I'm a working class trans guy going to Durham University- will i be okay?
So, Durham has been my dream university for a long, long time, (studying bachelors and masters in psychology, and then doctorate of counselling psychology at Manchester, ideally) and today I got my offer. I was so excited, but now I'm seeing a lot of negativity about Durham Uni and I'm wondering if I've made a bad choice?
For the record, Durham is my main choice since it's where I live, and I don't want to relocate somewhere I'm unfamiliar with until I'm more prepared, plus I've always felt very comfortable and at home in Durham city. I come from a very low-income background, and got a contextual (BBB- not worried, I'm predicted A*A*A), but I see a lot of posts here that Durham is pretentious, riddled with stuck up rich kids, and only for Oxbridge rejects. As an alternative, working class trans guy, I'm worried about discrimination, from other students and from the university itself, which I see a lot about it being an awful cash-grab. I'm not too worried about finances right now, since I can get bursaries and loans, but I am nervous about just how much of the stuff I see online is true. All of the Durham university students I've met have seemed great, but I do definitely see a lot of them being dressed in designer gear 24/7 while I'm customising charity shop clothes and working 24 hours a week to stay afloat. So, is Durham as bad as everyone says?
I'm so set on Durham because I want to live at home for the first year, and I really don't want to move out of the north east until I'm older due to relationships and familiarity with the area. I've been accepted to Newcastle and Sunderland too, but I'm not interested in Newcastle's course and I know a Russel Group uni will definitely help with employability. Is Durham University a good call?
For the record, Durham is my main choice since it's where I live, and I don't want to relocate somewhere I'm unfamiliar with until I'm more prepared, plus I've always felt very comfortable and at home in Durham city. I come from a very low-income background, and got a contextual (BBB- not worried, I'm predicted A*A*A), but I see a lot of posts here that Durham is pretentious, riddled with stuck up rich kids, and only for Oxbridge rejects. As an alternative, working class trans guy, I'm worried about discrimination, from other students and from the university itself, which I see a lot about it being an awful cash-grab. I'm not too worried about finances right now, since I can get bursaries and loans, but I am nervous about just how much of the stuff I see online is true. All of the Durham university students I've met have seemed great, but I do definitely see a lot of them being dressed in designer gear 24/7 while I'm customising charity shop clothes and working 24 hours a week to stay afloat. So, is Durham as bad as everyone says?
I'm so set on Durham because I want to live at home for the first year, and I really don't want to move out of the north east until I'm older due to relationships and familiarity with the area. I've been accepted to Newcastle and Sunderland too, but I'm not interested in Newcastle's course and I know a Russel Group uni will definitely help with employability. Is Durham University a good call?
I think you’ll be fine mainly because you are planning to live at home.
The students I have known to struggle with snobbery/racism at Durham have found it worse because they were living in college and surrounded by people that they didn’t relate to (and in some cases people who were actively hostile) 24/7. Remember some colleges insist on students sharing a room for a term and/or don’t have any proper kitchens so students have to spend all their time with a random selection of people.
Because you’re not going to be living in a college you’ll have lots more flexibility to find and befriend people who you like and get along with without all the baggage of being stuck in a specific college. And you will have your support network of any local friends and your family if you don’t click with anyone straight away.
The students I have known to struggle with snobbery/racism at Durham have found it worse because they were living in college and surrounded by people that they didn’t relate to (and in some cases people who were actively hostile) 24/7. Remember some colleges insist on students sharing a room for a term and/or don’t have any proper kitchens so students have to spend all their time with a random selection of people.
Because you’re not going to be living in a college you’ll have lots more flexibility to find and befriend people who you like and get along with without all the baggage of being stuck in a specific college. And you will have your support network of any local friends and your family if you don’t click with anyone straight away.
Original post by IdiotIcarus
So, Durham has been my dream university for a long, long time, (studying bachelors and masters in psychology, and then doctorate of counselling psychology at Manchester, ideally) and today I got my offer. I was so excited, but now I'm seeing a lot of negativity about Durham Uni and I'm wondering if I've made a bad choice?
For the record, Durham is my main choice since it's where I live, and I don't want to relocate somewhere I'm unfamiliar with until I'm more prepared, plus I've always felt very comfortable and at home in Durham city. I come from a very low-income background, and got a contextual (BBB- not worried, I'm predicted A*A*A), but I see a lot of posts here that Durham is pretentious, riddled with stuck up rich kids, and only for Oxbridge rejects. As an alternative, working class trans guy, I'm worried about discrimination, from other students and from the university itself, which I see a lot about it being an awful cash-grab. I'm not too worried about finances right now, since I can get bursaries and loans, but I am nervous about just how much of the stuff I see online is true. All of the Durham university students I've met have seemed great, but I do definitely see a lot of them being dressed in designer gear 24/7 while I'm customising charity shop clothes and working 24 hours a week to stay afloat. So, is Durham as bad as everyone says?
I'm so set on Durham because I want to live at home for the first year, and I really don't want to move out of the north east until I'm older due to relationships and familiarity with the area. I've been accepted to Newcastle and Sunderland too, but I'm not interested in Newcastle's course and I know a Russel Group uni will definitely help with employability. Is Durham University a good call?
For the record, Durham is my main choice since it's where I live, and I don't want to relocate somewhere I'm unfamiliar with until I'm more prepared, plus I've always felt very comfortable and at home in Durham city. I come from a very low-income background, and got a contextual (BBB- not worried, I'm predicted A*A*A), but I see a lot of posts here that Durham is pretentious, riddled with stuck up rich kids, and only for Oxbridge rejects. As an alternative, working class trans guy, I'm worried about discrimination, from other students and from the university itself, which I see a lot about it being an awful cash-grab. I'm not too worried about finances right now, since I can get bursaries and loans, but I am nervous about just how much of the stuff I see online is true. All of the Durham university students I've met have seemed great, but I do definitely see a lot of them being dressed in designer gear 24/7 while I'm customising charity shop clothes and working 24 hours a week to stay afloat. So, is Durham as bad as everyone says?
I'm so set on Durham because I want to live at home for the first year, and I really don't want to move out of the north east until I'm older due to relationships and familiarity with the area. I've been accepted to Newcastle and Sunderland too, but I'm not interested in Newcastle's course and I know a Russel Group uni will definitely help with employability. Is Durham University a good call?
Hello!
Firstly, well done on getting an offer! Durham was one of my dream universities too and I'm so happy that is for you too!
Before I came here, I also was worried about whether I'd fit in, whether this university has space for me and whether any other minorities even went to Durham. And whilst I can't say that Durham's stereotypes are completely unfounded, I will say that the university's administration and colleges are doing their very best to make Durham as inclusive as possible and I've really felt that since I've been here. And whilst my experience might be different to the trans experience at Durham, what I can say is that the stereotypes here can be a self fulfilling prophecy because if minorities like us fear coming to Durham, then none of us ever will. There are so many of us here who are minorities and from a working class background (for example, the 93% club and Trans Alliance are some really cool societies doing some great work on improving inclusion here!) and I do hope to see more of us here as we keep improving.
I should also point out that the university and our colleges do also have many robust institutional commitments to improve inclusivity at Durham and whilst that is important, I also thought it was important that I give my personal experience and assure you it isn't as it seems online and I truly do think Durham will be great for you!
I hope to see you next year!
– Lesath (DU Rep.)
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- LGBTQ+ international student
- Finding a GP: HRT shared care at Durham?
- Applying to sixth form as a trans student?
- being trans at uni?
- Why am I as a girl jealous of guys I’m attracted to???
- Genuine question: would i be competitive for PPE courses?
- Durham University is not what it seems, do not go here! Please read!
- I'm a girl wanting to be a boy, but I'm not trans??
- Daily life at Durham International Study Center
- Any other trans people going to RGU in 2025?
- transphobia at uni?
- Is it true what they say about Durham?
- Durham or Nottingham?
- Durham University as a working class student
- Best universities for magic circle law firms
- Computer science entry 2025
- Is it worth studying a science subject at Durham?
- Durham or Manchester?
- MA History reading list?
- Anthropology: LSE or Durham
Latest
Trending
Last reply 11 hours ago
Official Durham University Offer Holders Thread 2025 entryDurham University
147
151
Last reply 1 month ago
I'm a working class trans guy going to Durham University- will i be okay?
