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Chemistry Research, Durham University
Durham University
Durham

The "Ask a Durham Student" Thread :)

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Dear all,
I was wondering what happens after exams here in Durham.
I know that there is time between then and the actual holidays.
The reason I ask is that I was hoping to do a Camp America type programme but they all need you to leave before June 20th and Durham doesn't technically finish until after that. :'(
Any help would be appreciated.
Chemistry Research, Durham University
Durham University
Durham
Original post by McJaeski
Dear all,
I was wondering what happens after exams here in Durham.
I know that there is time between then and the actual holidays.
The reason I ask is that I was hoping to do a Camp America type programme but they all need you to leave before June 20th and Durham doesn't technically finish until after that. :'(
Any help would be appreciated.


It depends on your subject. A few departments have academic commitments after exams (engineering, physics and archaeology are the ones I know definitely do, but others might as well), and there are things like balls and colleges days for everyone. If you don't have any academic things, it's fine to leave - I've done so for the last two years and never had an issue, but it's worth checking with your department first.
Original post by clonedmemories
It depends on your subject. A few departments have academic commitments after exams (engineering, physics and archaeology are the ones I know definitely do, but others might as well), and there are things like balls and colleges days for everyone. If you don't have any academic things, it's fine to leave - I've done so for the last two years and never had an issue, but it's worth checking with your department first.


Thanks so much for the quick reply.
Do you know what would be the best way for me to get in touch with my department on the matter?
Do you think it would be best to start at the module level and work my way up or is there a more general role I could ask?
Original post by McJaeski
Thanks so much for the quick reply.
Do you know what would be the best way for me to get in touch with my department on the matter?
Do you think it would be best to start at the module level and work my way up or is there a more general role I could ask?


Email the departmental secretary (and list your modules if appropriate) - they'll know who to forward it on to :smile: It could be any number of people, but this is a fairly common question so it's easiest just to ask them!
HiWhich is most respected/better - biological sciences or natural sciences??Thank you
Original post by georgia44
HiWhich is most respected/better - biological sciences or natural sciences??Thank you


I don't think there really is a proper answer to this! There's a lot to consider but basically it comes down to the fact that neither is automatically more respected.

The nature of natural sciences means that some people do pick and choose modules in a way to ensure that they maximise their grade, picking random modules all over the place which doesn't look great to employers. However, if you want to do Natural sciences because you have a genuine interest in a range of subjects and people can see a clear reason why you wanted to study what you did, of course it's respected! If anything, some people think that having some additional modules in other subjects (like Chemistry or Maths or a language) can be advantageous as you can demonstrate you have learnt additional skills.

It's complicated, but at the end of the day if you get a good grade in any degree, can demonstrate your skills in the area you want to enter as a career you'll be fine :smile:
Reply 6726
Avatar for Sarfo
Sarfo
I will be studying accounting and finance at queens campus I heard queens campus isn't great compared to durham City Can anyone tell me more about life at Queens campus ? Secondly are all exams done at the end of year May/June?Thanks
Any law students to share some thoughts of Durham?

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Original post by Sarfo
I will be studying accounting and finance at queens campus I heard queens campus isn't great compared to durham City Can anyone tell me more about life at Queens campus ? Secondly are all exams done at the end of year May/June?Thanks

I'm going to be studying at Queens next year and went for a visit this week. It is very different to Durham, its a new campus and a lot smaller they only teach business, finance, teacher training, applied psychology, medicine and pharmacy so it has 3000 students compared to 14,500 at the Durham campus. There aren't as many clubs and activities but it looked like there was still plenty to do.
I was told exams are twice a year January and June.
Reply 6729
Avatar for Sarfo
Sarfo
Did you like it?what did u like and didn't like?
Original post by loggins
Ok, the number of new threads in this sub-forum has increased dramatically of late and a lot of these could have been avoided with a little research (i.e use of the "search" function). That's not to say that the issues raised in each thread aren't important, but it's just not feasible for new threads to be started everytime somebody has a question.

Having discussed this with the moderators, the new plan is for this here thread, the "Ask a Current Student" thread to be created and stickied in the Durham sub-forum. If you have a question which you feel can be answered quickly and succinctly with just a couple of posts and you can't find the answer you are looking for using the "search" function, simply post your question in here, and with any luck a current Durham student will happily oblige and try to answer.

Also, here's a link to Becca's hugely useful and informative Durham FAQ Thread: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=130882

I hope this helps unclog the Durham sub-forum and look forward to seeing the thread in use :smile:.

Loggins :smile:


I want to apply to Durham university however I would like to know if there is library spaces which is so quiet and less of people that it is just awkward if you get what I mean. After visiting claire college of cambridge and seeing how less people were using the space and how the atosphere was, I fell in love and was wondering if Durham is the same.
Hi, I have an offer for NatSci, and I really think Durham would be a great place for me to study.
I am an international student, and since Norway's not part of the EU, I'll have to pay overseas fees. :frown: So, I suppose what I'm really wondering about is whether Durham is worth paying £20,900 + living costs x 3 for or not? It is A LOT of money, and I'm really scared of taking up those huge loans and discover halfway through that it's not for me or something.
Any advice/experiences would be much appreciated! :redface:
Original post by Sarfo
Did you like it?what did u like and didn't like?


Yeah I liked it. Everyone was so friendly. I liked the fact everything was central and looked over the river which makes a pretty study location. I really liked the library, I was huge and I couldnt belive how many computers there were, I think you could honestly go without your own and manage just fine. I liked the fact there seemed to be an event on every couple of days and the fact they have loads of clubs and if they dont have what you want they will give you the money to set it up yourself. The things I liked less were how small the shop and college bar/lounge were ( althought the fact the shop counts pick and mix as an essential, was cool :smile:) I thought they would be a lot bigger especially the shop when you have to feed yourself for all but two meals. With regards to clubs im also not sure what they have at the stockton campus and what you have to go to the durham campus to join, which is a shame. Although I know they have a rowing club at stockton and the sports hall was a lot bigger than i expected so there must be plenty of clubs there, I didn't ask as im disabled so wasnt interested. I also liked the fact there were sofas and chairs scattered all over the place which gave the uni a welcoming feel. Overall I was really impressed, and at the end of the day its the first class durham eductaion your there for.
(edited 7 years ago)
Anyone doing Combined Honours in Social Sciences? Could you tell me how it works? For examle: How do you chose your modules from the different departments? Are there any rules for that? Thanks :smile:
Original post by floraharai
Anyone doing Combined Honours in Social Sciences? Could you tell me how it works? For examle: How do you chose your modules from the different departments? Are there any rules for that? Thanks :smile:


I don't do it myself, but I know people who do, so I'll give you the information I know.

Basically, you take 50% or more of your modules in any of the Social Science departments, which you do through registering for the modules once you get your university log in (after your place is confirmed). They should give you enrolment instructions then, which allows you to select your modules. You can take your remaining modules to give the correct number of credits in any other department(s). Use the module handbooks (which you can find through google) to see what modules are available and get an idea of their content.

The things you need to consider when choosing your modules are:
1. Timetabling - you can't take two modules which clash, though this will be indicated to you when you do the enrolment if they do
2. The 50% rule - though these can be taken across any of the social science departments (up to four different subjects overall, I believe, in first year, reducing to 2/3 in second year)
3. Pre-requistes - you may wish to have a look at the modules available in second and potentially even third year to make sure you take the pre-requisite modules in previous years
My son has been allocated to Grey, and isn't very happy, can he ask to be re-allocated? Are there any Grey students on here?
Original post by Lemonpopsicle2
My son has been allocated to Grey, and isn't very happy, can he ask to be re-allocated? Are there any Grey students on here?


I am a Grey student. You cannot ask to be re-allocated. College reallocations only happen if you have some serious health issue or some other very serious problem. And they don't like it when you ask to change just because you don't like the college.
Anyway, when I was allocated to Grey, I was not very happy either; I just had the idea in my mind that I wanted to be living in a beautiful, historical building. However, I could not have been more wrong; Grey is awesome! It is a medium-sized college on beautiful grounds, just next to the science site. It is more spacious than the Bailey colleges, and definitely more relaxed. The people and the environment are very welcoming.
I would advise your son not to make the decision based on college but on academics instead, because in the end, almost everyone is happy with their college and has no complaint.
I've a few questions on the colleges. First, I'd like to if the students keep living in the same college for all the three years. Will we be re-allocated to another college on the second year? And if I'll get a shared room, will my room mate will be the same for the year?
Thanks :smile:
Original post by Simonab
I've a few questions on the colleges. First, I'd like to if the students keep living in the same college for all the three years. Will we be re-allocated to another college on the second year? And if I'll get a shared room, will my room mate will be the same for the year?
Thanks :smile:


You're a member of the college for all three years (unless you change under exceptional circumstances - I know a couple of people who have done, but not many), but you only tend to live in for first year. It is possible to live in in later years, but it depends on how many places the college has. Most people tend to live in Durham city for later years.

As for whether your roommate is the same, that depends on which college you're in. Some rotate rooms termly, some keep the same for a year, and if you rotate, you tend to get a choice as to who you want to live with through a room ballot system.
Original post by Bobkata
Any law students to share some thoughts of Durham?

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I'm a second lawyer. Really enjoying my time at Durham.

Pros for me:
- small intimate (bump into someone I know basically every time I go out) and is definitely a bonus for nights out and sports.
- department is very good - the law school is one of the top departments that the uni has (up there with history and English and science)
- law firms love Durham students
- close to Newcastle so if you want better nights out you can go there pretty easily
- collegiate system - means you meet far more people than you would at halls at another university.
- tradition (matriculation and formals are definite highlights)
- law course is decent - good feedback and quality of lecturers is to a decent standard.

Cons:
- student union is pretty weak (but college bars and JCRs make up for this)
- not enough clubs in Durham itself
- can potentially feel like a bubble (although I don't find this an issue - some do though)
- potentially far away from home
- quite far from London (3 hour train) annoying for going down for interviews or home if you live in the south

Overall I'm glad I'm at Durham over any city university. If you have any other questions I haven't covered in this post feel free to ask!



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