Warwick or Durham??

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Reply 40

spillouin

Reply 41

River85

spillouin

I meant the distance between Cyprus and UK = 4/1.5 hours

Fair enough. But Newcastle airport does serve Cyrpus (all year round) and is 30 minutes away from Durham (by car) or 40 minutes by metro and train.

I don't know if it did when your borther studied at Durham.

Reply 42

undecidedus08

I apologize if this query is a little off topic but being a prospective International student from the US, I'm also trying to decide between two English postgraduate programs (Modern and Contemporary), Warwick and York. Can anyone provide me with any bit information that might make my decision at least a little bit easier than it currently is?

Reply 43

Grad

Warwick is much more prestigious than durham so bare that in mind when considering job prospects. I think it is owing to superior quality of research and the number of renown professors which Durham would lack.

Reply 44

River85

Grad

Warwick is much more prestigious than durham so bare that in mind when considering job prospects..

Where do you get that from? You're talking crap. Durham and Warwick are equal in terms of "prestige" (how you can measure it though, I don't know) and you know it. :rolleyes:

Durham's still one of the country's elite unis and is more than respected.

Also, yes, Durham produces quality research but its quanitity can't match Warwick's (as it's a smaller uni). However, have a look at the subject the student wants to study at. Then go and compare the research scores and academics in both faculities.

I'd like to hear the results.

Reply 45

Grad

Common knowledge i would have thought, actually a fair number of the members of TSR agree now that i have looked.

No no i would not class Durham as an elite university, only Oxbridge, LSE and Imperial.

Reply 46

River85

Grad

Sorry, my last post was a little harsh. I just grow tired of the lack of respect Durham gets on TSR. It's nothing special in the company of UCL, Warwick, Bristol, York etc. but it's certainly no worse. It's usually LSE and UCL students who make these comments and they just have no real foundation in the real world.

Few employers will make such fine distinctions between universities. Those that do care about rep will respect both universities a great deal. I'm not going to prentent, as I've heard one American student say, that Durham is considered to be as good as Oxbridge. It's not. However, it's certainly highly regarded and still demands respect from employers, as does Warwick. I really don't see how you can cliam Warwick is "much more" presitiogus. On a domestic scale they are equal, on an international scale then Warwick as the edge but, even then, its international rep is hardly stellar.

I'm also not pretending that, generally speaking, Durham is a great choice for a postgrad. It arguably excels in provding come of the finest undergraduate education in the country (outside of Oxbridge). Especially in the arts. But it may not also be the greatest choice for a postgrad. However, you obviously haven't taken any notice of what the OP intends on studying (English). Durham's english department is arguably second to none in the country, both for a undergrad and in terms of research output (having both quality and quantity - the quantity bit often missing in Durham departments).

Reply 47

Grad

River85

Maybe my presumption was wrong but ive always heard that in prestige terms Warwick>Durham. I dont know the intricacies of UK higher education so will be careful next time.

Reply 48

River85

Grad

"Common knowledge". I'm sorry, but that's rubbish. I've never known any employer (or member of the public who is aware of HE) see Durham as nothing but pretigious. I've already talked about people on TSR but I really don't think they are representative of the population and certainly not employers.

I would argue that LSE is elite in the social sciences and that Imperial is in the sciences. The middle ground between Oxbridge and UCL, Warwick, Durham, St Andrews, Bristol and York. But I don't really see them as "elite universities". They are specialist institutions (one of Uol, the other former) and just don't have the breadth.

So, tell me, how well do you know the two English departments (after all, you make the claim that the OP will be amongst the better professors)?

Reply 49

Grad

River85

I didnt know a passing comment to bare in mind job prospects was going to elicit such a response. I dont know the english department at Durham i admit but just trying to add another dimension to the thread, namely job prospects.
Sorry

Reply 50

River85

Grad

I didnt know a passing comment to bare in mind job prospects was going to illicit such a response. I dont know the english department at Durham i admit but just trying to add another dimension to the thread, namely job prospects.
Sorry

Sorry, I don't mean to cause offence. I get as angry with those few who do think Durham is more special than Warwick, UCL etc and do see it as an equal to Oxbridge (there are a small few around, believe it or not). It's just when I seesomeone claiming that there's a large difference between the two in terms of prestige and that gong to Durham may harm job prospects (when there's no evidence of that, certainly not domestically) then I get a little peeved at that, also. Both are evenlly matched nationally with Warwick possibly edging it internationally. Sorry if I came on too strong.

OP, if you haven't read them already here are the Times profiles for both. Although written more for undergrads they may help you get more of an idea what they are both like

Durham

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/good_university_guide/article2166433.ece

Warwick

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/good_university_guide/article2166795.ece

Reply 51

freemover

foteini86

I have been offered a place for MA in english contemporary Literature in both Durham and Warwick...And I don't know which one to choose..Both courses have so many options from which to select that the programmes are more or less the same. I get the feeling that Durham is kind of depressing, and that Warwick is more modern and gives more opportunities for socializing. And it is closer to London. But I've never been to either! any ideas??? For the time being I accepted both offers, shouldn't I have done that? Can I "take it back"? :s-smilie:

First of all just to let you know I'm a Durham graduate so I might be a bit biased... :wink:

but Durham is a wonderful city, its stunning and its got a lot of nice cafes and shops. Yes it is small but Newcastle is only 15 min away so dont let that put you off!
In my opinion the most amazing thing about Durham University is the college system. Your college really is like your home and beloning to a college is a wonderful experience which gives you plenty of opportunities for socializing! . Plus the Department of Eng is REALLY good from what I have heard.
so go to Durham! You won't regret it.

Reply 52

River85

freemover

Yes it is small but Newcastle is only 15 min away so dont let that put you off!

That is true, yes. But remember about the cost, OP. I'm just very concerned that people may go to Durham thinking they can travel to Newcastle often. They are twenty miles apart and, at £4 there and back on the train (more coming back by taxi after the last train). A student can't do it too often (especially a postgrad).

I am collecting some photos of Durham. OP, do you know of Durham's literature festival? It's held every October, over a few days. It's not a large festival by any means but has featured literary giants like, erm...Ian Rankin :p:

Reply 53

foteini86

Sorry that I haven't sent for some time, once I was the one actually needing help :p:

I was on vacations, on an island with no internet access, not even mobile phone signal.
So, no, I have not heard about the literature festival, but it sounds very intersesting. Generally, I think I am thinking in favor of Durham after all. Reasons are:

1)The programme appeals to me more than Warwick's in English. The descriptions are clear, it seems very well organized, I have been sent a list for summer reding (!). Also, it seems to be rather prestigious(the english programme in particular) and I feel that if I want to continue for a Phd at Oxbridge it would be easier for me from Durham. It seems to have a lot in common with Oxbridge in terms of general organization and approach to literature.
2)Warwick may be more modern, but Durham a traditional environment that may not 100% appeal to me, however, seems rather interesting. Since I will probably be there just for a year I would fancy something more "English", if you know what I mean, than a concrete modern campus which i can find anywhere. AND, Durham may be a small town but I will actually be living IN or NEAR town, not in campus.
3)I have sent emails with inquiries to Warwick and they have not replied. They have actually not sent me a single email, when Durham has been very helpful and has sent me reading lists and elaborate descriptions of modules already.
4)Also, River 85, Durham should hire you for promoting the uni :biggrin:

I have applied to St Cuthbert's Society and I am waiting for a reply, there is no way I am going to St Hilde and St Bede, it just doesn't appeal to me at all. Do you think I have chances of getting in or is it too late?

ALSO, postgrads at Durham, where are you staying? Are all postgraduates at Ustinov's??

Reply 54

Jelkin

Wow, people seem not to know anything about Durham at all! The social scene is AMAZING. The collegiate system gives you a great sense of place and real community atmosphere, and it's easy to get to know loads of people in your college as well as meet those outside (particularly through your subject). There are a LOT of great and diverse societies, because the university has them AND each college has them. (So there are loads of different theatrical groups, for example, and they each book out slots in the university theatre or perform in colleges which means there are several plays showing in any given week.) This means that if you're amazing at a sport you can play at university level, but if you want an easier ride you can play at college level and it's a lot of fun.

The city is FULL of students. It's lively and you will bump into people you know in a lot of places. If you want to escape you can travel 12 mins on the train and be in Newcastle, or go for a walk in the countryside which isn't far away. There are loads of restaurants and pubs, not to mention college bars which mean that drinking is cheap cheap cheap (pint of coke for 40-50p!). One of the colleges is IN the castle, which is amazing to visit for dramatical productions or the bar. People even live there.

Durham is spread out over the city, but because it's a small city with a lot of students, it's kind of a like a massive campus. There are quite a lot of clubs there now, and whilst they're small there is a much bigger scene in Newcastle. I think Durham has a pretty unique set-up and it's quite the experience.

HOWEVER, it's very different from Warwick, and if you feel Warwick would suit you more then you should go there. Just don't dismiss Durham only because of a load of vague prejudices you have about it!

Now then. I really like the sound of Durham's masters as well (though I haven't checked out Warwick's). I imagine Warwick is less traditional in its approach and would also think that Durham is slightly more similar to Oxbridge in that respect. Durham also does have a very well-respected English dept. However, this is really only speculative and you certainly wouldn't be looked down on for Warwick! Most Oxbridge admissions people would probably put candidates from either place on a similar level. (Just my thoughts.) I don't want to put you off but I'm surprised that Durham has been so helpful to you - I've always thought they were quite disorganised!

Ustinov is a college for international, mature and postgrad students. So if you get into Cuth's then no, you won't be staying there! If you get accommodation with Cuth's it could be in a few different locations throughout the uni. As I understand it, the catered block is in the centre of town, on the historic Bailey near the castle and cathedral, and the semi/self-catered (?) block is near the river. May I ask why you're so anti-Hild Bede??? I go there :mad:

Besides, none of the colleges are "bad", so I don't know why you'd have such an aversion to it ...

Reply 55

foteini86

Thank you for the info!! I'm anti Hilde and Bede because I've heard that it is at an uncomfortable distance from everything else (up some kind of hill I think?), and because it has such a sporty reputation. Sorry if this seems absolute, but I would join in everything BUT sports! I suck and feel terribly bad about myself whenever I've tried, it's just not for me..I'll end up crying :-p :-p :-p
What do you think? Is this a wrong judgment?
By the way, concerning programmes, I prefer traditional to too modern-theoreticomodernfeminist where does literature mix in exactly approach.

Reply 56

River85

foteini86

Thank you for the info!! I'm anti Hilde and Bede because I've heard that it is at an uncomfortable distance from everything else (up some kind of hill I think?).

It's all by itself as a college, yes (neither a hill or a bailey college) but it's certainly not isolated. It's in extensive parkland about two minutes walk from the city centre.

Durham itself is hilly (built on three hills). The hill Hilde Bede is on it probably the gentlest (or second gentlest) of the three. The most steep hill is actuall where the Bailey colleges (like Cuth's) are. That's because they are around the castle and cathedral and the castle, as most castles are, is built on a hill. Cuth's is also at the very top of the Bailey (hill) as well :eek:

Don't worry, it's not that hard to walk up.

Like I said earlier, sport is quite big in Durham but it's not compulsory. No pressure is placed on students so if it's not your thing then you don't have to take part. Hilde Bede does have a student cinema (and a film society), which is quite cool :smile:

Reply 57

Jelkin

foteini86

What do you think? Is this a wrong judgment?

Yes. "Uncomfortable distance from everything" is pretty funny. It's closer to town than ANY of the hill colleges (though they are closer to the science site, where a few lectures could be) and not any further than Cuth's (by which I mean either bits of Cuth's, but especially the semi/self-catered bit, which is actually really close to HB). It's not up much of a hill at all - there's just a slope from the front of HB to Hild, the building where reception is. People who think Hild Bede is in the middle of nowhere are people who've never been there. This even includes Durham students - because Hild Bede isn't especially close to other colleges (relatively speaking, that is), people assume it's isolated, when it's not.

I'm not sure why HB has such a sporty rep. Probably because it has so many students (so more top sportspeople), because it's nearer the Durham sports facilities and because it has its own squash court. Also, its rugby team does very well (it's neck and neck with the Cuth's team most of the time). But I don't know where you got this idea that sport was mandatory, or all anyone talks about!?!? There are loads clubs and societies. I don't think it's any sportier than any other college really.

I love Hild Bede. It has a lot of land with a massive lawn to sit on in nice weather, a lot of trees and tennis and squash courts. It's big, which suits me. It has some really beautiful buildings (though also some rubbish ones) and a hall with its own stage (and a cinema which is £2 a film or £1 if you're a member of Bede Film Soc!). The hill colleges tend to the modern and the bailey ones to the traditional, but HB is in between - for example, formal dress at formals but no gowns! The bar is spacious and not horribly packed all the time like bailey bars (though sometimes it can be a bit empty). Pool is 20p a game and there is a Wii.

I've just forgotten where I was going with this, but I would say that major prejudice against ANY college is likely to be inaccurate. I honestly think I would have been happy in any of them.

Reply 58

River85

Jelkin

Yes. "Uncomfortable distance from everything" is pretty funny. It's closer to town than ANY of the hill colleges (though they are closer to the science site, where a few lectures could be).

Aren't most of the hill colleges closer to the English department (Hallgarth St)? There isn't much in it, either way.

But, yeah, I wouldn't worry about it. Most of the postgrad accomodation is scattered around the city (depends on college, of course) with some even just outside the city. Durham's a small city and there are always buses anyway.

Reply 59

Jelkin

River85

It depends which part of the English department you mean. Part of it is in Elvet Riverside (HB FTW), part on Old Elvet (HB FTW) and part on Hallgarth Street. The Hallgarth Street bit is where the admin goes on, so you need to go there to hand in assessed essays and if you need to visit the departmental office. However, I don't visit it very often. In any case, it's still only 20 mins from HB and I don't think it'd be quicker from most hill colleges!

Yeah, all the location stuff is pretty silly really, unless you're considering Butler and Istinov, in which case I think you'd be forgiven for thinking it wasn't worth the hassle. However, I think they're both really nice colleges with excellent bars :smile:

EDIT: Actually, the office I'm thinking of on Hallgarth Street is for undergrads - the postgrad equivalent is in ER!