you will have essays with deadlines each term. Im fairly sure there weren't any with deadlines close to May in first year, there are in second year though and I think in third year the dissertation is handed in around exam time.
In your first year you have formative assessment which doesn't count for anything, its just practice essentially. Summative assessments will count towards your first year grade in first year, then from second year onwards they are all you'll have and they count towards your final degree grade, and that is worked out by averaging your modules for each year and working out its relative contribution to your final grade.
I think second year is worth 40% of your final grade, third year the remaining 60%.
Posted from TSR Mobile
There is a small bmx track (grass mounds I think) past the B&Q in Gilesgate.
Yes there is the BMX track but there is now the Bull but i don't think it isn't very good if you wan't to go skateboarding because there are more BMX and skooters there and they just snake skaters and make sure you can't ride there
Yes there is the BMX track but there is now the Bull but i don't think it isn't very good if you wan't to go skateboarding because there are more BMX and skooters there and they just snake skaters and make sure you can't ride there
Original post by umairjamal
HI there
what are the prospects of getting a part time job in Durham.
what are the prospects of getting a part time job in Durham.
Hi there! It depends what kind of job you want, but the prospects are decent if you are proactive. I've had four different part-time jobs during the time I've been in Durham (four years). Three were within my college (served as kitchen staff, reception cover, and college librarian).
My latest job has been at place called Voicentric which quite frankly is brilliant! Voicentric primarily hires Durham University students and work is available year around. Voicentric is located just above Starbucks at Framwellgate Bridge and specializes in marketing products for life sciences and other high tech and research based disciplines. The company operates on a campaign by campaign basis, so you initially would be hired for a specific campaign. Before you begin a campaign, you are given thorough training on what the product that you are marketing is used for, who you are likely to be speaking to on the phone calls, and a guideline for what to say on the calls.
I can highly recommend Voicentric's working environment. The management are great and are genuinely kind people. There also is an unlimited supply of coffee and tea and a comfortable break out area. They also are very flexible with scheduling since most of the people who work there are Durham University students and have other commitments.
If you would like to apply for a job, feel free to email your CV to the Voicentric Programme Manager Ali Turner ([email protected]) and mention that Denise sent you.
Here is a link to Voicentric's website if you want to read more (http://www.voicentric.co.uk/index.html) and feel free to ask me any questions that you have about my experience there if this sounds like something you might like to do. It is one of the best places that I have ever worked, and I think you might like it as well.
How strictly does Durham look at GCSEs?
Dust. This is a REALLY difficult question to answer, simply because there isn't really an answer! Durham is a top University that can afford and indeed must be selective in order to maintain its high academic standards. So, Durham do look at GCSEs as they're a good indicator of future performance at Undergrad level. However, there are SO many other areas(different courses/ mitigating circumstances/ AS Level and predicted A Level grades) they take into account in the selection process that there is no exact answer. My best advice is, if you're applying for courses such as Law, History, Geography, Engineering, English Lit etc GCSE grades are important, as competition is fierce. I am a law student, and attained 9A*s 2As at GCSE, but this was nothing spectacular at my school. Durham will look at your grades in context. Ie, if you attained 3A*s 2As and 5Bs at a school where the average grades are closer to all Bs, this will be seen as more impressive than perhaps my set of grades in a school where the majority achieved all A*s and As. Hope that helps! PM me if you want to know anything else about Durham x
xOriginal post by AmyLH
Hiya, just a few more questions
How much is the college gym for St Aidan's?
How much does it cost to join the college football team and how competitive is it?
Thank you
How much is the college gym for St Aidan's?
How much does it cost to join the college football team and how competitive is it?
Thank you
Hey Amy! The gym this year was £40 for the whole year, which is pretty good value compared to a lot of other college gyms and has everything you need
I'm on the women's football team... WE ARE AMAZING! :P It's so much fun, please join, you'll love it! We're a really relaxed bunch as most of us hadn't played before, but we train once a week and have weekly matches as well in a Uni league PM me if you wanna chat about anything Aidan's or Durham! Good luck xHow bad are the winters in Durham, meaning how long and how cold? Is it reasonable to own a motorbike or is the weather most of the year too bad to permit it?
Thanks
Thanks
Original post by dr.noname
How bad are the winters in Durham, meaning how long and how cold? Is it reasonable to own a motorbike or is the weather most of the year too bad to permit it?
Thanks
Thanks
It's not half as bad as many southern students would have you believe. It does get cold and sometimes wet but you can dress for it and deal with it.
Posted from TSR Mobile
It was -7 one morning!
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- Hello Everyone!
- What are target unis for law?
- How do I register to vote in both my university region and home?
- These are the best universities in the UK . . . whether you like it or not
- Durham maths
- Durham or UCL?
- Storage in Durham
- Bristol v Newcastle
- UCAS Clearing 2023 FAQ and Help Megathread
- Got a Ucas or results related question? Ask a Clearing and Applications Advisor here
- can i have a good career with out going to a russel group
- University College London Applicants' Thread 2022
- What should I do for English GCSEs?
- Additional time arrangements for LNAT puts applicants at a disadvantage?
- John Snow versus Josephine Butler
- GCSE Religious Studies Study Group 2022-2023
- Bath or Durham
- I can't believe that TSR is popular with..
- UCL Medicine A100 2024
- Why such low rankings?
Trending
- durham law offers
- [Official thread] Durham University 2024 Applicants
- Official Durham University Offer Holders Thread for 2024 entry
- Applying to Durham with ABB predicted for CS
- Durham discrimination
- Durham Offers
- Psychology at Durham Uni
- Durham application location O
- Are there any microwaves/nice study areas apart from the library on campus?
- Geography Competitive?
- How hard is it to get into Durham?
- 2022/2023 Durham Finalists exam results
- Official Durham University freshers 2023 chat
- ABB durham
- Where can I find a map/list of what the room codes in the timetable mean?
- Which uni for Computer Science - KCL, Durham, Birmingham, Southampton, Bristol?
- Geography at Durham
- Is Durham University’s reputation true?
- Durham CS
- Difference between Durham and Oxford in workload?
Latest
- Private to public healthcare or vice versa
- The Official Cambridge Applicants for 2024 Entry Thread
- a level chemistry aqa
- Official London School of Economics and Political Science 2024 Applicant Thread
- Monarchists vs Republicans
- Why are young men so different than before?
- GCSE English Spoken Language - Presentations
- Official Veterinary Medicine Applicants thread 2024 entry
- Lesbian
- Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) A101- Oxford University Entry (2024)
- Is a 23% Turnitin Score Bad?
- Funding for QTS
- My dad is messing with my head, he shouts at me so loud
- I'm scared I'll get no offers...
- : ***Official Investment Banking 2024 Summer Internship Thread***
- Gap Year??
- Christmas wish list as a creative student at Kingston
- How to convert online book to PDF?
- University of Oxford 2024 Undergraduate Applicants Official Thread
- quiry
- CTC vetting time frame
- can I get into law with a social science degree?
- The Official Essex Applicants for 2024 Entry Thread
- The honorable non-russell group hurt/heal game
- FTI Consulting 2022 Grad Schemes
- Nominate the Most Dedicated Grow Your Grades Blogger!
- Being fired from work for misconduct
- GCSE history
- Can I apply to Pharmacy/pharmacology without A-Level Biology?
- Grant thornton 2024 entry
- Looking For Replacement Tenant
- Help me choose, dentistry or biology?
- Does a crush last?
- Civil Service Fast Stream 2024 - Applicants thread
- Law offers - 2024 entry
- what a-levels should i choose?
- ucas
- Official University College London Applicant Thread for 2024
- The Manchester United Thread XXIII
- Is my uni application strong and what do I need to work on?