The Student Room Group

Help shortlisting Durham Colleges

As I live quite far away from Durham and I couldn't attend the open days, so the offer-holder open is a good opportunity for me to visit the city, departments (I got accepted for engineering) and colleges. As the subject sessions are 3hr long, that leaves me with little time in the morning to visit the colleges (I recon I should have about 2hrs), hence I have to be very selective with which colleges I decided to visit.

I would very much appreciate any help with my shortlist.
More specifically I would like a college that:

1. Has good kitchen facilities, I'm a very picky eater and I struggle to eat foods I am not familiar with, so I would prefer to have the option to cook, a college that has both options would be great
2. I would like a college that's a bit on the older side, distance is not a problem for me
3. Ideally it should have good accommodations (having the option to choose an en-suite would be nice), and I would like the option to choose a single sex flat
4. Good general vibes (I come from a working class background). This point is not as important as the others as I can adapt quite quickly to different kinds of environments and it's probably going to be fun and interesting to interact with people with different background from mine. That said I would like a college that's vibrant with lots of things to do and a close knit community.

Other details that I would like to take into account:
- I don't drink or party (at night clubs, bars and such)
- I would like to know which colleges offer good financial support

Thank you for taking the to read this.
Reply 1
Original post by Anonymous
As I live quite far away from Durham and I couldn't attend the open days, so the offer-holder open is a good opportunity for me to visit the city, departments (I got accepted for engineering) and colleges. As the subject sessions are 3hr long, that leaves me with little time in the morning to visit the colleges (I recon I should have about 2hrs), hence I have to be very selective with which colleges I decided to visit.
I would very much appreciate any help with my shortlist.
More specifically I would like a college that:
1. Has good kitchen facilities, I'm a very picky eater and I struggle to eat foods I am not familiar with, so I would prefer to have the option to cook, a college that has both options would be great
2. I would like a college that's a bit on the older side, distance is not a problem for me
3. Ideally it should have good accommodations (having the option to choose an en-suite would be nice), and I would like the option to choose a single sex flat
4. Good general vibes (I come from a working class background). This point is not as important as the others as I can adapt quite quickly to different kinds of environments and it's probably going to be fun and interesting to interact with people with different background from mine. That said I would like a college that's vibrant with lots of things to do and a close knit community.
Other details that I would like to take into account:
- I don't drink or party (at night clubs, bars and such)
- I would like to know which colleges offer good financial support
Thank you for taking the to read this.

Hello! Most catered colleges (ie. The older ones) don’t have kitchen facilities (they only have toaster/microwave) and are the ones close to town, with the newer colleges being further away. As far as I’m aware, colleges are either catered or self catered, with this depending on what block you’re in (like Castle, which offers both, but you still have to choose which one). Most colleges have cafes/bar where you can order dinner, and some colleges (like JoBo) offer a free meal occasionally.

Josephine Butler (my college) and Stevo are both catered and have en-suites, with JoBo having all guaranteed en-suites and Stevo having a mixture of en-suite and paired (you share with one other person) bathrooms. I think bathrooms are shared at all other colleges, with several en-suites but with priority to disabled people. I think most colleges will offer the opportunity to opt in for a single sex flat, but this obviously depends on availability, and is not guaranteed.

Generally, the hill colleges are more working class, with Aidan’s having the highest percent for diversity. That being said, this means that they don’t really offer much financial support with bursaries, as the Bailey colleges have more money. You can still apply for scholarships, however, and could be eligible for a Durham grant.

I think two hours is plenty of time on the open day. You can probably see around 4 hill colleges, walk into town (30 mins) and see 2 or more on the bailey. (Order can be switched depending on where your sample lecture is) When I came for the open day, I saw 2 colleges in 30 mins.
Reply 2
Original post by waffelton
Hello! Most catered colleges (ie. The older ones) don’t have kitchen facilities (they only have toaster/microwave) and are the ones close to town, with the newer colleges being further away. As far as I’m aware, colleges are either catered or self catered, with this depending on what block you’re in (like Castle, which offers both, but you still have to choose which one). Most colleges have cafes/bar where you can order dinner, and some colleges (like JoBo) offer a free meal occasionally.
Josephine Butler (my college) and Stevo are both catered and have en-suites, with JoBo having all guaranteed en-suites and Stevo having a mixture of en-suite and paired (you share with one other person) bathrooms. I think bathrooms are shared at all other colleges, with several en-suites but with priority to disabled people. I think most colleges will offer the opportunity to opt in for a single sex flat, but this obviously depends on availability, and is not guaranteed.
Generally, the hill colleges are more working class, with Aidan’s having the highest percent for diversity. That being said, this means that they don’t really offer much financial support with bursaries, as the Bailey colleges have more money. You can still apply for scholarships, however, and could be eligible for a Durham grant.
I think two hours is plenty of time on the open day. You can probably see around 4 hill colleges, walk into town (30 mins) and see 2 or more on the bailey. (Order can be switched depending on where your sample lecture is) When I came for the open day, I saw 2 colleges in 30 mins.


Thank you so much!
I was also looking at st Hild and at Bede, and I’m confused by the info I’m getting. From what I understand is getting refurbished so students are living at college accommodations which are a bit further away from the centre (I check the distance and I don’t think that’s gonna bother me at all). It seems to be self catered (?) but in some places I read that’s it’s both, and others say it’s catered.

Would you be able to tell me more about it?
I could just email them and ask them directly not that I think about it.

Anyways thanks again for the info!

How are you finding your time there at Durham?
Hild Bede is being refurbished so current first years are based in Rushford Court which is en-suite/self catered. It is very near the town centre but quite far away from the departments based near the hill colleges.
Original post by Anonymous
As I live quite far away from Durham and I couldn't attend the open days, so the offer-holder open is a good opportunity for me to visit the city, departments (I got accepted for engineering) and colleges. As the subject sessions are 3hr long, that leaves me with little time in the morning to visit the colleges (I recon I should have about 2hrs), hence I have to be very selective with which colleges I decided to visit.
I would very much appreciate any help with my shortlist.
More specifically I would like a college that:
1. Has good kitchen facilities, I'm a very picky eater and I struggle to eat foods I am not familiar with, so I would prefer to have the option to cook, a college that has both options would be great
2. I would like a college that's a bit on the older side, distance is not a problem for me
3. Ideally it should have good accommodations (having the option to choose an en-suite would be nice), and I would like the option to choose a single sex flat
4. Good general vibes (I come from a working class background). This point is not as important as the others as I can adapt quite quickly to different kinds of environments and it's probably going to be fun and interesting to interact with people with different background from mine. That said I would like a college that's vibrant with lots of things to do and a close knit community.
Other details that I would like to take into account:
- I don't drink or party (at night clubs, bars and such)
- I would like to know which colleges offer good financial support
Thank you for taking the to read this.

Hiya,

Lots of your criteria fits St Cuthbert's society, specifically the parsons field site. Parsons field is self catered so you have a fully equipped kitchen and have ensuite rooms, and its one of the more older/traditional colleges. Its located in old elvet so its quite close to the science site (15 mins) and elvet riverside (10 mins) which is quite ideal, most importantly its like 5 mins from the centre. 🙂
Cuths, especially Parsons field has a very tight nit community and from my experience, people generally are not judgy (I also don't drink/go on nights out); I was worried I would feel left out but I was still able to socialise with people without feeling like the odd one out/missing out. I'd recommend having a look at St Cuthbert's Society.

Hope this helps!

-Ghala
(Official DU Rep)
Reply 5
Original post by Durham Rep Ghala
Hiya,
Lots of your criteria fits St Cuthbert's society, specifically the parsons field site. Parsons field is self catered so you have a fully equipped kitchen and have ensuite rooms, and its one of the more older/traditional colleges. Its located in old elvet so its quite close to the science site (15 mins) and elvet riverside (10 mins) which is quite ideal, most importantly its like 5 mins from the centre. 🙂
Cuths, especially Parsons field has a very tight nit community and from my experience, people generally are not judgy (I also don't drink/go on nights out); I was worried I would feel left out but I was still able to socialise with people without feeling like the odd one out/missing out. I'd recommend having a look at St Cuthbert's Society.
Hope this helps!
-Ghala
(Official DU Rep)


Thank you! It was not really on my radar but after what you told me I will absolutely check it out!

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