The Student Room Logo
Applying to Uni for 2024? Find your Uni here and chat with others! >>
Applying to Uni for 2024? Find your Uni here and chat with others! >>
Applying to Uni for 2024? Find your Uni here and chat with others! >>
Chemistry Research, Durham University
Durham University
Durham

The "Ask a Durham Student" Thread :)

Scroll to see replies

I got an offer for politics and IR. I didnt put any college code in the choose campus section. How will I be allocated a college? will it be a good college?
Chemistry Research, Durham University
Durham University
Durham
Original post by fult28
I got an offer for politics and IR. I didnt put any college code in the choose campus section. How will I be allocated a college? will it be a good college?

I would get in contact to them and ask. Most likely you will be put into a random college that has space. Although, you may be lucky and be put somewhere else. Either way, Most likely South college or John Snow as they are the least subscribed.
Original post by Rosaisqueen
i’ve got a place at durham next year but i’m thinking about withdrawing my place due to the abhorrent headlines about racism and classism this year. is it noticeably bad? are certain colleges more prone to these attitudes? i’ve got into st cuths for reference.

i’d really appreciate an honest answer
thanks :smile:

Don’t let that put you off. For your average student, it’s a safe community, including if you’re of colour. However, It depends on how involved you’d like to get at the uni and with how many people you get in contact with. The more people you’ll meet, the higher the chances of racism. Especially, if youre interested in running for quite senior leadership positions! The racist ********s will come out, and that’s the problem, some people just want to be *****.
Overall, it’s a lovely community, no one will ever be racist to you in your face. The media is quite bad, and Durham deserves the attention they are now getting. However, Don’t let that put you off! It is such a diverse community with so many races, religions and nationalities. I’d just avoid the toxic groups of private schools cliques...

It’s a very hard question, the beauty of Durham is that it is a small city, and people are therefore quite alike and respectful. If you were to go to bigger cities such as MCR, I’d imagine the levels of racism would be higher.

I hope that makes sense!
Hi I'm thinking of applying to computer science, I was wondering if anybody knew how strict the grade requirements are. Im predicated A*AA which is enough for the course but im not 100% sure i can achieve this especially with covid. How likely are they to still accept me if i fall a grade bellow on results day?
Original post by oliviak121
Hi I'm thinking of applying to computer science, I was wondering if anybody knew how strict the grade requirements are. Im predicated A*AA which is enough for the course but im not 100% sure i can achieve this especially with covid. How likely are they to still accept me if i fall a grade bellow on results day?

Hiya :wavey:
If you're predicted the results, but just worried about achieving them I'd say it's worth applying :smile: For the majority of courses Durham are able to be flexible on results day with a grade below, especially if it's maybe in a slightly less relevant subject, and you're given the highest offer for your course. For instance in maths, some people get an A*A*A offer, some get A*AA and some lower, but if someone that had an A*A*A offer got A*AA they'd be the first to be accepted after everyone that meets their offer iyswim?
You may also be surprised and find you get a lower offer, Durham does surprise people like that sometimes and it's worth checking if you'd be eligible for a contextual offer also :yep:
I'd say it's definitely worth applying, if you're less confident when it comes closer to the time you can always not put them as your firm or insurance, as long as you aren't applying to 5 places with similar problems you'll be fine :smile:
For Liberal Arts/ Combined honours, how is each student assessed after each term/ year?
Just letting everyone know that I'm a first year CS student at Durham and ya'll can ask me questions :smile:
Hey, I originally applied to Collingwood but am considering changing my preference to another college. I've applied to study politics.

- I'm from a private school (make of that what you will, but not one of 'those' people typically associated with private schools)
- Would definitely prefer Catered accommodation for first year
- Would be nice to be close to my subject department, but would also potentially like to be on the Bailey.
- Want a college that has a really active social community and that is fairly big on sports (Probs one of the most important other than being catered for)
- Also a good bar would be nice
- Not too bothered by the aesthetics but not too bad/prison like (i.e. rules out trevs)
- Also, some college traditions would be cool but not necessary.

Would be grateful if any current Durham students could give suggestions on what I should do?
Does Durham ask for proof of gcses?
Original post by Anonymous
Does Durham ask for proof of gcses?

Not standardly, they'll be able to check them from your unique learner number which goes on your UCAS application :smile:
Hi! Does anyone have any info on Grey College? I've put this as my preferred choice but I don't really know too much about it as we've obviously been unable to attend Open Days this year. Would someone mind giving me their opinions on Grey - what they like/dislike, what makes it different, how easy is it to get ensuite rooms, how big are the rooms? I'd be so grateful for any information anyone could give me because I'm a little worried because I have no idea what to expect

Also, how is accommodation allocated? I think I've seen somewhere that there are three different blocks, each at a different price - are you given a say in this i.e. can you say which you'd prefer? And could anyone point me towards photos/more info for each of these.

Thank you SO much in advance, I really appreciate it x
Hi, on the website it says if I go to a state school (I do) and am in receipt of free school meals then I'm eligible for a contextual offer. I'm not currently in receipt of free school meals but I have been for like 6 years, and I am still eligible for free school meals now (I'm just not in receipt of them). Would I still be considered for a contextual offer or a normal one?

Also, is it true that successful applicants to the Levelling Up: Aspire Higher programme are guaranteed a conditional offer?
Original post by Anonymous
Hi! Does anyone have any info on Grey College? I've put this as my preferred choice but I don't really know too much about it as we've obviously been unable to attend Open Days this year. Would someone mind giving me their opinions on Grey - what they like/dislike, what makes it different, how easy is it to get ensuite rooms, how big are the rooms? I'd be so grateful for any information anyone could give me because I'm a little worried because I have no idea what to expect

Also, how is accommodation allocated? I think I've seen somewhere that there are three different blocks, each at a different price - are you given a say in this i.e. can you say which you'd prefer? And could anyone point me towards photos/more info for each of these.

Thank you SO much in advance, I really appreciate it x

Grey isn't a college with a massive reputation tbh, it's fairly neutral in most things! It's the closest college to the science site which lots of people appreciate, and is a fairly large site for the size of college it is. Ensuites are around 20% iirc, but they will first go to those with medical needs, which given it's proximity to the science site may be higher than the average college, so I'd imagine it's fairly competitive to get an ensuite. You can have a look at the rooms on their website: https://www.dur.ac.uk/grey.college/collegelife/accommodation/ :smile:
You'll be able to say which type of accommodation you'd prefer, but the prices won't be vastly different, you get a slight increase if you have an ensuite and a slight decrease if you share a room, so I wouldn't worry about that too much! Accommodation is typically allocated by first looking at medical needs, then trying to match up people with similar likes etc. and putting them in accommodation accordingly :smile:
Original post by aaron2578
Hi, on the website it says if I go to a state school (I do) and am in receipt of free school meals then I'm eligible for a contextual offer. I'm not currently in receipt of free school meals but I have been for like 6 years, and I am still eligible for free school meals now (I'm just not in receipt of them). Would I still be considered for a contextual offer or a normal one?

Also, is it true that successful applicants to the Levelling Up: Aspire Higher programme are guaranteed a conditional offer?

I would imagine being eligible for them would be what matters, or possibly if your school/college is currently claiming the extra money they can get for pupils eligible for free school meals for you. It says on here: https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/contextualoffers/, that your referee needs to email the email address on there if you're eligible for free school meals so you should get them to do this asap :smile:

Having had a quick google it does look to be that way, yes :smile:
Original post by Lemur14
Grey isn't a college with a massive reputation tbh, it's fairly neutral in most things! It's the closest college to the science site which lots of people appreciate, and is a fairly large site for the size of college it is. Ensuites are around 20% iirc, but they will first go to those with medical needs, which given it's proximity to the science site may be higher than the average college, so I'd imagine it's fairly competitive to get an ensuite. You can have a look at the rooms on their website: https://www.dur.ac.uk/grey.college/collegelife/accommodation/ :smile:
You'll be able to say which type of accommodation you'd prefer, but the prices won't be vastly different, you get a slight increase if you have an ensuite and a slight decrease if you share a room, so I wouldn't worry about that too much! Accommodation is typically allocated by first looking at medical needs, then trying to match up people with similar likes etc. and putting them in accommodation accordingly :smile:

I would imagine being eligible for them would be what matters, or possibly if your school/college is currently claiming the extra money they can get for pupils eligible for free school meals for you. It says on here: https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/ug/apply/contextualoffers/, that your referee needs to email the email address on there if you're eligible for free school meals so you should get them to do this asap :smile:

Having had a quick google it does look to be that way, yes :smile:

Thank you!! Really appreciate your help. I know there are small pantries on each corridor because it's catered, but do you know if there are a few fully-equipped kitchens dotted around anywhere? Sorry to be a pain haha :smile:
Original post by the_normal_user
Hey, I originally applied to Collingwood but am considering changing my preference to another college. I've applied to study politics.

- I'm from a private school (make of that what you will, but not one of 'those' people typically associated with private schools)
- Would definitely prefer Catered accommodation for first year
- Would be nice to be close to my subject department, but would also potentially like to be on the Bailey.
- Want a college that has a really active social community and that is fairly big on sports (Probs one of the most important other than being catered for)
- Also a good bar would be nice
- Not too bothered by the aesthetics but not too bad/prison like (i.e. rules out trevs)
- Also, some college traditions would be cool but not necessary.

Would be grateful if any current Durham students could give suggestions on what I should do?

Hey! Probably Cuths would be your best shout or even Castle, they are both quite chilled and have a lovely community that would match your listed criteria :smile:
Original post by prostheticzeta
Hey! Probably Cuths would be your best shout or even Castle, they are both quite chilled and have a lovely community that would match your listed criteria :smile:

Yeh I was thinking Cuths, but I am worried I'd be put in the self-catered accomodation at Parson's field. Is there a big risk of happening? Would it be better sticking with Collingwood?
Original post by the_normal_user
Yeh I was thinking Cuths, but I am worried I'd be put in the self-catered accomodation at Parson's field. Is there a big risk of happening? Would it be better sticking with Collingwood?

Cuths is 75% self-catered and the catered part is usually extremely oversubscribed so if you're not happy with risking self-catered I'd stick with Collingwood :smile:
Original post by Lemur14
Cuths is 75% self-catered and the catered part is usually extremely oversubscribed so if you're not happy with risking self-catered I'd stick with Collingwood :smile:

Ok, thanks so much for your help :smile:
Original post by the_normal_user
Ok, thanks so much for your help :smile:

From what you've said it actually sounds like Collingwood is perfect for you. Bailey colleges are always oversubscribed, and don't have the space/capacity to have a strong sports focus. A lot of people seem to think the newer hill colleges don't have the same sort of traditions, but this is completely wrong. Collingwood doesn't have gowned formals, that is the only thing your 'missing out' on. It should be said you spend £60 on a gown you wear max 20 times and really isn't worth it in my opinion :smile:. Collingwood has one of the most popular bars, a signature drink, I believe i'm right in saying the biggest sports teams (going down to a J team) and its catered which is far more social than self catered AND is far less work.
Original post by bushelboi
question :ciao:

Is everyone who goes to Durham bitter they didn't get into oxbridge?

I didn't apply to oxbridge. I did however apply to be part of Doxbridge :tongue:. (let me have this my grades weren't good enough for oxbridge x)

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Trending

Latest