History at Bristol vs. Durham
Currently torn between choosing Bristol (my offer is IB 36) or Durham (IB 38) as my firm for history. As Durham seems more prestigious I feel like that should be my choice but I visited both and really enjoyed Bristol as a city, and like having more opportunities for social events etc. as I go out quite a bit and feel like the place itself is more my vibe (although I liked both). I also am not sure about meeting 38 points because of the coursework i've already submitted. I also find the course at Bristol a bit more interesting.
I am also a bit unsure about accommodation as from what i've heard, those who go to Bristol as an insurance choice have had a lot of trouble paying for or even finding decent accom. This isn't my main reasoning but still something I'm thinking about.
Is it throwing away an opportunity if I choose Bristol over Durham? Specifically in terms of employability and reputation after uni, is Durham a great step above Bristol or should my decision really be up to which place I like more?
I am also a bit unsure about accommodation as from what i've heard, those who go to Bristol as an insurance choice have had a lot of trouble paying for or even finding decent accom. This isn't my main reasoning but still something I'm thinking about.
Is it throwing away an opportunity if I choose Bristol over Durham? Specifically in terms of employability and reputation after uni, is Durham a great step above Bristol or should my decision really be up to which place I like more?
(edited 1 year ago)
Reply 1
20
Bristol is a fascinating, vibrant city - the same cannot be said about Durham. Visit Bristol - The official tourist guide to Bristol
However, 'course' is also important. Look at the optional units for all years of each course - think about what you would choose if you went there.
However, 'course' is also important. Look at the optional units for all years of each course - think about what you would choose if you went there.
Reply 2
Bristol and Durham are probably about equal for academic performance - The Guardian puts Durham at 4th in UK for History, and Bristol 19th. However, 19th in UK is still a great academic standard.
As someone who has lived in the southwest for almost all my life (except when I lived in Germany for 3yrs and then Sussex for my first degree), the south west is *insane* for cost of living. Just searching for rooms available on sturents for Bristol returns some mind boggling prices (£300-£400 a week!), with even properties shared between multiple people being so expensive. It's less intense than London but when you look at some of these properties - not by a lot! Even in the scummier areas of the south west it's still super expensive - I've been working in the NHS in the south west in a pretty run down area and cannot afford to live on my own, and would struggle even with a partner to live with, even if we lived in a rough part of my town. The same cannot be said about Durham, where I am going for my masters and firmly intend to stay there after graduating because the COL is so draining down here.
Don't get me wrong, Bristol is a nice place and its cultural and vibrant (personally I liken it to a slightly smaller Newcastle) and I did consider doing my MA at Bristol and commuting in (I live 1-1.5hr away) but I ended up going with Durham because I liked their course better and living costs were a big factor for me, my rent is bills inclusive and just under £150pw.
As someone who has lived in the southwest for almost all my life (except when I lived in Germany for 3yrs and then Sussex for my first degree), the south west is *insane* for cost of living. Just searching for rooms available on sturents for Bristol returns some mind boggling prices (£300-£400 a week!), with even properties shared between multiple people being so expensive. It's less intense than London but when you look at some of these properties - not by a lot! Even in the scummier areas of the south west it's still super expensive - I've been working in the NHS in the south west in a pretty run down area and cannot afford to live on my own, and would struggle even with a partner to live with, even if we lived in a rough part of my town. The same cannot be said about Durham, where I am going for my masters and firmly intend to stay there after graduating because the COL is so draining down here.
Don't get me wrong, Bristol is a nice place and its cultural and vibrant (personally I liken it to a slightly smaller Newcastle) and I did consider doing my MA at Bristol and commuting in (I live 1-1.5hr away) but I ended up going with Durham because I liked their course better and living costs were a big factor for me, my rent is bills inclusive and just under £150pw.
Reply 3
20
The Guardian puts Durham at 4th in UK for History, and Bristol 19th. However, 19th in UK is still a great academic standard.
None of which will tell you if you will enjoy that course or like being at that Uni.
Rankings are just marketing fluff - they mean precisely zero in the real world.
None of which will tell you if you will enjoy that course or like being at that Uni.
Rankings are just marketing fluff - they mean precisely zero in the real world.
Reply 4
Bristol and Durham pretty much have the same reputation anyways imo. Spoke to people on Mumsnet and said they would agree they’re parallel to each other. I would say Durham vs Sheffield would be a more noticeable difference
Reply 5
20
Original post
by whyimihereBristol and Durham pretty much have the same reputation anyways imo. Spoke to people on Mumsnet and said they would agree they’re parallel to each other. I would say Durham vs Sheffield would be a more noticeable difference
Mumsnet? That is now a reliable source of advice on which Uni to choose is it? I've heard it all now.
Exactly what 'difference' do the yummy-mummies of Surrey think there is between Durham and Sheffield then. Do tell.
Reply 6
Original post
by McGingerMumsnet? That is now a reliable source of advice on which Uni to choose is it? I've heard it all now.
Exactly what 'difference' do the yummy-mummies of Surrey think there is between Durham and Sheffield then. Do tell.
Exactly what 'difference' do the yummy-mummies of Surrey think there is between Durham and Sheffield then. Do tell.
Never said it was a reliable source to choose uni from though? Many of the people there just also work in white collar jobs such as law so I asked for advice. Sheffield isn’t usually a university where London lawyers at top firms usually are from. It’s usually Oxbridge LSE + Imperial at the top, then you go down the pecking order from Durham Bristol Warwick etc.
If you think Sheffield and Bristol are equal to each other for prestigious sectors such as law or financial services, do tell.
Also currently at a university and have had people from EY & Deloitte come and visit. They agreed Durham & Bristol were the same reputation wise.
Reply 7
Original post
by McGingerMumsnet? That is now a reliable source of advice on which Uni to choose is it? I've heard it all now.
Exactly what 'difference' do the yummy-mummies of Surrey think there is between Durham and Sheffield then. Do tell.
Exactly what 'difference' do the yummy-mummies of Surrey think there is between Durham and Sheffield then. Do tell.
However I should note these two universities probably don’t make a difference for sectors such as civil services. They won’t care about whether you went to UEA or Durham.
Reply 8
Original post
by epicanduniquedivCurrently torn between choosing Bristol (my offer is IB 36) or Durham (IB 38) as my firm for history. As Durham seems more prestigious I feel like that should be my choice but I visited both and really enjoyed Bristol as a city, and like having more opportunities for social events etc. as I go out quite a bit and feel like the place itself is more my vibe (although I liked both). I also am not sure about meeting 38 points because of the coursework i've already submitted. I also find the course at Bristol a bit more interesting.
I am also a bit unsure about accommodation as from what i've heard, those who go to Bristol as an insurance choice have had a lot of trouble paying for or even finding decent accom. This isn't my main reasoning but still something I'm thinking about.
Is it throwing away an opportunity if I choose Bristol over Durham? Specifically in terms of employability and reputation after uni, is Durham a great step above Bristol or should my decision really be up to which place I like more?
I am also a bit unsure about accommodation as from what i've heard, those who go to Bristol as an insurance choice have had a lot of trouble paying for or even finding decent accom. This isn't my main reasoning but still something I'm thinking about.
Is it throwing away an opportunity if I choose Bristol over Durham? Specifically in terms of employability and reputation after uni, is Durham a great step above Bristol or should my decision really be up to which place I like more?
Sure! Both Bristol and Durham are great choices, but it sounds like Bristol might be a better fit for you personally, given your enjoyment of the city and the course content. While Durham is more prestigious, Bristol still has a strong reputation, and your happiness and fit with the university can have a big impact on your experience. If you feel more at home in Bristol, it might be the right choice, especially since employability isn’t drastically different between the two. Don’t stress too much about the prestige—go with where you’ll thrive!
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