Durham colleges

Hii I got an offer for Philosophy and think I'll probably firm it. The college system is a JOKE and I'd like some advice... I was really drawn to Durham because of the old buildings and all the traditions but I'd really like to be self-catered. I liked the idea of the older colleges but most of them are catered. I initially thought I'd choose St Cuthberts because it's both catered and self-catered, but the self-catered building is like 10 minutes away from the catered one and is next to a prison. I also might end up being put in the catered bit... I'm now thinking of choosing somewhere like Josephine Butler even though its missing the old vibes... Does the college really matter and how different will my experience be if I'm in a modern vs an old college???

The allocation system is so hit and miss I wouldn’t get hung up on any specific college. It’s as much to hope you’ll get your choice of catered or self catered tbh. Last year loads got choices from way down their lists …

The experience is pretty similar at all colleges (there’s pros and cons everywhere) so the things you should really be thinking about is what type of accommodation you want and then put colleges with what you want at the top. For example, if you want self-catered and gowned make sure your top five choices are self-catered and gowned. All the people who I know got a college way down their list didn’t submit the form in time or only wanted to go to super competitive colleges. So decide on a couple that you like and keep them at the top and you should get one of them. In the end, everyone ends up liking the college they get so don’t stress if you don’t get what you initially wanted.
Also in terms of old vibes you could always take a look around Durham itself bc even if you don’t live in an older college you’ll still be around old buildings. I actually prefer it that way bc the newer colleges have nicer accommodation.

Go Cuths self catered! Best college and so good being able to cook for urself

I do love the look of Cuths!!! Is the self catered building nice???

Yeah I have no issues with it and it’s right next to the sports centre and loads of nice walks around it x

Oh fab!!!!! Do you feel like connected to the catered part of it even though they're separate??

Hii I got an offer for Philosophy and think I'll probably firm it. The college system is a JOKE and I'd like some advice... I was really drawn to Durham because of the old buildings and all the traditions but I'd really like to be self-catered. I liked the idea of the older colleges but most of them are catered. I initially thought I'd choose St Cuthberts because it's both catered and self-catered, but the self-catered building is like 10 minutes away from the catered one and is next to a prison. I also might end up being put in the catered bit... I'm now thinking of choosing somewhere like Josephine Butler even though its missing the old vibes... Does the college really matter and how different will my experience be if I'm in a modern vs an old college???