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Why should I choose Durham over Bristol?
I'm hoping to study French & Russian next year and am completely torn between Durham and Bristol.
Bristol have given me an offer of BBB and Durham (St. Cuthbert's) AAB.
I am appealing to anyone to give me reasons why I should come to Durham and not Bristol! Please just throw any kind of advice/opinion in my general direction! Cheers, Tom
Bristol have given me an offer of BBB and Durham (St. Cuthbert's) AAB.
I am appealing to anyone to give me reasons why I should come to Durham and not Bristol! Please just throw any kind of advice/opinion in my general direction! Cheers, Tom
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Both are certainly excellent universities. However, I would go for Durham's collegiate structure as you do have far greater support during your studies. Particularly at Cuth's. You always have an understanding ear. With people fighting your corner on not just your department, but also college, you should feel supported and valued.
Durham is aching with heritage, England's third oldest university, you are studying in a conservation area with a World Heritage Site on your doorstep.
Despite its vibrant student theatre and sport, Durham's nightlife cannot compete with Bristol's. However, this shouldn't be a problem. If anything it's a benefit. You have a small and (relatively) quiet city to study in. However, 12 minutes north by train there's possibly the party capital of the country, certainly the north with more theatres and museums alongisde its obvious pubs, bars and clubs. It surpasses Bristol in my humble opinion.
Away from Durham you have wonderful countryside, from the moors, market towns and castles of Northumberlad, to the entire coastline of the NE and also the Durham Dales. If that's your thing.
I can't speak for the departments however, I'll leave that to someone else.
Durham is aching with heritage, England's third oldest university, you are studying in a conservation area with a World Heritage Site on your doorstep.
Despite its vibrant student theatre and sport, Durham's nightlife cannot compete with Bristol's. However, this shouldn't be a problem. If anything it's a benefit. You have a small and (relatively) quiet city to study in. However, 12 minutes north by train there's possibly the party capital of the country, certainly the north with more theatres and museums alongisde its obvious pubs, bars and clubs. It surpasses Bristol in my humble opinion.
Away from Durham you have wonderful countryside, from the moors, market towns and castles of Northumberlad, to the entire coastline of the NE and also the Durham Dales. If that's your thing.
I can't speak for the departments however, I'll leave that to someone else.
The collegiate system! Virtually everyone fits in, makes friends and has a good time. There will be a college bar within 100m of your room in the first year. There are loads of sports teams (our college has 5 football teams, for example).
The city is beautiful and everything is within walking range. For all 3 years at uni. I have yet to get a bus in Durham.
That said, Bristol has a better nightlife and is a bigger city (for better or for worse).
The city is beautiful and everything is within walking range. For all 3 years at uni. I have yet to get a bus in Durham.
That said, Bristol has a better nightlife and is a bigger city (for better or for worse).
Reply 3
Oooh I had the exact same decision (only just for French) and I chose Durham. 
This is why...
1) Bristol didn't seem as friendly. Durham has the collegiate system which I think is great, I like the feeling that I'll belong somewhere and that I'm guaranteed the same accommodation as everyone else in my college (as opposed to fighting for the best halls at Bristol)
2) Durham is a smaller, more compact city. I'm not used to huge cities, so I didn't think Bristol would be a good place for me to LIVE. Newcastle is only a 15 minute train ride away, so I can still go there for shopping, occasional nights out etc.
3) The accommodation at Bristol was SO far away from the university, unless you went to the halls in Clifton, which everyone wants to go to, and also, the cost of living in Bristol is much higher. Although Durham has more expensive accommodation, living in the city is cheaper than Bristol (in 2nd and 4th year).
4) I found the Languages department at Durham much more friendly and much more flexible. It just seemed great.
And I just got a OMG YES feel about Durham, whereas for Bristol I did really like it, but it wasn't as strong as for Durham hehe.
This is why...1) Bristol didn't seem as friendly. Durham has the collegiate system which I think is great, I like the feeling that I'll belong somewhere and that I'm guaranteed the same accommodation as everyone else in my college (as opposed to fighting for the best halls at Bristol)
2) Durham is a smaller, more compact city. I'm not used to huge cities, so I didn't think Bristol would be a good place for me to LIVE. Newcastle is only a 15 minute train ride away, so I can still go there for shopping, occasional nights out etc.
3) The accommodation at Bristol was SO far away from the university, unless you went to the halls in Clifton, which everyone wants to go to, and also, the cost of living in Bristol is much higher. Although Durham has more expensive accommodation, living in the city is cheaper than Bristol (in 2nd and 4th year).
4) I found the Languages department at Durham much more friendly and much more flexible. It just seemed great.
And I just got a OMG YES feel about Durham, whereas for Bristol I did really like it, but it wasn't as strong as for Durham hehe.
Wez
The collegiate system! Virtually everyone fits in, makes friends and has a good time. There will be a college bar within 100m of your room in the first year. There are loads of sports teams (our college has 5 football teams, for example).
The city is beautiful and everything is within walking range. For all 3 years at uni. I have yet to get a bus in Durham.
That said, Bristol has a better nightlife and is a bigger city (for better or for worse).
The city is beautiful and everything is within walking range. For all 3 years at uni. I have yet to get a bus in Durham.
That said, Bristol has a better nightlife and is a bigger city (for better or for worse).
I got the cathedral bus once as I was a lazy git.
I don't see the nightlife problem with Durham. Can you still really use Durham's lack of a nightlife as a disadvantage when you have Newcastle within easy travelling distance. And Sunderland, although you'll need to rely on the bus for Sunderland. And it's crap.
But yes, the collegiate system makes the difference for me.
I had the exact same choice only with Law though. And I'll list out why I picked Durham like *Han* above.
1. Durham is compact in comparison to Bristol. I don't know why but that somehow appeals to me after having lived in huge cities all my life. The whole idyllic, small town has a certain draw to it. It'll be good to experience something different, at least for three years.
2. The collegiate system is a huge draw. And when I visited Durham and on this forum, people keep pushing the notion that once you're in, it's a whole different level then when you are an applicant. They are a friendly bunch, both administrative and student body. And I kept hearing really dodgy things about the allocation of Bristol accommodation.
3. The Law department for me was better than that of Bristol. They didn't offer as many module options as Bristol. But they pretty much covered everything that I was interested in. I'm not sure about your course details but I do know that it is very reputable.
4. History. I am such a sucker for this sort of thing. And given the Castle, Cathedral and all the history that is in Durham, I couldn't help myself. It's just a beautiful place and seems perfect for a student to study in. It doesn't exactly have the most happening nightlife, but you can easily make do with what you have. And besides Newcastle is 15 minutes away. They basically have everything, if you feel like you're missing something in Durham.
5. Finally you should pick Durham because all the cool people are there or going there. Such as myself.
Good luck with the choice.
1. Durham is compact in comparison to Bristol. I don't know why but that somehow appeals to me after having lived in huge cities all my life. The whole idyllic, small town has a certain draw to it. It'll be good to experience something different, at least for three years.
2. The collegiate system is a huge draw. And when I visited Durham and on this forum, people keep pushing the notion that once you're in, it's a whole different level then when you are an applicant. They are a friendly bunch, both administrative and student body. And I kept hearing really dodgy things about the allocation of Bristol accommodation.
3. The Law department for me was better than that of Bristol. They didn't offer as many module options as Bristol. But they pretty much covered everything that I was interested in. I'm not sure about your course details but I do know that it is very reputable.
4. History. I am such a sucker for this sort of thing. And given the Castle, Cathedral and all the history that is in Durham, I couldn't help myself. It's just a beautiful place and seems perfect for a student to study in. It doesn't exactly have the most happening nightlife, but you can easily make do with what you have. And besides Newcastle is 15 minutes away. They basically have everything, if you feel like you're missing something in Durham.
5. Finally you should pick Durham because all the cool people are there or going there. Such as myself.
Good luck with the choice.de.novo
4. History. I am such a sucker for this sort of thing. And given the Castle, Cathedral and all the history that is in Durham, I couldn't help myself. It's just a beautiful place and seems perfect for a student to study in. It doesn't exactly have the most happening nightlife, but you can easily make do with what you have. And besides Newcastle is 15 minutes away. They basically have everything, if you feel like you're missing something in Durham.
4. History. I am such a sucker for this sort of thing. And given the Castle, Cathedral and all the history that is in Durham, I couldn't help myself. It's just a beautiful place and seems perfect for a student to study in. It doesn't exactly have the most happening nightlife, but you can easily make do with what you have. And besides Newcastle is 15 minutes away. They basically have everything, if you feel like you're missing something in Durham.
Thank you! I was made to feel a freak in another Bristol/Durham thread for saying something similar. It's good to know someone appreciate good history and heritage
When I tried to make a similar point I was told, "if you want history, then go on a day trip". I'd rather live and study surrounded by it.Reply 8
Reblet
At Bristol there are super-rahs who put talc in their hair 
Hahahahah
River85
Thank you! I was made to feel a freak in another Bristol/Durham thread for saying something similar. It's good to know someone appreciate good history and heritage When I tried to make a similar point I was told, "if you want history, then go on a day trip". I'd rather live and study surrounded by it.
When I tried to make a similar point I was told, "if you want history, then go on a day trip". I'd rather live and study surrounded by it.No problem. It is completely different studying in a place with history and visiting one. No doubt it was probably someone from Bristol who said that. You should have just told them to take a hike.
Reply 10
I had the same problem but for music. I already have a friend at Bristol so that would have been nice but I tried not to let that influence me. Here's how I picked:
1. Although I love big cities and hope to live in one in the future, I figured it would be nicer as astudent to live somewhere where you could network more easily in a smaller community (small city plus the colleges). Especially as a musician it's important that people know you exist so that you get more opportunities.
2. Infrastructure is so much better in Durham. Bristol halls are quite a long way from most of the departments and transport is notoriously bad. Call me lazy but I didn't want to walk too far with a bassoon on my back.
3. The course looked better. I spent ages comparing the modules (you can get loads of info off the websites) and decided that Durham suited me better.
4. It's true, Durham is incredibly pretty with lots of history and nice, unspoiled, cobbled streets! Having said that, the Bristol music department is stunning!!
It was a really really tough decision though, Bristol has a lot of good points with more going on and being less isolated, so it's really up to you. Make sure you visit both of them though.
1. Although I love big cities and hope to live in one in the future, I figured it would be nicer as astudent to live somewhere where you could network more easily in a smaller community (small city plus the colleges). Especially as a musician it's important that people know you exist so that you get more opportunities.
2. Infrastructure is so much better in Durham. Bristol halls are quite a long way from most of the departments and transport is notoriously bad. Call me lazy but I didn't want to walk too far with a bassoon on my back.
3. The course looked better. I spent ages comparing the modules (you can get loads of info off the websites) and decided that Durham suited me better.
4. It's true, Durham is incredibly pretty with lots of history and nice, unspoiled, cobbled streets! Having said that, the Bristol music department is stunning!!
It was a really really tough decision though, Bristol has a lot of good points with more going on and being less isolated, so it's really up to you. Make sure you visit both of them though.
Reply 12
Yowz li' pee-ul what tawkz rate amyoozin!
Reply 15
Cue Barry Scott to enter...
(Even though he has been banned!
)
(Even though he has been banned!
)tgb123
I'm hoping to study French & Russian next year and am completely torn between Durham and Bristol.
Bristol have given me an offer of BBB and Durham (St. Cuthbert's) AAB.
I am appealing to anyone to give me reasons why I should come to Durham and not Bristol! Please just throw any kind of advice/opinion in my general direction! Cheers, Tom
Bristol have given me an offer of BBB and Durham (St. Cuthbert's) AAB.
I am appealing to anyone to give me reasons why I should come to Durham and not Bristol! Please just throw any kind of advice/opinion in my general direction! Cheers, Tom
First off- that's really well done, both of those are smashing places. Can I ask why it is you've chosen to ask "Durham over Bristol"? Is it the lower offer from the latter? Either way you go you'll get a great education, so go visit them again and see what you like. If you have to ask people on an online forum why you should go to one rather than the other, instead of having instant reasons pop up in your head, maybe Bristol is your kind of place and Durham is not.
NJHL
First off- that's really well done, both of those are smashing places. Can I ask why it is you've chosen to ask "Durham over Bristol"? Is it the lower offer from the latter? Either way you go you'll get a great education, so go visit them again and see what you like. If you have to ask people on an online forum why you should go to one rather than the other, instead of having instant reasons pop up in your head, maybe Bristol is your kind of place and Durham is not.
No need to over-analyse it...the same thread reversed is in the Bristol forum
Reply 19
tgb123
OP
NJHL
First off- that's really well done, both of those are smashing places. Can I ask why it is you've chosen to ask "Durham over Bristol"? Is it the lower offer from the latter? Either way you go you'll get a great education, so go visit them again and see what you like. If you have to ask people on an online forum why you should go to one rather than the other, instead of having instant reasons pop up in your head, maybe Bristol is your kind of place and Durham is not.
As 'apotheosis' has noticed I've asked the same question in reverse in the Bristol forum. I must admit the higher offer from Durham did lead me to believe maybe the course at Durham was more competitive/academic, but I now know that to be rubbish as I know people who have been asked for AAB for the same course at Bristol. I don't really follow your reasoning for 'If you have to ask people on an online forum why you should go to one rather than the other, instead of having instant reasons pop up in your head, maybe Bristol is your kind of place and Durham is not.'
Thanks to everyone who has posted here so far, all very helpful info.
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