Working class at Durham

Hi, I’ve recently been to a post offer day and Durham and it looks amazing - the only concern I have is the people and prices. Essentially, during my time there literally everyone I met was from the south. I feel like I would have a hard time fitting in because of my background (northern, working class). I also have to consider the costs of living there.
Would I be better off going somewhere else?

Reply 1

random_matt

20

Original post by Anonymous #1

Hi, I’ve recently been to a post offer day and Durham and it looks amazing - the only concern I have is the people and prices. Essentially, during my time there literally everyone I met was from the south. I feel like I would have a hard time fitting in because of my background (northern, working class). I also have to consider the costs of living there.
Would I be better off going somewhere else?

The North is cheaper than the South.

Reply 2

Picnicl

15

If you're studying the arts, it might affect you more than if you're studying sciences. But you're in the north so be better than those southerners at your subject and they might accept you in the honourary south place that they've predictably made it.

Reply 3

username_66

7

Original post by Anonymous #1

Hi, I’ve recently been to a post offer day and Durham and it looks amazing - the only concern I have is the people and prices. Essentially, during my time there literally everyone I met was from the south. I feel like I would have a hard time fitting in because of my background (northern, working class). I also have to consider the costs of living there.
Would I be better off going somewhere else?

hi, I juts booked for the next one day- is say the afternoon session is 3 Hours? is this right? what's the format of the session

Reply 4

grace2138

3

Original post by username_66

hi, I juts booked for the next one day- is say the afternoon session is 3 Hours? is this right? what's the format of the session

hi! yeah the subject sessions are like 3/4 hours long… i know for the english lit one there were also no breaks it was a 45 min intro to the course and then 3 different taster lectures from different members of staff :smile:

Reply 5

Anonymous #2

Original post by Anonymous #1

Hi, I’ve recently been to a post offer day and Durham and it looks amazing - the only concern I have is the people and prices. Essentially, during my time there literally everyone I met was from the south. I feel like I would have a hard time fitting in because of my background (northern, working class). I also have to consider the costs of living there.
Would I be better off going somewhere else?

If you liked the feel of it and found people friendly then you should go where you deserve, be happy in your skin, no doubt they are lucky to have you. But I do know people who have left because of apparent classism.

Original post by Anonymous #1

Hi, I’ve recently been to a post offer day and Durham and it looks amazing - the only concern I have is the people and prices. Essentially, during my time there literally everyone I met was from the south. I feel like I would have a hard time fitting in because of my background (northern, working class). I also have to consider the costs of living there.
Would I be better off going somewhere else?

Hi there

I'm glad you could come to the POVD and have a look around the campus! The concern you have is pretty common amongst prospective students and something I was worried about too coming in, but I've found everything pretty smooth sailing so far. Especially when it comes to making friends, I think you'll be able to find your people as long as you put the effort in to socialise. Joining societies, doing extracurriculars like sports and even just attending socials in college is a great way to get to know people.

Costs are definitely something to consider and it's true that they have gone up due to inflation and the cost of living crisis. However, the university is trying to provide support to anyone who needs it. Ghala has given some great tips on budgeting here that might be helpful- https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7393642#post98773071

Finally, I would just say that if you've liked the people that you met at the POVD, it's worth coming here. I've met some really amazing people here (not everyone obviously!) and you can too :smile:

-Himieka

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 7

chloefallows06

3

Original post by Anonymous

Hi, I’ve recently been to a post offer day and Durham and it looks amazing - the only concern I have is the people and prices. Essentially, during my time there literally everyone I met was from the south. I feel like I would have a hard time fitting in because of my background (northern, working class). I also have to consider the costs of living there.
Would I be better off going somewhere else?

Hiya, I am hopefully coming into Durham for Law from the same background if thats any kind of reassurance (working class and from Manchester). I haven't been to the offer-holder day yet but am attending the one in April to look at the different colleges. The prices for the accommodation have been very off putting so I am planning on working my arse off during the summer to save up. But especially in my case for Law, Durham is such a prestigious Uni so it will be so worth it in the end, and I am sure we will be able to find some other Northerners 😂

Reply 8

iulia1444

2

Original post by chloefallows06

Hiya, I am hopefully coming into Durham for Law from the same background if thats any kind of reassurance (working class and from Manchester). I haven't been to the offer-holder day yet but am attending the one in April to look at the different colleges. The prices for the accommodation have been very off putting so I am planning on working my arse off during the summer to save up. But especially in my case for Law, Durham is such a prestigious Uni so it will be so worth it in the end, and I am sure we will be able to find some other Northerners 😂

Also coming to Durham in September from the same background and the accommodation really is expensive to say the least however, most russel group uni’s prices are exactly the same. I think with a part time job it will be much easier to afford it though so I’ll be trying to find one as soon as uni starts.

Reply 9

jbrandagamba

8

This might be because I'm a postgraduate, but I'm from Yorkshire and I feel like I've hardly met anyone from the south... I have at least felt that there are considerably more northerners than when I did undergraduate (in Oxford to be fair). I guess people don't necessarily travel as far for postgraduate but I'm sure you'll find your people.

The accommodation isn't cheap but in terms of self catered I'm not sure I've seen much cheaper. The benefit will be that if you have to, or choose to, live out at any point, house prices in the north east are about as cheap as they get

Reply 10

Anonymous #3

Hi, I'm sorry if maybe I should not comment as I am from the south (deprived area of London), but I am working class, ethnic minority and 22 set to do a foundation year in Law in September. It's unconditional so I thought it would be a no brainer. I'm honestly scared as hell because despite my age I'm not very confident so I am not exactly sure how I would respond to classism, racism etc... I really like the uni and the course but the people and things I have heard from students are putting me off. The prices too- I'm set to work all summer to save up for accommodation etc. Please do let me know how it goes for you and what you decide. I'm quite anxious and exams are approaching so that's definitely adding to it!

Working class at Durham

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