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Durham University

Durham

St Andrews or Durham?

I've recently been so fortunate to receive offers from St Andrews and Durham to study History. I'm having a difficult time trying to decide between the two! My teachers seem to think Durham is the better institution, but I'm not sure how true this is. Opinions please and pros and cons of each? Thank you!

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Reply 1

EmilySarah00

Have you visited both the universities? Going to see them and seeing how much you gel with the places is very important.

Durham University

Durham

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Reply 2

gcsemusicsucks

Original post by Mol_ly

I'm in the exact same position as you but for maths! Have you compared the courses/looked at the modules studied in each? Which one do you prefer/do you think you'd prefer to study? Also, have you been to visit them? The way I'm deciding is by visiting them - I'm hoping that experiencing the two places will help me decide which one I like better!

Nobody else can say which university is the better one for you, it all boils down to personal preference :smile:

Reply 3

Anagogic

Original post by Mol_ly

Congratulations :h:

. I don't think it really matters both are highly regarded institutions, you could possibly argue that St Andrews is probably more renown globally but it's of little significance. In your case visit both areas and try to visualise yourself living at each destination and see which appeals to you more. Along with this check what resources are at you disposal and probably the most important is to see if you prefer the content of one course over the other as they will differ along with how they are assessed also. Then you should be able to make a pretty informed decision, good luck.

Reply 4

Mol_ly

Original post by gcsemusicsucks

Congratulations on getting offers! Do you have a preference at the moment? I do think I'm slightly leaning towards St Andrews because I loved the atmosphere on the open day compared to the atmosphere at Durham. However the fact that St Andrews is 4 years, not 3, is a massive drawback for me

Reply 5

Mol_ly

Original post by Anagogic

Congratulations :h:

Thank you!

Reply 6

gcsemusicsucks

Original post by Mol_ly

Ironically they're actually the two universities I have yet to receive replies (offers/rejections) from, but assuming I got offers I would probably firm Durham and insure St Andrews, since I just prefer the collegiate system at Durham and it's supposed to be great for Music (I want to take music modules in 1st and 3rd year)! :teehee:

Although I'm really not sure because I could potentially end up hating Durham as a place and prefer St Andrews, so I do think visiting them is important. For Maths you can apply for direct entry into year 2 if you do Further Maths, so I did that, meaning my course is only 3 years :smile:

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 7

Mol_ly

Original post by gcsemusicsucks

I hope you hear good news soon! Let me know which you prefer once you visit :smile:

Reply 8

gcsemusicsucks

Original post by Mol_ly

I hope you hear good news soon! Let me know which you prefer once you visit :smile:

I hope so too! Will do :smile:

Reply 9

Quarkboi

Not to put down Durham in any shape or form, but this is not true. It is actually 9th oldest, being founded in 1832. The universities that are older are:

1. Oxford (1096)
2. Cambridge (1209)
3. St Andrews (1410)
4. Glasgow (1451)
5. Aberdeen (1495)
6. Edinburgh (1583)
7. Manchester (1824)
8. UCL (1826)
with
9. Durham (1832)

This makes Durham the 9th oldest univeristy in the UK and 5th oldest in England. Hope this information may be of some use.

Reply 10

DarkEnergy

Also in the same position but for Computer Science. Most likely going to choose Durham as even though I think the St Andrews course is slightly better, I much prefer Durham as a city and I think the college system is great.

Reply 11

Jay Smith

It depends what you want out of the experience. I'd say the unis are pretty much on par, especially for history. St. Andrews doesn't have any clubs, so you won't get a nightlife if that's what you're after. I'm just finishing at Durham and I've had a great time. I've got a mate at St. Andrews who hasn't. Best of luck.

Reply 12

A02ft1

I had to make the same choice in 2014. Back then Durham had a slight edge in the rankings, now, St Andrews has the edge.

The reality is they’ll both be quite similar experiences. These are the two most prestigious UK universities behind Oxbridge, some at Durham even joke that it’s ‘Doxbridge’. Unlike the London universities, Durham and St Andrews give a similar-to-oxbridge life, with societies, gowned dinners and balls.

I chose Durham mainly because the undergrad is 3 years rather than 4 at St Andrews. Also, for Durham, it depends if you got into a Bailey (old) or Hill (newer) college.

Reply 13

A02ft1

I went to Durham and it’s great. Academically, one could argue Durham is on par with Oxbridge for English, Theology and Geography (that is, the faculty is just as good). But that’s only for the academics, because for overall reputation/prestige “Doxbridge” is unfortunately not a reality.

Reply 14

Wormit

Eh you mean England not Britain......... Durham founded 1832. St Andrews 400 hundred year earlier in 1413, the third oldest university in the English speaking world after Oxbridge. Durham is not one of the 'ancients' (Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dublin). Durham and St Andrews are indeed similar in prestige and quality, traditions, robes, beautiful buildings, setting etc. St Andrews has consistently edged slightly ahead in UK league tables in last 5 years or so, currently no 5 in Complete University Guide (Durham 6), 3rd in Guardian (Durham 5) but essentially they are both Top 5/10 institutions with high rankings in subject tables. I agree, go and visit and decide which one you prefer

Reply 15

username3250852

Hi, I’m in the exact same position as you but this year- what did you choose in the end??

Reply 16

Anonymous #1

Original post by caitlinhayes

Hi, I’m in the exact same position as you but this year- what did you choose in the end??

St. Andrews in the end! Definitely the right decision :smile:

Reply 17

vanessaneilson

Hi! I’m in the same position as you - I’m debating on whethere I want to attend St Andrews or Durham for a History undergrad - what has your overall experience of St Andrews been so far? I’ve never really been a big-city girl, but is the town too small? I’ve loved internationally all my life, so I’m wondering how the international population in St Andrews is?

Original post by Anonymous

St. Andrews in the end! Definitely the right decision :smile:

Reply 18

StarLinyx

Original post by A02ft1

Sadly, Durham and St Andrews are way, way behind the leading universities in London (LSE, ICL, UCL, KCL), and some way behind the likes of Edinburgh, Bristol, Manchester and Warwick. Do not be fooled by the domestic rankings - they are utterly unreliable in determining the prestige of a university.

Reply 19

Anonymous #2

Sadly this is nonsense at undergraduate level. The OP wanted to do History and LSE & ICL don't even offer it.

International rankings are mainly based on research output, which puts smaller universities like St Andrews at a disadvantage. Even so, despite its small size, St Andrews is still able to do highly regarded world beating research. But for them it's quality not quantity. Having said that, both Durham and St Andrews are still ranked in the top 100 in the world - which isn't bad.

At undergraduate level I would rather be taught by people who are passionate about their subject and teaching it. Not some professor who who is only interested in their own research and career and doesn't have the time, or passion, to teach mere undergraduates.

Both Durham and St Andrews are excellent, highly regarded universities that will give an excellent, well regarded degree for people who don't want to study in London.