St. Andrews vs Durham University

Hi! I'm an international student from Singapore, and I've applied for BA Geography at Durham and MA Geography and Sustainable Development at St. Andrews. I've gotten a conditional offer from both universities -- which would depend on my A Levels results. Still, since it's probably near impossible for me to visit both locations before I make a decision, I was wondering whether I could get some advice. Thanks in advance!

I have only been to Durham and I did not like the place myself. It is also a collegiate university, maybe that will suit you? For me it was always wet, muddy and windy (the North of England always is). I also found moving around the city difficult in terms of the amount of students, way too many. The city is not big enough, so be prepared to swear to yourself a lot of times. Lastly, I have no idea how much contact time that degree has, but I studied Archaeology and Anthropology and I had about 8-10 hours a week and that was not worth the money in my opinion. Oh, St Andrews ranks better than Durham and has far better student satisfaction.

Ignore the UK rankings as they are wholly unreliable. Anyone who places a lot of weight in them is a fool.

I have only been to Durham and I did not like the place myself. It is also a collegiate university, maybe that will suit you? For me it was always wet, muddy and windy (the North of England always is). I also found moving around the city difficult in terms of the amount of students, way too many. The city is not big enough, so be prepared to swear to yourself a lot of times. Lastly, I have no idea how much contact time that degree has, but I studied Archaeology and Anthropology and I had about 8-10 hours a week and that was not worth the money in my opinion. Oh, St Andrews ranks better than Durham and has far better student satisfaction.

These two courses will not be identical, and each will have a different focus.
Look at the course structure, and the optional units available in all years of each course.
What would you choose if you went there.
Find campus tour films, and tourist films for both towns, on YouTube - think about the reality of living in each place,

Ignore the UK rankings as they are wholly unreliable. Anyone who places a lot of weight in them is a fool.

Yup, I was rather interested in a collegiate system — though what you mentioned about the weather and the city is off-putting indeed. Thanks for your help!

Genuine question: What makes you say that the rankings are wholly unreliable? Well, it is largely based on research output, but I feel that they have evolved to weigh different factors in their rankings now (compared to before). Still, like what you said, it’s certainly foolish to believe them completely.

Don't believe one person's view of the weather. Being on the eastern side of England, Durham is no wetter than many southern areas of the UK. It gets significantly less rainfall than Singapore and is less humid. It's the seasonal changes in temperature (anywhere in the UK) that you will need to be prepared for:
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/types-of-weather/rain/how-much-does-it-rain-in-the-uk
https://durhamweather.webspace.durham.ac.uk/a-brief-summary-of-durhams-climate/
Both Durham and St Andrews are relatively small cities/towns in terms of population size. Durham is the bigger of the two and it also has a larger student population.

You have not lived in many parts of the UK then. The South East is on average drier, warmer and less windy, the met office even agrees with me, shocking I know.

I have lived in many places in the UK (and overseas). I was referring to your statement that the North of England is always wet, muddy and windy. That is incorrect and misleading for someone seeking advice from overseas. Durham's average rainfall is 675 mm compared with Healthrow's 614mm, Bristol's 819 mm, Birmingham's 809 mm, Liverpool's 824 mm and St Andrew's 712 mm. Singapore averages 2200 mm rainfall per year so the OP will be a lot drier at either of their choices.

It is still colder in the north than in the south east of England throughout the year.

I have lived in many places in the UK (and overseas). I was referring to your statement that the North of England is always wet, muddy and windy. That is incorrect and misleading for someone seeking advice from overseas. Durham's average rainfall is 675 mm compared with Healthrow's 614mm, Bristol's 819 mm, Birmingham's 809 mm, Liverpool's 824 mm and St Andrew's 712 mm. Singapore averages 2200 mm rainfall per year so the OP will be a lot drier at either of their choices.

I have lived in many places in the UK (and overseas). I was referring to your statement that the North of England is always wet, muddy and windy. That is incorrect and misleading for someone seeking advice from overseas. Durham's average rainfall is 675 mm compared with Healthrow's 614mm, Bristol's 819 mm, Birmingham's 809 mm, Liverpool's 824 mm and St Andrew's 712 mm. Singapore averages 2200 mm rainfall per year so the OP will be a lot drier at either of their choices.