The "Ask a Durham Student" Thread :)

Depends on the college, theres a lot at Hild Bede. Most students i'd say judging by when the lecturer brought up his daughter had a harder time studying natural sciences at Cambridge.

What depends on the college? The amount of Oxbridge rejects or the eton/harrow bunch? What would you say about St Marys?

I have a question - is Durham very Eton/Harrow/Westminster prone? Also, how many people do you know who are 'oxbridge rejects' lol

I've not met a single person from any of those schools, though I do also go to a college regarded as very unpretentious which doesn't attract many private school students generally! As for Oxbridge rejects, I know some, maybe about half the people I interact with regularly? Though the only time it's ever come up is "never have I ever applied to Oxbridge", and never mentioned since.

What college do you go to? What would you say about Marys?

Butler.

I believe Mary's has the highest number of private school students out of the Hill colleges (maybe second to Collingwood?) but I've never known them to be overwhelmingly pretentious in the times I've interacted with anyone from there.

Thank you what year are you in if you dont mind my asking?

Any Durham students studying Mathematics? If so I'd be interested to hear where else you applied and what made you choose Durham, as well as how you are finding it now that you are there! Sorry for the vague question, I'm just curious for people's general impression of the place as I can't decide between it and Bath University! Thank for any help in advance

A question for any chemists- would further maths AS (FP1, M2, S2 as the modules) help with the course a significant amount? Thinking about dropping it but that's probably unwise?
I'm also having to choose between durham and imperial so if anyone could give a quick rundown of positives and negatives that would be great
Thanks

Hello! I am a second year chemist at Durham. I took further maths to A2, and I strongly recommend it. Durham's degree is certainly mathematically inclined in certain areas. Any mathematics techniques picked up prior to university are incredibly useful. I did Edexcel's maths A levels, the majority of the maths i use on a daily basis is covered in fp2 and fp3 (a first year module loosely follows these courses, but if you have already done them it makes life so much easier). But the most important thing is to pick up a fluency in mathematics, particularly in integration and differentiation techniques; you can only really do this by doing more maths. In any subject that uses the application of maths, such as chemistry and physics, it can be really difficult to keep up with lectures if you have to learn the maths behind the science before you can understand it.

At university it up to yourself to learn what you need to know. If you are the sort of person who likes guided study with mathematics, make sure you learn it at school. If you are concerned that taking FM could cause you to fall behind with other subjects, don't worry, the maths will be taught to you at uni. But be mindful that anything you know prior to uni that is covered frees up more time to focus on things that you haven't covered before at school.

I can't comment on imperial.
But Durham;
Pros
Voted second best uni for chemistry this year ahead of oxford.
Collegiate system is really supportive. They build good networks with older students so if you struggle with something, you can always find someone who knows the answer.
Durham is a comfortable place to live. Everything you need is there in walking distance. Newcastle is only 15 minutes on the train.
The locals talk to you!

Cons
Durham is not London. If you want the big city style, Durham isn't for you.

In my opinion, Durham is perfect for me. You can only really gauge your own opinions by visiting on an open day.

What is so special with University College? Have the teachers big expectation from studengs? What about Foundation Year programm!

Hi, Physics fresher happy to answer any questions.

If you like a small city, but with loads of friends, places to visit in historic towns and great countryside nearby....it's for you.

Firstly... the city. It's amazing, I really have fallen in love with Durham as a place. It's so beautiful, small, cobbled streets, the amazing Cathedral, lovely local people (in town and working in our College). If you fancy distant, amorphous megalithic lumps of places....do NOT apply to Durham.

Lovely small city with great countryside all around....it will suit you very well.


Physics and science generally at Durham University is at the highest level. I can say the quality of all my Maths/Physics lectures/tutorials/labs have in the main been exceptional. Some of my lecturers are world leaders, but approachable and truly inspirational. Seriously, this place is quality...the real deal.

Colleges. I'm on the Bailey, at St Chads. It's a terrific area. 2 minutes walk to town, 10 minutes to the science site. Cathedral out my front door every morning. Every college is special however...and each have their best qualities. I adore Chads though..it's small, inclusive and very community orientated (with a great bar too), but every College is proud of their traditions, and everyone is loyal to their College. Quite right too.

Durham city, Durham University, College, subject.... I can honestly say I have had an unforgettable experience thus far. Its been wonderful. I wish I was going back to Durham today rather than next week. Plus, there's Candlemas Ball/Chad's Day coming up in February!!!! Pity we have collection exams next week... but we work and play hard as Durham students!

Anyone successful enough to hold a Durham offer...firm right away! It's going to be the best few years of your life.