What should I do: Allocated to an unsuitable college thanks to my agent

Contact the uni and see if they can move you

It might not be the agent's fault. Durham is notorious for asking for preferences then completely ignoring them. The only possible solution is to talk to the college/ uni directly. International students are worth a lot to the uni, so they may be more accommodating.
That said, a big part of the college experience at Durham is through college meals and 'formals' etc - are you sure you want to go self-catered?
IIRC there aren't that many self-catered colleges there anyway?

I don't think you're gonna like Durham - go to Leeds!

Hi, which college did they allocated to you? I know some colleges are catered but have the possibility to use a full kitchen and also have some double/single en-suite room

Can you tell me more about that? Is it because of the culture, atmosphere, or the college?

Hi, thanks for replying! It's St Hild and St Bede.

A lot of Durham is old buildings with less than pristine facilities. Catered colleges are the predominant model and considered part of the charm.

You sound like you have very specific, particular needs about which you are inflexible. There are only a couple of modern colleges which might meet them (and personally I think they are the 'least Durham' colleges). There's a high chance you won't get a self-catered, ensuite place, but you won't know that for sure until it's too late.

Unfortunately, I never checked the facilities at hild babe you can try to search online if they have kitchens and es-suite rooms and how common is to get them

Well I’m from hk as well and my agent tell me nothing about choosing the college. I don’t think it’s her responsibility. Durham did actually sent lots of email about allocation of college and they also gave a online form, you don’t have to apply your college through your agent.

Hi, I am an internationonal student from HK. This is my first time posting something here so hope I have done it in the right way.

I applied UCAS through an agent and she has never told me that I can state my preference of college while applying UCAS. The only things I'd ask for in a college are having an ensuite and to be self-catered. However, both are not in the college I am allocated. I know that a college is far more than just an accomodation but I will be really concerned if my college does not meet the above two criteria.

So far, I have two unconditional offer from Durham University and University of Leeds. I prefer Durham but if the college is such unsuitable for me, should I confirm Leeds instead? But choosing an uni because of the agent's fault but not fully because I think I belong to that uni is just so sad.

If I still wanna pick Durham, is the chance of transferring to a self-catered college with ensuite big?

Please tell me what I can do and if anyone has faced that before? Thank you so much for reading till here.