Primary Education At Durham.

I have an offer to study Primary Education at Durham in September and I have so many questions!

I won’t be living in college, I will be living at home (I live about 30 mins away by bus) Will it be easy for me to make friends? Do you think it makes that much of a difference?

Is there a prejudice towards local people from the North East at the uni?

What are the placements like? Can you find your own placement or do the uni find it for you? Do you have the opportunity to experience a range of year groups and does the course include early years? (Nursery and Reception)

Any answers and advice would be helpful, thank you!

Reply 1

Anonymous #2

Hii! Congratulations on your offer! Firstly, I don't think it is hard to socialise at all if you stay 30 minutes away. Socialising has got so much to do with your own will and interests and you will make friends in your class and with people from across the uni. Secondly, I don't know much about your course, but I think you may have to look for jobs on your own and the career support team from the university can help you. You can check out the career support page for your course on the website or better drop them an email asking them to give you clarity on employment after you complete your studies and if they will contribute to it. I don't know about the local discrimination because I am from India. I'm sure someone else form TSR can provide some insight regarding that.
Hope this helps :smile:

Durham University

Durham

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Reply 2

Anonymous #3

Original post by Anonymous

Hello, I'm starting next year so I can't provide any Durham specific advice, but I though I might be able to say something helpful from what I already know!
My boyfriend lives at home where he goes to uni and he has made plenty of friends on his course. It is harder I think, but you just have to put the effort in to talk to people on your course! Also, I think Durham is a good place to socialise anyway. I believe you'll be assigned a college either way? So you can get involved in the Freshers activities organised by them and make some friends through that, and if you let the freps know you are keen to socialise although you live at home I'm sure they'd support you and make sure you feel included. There are so many opportunities to join societies as well in Durham and it looks like we can join both university ones and those from your college. As long as you put the effort in to socialise, I think you'll be fine! People living in college will be at an advantage but it won't be easy for anyone, and most people will be eager to make friends!
I don't know much about prejudice at durham, personally I don't see why there should be, but I do understand your concern. I think because people come from all over you will be able to find plenty of welcoming people. Anyone that isn't really isn't worth the energy and not someone you want to be friends with. Durham does a lot to encourage students from the local area to apply, from what I've seen if their outreach programs, so you also wont be one of the only north east students.
In terms of education, I know nothing about it! Hopefully someone from Durham will come on here to answer your question, but if not I know Durham has a system where you can contact subject specific students so maybe that could be worth it? I'm sure someone on here will be able to answer you!
I hope that was slightly helpful, and congratulations! I'm looking forward to being there and this is just general advice based on other people's experiences and what I know from durham, but I'm sure you will be fine and meet many amazing people. Good luck!!