URGENT!! Southampton or Durham for Computer Science

I've heard both the courses are good, some saying that Southampton's computer science course is better, but Durham is more prestigious - and is higher up in the ranking at 7th, compared to 15th for Southampton, if that matters at all!
I've applied to Durham by calling them up (clearing) while Southampton is my insurance choice. The only issue is because I've applied pretty late to Durham, and it has a collegiate system, I think the top colleges in Durham will be full which isn't ideal (I also don't know if I have to make a separate application for the college in Durham), and I will be given other colleges.
Most of my friends are going Southampton, and the course seems to be good, so I was leaning towards Southampton until now - but Durham also seems to be good (although I don't like the collegiate system and prefer the Urban nature of Soton).
Some advice would be much appreciated.

There are so many factors involved when choosing a university, and Vice Chancellors rightly say it is one of the most difficult and most important decisions you will ever have to make.
If you choose Durham, given that you are applying late through clearing, you might be given accommodation that isn't actually based at the college that you are ultimately affiliated with, so you may not feel as involved with their activities as if you had lived there.
I would imagine Southampton may have the stronger Computer Science department, although for overall university prestige Durham would have a slight edge. Employers generally won't distinguish between the two universities for their recruitment of graduates.
You must have gone on an open day to see both universities? Both are very different in their set up. Southampton is much more diverse in its student body, whereas Durham is full of Oxbridge rejects who refuse to study in London (and thus not consider UCL, Imperial, LSE or KCL).
If you were to choose Durham and end up hating it, you can usually transfer to the second year of another university (other than Oxbridge, and probably Imperial), as long as you at least pass the first year. Computer Science requires a lot of discipline to succeed in, so you will really need to keep focused throughout the academic year.

Thanks so much for your detailed reply - I much appreciate it. My only other worry is the ranking and prestige - although employers won't distinguish between them as you've said, if I were to go to Southampton instead of Durham, would I be at a disadvantage in the future? (especially at big companies like FAANG for instance)

Thanks so much for your detailed reply - I much appreciate it. My only other worry is the ranking and prestige - although employers won't distinguish between them as you've said, if I were to go to Southampton instead of Durham, would I be at a disadvantage in the future? (especially at big companies like FAANG for instance)

It depends on what exactly you want to do later. Durham will have a strong advantage for careers in Law. For investment banking and financial careers it will be more even in how they are viewed, but neither universities have particular strengths within that sector like Oxbridge, LSE, UCL, Imperial and Warwick. Southampton is seen as a bit stronger in STEM, but Durham is much stronger in the Arts, Humanities and Law.
I would personally go with Durham, but you have to factor in whether you will like the quieter set up at Durham, with it being a tiny city.

Thanks so much!

Go to Southampton.
Durham has so many issues that they are still not dealing with - its not a supportive environment :
For better and worse, Durham’s student population has an impact on locals | Durham University | The Guardian
Durham has lowest state school intake of any UK university – Palatinate
Students from northern England facing 'toxic attitude' at Durham University | Durham University | The Guardian