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Most working class college at Durham

What is the most working class college at Durham? Ik Hatfield, Castle and St Johns are heavily populated by prep school students

Reply 1

Not me, but my sibling currently goes to Durham and says they find the most diverse + welcoming colleges are John Snow, South, and Stephenson. This is just their personal experience though so I’d take this with a pinch of salt :smile:

Reply 2

Original post
by Anonymous
Not me, but my sibling currently goes to Durham and says they find the most diverse + welcoming colleges are John Snow, South, and Stephenson. This is just their personal experience though so I’d take this with a pinch of salt :smile:

I can second this! really don't know how ti works this way but the hill v Bailey college is most defo a thing, hill is much more diverse in people background whereas Bailey, though still lovely people, you will find are most likely private school

Reply 3

Original post
by Anonymous
I can second this! really don't know how ti works this way but the hill v Bailey college is most defo a thing, hill is much more diverse in people background whereas Bailey, though still lovely people, you will find are most likely private school

What about Hilde Bede?

Reply 4

I think it is catered/self catered that is determining the difference in the state/private students ratio between colleges although obviously most Bailey places are catered. Collingwood for example also has a lot of privately educated students. I have definitely read a palatinate.org.uk article on this - have a search on there. That said I am state educated at a Bailey college and most people are lovely regardless of where they have been to school.

Reply 5

Original post
by Lauren 28119
What about Hilde Bede?

My son just started at Hild Bede this year, he says it is pretty down-to-earth. They are at a different site due to renovations at the main college but it seems to be very popular and very handy for the town centre.
Original post
by Lauren 28119
What is the most working class college at Durham? Ik Hatfield, Castle and St Johns are heavily populated by prep school students

Hiya,

The more traditional colleges are the Bailey ones so you will definitely meet more people from affluent backgrounds, whereas Hill colleges tend to have more of a mix. Still, it changes every year with every intake of students but I would suggest attending one of the open days and getting a feel of the different colleges/speaking to some of the students 🙂 If not, I would maybe suggest seeing whether you want to be in a catered college or a self catered college as most catered colleges tend to be Bailey and self catered tend to be concentrated on the hill; this may help narrow down the list of colleges you're interested in.

Hope this helps!

-Ghala
(Official DU Rep)

Reply 7

Original post
by Lauren 28119
What is the most working class college at Durham? Ik Hatfield, Castle and St Johns are heavily populated by prep school students

I heard it’s Aidan’s, but generally hill colleges will be more working class.

Reply 8

Have a read of this article.

Reply 9

I'd say Josephine Butler has a good mix and they will prioritise a student's finances when considering applications to remain in college for 2nd and 3rd years (as generally cheaper than living out).
Having said that, I ended up in St John's and yes, as a Comprehensive-educated person from a small Northern town, I am definitely in the minority but it hasn't mattered at all. It's a really friendly, welcoming college and I've enjoyed meeting people from different backgrounds to the one I grew up in.

Reply 10

Original post
by Louisthom
I'd say Josephine Butler has a good mix and they will prioritise a student's finances when considering applications to remain in college for 2nd and 3rd years (as generally cheaper than living out).
Having said that, I ended up in St John's and yes, as a Comprehensive-educated person from a small Northern town, I am definitely in the minority but it hasn't mattered at all. It's a really friendly, welcoming college and I've enjoyed meeting people from different backgrounds to the one I grew up in.

Can I ask on St. John's, it is often represented as a religious college? As a Jewish student (not religious) would I be comfortable at St. John. I am doing a year abroad from Boston next year at Durham.

Reply 11

Original post
by DeerfieldUS
Can I ask on St. John's, it is often represented as a religious college? As a Jewish student (not religious) would I be comfortable at St. John. I am doing a year abroad from Boston next year at Durham.

I’m a current student and really can’t see you having any problems. It is a friendly and welcoming college where I feel very comfortable as an atheist as have my friends of other religions.


St John’s is a great choice. I’m an atheist and have been very comfortable as have my Jewish and Muslim friends.

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