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Chemistry Research, Durham University
Durham University
Durham

The "Ask a Durham Student" Thread :)

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Hi there
I will be studying Modern Languages at Durham starting this year and I was wondering what the department is like about student leave of absence? Do you think they would be ok with missing three days at the end of Michaelmas term if it's for a good reason?
Chemistry Research, Durham University
Durham University
Durham
Is it true that most students at Durham come from private schools, and most at the Queen's campus come from state schools?
Original post by King of the Ring
Is it true that most students at Durham come from private schools, and most at the Queen's campus come from state schools?


Short answer: no.

It is true that the Queen's Campus colleges have the highest proportion of state school students. Once you get to Durham City, the general trend is that the further down the hill you get, the more private school students you get in your college - Butler has the least, Hild Bede and Hatfield have the most. However, they're certainly not a majority in any of the colleges.
Original post by clonedmemories
Short answer: no.

It is true that the Queen's Campus colleges have the highest proportion of state school students. Once you get to Durham City, the general trend is that the further down the hill you get, the more private school students you get in your college - Butler has the least, Hild Bede and Hatfield have the most. However, they're certainly not a majority in any of the colleges.


I'm at Hild Bede, Im sure I saw the statistic 70% of our college was grammar/private. I can name maybe 4 people who went true state school.
Original post by TunaTunnel
I'm at Hild Bede, Im sure I saw the statistic 70% of our college was grammar/private. I can name maybe 4 people who went true state school.


The last set of admissions statistics I can find on the university website (for 2012/13 admissions, entry points in 2013 and 2014 for deferred entry) suggest that HB is exactly 50/50, and has the second highest proportion of independent school pupils (Hatfield in first), though the full breakdown is here :smile: Equally, I expect this fluctuates in terms of actual numbers with each admissions cycle, though I'm fairly sure that the general trend stays the same.

Edit: I found the ones for 2013/14 as well. All years from 2000/01 can be found on the university website (alongside lots of other interesting breakdowns!)
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by clonedmemories
The last set of admissions statistics I can find on the university website (for 2012/13 admissions, entry points in 2013 and 2014 for deferred entry) suggest that HB is exactly 50/50, and has the second highest proportion of independent school pupils (Hatfield in first), though the full breakdown is here :smile: Equally, I expect this fluctuates in terms of actual numbers with each admissions cycle, though I'm fairly sure that the general trend stays the same.

Edit: I found the ones for 2013/14 as well. All years from 2000/01 can be found on the university website (alongside lots of other interesting breakdowns!)


That includes grammar as state though right, not independent.
Original post by TunaTunnel
That includes grammar as state though right, not independent.


I would assume so, though I can't find anything that says so explicitly.
Original post by TunaTunnel
That includes grammar as state though right, not independent.


Yes, because grammar schools are state schools
Original post by clonedmemories
The last set of admissions statistics I can find on the university website (for 2012/13 admissions, entry points in 2013 and 2014 for deferred entry) suggest that HB is exactly 50/50, and has the second highest proportion of independent school pupils (Hatfield in first), though the full breakdown is here :smile: Equally, I expect this fluctuates in terms of actual numbers with each admissions cycle, though I'm fairly sure that the general trend stays the same.

Edit: I found the ones for 2013/14 as well. All years from 2000/01 can be found on the university website (alongside lots of other interesting breakdowns!)


Durham certainly attract a high percentage of students that have been privately educated, but that doesn't mean the actual numbers are high compared to other, larger universities.
I have a question about the city of Durham itself. One of my friends has told me that the local area on the whole is quite rough, and that relations between the locals and students are quite bad. I have even heard that if you go into the wrong pub, you may become a target for abuse, assault even. Is this true at all? It is mean't to be one of the safest cities in the UK on paper.
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by King of the Ring
I have a question about the city of Durham itself. One of my friends has told me that the local area on the whole is quite rough, and that relations between the locals and students are quite bad. I have even heard that if you go into the wrong pub, you may become a target for abuse, assault even. This this true at all? It is mean't to be one of the safest cities in the UK on paper.


No its not true. Just dont go somewhere like fighting kawks.
Original post by King of the Ring
I have a question about the city of Durham itself. One of my friends has told me that the local area on the whole is quite rough, and that relations between the locals and students are quite bad. I have even heard that if you go into the wrong pub, you may become a target for abuse, assault even. This this true at all? It is mean't to be one of the safest cities in the UK on paper.


The area as a whole is completely fine. There is one street which is slightly rougher by the gates shopping centre but again it's fine. There is a bit of a rivalry, and there's only one pub (the fighting cocks) where you may get abuse if you walk in as a student but it's not a particularly central pub and this would only really occur if you went in with uni stash on and acted like an idiot. On the whole Durham is an incredibly safe City.




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3P2S3
Is the Williamson Building and the Fergusson Building of St Mary's College just different sections/wings of the college or are they separate? Where do postgraduates live?
Original post by 3P2S3
Is the Williamson Building and the Fergusson Building of St Mary's College just different sections/wings of the college or are they separate? Where do postgraduates live?


Yeah they're just two seperate buildings - the two main ones :smile: One has the dining room/library/JCR in, plus some bedrooms and the other has mainly bedrooms (and the gym). Postgrads have their own little section/block which I believe have really nice rooms, but everything is really close to each other anyway (despite being seperate buildings, they're right next to each other)
Original post by Will9898
How does a law degree from Durham stand against London unis like LSE and UCL? I prefer Durham as a place, and I wouldn't have to take out a loan to buy a drink unlike in London😂 , but is it still ranked alongside London unis in terms of how prestigious it is?


The 2015/2016 ranking for Durham is 3rd in the UK for Law after Oxbridge. Durham is always pretty high alongside LSE and UCL and has a high reputation for excellence. If students don't go to Oxbridge for law it tends to be Durham.


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(edited 8 years ago)
I am hoping to book a train ticket home from Durham for Christmas in the next 2/3 weeks. I believe the 18th of December is the last day of term - does anyone know if there is any reason we would need to stay after this date or would it be safe to just book a train home on the 18th? Thanks in advance :-)
Hey Guys,
I've been alloted to St Cuthberts but would like to change my accommodation from Bailey site to parsons feild. Both of them belong to St Cuthberts.
Will it be possible to change now?. And
How can I go about it?
Original post by TheWolves
I am hoping to book a train ticket home from Durham for Christmas in the next 2/3 weeks. I believe the 18th of December is the last day of term - does anyone know if there is any reason we would need to stay after this date or would it be safe to just book a train home on the 18th? Thanks in advance :-)


Yeah it's usually fine - just remember to sign out from your college when you leave.


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Original post by tsandhu2
Hey Guys,
I've been alloted to St Cuthberts but would like to change my accommodation from Bailey site to parsons feild. Both of them belong to St Cuthberts.
Will it be possible to change now?. And
How can I go about it?


Unlikely, but get in contact with cuths ASAP and ask if the switch is possible.


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Original post by TheWolves
I am hoping to book a train ticket home from Durham for Christmas in the next 2/3 weeks. I believe the 18th of December is the last day of term - does anyone know if there is any reason we would need to stay after this date or would it be safe to just book a train home on the 18th? Thanks in advance :-)


Which college? Butler had our winter ball on the Friday night, so you'd potentially miss that kind of thing or even just a fun social or night with friends, but plenty of colleges have their balls (if they have one) before that and it wouldn't be the end of the world, I knew people who left on the Friday! :smile:

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