Durham 2020

I think most colleges require gowns at formals, but there are a couple that don’t. The collegiate system has its merits and drawbacks. Catered accommodation means you have no worries about feeding yourself, you can just concentrate on other things!

Based on our visit last summer, I didn't feel that it was as private school dominated as people say. DD is applying for maths and 80% of current students are state educated. BUT we did feel that it has a slightly old fashioned vibe and some of the colleges felt very like overgrown public schools. Compulsory meals in hall, lots of emphasis on extra curricular activity and being a valued member of the college community. DD was a bit put off but others love it for the strong sense of community. Go and visit!

I went to Durham - first generation to go to university studied history/politics, state school educated spent my early years in a council estate. I made lovely friends and worked my backside off, the city is beautiful and the quality of education was fantastic. Left uni to do a law conversion course with a fully paid ride from my future employers. There is an element of elitism in parts but I found this to be the minority not the majority. The stereotypes you are talking about have been making the rounds for years.

I also had a place at Oxford - I turned it down. I'm from the north and wanted to be closer to home.

As I understand it Durham is actually tougher to get in than oxbridge - you can only apply to oxford or Cambridge, a large percentage of those who apply to oxbridge apply to Durham so they have generally have a greater number of applicants.

Go and check the place out, go with an open mind and you might be pleasantly surprised.

Applying to Durham for what though? One of my DC’s is there, likes certain things, doesn’t like others. Go and visit.

You've not said where you live or what subjects. Of the places you've mentioned, I would say Sheffield or Leeds would be good. Good universities, interesting cities ((especially Leeds) and people from all backgrounds. Southampton is a bit boring as a city (though great for history and I imagine marine related degrees). Bangor is a bit isolated. Exeter and Bath are both nice cities and good universities but expensive to live in I think. Birmingham I'd say the same applies as Leeds and Sheffield.

St Andrews, Newcastle and Edinburgh certainly have reputations for being full of privately educated (southern) English kids, I am not sure about Durham's demographic these days, in my day it definitely was for Oxbridge rejects. But my cousin's daughter went there from a state grammar school and her parents are not wealthy.

But if you can tell us what subjects and where you live (assuming you want to avoid very long journeys) that would help.