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The "Ask a Durham Student" Thread :)

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Original post
by Anonymous
What are the views on changing rooms while already in your 1st year in a room? Not colleges, but just the rooms

It does happen but you'd need a reason. Colleges will also have very little space so there won't be much choice of anything (room type if your college has multiple or even block) if you're expecting that

Reply 7821

Are hairdryers allowed in dorms? Specifically John Snow townhouse?

Reply 7822

Original post
by Anonymous
Are hairdryers allowed in dorms? Specifically John Snow townhouse?

Hiya,

Yes they are allowed 🙂

-Ghala

Reply 7823

Hi, my daughter’s got a conditional offer for economics 2025. Are most lectures held in the business school? If so, are the hill colleges the closest for her? She wants to choose the colleges to visit on offer holder days. Thanks!

Reply 7824

Original post
by rameshsai
Hi, my daughter’s got a conditional offer for economics 2025. Are most lectures held in the business school? If so, are the hill colleges the closest for her? She wants to choose the colleges to visit on offer holder days. Thanks!

for Econ most lectures this year are in the TLC & Calman which are science site, meaning hill colleges like St.Marys & Trevs are closest. The business school is closer to the bailey colleges but it's not really used for a lot of contact hours as of yet.

Reply 7825

Original post
by ash1234097
for Econ most lectures this year are in the TLC & Calman which are science site, meaning hill colleges like St.Marys & Trevs are closest. The business school is closer to the bailey colleges but it's not really used for a lot of contact hours as of yet.

Thank you, that is very useful to know. She can have another look and decide on options for ranking the preferences

Reply 7826

Original post
by ash1234097
for Econ most lectures this year are in the TLC & Calman which are science site, meaning hill colleges like St.Marys & Trevs are closest. The business school is closer to the bailey colleges but it's not really used for a lot of contact hours as of yet.

Hi, me again! She has decided self catered..so looking at John Snow, South and Josephine Butler. She will visit these on Offer Holder day next Saturday. Hopefully she gets into one of these. Looking at the map, the TLC and Calman seem to be within 15 minute walking distance..is that correct? Thank you.

Reply 7827

Are there any durham students who have scholarships/bursaries that could give me any advice? I'm trying to write a mini-essay about my 'personal circumstances' and such stuff but I really don't know what they are looking for- I'm assuming students with academic appetite but restricting circumstances? I know it's kinda close to the deadline for submission but I'm really hoping for a scholarship or bursary and any help would be appreciated <3

Reply 7828

Is there anyway I can change my allocated college away from St Aiden's please?

The more I hear about St Aiden's the more I know that I'll utterly despise it.

Reply 7829

Original post
by Anonymous
Is there anyway I can change my allocated college away from St Aiden's please?
The more I hear about St Aiden's the more I know that I'll utterly despise it.

you may be reallocated upon results day but there is nothing you can do to influence this. However, I would suggest being more open minding and recognise you can't hate something you've not experienced yet!

Reply 7830

How much is laundry at hild bede?
And is the gym free for college members?

Reply 7831

Original post
by Anonymous
How much is laundry at hild bede?
And is the gym free for college members?

Hild Bede first years (including my son!) are in a temporary halls of residence this year due to renovations at the college, the laundry is £ 2.60 per wash which he thinks is the same at every college and the gym is free but you should probably check whether this September's first years will be in the same place or moving back to the actual college location where costs may be different.

Reply 7832

Thanks for the info

Reply 7833

Original post
by Anonymous
Is there anyway I can change my allocated college away from St Aiden's please?
The more I hear about St Aiden's the more I know that I'll utterly despise it.
Hey! Sorry to hear you are having worries about St Aiden’s college. I want to reassure you that St Aiden’s, like all Durham colleges, is a great place to be. I know it can feel a bit worrying from the outside looking in, but colleges at Durham really are more similar than they are different.

Here are some good things about Aiden’s to focus on:

Stunning location & views You get some of the best panoramic views of Durham Cathedral and the city. Yes, it’s a bit of a walk up the hill, but the scenery and peaceful atmosphere make it worth it.

Strong community spirit Because of its size and layout , it’s easy to bump into people and get to know them.

Active JCR & events St Aidan’s has a lively student-run Junior Common Room with frequent social events, music nights, formals, and welfare activities.

Inclusive and supportive Known for being open-minded and friendly, with good pastoral care. The staff and student welfare teams tend to be very approachable.

Beautiful building The architecture is distinctive, and being under one roof means common areas, library, and dining are close together.

Balance of quiet and sociable There’s plenty going on. That balance suits many postgraduates who want a social life without it being overwhelming.


I hope this settles your mind a little about St Aiden’s college - it really is a lovely college.

Durham Rep (Mia)

Reply 7834

Original post
by IlIlllIl
Dear all PG students from Durham
As a postgrad student, would there be a lot of drawbacks to not joining Ustinov college?
Can PG students in other colleges join common rooms or participate in PG events at Ustinov?

Hey! I will be starting as. PG student next year and I also completed my undergrad here.

Ustinov is Durham’s only all-postgraduate college, so its events and community are entirely PG-focused - some students really value that. That said, being in another college as a postgraduate is by no means a drawback for everyone.

Most mixed (UG+PG) colleges still have strong postgraduate common rooms (often called MCRs) with their own social calendars, welfare teams, and academic support. You’ll still have access to formals, societies, and college-run activities, plus the wider university’s postgraduate network.

I am staying with Josephine Butler college and I don’t see how this would be a drawback for me. There is a good PG community at Butler, alongside the other colleges, and I can still attend Ustinov events as a guest.

In short: you can still have a rich PG social life without being at Ustinov, and you’ll meet other postgrads through your own college, your course, societies, and city life. Ustinov is a great option, but it’s not the only gateway to a strong postgraduate community at Durham.

I hope this helps!

Durham Rep (Mia)

Reply 7835

Original post
by Squiggles1238
Why do so many people seem to dislike st hild and st bede? Whats bad about it
Hey!

Some people may describe Hild Bede as “far away” but the truth is that nothing in Durham is ever really that far!! It’s such a small, walkable city that no colleges are completely isolated.

Hild Bede is a great college with lots of positives such as:

Being close to the city centre It’s within easy walking distance of both the city centre and some academic departments, which is handy for lectures, shops, and cafés.

Spacious and traditional feel.

Strong community atmosphere.

Plenty of facilities on-site It’s one of the larger colleges, so you get extensive facilities including a chapel, library, music rooms, and social spaces.

Supportive environment Good pastoral care, approachable staff, and active student committees help postgraduates settle in.

Diverse student body The size means you meet people from many backgrounds and courses, giving you a broad social network.


I hope this helps you!

Durham Rep Mia

Reply 7836

Hello,
I am currently at the stage of selecting my final choices for university. I am pretty set on Durham so far to study Primary Education.

However, I have Autism and sometimes struggle with anxiety because of it. Despite being generally able to manage and regulate myself, I benefit greatly from support and understanding from my current sixth form staff. I was wondering if any Durham students who relate to this in any way receive high quality, understanding support from staff. This will greatly help me in deciding wether Durham is my first choice.

Thank you in advance :smile:!

Reply 7837

Original post
by Anonymous
Hello,
I am currently at the stage of selecting my final choices for university. I am pretty set on Durham so far to study Primary Education.
However, I have Autism and sometimes struggle with anxiety because of it. Despite being generally able to manage and regulate myself, I benefit greatly from support and understanding from my current sixth form staff. I was wondering if any Durham students who relate to this in any way receive high quality, understanding support from staff. This will greatly help me in deciding wether Durham is my first choice.
Thank you in advance :smile:!

Hi! Durham has dedicated autism support, they offer help with transitions, tailored adjustments, and ongoing wellbeing support throughout your degree. Many students connect with the Disability Support team early, even before applying, to discuss their needs or arrange a visit. If you benefit from staff understanding, Durham does have systems in place to support that.

Durham has many layers of support in general too. Colleges make accessing this easier as you have your college support system and the university-wide options. Hope this helps!

Mia (DU rep)

Reply 7838

Original post
by DurhamRep Mia
Hi! Durham has dedicated autism support, they offer help with transitions, tailored adjustments, and ongoing wellbeing support throughout your degree. Many students connect with the Disability Support team early, even before applying, to discuss their needs or arrange a visit. If you benefit from staff understanding, Durham does have systems in place to support that.
Durham has many layers of support in general too. Colleges make accessing this easier as you have your college support system and the university-wide options. Hope this helps!
Mia (DU rep)

Thank you so much for your reply!! Its much appreciated

Reply 7839

How would you rank the colleges now based on lived experience. Would it be different to how you ranked them when you applied- and if so why

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