The "Ask a Durham Student" Thread :)

Yup, Parson's Field is the name for the other site for Cuth's. They allocate your accommodation based on your catering choices. Those who've selected self-catered or part-catered will be at Parson's Field, and those who are catered on the Bailey.

Just a quick question of Durham's Student Union.

The other unis I have applied for have a broad range of union satisfaction rates from 72%-92% but Durham's is 42%. Is there a stand out reason for this on a particular year or is it generally low overall and why?

Thanks, :-) This is the main reason I'm a bit wary of Durham atm, I was assuming because the colleges are different to most universities this could be the case and I had heard that at one point they might leave NUS but I'm not very well informed about their Union/college arrangements

Just a quick question of Durham's Student Union.

The other unis I have applied for have a broad range of union satisfaction rates from 72%-92% but Durham's is 42%. Is there a stand out reason for this on a particular year or is it generally low overall and why?

Thanks, :-) This is the main reason I'm a bit wary of Durham atm, I was assuming because the colleges are different to most universities this could be the case and I had heard that at one point they might leave NUS but I'm not very well informed about their Union/college arrangements

Durham's Union compared to others is not particularly great, but that's because the union is basically the focal point at other unis. In contrast at Durham your college is basically a smaller, more intimate Union and so that's why I don't think it's as good.
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Yep, it's because of the collegiate structure. Basically a number of years ago the students union was more well used, however the whole structure changed as colleges began to put on more events and became the social hub of student life. Now the student's union mainly acts as an administrative centre for student's activities in general - there are loads of rooms student groups can use, a bar and the offices of all of the volunteering and charity staff, as well as all of the administrative services student groups can use (Durham has one of the highest number of student societies which are a massive part of coming here, so there's a lot of work!)

I wouldn't say it's worse though - in fact I reckon it's better. At Durham instead of having one social space where people go for cheap drinks etc (usually the student union at most other places), Durham has 14 - every college has it's own bar, own social spaces, own social events. I'd say my student experience has been more varied and much more exciting than my friends at most other unis, and the best bit is I've been able to tailor it to exactly what I want to do - Durham has more options

Also, with the NUS, don't worry about that at all. Lots of unis have disaffiliated at one time or another - it isn't a marker of how good/bad the uni is, it's about some of the rubbish stuff that comes along with being part of the NUS. Durham almost left it because the NUS tried to ban speakers that were booked to come to Durham, but didn't in the end. Basically the NUS occasionally has bad policies that restrict the freedom of individual unis, so sometimes they leave until they correct it.

Hi, I received an offer from Durham around 3 weeks ago but haven't actually received an official email or letter in the post etc, only the UCAS notification. Should I be worried or is everyone else in the same boat?

Hi, I received an offer from Durham around 3 weeks ago but haven't actually received an official email or letter in the post etc, only the UCAS notification. Should I be worried or is everyone else in the same boat?

Hi, can any current students tell me whether there's an active climbing/mountaineering club at Durham? Thanks

There is. I don't know much more about it other than it exists and I know someone that takes part quite regularly, but it is a thing.

Thanks.Is he/she on here, do you know?

I don't believe she is, but I can ask her next time I see her.

There is. I don't know much more about it other than it exists and I know someone that takes part quite regularly, but it is a thing.

Hi, just saw this and that's awesome! I'm an avid climber, do they have a climbing centre/wall?

Hi everyone, I'm applying for English but can't find how it's assessed online - does anyone know what percentage is coursework/exams etc? Also, what's English like in general at Durham? Thanks