Durham Uni Catering -- Is it worth it?
Hello! I'm a Y13 student who will probably be attending Durham Uni come September to study maths. The colleges I really like the look of (Trev, Collingwood, Grey, Castle, Van Mildert) have mandatory catering packages. I'm aware I'm unable to opt out of catering but almost £5 per meal is egregious.
My question is whether the money saved by prioritising self-catered colleges is worth attending a college I jive less with (South, Stephenson, John Snow).
I'm heading to a post-offer day in three weeks and I'll visit as many colleges as I can, I'm sure my mind will change, but should I dislike the self-catering colleges, is the additional cost (to attend a preferred college and for the meals themselves) worth the price?
Thank you!
My question is whether the money saved by prioritising self-catered colleges is worth attending a college I jive less with (South, Stephenson, John Snow).
I'm heading to a post-offer day in three weeks and I'll visit as many colleges as I can, I'm sure my mind will change, but should I dislike the self-catering colleges, is the additional cost (to attend a preferred college and for the meals themselves) worth the price?
Thank you!
Reply 1
The extra cost of catered is about £100 per week for 31 weeks. It’s a substantial sum if money is tight and you can feed yourself for significantly less in self-catered.
That said, catered colleges can be great, especially for people who aren’t so fussy about food, as there are 3 opportunities to get together each day with the whole of college and it’s such an easy way to meet people. Personally, I think it’s easier to meet more people quickly in catered.
But, £3k more, or maybe £2k more once you’ve factored in buying self catered food isn’t nothing. It really depends on your financial set up.
Lots like living in self catering flats rather than corridors in colleges. Self catering is flexible in terms of eating whenever and not needing to go back for lunch.
Cuths offers a pay as you go food service alongside both catered and self catered accommodation. 5ink it’s the only college to offer 3 catering options like that.
But go and look and do the sums.
No right choice.
That said, catered colleges can be great, especially for people who aren’t so fussy about food, as there are 3 opportunities to get together each day with the whole of college and it’s such an easy way to meet people. Personally, I think it’s easier to meet more people quickly in catered.
But, £3k more, or maybe £2k more once you’ve factored in buying self catered food isn’t nothing. It really depends on your financial set up.
Lots like living in self catering flats rather than corridors in colleges. Self catering is flexible in terms of eating whenever and not needing to go back for lunch.
Cuths offers a pay as you go food service alongside both catered and self catered accommodation. 5ink it’s the only college to offer 3 catering options like that.
But go and look and do the sums.
No right choice.
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