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Chemistry Research, Durham University
Durham University
Durham

The "Ask a Durham Student" Thread :)

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I plan on applying to Durham to take chemistry in 2016. What are my chances of getting an offer, with an A in chemistry, A in physics, A in biology, A in maths, and an A in a2 maths (taken a year early)? Next year I plan on taking chemistry, physics, and further maths.
Chemistry Research, Durham University
Durham University
Durham
Original post by drigger
I plan on applying to Durham to take chemistry in 2016. What are my chances of getting an offer, with an A in chemistry, A in physics, A in biology, A in maths, and an A in a2 maths (taken a year early)? Next year I plan on taking chemistry, physics, and further maths.


I haven't personally heard of anyone being offered a place in chemistry with less than A*AA predicted without extenuating circumstances or a really stunning personal statement. The exception to that I think is a scheme called supported progression that Durham does afaik, but I doubt that applies to you.

No one here can tell you much. You're better off emailing the department directly or throwing an application next year.
Original post by EllaMay98
Hope this is ok to ask on here, but I kinda need someone's opinion on whether I have a chance of getting an offer if I apply to Durham. I was quite disappointed with my AS grades - 2 As and 2Cs (though I plan on retaking the C grades) - and my GCSEs are not exactly great - 3 a*s, 7As, 3Bs. I'm desperate to do theology either at Cambridge or Durham (though cam is now out of the question!) but I'm starting to doubt whether it's worth me applying with my AS grades now...help!



I'll be going to Durham to study Theology this October. My GCSE's were much poorer than yours (which are really good by the way!) , with only one A*, mostly B grades (and even a D!) . So your GCSE's should be no problem at all, especially with applying to a less competitive course like Theology!
Although my A Level results were considerably better than my GCSE's (A* AAA) the Theology entry requirements at Durham are AAB and so as long as you're predicted that or higher you have a great chance of getting a place to study Theology at Durham!
Reply 6403
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3P2S3
do postgrad students attend matriculation? Also, what is freshers like for postgrads?
Reply 6404
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ECLP
1
Original post by EllaMay98
Hope this is ok to ask on here, but I kinda need someone's opinion on whether I have a chance of getting an offer of I apply to Durham. I was quite disappointed with my AS grades - 2 As and 2Cs (though I plan on retaking the C grades) - and my GCSEs are not exactly great - 3 a*s, 7As, 3Bs. I'm desperate to do theology either at Cambridge or Durham (though cam is now out of the question!) but I'm starting to doubt whether it's worth me applying with my AS grades now...help!


First of all congratulations on your AS grades! Second of all, don't be so negative! By the sounds of things you have a great chance.
I just got accepted into Durham (University College) and my AS grades were AACD! (I dropped the C, and managed to turn the D into an A at A2 (would have been an A* if it wasn't for my coursework!!). My GCSEs were 7As, 3Bs and a C in French, so not as good as yours (- although I did go to a bad school). So I would say you definitely have a good chance!

I wouldn't rule out Cambridge either, my friend got an Oxford offer with AABC at As! Though they did very well in the Elat.

Lots of it is about how you sell yourself, especially with something like Theology. Make sure you have a good personal statement and show lots of passion.

You can easily turn those Cs around, I retook History AS and in one paper I doubled my score from 46 (an E!) to 92 (a high A!) and in the A2 exam I got the highest mark in the year- It can be done!

I wish you all the best and I think you have a great chance of getting an offer, you just need to believe in yourself! Universities understand that people mess up (especially at AS!) it can easily be turned around. Also unis will look at your predicted grades rather than just your AS levels. What are your As like? If they're high, you might be able to get predicted an A* also, if the Cs aren't an accurate representation of your ability, your teachers will predict you above. Though I got a D at AS my teacher still predicted me a B, which I went on to exceed! Just talk to them, they'll understand!

Believe in yourself - and see you at Durham next year! 😎





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Original post by drigger
I plan on applying to Durham to take chemistry in 2016. What are my chances of getting an offer, with an A in chemistry, A in physics, A in biology, A in maths, and an A in a2 maths (taken a year early)? Next year I plan on taking chemistry, physics, and further maths.


Chances are good as long as you get at least one A* prediction. I got in with AAAA at AS level and pretty average GCSEs, but I had A*A*A* predicted grades. Make sure you have a good personal statement with some chemistry related stuff and you should be fine. The physics will be so helpful in first year so I'd definitely pick that over biology.
Original post by 3P2S3
do postgrad students attend matriculation? Also, what is freshers like for postgrads?


Yep, you'll attend matriculation :smile: And Freshers will depend on which college you're in! You'll be part of the MCR or SCR of whatever college you're in most likely, so probably wont be with the undergrads during Freshers (members of the JCR). It will probably depend on college although I'm sure they'll organise stuff! Ustinov in particular I think has a very good freshers set up (as it's only postgrad)
I hope it's ok if I ask this on here but... I was so lost on what to study in uni for all these years and was considering Law very seriously. However, I now want to go into Modern Languages. Now, I just received my grades and am sort of panicking because I REALLY want to get into Durham. I got full marks in one of my History modules so I'm predicted to get an A* there, I got an A for my A2 in Greek and a high B in politics AS which is also predicted to rise to either an A or A* (I'm probably getting it re-graded). In my final year I'm also going to be completing an A2 in English and a B1 or B2 course in GOETHE certified German as well as an AS in Fine Art. Other than that, I have my Cypriot Apolytyrion with a 97 (19.5) and extra curriculars in Trinity College Vocals (Grade 8 with Merit) and Music Theory (Grade 3 with distinction) and will complete Grade 5 in that. Do you think I have a chance of getting in and would you advice me to do anything else in my final year to ensure I get in?
All of this Durham talk makes me so excited for possibly coming next year!
(edited 6 years ago)
Original post by evealice
All of this Durham talk makes me so excited for possibly coming next year!

I was just wondering, what's the drinking/drug culture like?


I think it's about the same as any university. I've never felt pressured into either of them myself; in my first year, I lived with a few marijuana smokers, but given my flat got something of a reputation for it, I think we were something of an isolated group rather than anything close to the norm. I've never encountered anything stronger/more hardcore myself. As for alcohol, you can make of that what you want to. As I said, I've only ever drunk on my own terms, and I'm not much of a drinker at all.
hwkefi
(edited 6 years ago)
Original post by Elenastresses
I hope it's ok if I ask this on here but... I was so lost on what to study in uni for all these years and was considering Law very seriously. However, I now want to go into Modern Languages. Now, I just received my grades and am sort of panicking because I REALLY want to get into Durham. I got full marks in one of my History modules so I'm predicted to get an A* there, I got an A for my A2 in Greek and a high B in politics AS which is also predicted to rise to either an A or A* (I'm probably getting it re-graded). In my final year I'm also going to be completing an A2 in English and a B1 or B2 course in GOETHE certified German as well as an AS in Fine Art. Other than that, I have my Cypriot Apolytyrion with a 97 (19.5) and extra curriculars in Trinity College Vocals (Grade 8 with Merit) and Music Theory (Grade 3 with distinction) and will complete Grade 5 in that. Do you think I have a chance of getting in and would you advice me to do anything else in my final year to ensure I get in?


Hi
You seem to have a lot of extracurricular activities, try not to over do it. The main thing for you to do is get the best grades you can in your A2, they will want to see that you can achieve the criteria for admission. Durham has a good selection of degree programmes in languages so its worth investigating which one (or ones) you want to apply for - contact the department is always a good start and they are really helpful. Also write a good solid personal statement and really sell your skills and abilities to them. If you want to do anything else have you thought of mentoring GCSE students in languages? All this makes for a good application

Good luck :-)
Original post by evealice
All of this Durham talk makes me so excited for possibly coming next year!

I was just wondering, what's the drinking/drug culture like?


I'd say the drug culture is a lot tamer/less noticeable than a lot of other Universities. I mean it's totally there, and you tend to be aware of who in college is rumoured to deal or whatever, but it's nothing like Leeds or Manchester for example. If you're not interested then it can easily pass you by fairly unnoticed.

Drinking is much more a part of student life, but again if you're not interested that's fine. I know a few teetotal people, one of my friends is teetotal and it doesn't make much of a difference. People get drunk, and people get loud and silly, but you're going to find that anywhere with a nightclub or University.

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Trevs-
Do people wear tuxes and are there any events where a black tie dress code is expected? Just wondering. Hard to tell from photos and the college webpage just says formal wear
Original post by pussyman
Trevs-
Do people wear tuxes and are there any events where a black tie dress code is expected? Just wondering. Hard to tell from photos and the college webpage just says formal wear


Most formal events at all colleges are black tie (unless they're fancy dress). Quite a lot of guys just wear a normal black suit with a bow tie (and appropriate shirt) however a good number have dinner jackets/ tuxes too. The range is quite large tbh... it ranges from people who wear the same suit they wore to sixth form with a tie, right up to people with cummerbunds/ dinner suit and waistcoat combos. Some people see a tux as a good investment, but you probably don't need to worry if you don't want to get one yet - you can always get one here if you want one (Durham has a couple of shops, Newcastle is close by and has many)
Reply 6415
Avatar for JD7
JD7
1
Just a question to satisfy my curiosity ... why do some campus cards have NUS DSU stamped on them and others don't?
Original post by JD7
Just a question to satisfy my curiosity ... why do some campus cards have NUS DSU stamped on them and others don't?


It seems to be that older ones have it on and newer ones don't? Friends in 3rd/4th year had it on, as a fresher I didn't. So I'm guessing a change at some point. Not sure why, so that's kind of a half answer for you!
Original post by JD7
Just a question to satisfy my curiosity ... why do some campus cards have NUS DSU stamped on them and others don't?


Original post by Anny Smiles
It seems to be that older ones have it on and newer ones don't? Friends in 3rd/4th year had it on, as a fresher I didn't. So I'm guessing a change at some point. Not sure why, so that's kind of a half answer for you!


Yeah it's about how old the campus card is - I joined 4 years ago and my original one had it on, but when I got a replacement it didn't anymore. I believe it's just because things changed and different rules apply with regards to the DSU and NUS - the DSU underwent a rebranding about the time it disappeared, and a new system of running the DSU (all around the same time the website changed such that it was then managed by Unioncloud) came in connected to the NUS. I think there also might have been something to do with the fact people were trying to use them to get full NUS discounts (normally only available to NUS extra card holders) so the change stopped that too :smile:
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by Elenastresses
I hope it's ok if I ask this on here but... I was so lost on what to study in uni for all these years and was considering Law very seriously. However, I now want to go into Modern Languages. Now, I just received my grades and am sort of panicking because I REALLY want to get into Durham. I got full marks in one of my History modules so I'm predicted to get an A* there, I got an A for my A2 in Greek and a high B in politics AS which is also predicted to rise to either an A or A* (I'm probably getting it re-graded). In my final year I'm also going to be completing an A2 in English and a B1 or B2 course in GOETHE certified German as well as an AS in Fine Art. Other than that, I have my Cypriot Apolytyrion with a 97 (19.5) and extra curriculars in Trinity College Vocals (Grade 8 with Merit) and Music Theory (Grade 3 with distinction) and will complete Grade 5 in that. Do you think I have a chance of getting in and would you advice me to do anything else in my final year to ensure I get in?


Hi Elena:smile:

I was accepted at the University of Durham this year so I can certainly understand how much you want to get in.
Your grades and activities are really really good. There's no "overdoing" it as a) you get the grades they want (you did!) and b)you enjoy what you do(you really do i guess). So on that aspect your chances of getting into Durham are high. I would advice you to try to excel in the languages you are studying as these will primarily get you in. And of course give more attention to A-levels. Extra activities are definitely important but they will not save you. A-levels will do.

Hope everything goes well.
Kali epitixia:smile:
Angelos
Reply 6419
Avatar for JD7
JD7
1
Original post by Anny Smiles
It seems to be that older ones have it on and newer ones don't? Friends in 3rd/4th year had it on, as a fresher I didn't. So I'm guessing a change at some point. Not sure why, so that's kind of a half answer for you!


Original post by pianofluteftw
Yeah it's about how old the campus card is - I joined 4 years ago and my original one had it on, but when I got a replacement it didn't anymore. I believe it's just because things changed and different rules apply with regards to the DSU and NUS - the DSU underwent a rebranding about the time it disappeared, and a new system of running the DSU (all around the same time the website changed such that it was then managed by Unioncloud) came in connected to the NUS. I think there also might have been something to do with the fact people were trying to use them to get full NUS discounts (normally only available to NUS extra card holders) so the change stopped that too :smile:


Thanks for the answers! Curiosity satisfied :smile: I figured it might have something to do with NUS and the Extra cards but I didn't twig that the 'stamped' cards were older.

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