Is it true what they say about Durham?

Hi

I've looked at what people have said about Durham and it's horrible reputation for classism... but I've not seen anything recent. So, what I'm looking for is a conclusive answer. "Is Durham full of rich oxford drop outs who will treat me like dirt because I'm from a working class background?".

Going to UNI has been a very long time coming for me. It's involved A LOT of hard work and determination and the last thing I want is to have my firm choice be one that directly contradicts my expectations.

Thanks for any and all replies. I'd prefer if only recent or current students could answer as, from what I've read, the running of the university has changed quite a bit in recent years.

Thanks

Reply 1

angrydog32

9

Original post by DDyhh4

Hi

I've looked at what people have said about Durham and it's horrible reputation for classism... but I've not seen anything recent. So, what I'm looking for is a conclusive answer. "Is Durham full of rich oxford drop outs who will treat me like dirt because I'm from a working class background?".

Going to UNI has been a very long time coming for me. It's involved A LOT of hard work and determination and the last thing I want is to have my firm choice be one that directly contradicts my expectations.

Thanks for any and all replies. I'd prefer if only recent or current students could answer as, from what I've read, the running of the university has changed quite a bit in recent years.

Thanks

hey, im a 2nd year durham uni student and although there are a lot of poshos, you'll also not struggle to find people from a similar background to you. i also worried about this but everyone in my friend group went to a state school and is either working class or is quite down to earth for being more well off. LOL.

i personally havent experienced any discrimination. if you count a run in with a drunk guy who couldn't seem to conceive of my north eastern accent and got all in my face then maybe yes lol (it was funny tbf) but other than that its been great and ive never felt out of place. the uni itself is quite helpful with financial difficulties and my college is good (grey college) in regards to being inclusive of people from different backgrounds.

if you have any more questions feel free to ask :-)

Reply 2

DDyhh4

OP

2

Original post by angrydog32

hey, im a 2nd year durham uni student and although there are a lot of poshos, you'll also not struggle to find people from a similar background to you. i also worried about this but everyone in my friend group went to a state school and is either working class or is quite down to earth for being more well off. LOL.

i personally havent experienced any discrimination. if you count a run in with a drunk guy who couldn't seem to conceive of my north eastern accent and got all in my face then maybe yes lol (it was funny tbf) but other than that its been great and ive never felt out of place. the uni itself is quite helpful with financial difficulties and my college is good (grey college) in regards to being inclusive of people from different backgrounds.

if you have any more questions feel free to ask :-)

Thanks so much for you reply

In regards to the college system, how likely is it that I'll get my first choice? I selected all the colleges that were self catering and without formal dinners.

Also, what is the night life like? What do you tend to do on a Friday night?

Thanks again

Reply 3

PQ

PS Reviewer

21

Have you visited?

If you have concerns like this it's absolutely vital to visit in person to get a "feel" for a place

Reply 4

DDyhh4

OP

2

Original post by PQ

Have you visited?

If you have concerns like this it's absolutely vital to visit in person to get a "feel" for a place

I haven't unfortunately as I haven't got the fund to travel to Durham.

Thanks for the reply

Reply 5

PQ

PS Reviewer

21

Original post by DDyhh4

I haven't unfortunately as I haven't got the fund to travel to Durham.

Thanks for the reply

If you contact them then they might be able to provide financial assistance to travel for a visit (and sometimes low cost accommodation too).

Lots of universities offer this but often you have to ask.

Reply 6

PQ

PS Reviewer

21

https://studyatdurham.microsoftcrmportals.com/en-US/knowledgebase/article/KA-02452

Reply 7

angrydog32

9

Original post by DDyhh4

Thanks so much for you reply

In regards to the college system, how likely is it that I'll get my first choice? I selected all the colleges that were self catering and without formal dinners.

Also, what is the night life like? What do you tend to do on a Friday night?

Thanks again

i got my fifth choice, but i think no matter where you end up you’ll be alright. i put all the bailey colleges in my first four spots which a lot of people do, so that’s probs why i got my fifth. though, i do think it’s true that the posher people get picked for the bailey…. lol. you will most likely get into one of the colleges you placed higher up if you’re happy without formals and self catering. i think there tends to be less people going for those - i’m just guessing.

nightlife is pretty good. i’m not from a city so it’s better than where my home town is anyway. it always feels safe imo. my group of friends usually do a college bar crawl as it’s cheap and then hit one of the clubs. it’s pretty much always packed but that’s part of the appeal for me personally.

no prob :-)

Reply 8

Anonymous #1

Original post by DDyhh4

Hi
I've looked at what people have said about Durham and it's horrible reputation for classism... but I've not seen anything recent. So, what I'm looking for is a conclusive answer. "Is Durham full of rich oxford drop outs who will treat me like dirt because I'm from a working class background?".
Going to UNI has been a very long time coming for me. It's involved A LOT of hard work and determination and the last thing I want is to have my firm choice be one that directly contradicts my expectations.
Thanks for any and all replies. I'd prefer if only recent or current students could answer as, from what I've read, the running of the university has changed quite a bit in recent years.
Thanks

First, in response to your college allocation question from elsewhere in the thread - you're basically guaranteed to get one of your first three choices, if not your first, if you only applied for SC non-gowned, as everyone usually swarms to the Bailey colleges as their first.
Second, classism hasn't really been much of an issue, but I'm in one of the SC Hill colleges and they seem to be full of people like me, northern and working class. However, because of the college system, cliques and groups do form incredibly quick and I'd make sure you're in with people you actually like, because in my first year I got about half a month in to second term, realised I'd made a huge mistake with who I'd surrounded myself with, and had a rough time trying to be more extroverted to find nicer people. Be aware though that just because it's not classist snobbery, Durham (in my opinion) is still filled with a lot of snobbery in general, from people from all backgrounds. I've encountered quite a lot of backhanded ableism as an autistic person and there a lot of people here who can be very self-entitled. It can be quite isolating if you think you'll struggle to put yourself out there so you can find the few people around who aren't like that.

Is it true what they say about Durham?

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you