Psychology at Uni of York vs Durham Uni
Hi, I recently received unconditional offers from these two universities (I'm on a gap year) and I wanted to hear about people's experience at them to help me decide which one to firm.
I've already visted the uni of York and I liked it a lot, although the lecturer was a bit too serious. But the university and the city itself are amazing and have a really nice atmosphere.
I haven't visited Durham university yet because I only just received the offer, but I know it is very good.
For more context, my family live in Manchester and I want to be able to visit them whenever I'd like, so York is attractive for that reason. I also love going to bedroom pop and punk/garage/hard rock gigs, so I wanted to know what the gig scene is like in those places.
Some specific questions I have:
- What do assignments look like? How many essays/presentations/exams do you have to do per semester?
- What is the accommodation like? I'd most likely be living in shared bathrooms accom., so how often does it get cleaned or do the students clean it themselves?
-Is it worth getting a bike for transport?
- Which city is cheaper to live in (especially once you move out of uni accom.)?
TIA
I've already visted the uni of York and I liked it a lot, although the lecturer was a bit too serious. But the university and the city itself are amazing and have a really nice atmosphere.
I haven't visited Durham university yet because I only just received the offer, but I know it is very good.
For more context, my family live in Manchester and I want to be able to visit them whenever I'd like, so York is attractive for that reason. I also love going to bedroom pop and punk/garage/hard rock gigs, so I wanted to know what the gig scene is like in those places.
Some specific questions I have:
- What do assignments look like? How many essays/presentations/exams do you have to do per semester?
- What is the accommodation like? I'd most likely be living in shared bathrooms accom., so how often does it get cleaned or do the students clean it themselves?
-Is it worth getting a bike for transport?
- Which city is cheaper to live in (especially once you move out of uni accom.)?
TIA
Reply 1
20
Original post
by 6lakeyyHi, I recently received unconditional offers from these two universities (I'm on a gap year) and I wanted to hear about people's experience at them to help me decide which one to firm.
I've already visted the uni of York and I liked it a lot, although the lecturer was a bit too serious. But the university and the city itself are amazing and have a really nice atmosphere.
I haven't visited Durham university yet because I only just received the offer, but I know it is very good.
For more context, my family live in Manchester and I want to be able to visit them whenever I'd like, so York is attractive for that reason. I also love going to bedroom pop and punk/garage/hard rock gigs, so I wanted to know what the gig scene is like in those places.
Some specific questions I have:
- What do assignments look like? How many essays/presentations/exams do you have to do per semester?
- What is the accommodation like? I'd most likely be living in shared bathrooms accom., so how often does it get cleaned or do the students clean it themselves?
-Is it worth getting a bike for transport?
- Which city is cheaper to live in (especially once you move out of uni accom.)?
TIA
I've already visted the uni of York and I liked it a lot, although the lecturer was a bit too serious. But the university and the city itself are amazing and have a really nice atmosphere.
I haven't visited Durham university yet because I only just received the offer, but I know it is very good.
For more context, my family live in Manchester and I want to be able to visit them whenever I'd like, so York is attractive for that reason. I also love going to bedroom pop and punk/garage/hard rock gigs, so I wanted to know what the gig scene is like in those places.
Some specific questions I have:
- What do assignments look like? How many essays/presentations/exams do you have to do per semester?
- What is the accommodation like? I'd most likely be living in shared bathrooms accom., so how often does it get cleaned or do the students clean it themselves?
-Is it worth getting a bike for transport?
- Which city is cheaper to live in (especially once you move out of uni accom.)?
TIA
I can't advise on what the courses are like at either uni, but when making a decision it is best to prioritise the course content. Compare the modules and optional modules for all years of the course and think about what you would take if you went there. Is there an option to do a placement year or study abroad as these can add a lot to your graduate CV.
Durham is a much smaller city than York (about a quarter of the size) and there are fewer clubs. However, it is within easy of Newcastle for gigs, and York is also within reach of Leeds.
@University of York @Durham Rep Ghala Can you help with some of the OP's questions on the unis and cities please?
Reply 2
Original post
by 6lakeyyHi, I recently received unconditional offers from these two universities (I'm on a gap year) and I wanted to hear about people's experience at them to help me decide which one to firm.
I've already visted the uni of York and I liked it a lot, although the lecturer was a bit too serious. But the university and the city itself are amazing and have a really nice atmosphere.
I haven't visited Durham university yet because I only just received the offer, but I know it is very good.
For more context, my family live in Manchester and I want to be able to visit them whenever I'd like, so York is attractive for that reason. I also love going to bedroom pop and punk/garage/hard rock gigs, so I wanted to know what the gig scene is like in those places.
Some specific questions I have:
- What do assignments look like? How many essays/presentations/exams do you have to do per semester?
- What is the accommodation like? I'd most likely be living in shared bathrooms accom., so how often does it get cleaned or do the students clean it themselves?
-Is it worth getting a bike for transport?
- Which city is cheaper to live in (especially once you move out of uni accom.)?
TIA
I've already visted the uni of York and I liked it a lot, although the lecturer was a bit too serious. But the university and the city itself are amazing and have a really nice atmosphere.
I haven't visited Durham university yet because I only just received the offer, but I know it is very good.
For more context, my family live in Manchester and I want to be able to visit them whenever I'd like, so York is attractive for that reason. I also love going to bedroom pop and punk/garage/hard rock gigs, so I wanted to know what the gig scene is like in those places.
Some specific questions I have:
- What do assignments look like? How many essays/presentations/exams do you have to do per semester?
- What is the accommodation like? I'd most likely be living in shared bathrooms accom., so how often does it get cleaned or do the students clean it themselves?
-Is it worth getting a bike for transport?
- Which city is cheaper to live in (especially once you move out of uni accom.)?
TIA
Hi there!
I'm a second year Psychology student at Durham, so thought I'd tell you a little bit about my experience here. 😊 I think it would be good to visit Durham when you get the time, as that was a key factor influencing my decision to come: seeing the facilities, meeting lecturers and exploring my college were all really useful in helping me make a decision.
In terms of the gig scene, there are events and performances in and around Durham regularly: you can view some of these here https://www.skiddle.com/gigs/Durham/. In general, as Durham is quite a small town, I'd say the gig scene is more expansive in Newcastle (which is only around 15 minutes away on the train); students regularly make this journey for various reasons, given the closeness of the two places. 🙂 You can check out gigs in and around Newcastle here: https://www.gig-guide.co.uk/listings/newcastle.
As for your questions, assignments in Psychology massively vary, meaning you probably won't be doing the same assignments year to year. I know that first year assessments are changing for years to come, so I'll give you an explanation of the types of assignments I've had this year. We have 3 online essays, 1 lab report, 1 online presentation, 1 online statistics exam, 3 MCQ tests and 2 in-person essays. There are a really great range of assessment types, so if you're somebody like me who isn't fond of exams, your grade won't be entirely determined by that. ☺️
As for accommodation, I commute so I can't give you a personal view. You can compare the features of all accommodations using this link, to identify the differences between catering, facilities and more: https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/colleges/compare-our-colleges/undergraduate-college-comparison-table/.
Shared bathrooms in Durham University accommodation are cleaned regularly by college staff. Housekeeping teams typically clean shared bathrooms and communal areas, with reports indicating cleaning occurs multiple times a week: you're responsible for the cleanliness of your room, but not for the bathrooms.
Durham is quite an easy city to get around, due to its size: you can get from campus to campus in around 25 minutes, though there are also lots of transport routes to support this. In terms of Durham University, cycle storage is available across the University Estate, located outside/adjacent to our buildings including shelters and cycle stands for staff, students and visitors, therefore meaning a bike could be a great form of transport if you choose. 🙂
I can't say which city is cheaper to live in, having never experienced York, but I do know that Durham offers a range of financial support for students to ensure your needs are met. This comes in the form of bursaries, scholarships and grants: you can view these here: https://www.dur.ac.uk/study/scholarships/ (do note that eligibility requirements vary).
I hope this helps, let me know if you have any more questions or if you'd like to know more about studying Psychology at Durham! ☺️
-Rosie (DU Representative)
Reply 3
Helloo!
Huge congratulations on 2 amazing offers. That's a great position to be in🤩
In terms of your current situation and key concerns, being based in York would also make a real difference given that your family are in Manchester. The train connections are straightforward and relatively quick, which means going home doesn’t have to be a big event. That flexibility of being able to pop back for a weekend or even just when you need a reset can be incredibly grounding during term time.🏡
In terms of music and gigs, York is actually a lovely base for someone into bedroom pop, punk, garage and hard rock. The city itself has grassroots venues such as The Fulford Arms, and indie nights or student led band nights which are brilliant. Because York is so well-connected, Leeds is only about 25 minutes away by train, which massively expands your options for alternative and touring acts. You get the benefit of living in a beautiful, historical and cultural city while still having easy access to a bigger gig scene when you want it.
Academically, assignments at York vary by course, but most students have a steady rather than chaotic workload.There’s also strong academic support available, from writing guidance to supervisor meetings, so you’re not left to figure everything out alone. You can find the clear breakdown of Psychology on this webpage which details contact hours and assessment methods.
Accommodation at York is really good quality. If you’re in shared bathroom accommodation, cleaning arrangements depend on the type of flat. In catered or corridor-style accommodation, bathrooms and kitchen spaces are usually cleaned weekly by staff. In self-catered flats, shared bathrooms and kitchens are typically maintained by the students themselves, so it’s more of a shared-responsibility situation. You can see full 360 virtual tours of our accommodation on our website, or watch student vlogs which share room and accom tours. View 360 Room tours. Watch student room tours
As for transport, York is famously flat and very cycle-friendly. A bike can definitely be useful and there's loads of spaces to store your bike on campus and in town, which is great especially if you’re living on one campus and have teaching on the other, but it’s not essential if you don't have one. The campus is walkable, and many students happily get everywhere on foot or use the campus shuttle buses that run regularly. The city centre is also an easy walk or short bus ride away with a really simple tap on, tap off system. 🚌 One of our students Sally shares how much she loves having her bike on campus. 🚲️
Cost of living is always important to think about. Compared to many student cities, York is really manageable and there's so much financial support and bursaries available to eligible students! Day-to-day costs like food, cafés and transport are student friendly, and you don’t feel pressured into expensive nightlife if that’s not your thing. Our students love to sharing advice on money saving and student friendly hacks!
Overall, York offers a really appealing mix: a green, spacious campus with lakes and wildlife; a historic but lively city that never feels chaotic; strong academics with a supportive community and care for wellbeing; and easy connections to bigger music scenes and to home. The fact that you already walked around and thought, “I like this a lot,” is genuinely great to know and significant. 💚
Best of luck with your choices and we hope to see you soon!
-T☺️
Huge congratulations on 2 amazing offers. That's a great position to be in🤩
In terms of your current situation and key concerns, being based in York would also make a real difference given that your family are in Manchester. The train connections are straightforward and relatively quick, which means going home doesn’t have to be a big event. That flexibility of being able to pop back for a weekend or even just when you need a reset can be incredibly grounding during term time.🏡
In terms of music and gigs, York is actually a lovely base for someone into bedroom pop, punk, garage and hard rock. The city itself has grassroots venues such as The Fulford Arms, and indie nights or student led band nights which are brilliant. Because York is so well-connected, Leeds is only about 25 minutes away by train, which massively expands your options for alternative and touring acts. You get the benefit of living in a beautiful, historical and cultural city while still having easy access to a bigger gig scene when you want it.
Academically, assignments at York vary by course, but most students have a steady rather than chaotic workload.There’s also strong academic support available, from writing guidance to supervisor meetings, so you’re not left to figure everything out alone. You can find the clear breakdown of Psychology on this webpage which details contact hours and assessment methods.
Accommodation at York is really good quality. If you’re in shared bathroom accommodation, cleaning arrangements depend on the type of flat. In catered or corridor-style accommodation, bathrooms and kitchen spaces are usually cleaned weekly by staff. In self-catered flats, shared bathrooms and kitchens are typically maintained by the students themselves, so it’s more of a shared-responsibility situation. You can see full 360 virtual tours of our accommodation on our website, or watch student vlogs which share room and accom tours. View 360 Room tours. Watch student room tours
As for transport, York is famously flat and very cycle-friendly. A bike can definitely be useful and there's loads of spaces to store your bike on campus and in town, which is great especially if you’re living on one campus and have teaching on the other, but it’s not essential if you don't have one. The campus is walkable, and many students happily get everywhere on foot or use the campus shuttle buses that run regularly. The city centre is also an easy walk or short bus ride away with a really simple tap on, tap off system. 🚌 One of our students Sally shares how much she loves having her bike on campus. 🚲️
Cost of living is always important to think about. Compared to many student cities, York is really manageable and there's so much financial support and bursaries available to eligible students! Day-to-day costs like food, cafés and transport are student friendly, and you don’t feel pressured into expensive nightlife if that’s not your thing. Our students love to sharing advice on money saving and student friendly hacks!
Overall, York offers a really appealing mix: a green, spacious campus with lakes and wildlife; a historic but lively city that never feels chaotic; strong academics with a supportive community and care for wellbeing; and easy connections to bigger music scenes and to home. The fact that you already walked around and thought, “I like this a lot,” is genuinely great to know and significant. 💚
Best of luck with your choices and we hope to see you soon!
-T☺️
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