The "Ask a Durham Student" Thread :)

overall you don't like queens campus environment?

Hello! I have been allocated to St. Chad's. I was wondering, do you live within the college? Or in the city? Was confused when I saw it had 10 residencies. Thanks!

Okay this may be a strange question, but do you like studying in Durham? Can you please elaborate on what makes it great/not so great? I am really in between choices (and countries), and I would really appreciate your honest opinions!

Can you tell us which subject you're interested in? We can be more helpful if we have details!

Your question is very broad but I'll answer generally.

Personally, I like studying in Durham. I like the city. I like the cafés. I like how walkable it is. I like the cathedral and the scenery. I don't like the train journey home at the beginning and end of each term.

I like the collegiate system and I think it's a huge advantage of coming to Durham. I love the huge range of sports and societies on offer. I'm less keen on how cliquey it is, but I think you get that anywhere.

I don't like how expensive everything is.

I mostly like my departments, although organisation and communication leaves a lot to be desired. I like most of my modules and I love research-led teaching, which is the big advantage of studying at one of the best universities in the country/world.

Does this help?

This is very helpful, thank you! I realise it is a broad question, but I wanted a broad answer! How do you define expensive, if I may ask?

This is very helpful, thank you! I realise it is a broad question, but I wanted a broad answer! How do you define expensive, if I may ask?

Living in college is expensive (details on the university website) and everything you do with the university seems to cost extra. You have to pay for printing, pay to join clubs and societies, pay for stash...

It's not that it's expensive individually but it adds up and it niggles at me.

I echo this, it is mainly the "little" things in college that add up. Things like paying to belong to my college JCR, for example, was quite expensive and not something I expected until I was told about it. I can just about afford the basic accommodation costs but when the extra college stuff is added it's more than what student finance provides me.

However I think the college system is fantastic because it's so easy to make friends from the very start. There are always events going on (particularly at the beginning of first term) and in general college feels very welcoming. Plus there are people you can easily go to if you have problems - there are welfare teams in each college, for example, that you can see as soon as a problem arises. Whereas at some other non-collegiate universities you usually have to sign up for things like this, and there's usually a waiting list (which becomes problematic if you have an urgent issue you want to discuss with someone). College definitely provides a lot of support, so even though the costs can be slightly daunting, I don't regret choosing Durham.

thanks guys, this is really helpful! i really need honest opinions from students - the official websites will obviously promote the things they think are great. Do you mind me asking what college you're at, and what you study?

Does anyone know how hard/easy it is to get on a study abroad? And how this is decided? I've been offered a place for history and I'd really love a year studying and researching and furthering a language!

I found this article on line http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3102825/And-thought-child-s-room-home-bad-Students-open-doors-disgusting-digs-overflowing-bins-broken-glass-MAGGOTS-norm.html containing disgusting photos of uni halls, rooms and toilets(including one from Durham). So I was wandering if there will be cleaners at Durham uni at least in the halls once a week/month

I found this article on line http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3102825/And-thought-child-s-room-home-bad-Students-open-doors-disgusting-digs-overflowing-bins-broken-glass-MAGGOTS-norm.html containing disgusting photos of uni halls, rooms and toilets(including one from Durham). So I was wandering if there will be cleaners at Durham uni at least in the halls once a week/month

Oh that's good! And what is your college? I hope it's gonna work like this also in the Grey College

So these students leave their digs in a state and you expect the uni to get cleaners in to clear it up? Surely it's a matter of the students should clean it when it's in that state!

SS