The "Ask a Durham Student" Thread :)

Hi, i was wondering if anyone knows where the sociology department is?
I picked a sociology class to fill in as an extra 20 credit module for my psychology course but realised I dont really know where the department is? I walked around Durham using a map to try to find it but couldnt find the building (or any building with a sign saying: department of sociology )
After googling the postcodes given on the website for the department and the offices both show up at a building with a red door- is this it?
Many thanks if anyone can help with this- I'm usually terrible at directions XD

There's a car park at the top so I'm assuming there is a way to be driven or drive there without going near the steps. You have a few options:

1. you can have a friend/family member drive you and take your stuff to your room.
2. you can get a taxi from the train station depending on how much luggage you have (St. Aidan's College is a 5-minute taxi ride (about £3) from Durham Station). I've used local taxis with two suitcases before but wouldn't work for a car full of stuff.
3. you can unload stuff and carry it in gradually up the hill (easier with other people to help).

https://www.dur.ac.uk/st-aidans.college/contacts_visits/directions/

Durham Physics department is really good. I've known lots of physicists who really enjoy(ed) it. KCL is more known for humanities/social sciences than pure sciences (particularly history, or at least that is the impression from someone who hasn't studied there) but ultimately I think it's a good idea to look at the course pages for both and closely look at the modules and see which you prefer on that basis.



Typical student stuff really minus the cooking equipment as your son will be catered. A bed is provided (check with Chad's via their website for specifics) but I would also bring:
- own sheets, duvet and pillows if possible
- Clothes
- books
- electronic items (make sure you have a converter/has right voltage if international)
- sturdy backpack
- a printer can be useful though not essential
- rolling bag for laundry (this was really handy for me lol as our laundry was down a hill)
- toiletries
- any required books, a folder with paper, pencil case
- documentation eg passport for registration and setting up a bank account if not already done

You can also google some websites 'what should i pack for uni' for more tips.



sorry to hear about your experience although Durham is a great place for a lot of people, I would agree there are some aspects that are difficult especially for those that are from a working class background, disabled students, BME students or who struggle with finances. the university does what it can but unfortunately it is my belief they could do more for instance by investing more in financial support than in increasing student numbers at the expense of student welfare.

you can't get a refund from choosing to go to university unless your university is revealed as fake/fraudulent/non-existent which is not the case with Durham as it's accredited. if you do have a complaint, you can always contact the students union or the vice-chancellor if you're feeling brave although you may not receive a response. if it turns out you have a genuine grievance or feel you were discriminated against you may be able to receive some compensation although I would not count on this as this is difficult to prove.

genuine discrimination however is different from feeling let down by an experience or less-than-expected career prospects. in that case, it would be good to place some distance and not be reminded and to try to move to the next stage of life.

i was discriminatefd against because i was pregnant and it was one of my lecturers baby, they did everything they could to suppress me and keep me quiet.

Hi, how competitive is the admission to Castle?

It's a random allocation process so I wouldn't call it "competitive", it's hard to tell whether you'll get it as there is no advantage for those with good academics but rather that they try and allocate a similar proportion of people studying each subject in each college.

yes but because so many people apply to castle it is more competitive as you're less likely to get in...

you can play it safe and apply direct to a less-competitive but still half-decent college (i.e. van mildert) instead of risking castle and ending up at trevs ^jk

If I were to advise someone to "play it safe", I would tell them to apply for Cuths

Hi, my daughter has just found out she is sharing a room at St John's in the main building (Cramner) with an international student. Do you think this means she won't have to move out at holidays?

Can someone please tell me the pros and cons of Collingwood college, or suggest another college? I am applying to study Chemistry MSci and am a fairly focused on academics but really enjoy being social and having a good time! I would prefer somewhere with more modern rooms and somewhere that is sporty, fun, not too far from science site and catere, if any of that helps...