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University decisions

Durham vs Edinburgh for history and ancient history - does anyone have any tips or something they know that might help me decide

Reply 1

AmacD

Some factors to consider:
E - MA and D - BA probably
E - 4yrs, D 3yrs
Difference in offers?
If you're an Oxbridge offer holder, and this is for your insurance choice, would it be better to have a safe bet (lower offer if there's a difference) if you miss the Cambridge offer.
Is there any indication that one rather than the other accepts offer holders who just miss their grades for that course?
If you're a Scottish student there's the free tuition element and higher maximum maintenance loan.
Do you want a year abroad? where do they usually send students? links to other unis are on their websites.
Do you like the collegiate system (Durham)?
City or big town?
Are you better at coursework or year end exams (E has more coursework than exams generally from what I've seen)
Look in detail at the course content (modules) they are all online. There may be things you're hoping to study which aren't covered.
Look at the split between history and ancient history - is it a total of 60 credits for each, each year? Can you specialise more in one than the other by year 3?
Edinburgh year starts in early September (8 Sept this year for freshers week, usually 15 Sept), finishes May, Durham 29 September usually 5 Oct) and finishes end of June. Does this matter to you?
Edinburgh details revision weeks and exam weeks on their website so you can see now how your year would pan out.
Look at the student feedback on this site, put in the course and it gives loads of stats about tutor feed back, availability.
Do you want to be more certain of where you're living in year 1? D is a bit of a lottery as the college (16 colleges) is via an allocation but not necessarily the one(s) you put first. E might be a bit more predictable if you want self catering or to share a flat.
Look at the rankings by QS, Times, Guardian, Complete uni guide. D generally comes out higher, although Edi scores highly overall on the international QS rankings.
Does the gender mix matter? Stats are on this website if you search for the course.
How easy is it to get where your family or friends are? that's a good or bad thing depending on your relationships!
Write lists and go with your gut when you've got answers to the above.
Best of luck, you've got until May.
PS son going through a similar choice for a different subject but same two unis!