Durham uni offer Holder days query

Durham are holding offer holder days on March 14th and April 25th. Like many people on the forum, I am still waiting to hear if I have an offer.

There have been a few comments from Durham Reps (whom I’m hoping will answer my question) that offers are given out right up until May. Does that mean some students won’t get to attend an offer holders day, even if they get an offer? Are there additional offer holder days held later in the year?

Reply 1

DurhamRep Lacey

Official Rep

8

Original post

by Anonymous

Durham are holding offer holder days on March 14th and April 25th. Like many people on the forum, I am still waiting to hear if I have an offer.
There have been a few comments from Durham Reps (whom I’m hoping will answer my question) that offers are given out right up until May. Does that mean some students won’t get to attend an offer holders day, even if they get an offer? Are there additional offer holder days held later in the year?

Hiya!!

You’re right that offers from Durham University can come right up until the UCAS deadline, so unfortunately some people do end up getting their offer after the main offer-holder days. That’s been the case most years.

The March 14th and April 25th dates are part of the main post-offer visit programme. So if you receive an offer after those dates, you might not be able to attend a formal offer-holder day.

That said, you’re not at a disadvantage if that happens. Post-offer days are just one way of getting a feel for Durham. You can still:
• do a self-guided visit around the colleges and departments
• come to a general open day (they cover very similar course and college info)
• use all the student content and tours on The Durham Student (TDS) and department pages
• contact colleges directly - many are happy to answer questions or arrange informal visits

Also worth saying Durham has been getting more offers out earlier this year compared to some previous cycles, so there’s still a good chance you’d hear in time for one of the events.

What have you applied to study? Where else have you applied? If you have any general Durham questions feel free to reach out and ask!

Hope that reassures a bit and fingers crossed you hear soon! 🤞

-Lacey, DU Student Rep

Reply 2

Anonymous #1

OP

Thanks for clarifying that. I have applied to do Theology and Religion.
I sat my A levels last year. I’ve had four unconditional offers (Mcr, B’ham, Exeter & Bristol) and now just waiting to hear from Durham which is my first choice. I have a disability and am anxious to sort out suitable accommodation and support at University….. so keen (as is everyone!) to know where I will study in September as I have a lot of things to put in place.

Reply 3

DurhamRep Lacey

Official Rep

8

Original post

by Anonymous

Thanks for clarifying that. I have applied to do Theology and Religion.
I sat my A levels last year. I’ve had four unconditional offers (Mcr, B’ham, Exeter & Bristol) and now just waiting to hear from Durham which is my first choice. I have a disability and am anxious to sort out suitable accommodation and support at University….. so keen (as is everyone!) to know where I will study in September as I have a lot of things to put in place.

Hey!

First of all, congrats on the unconditionals - that’s a great position to be in! 🎉 Theology & Religion at Durham is also a really lovely department if you do end up here.

If you haven't already do make sure to check out the course page here.
And The Durham Student content and blogs about here.

In terms of your concerns about timing: even if your Durham decision comes later, you won’t be disadvantaged for disability support or accommodation. The Disability Support team and colleges are very used to working with students who confirm their place closer to the UCAS deadline, and typically most decisions start to be actioned post May and over summer. You don’t need to have everything sorted months in advance - you certainly will not miss out on the support your deserve.

What you can do now (without an offer) is:

•

have your medical evidence/diagnostic paperwork ready

•

read through what services we offer at Durham and how to arrange support here. (Also some FAQs which may help you feel more reassured)

•

think about what kind of room you need (e.g. en-suite, ground floor, quiet area, proximity to facilities)

•

look through the college accommodation info so you know your preferences

Once you get an offer and firm Durham, you can contact Disability Support straight away and they’ll put a support plan in place and liaise with your college about suitable accommodation. Also to reassure you colleges do reserve rooms for students with additional requirements.

I completely get wanting certainty and I empathise as the waiting is totally the worst part. But to ease your concern you won’t lose access to the support you need by hearing a bit later.

Fingers crossed Durham gets back to you soon 🤞 and if you want any info about how college accommodation or support works here I’m very happy to help!

-Lacey, DU Student Rep 🙂💜

Reply 4

DurhamRep Rosie

Official Rep

9

Original post

by Anonymous

Thanks for clarifying that. I have applied to do Theology and Religion.
I sat my A levels last year. I’ve had four unconditional offers (Mcr, B’ham, Exeter & Bristol) and now just waiting to hear from Durham which is my first choice. I have a disability and am anxious to sort out suitable accommodation and support at University….. so keen (as is everyone!) to know where I will study in September as I have a lot of things to put in place.

Hi there,

I'm glad to hear you've applied to study here at Durham! Everything Lacey outlined is great - Durham offers so much support for students.

I'm a student with ASD and anxiety, so have first-hand experience of receiving support - if you'd like to know more about the types of adjustments and accommodations I have to support my study, just let me know. 🙂 I am living at home for university though, so any comments about accommodation at Durham might be more general.

All the best,
-Rosie (DU Representative)

Reply 5

Anonymous #1

OP

Thank you Rosie and Lacey, that’s all really helpful. Do you have any recommendations for colleges? I am a wheelchair user. I spoke to disability support services at Durham before Christmas and found them very helpful. I took a gap year so I wouldn’t have to rush sorting everything out at the last minute as need to plan well!

Reply 6

DurhamRep Rosie

Official Rep

9

Hi there!

It's a great idea to plan ahead, and I'm glad you've found disability support to be useful. 😊

Durham University offers a range of college accommodation room types, including en-suite, standard, shared and accessible options across both catered and self-catered colleges. As outlined (https://www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/colleges/the-accommodation-and-allocations-office/ensuite-accommodation-on-medical-grounds/), Durham guarantee an en-suite / accessible room where there is an evidenced disability / medical related need for this provision. This need is assessed by the University during the application process; it is therefore important that any relevant information is shared when requested, to enable us to meet your needs within appropriate timeframes.

As for colleges more generally, figuring out what's important to you will help your decision. Colleges will be similar in terms of offering accommodation, college events, sports and societies, and welfare and support - for this reason, no college is a bad one! They'll differ mainly in terms of location and being catered/self-catered - ‘Bailey’ colleges are situated closer to the town centre, whereas ‘Hill’ colleges are nearer to the Science Site and library. It’s a great idea to narrow down some choices for the offer holder day - you can check out different properties of colleges online here (https://www.durham.ac.uk/alumni/connect/our-colleges/) if that could help your decision, once you know what you'd like to prioritise. 😊 I'm in St Aidans - I didn't rank my colleges - and love it here!

I hope this helps,
-Rosie (DU Representative)

Reply 7

Anonymous #1

OP

Thanks Rosie, that’s really helpful. I’ll have a look at the colleges. Some universities I’ve applied to don’t give disabled students a choice and allocate based on what they perceive as being the best suited for your needs. I had presumed Durham would be the same, so it’s nice to know if I get an offer I might have a choice. Thanks again for the advice.

Durham uni offer Holder days query

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you

How The Student Room is moderated