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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Durham

171 replies

mrsrhodgilbert · 18/09/2014 14:27

I'd love to hear from anyone with recent experience of Durham through their dc. Dd2 loved it at the open day. As a fairly local state school pupil she is on their Insight programme. We are in Yorkshire. This is designed to help/encourage such students to apply not just there but to other 'good' universities. Her school, state but high achieving, think she is a suitable candidate and have a number who go each year, so have some experience.

I have looked through old threads and whilst there isn't a lot of information I am getting the impression that it is very public school. Presumably Durham think this themselves, hence the Insight programme. I think I saw statistics that quoted roughly 50:50 state/public entry.

So my questions, exactly what form does this public school influence take, I've read the term 'rah' and if you have a state educated child did they feel happy there? Similarly if you have a public school educated child, did they choose Durham to be among their peers?

Obviously the choice is hers, I've just heard some negative stuff and would hate her to feel excluded.

OP posts:
IAmAPaleontologist · 19/09/2014 21:56

in in bed too. Off to sleep for me, 5.30 alarm for my shift tomorrow. urgh.

Giraffeski · 19/09/2014 21:56

No, the hairdresser thing does ring a bell. Unless that was a rumour!

IAmAPaleontologist · 19/09/2014 22:03

I don't want to know. It would spoil the mystery.

Stealthpolarbear · 19/09/2014 22:04

Don't remember this guy at all
I did maths
Chances are still high he was a maths professor :o

Stealthpolarbear · 19/09/2014 22:05

You lot are much younger than me though, I went to durham last century.
That'll be why. That's my story and I'm sticking to it :o

IAmAPaleontologist · 19/09/2014 22:12

Yeah I'm sooooo much younger than you. not.

You must have seen him walking around Durham with his massive head of hair.

Giraffeski · 19/09/2014 22:16

He has a facebook page! Tsk, no such thing as Facebook in my time!

Giraffeski · 19/09/2014 22:16

www.facebook.com/TheGuyInDurhamWhoLooksLikeMario

Framboisier · 19/09/2014 22:19

I was at Trevs 94-98 - comp girl, never had any issues or negative experiences. I loved the college system, living in, friends on tap, meal times, formals, lovely environment...my biggest disappointment was that terms were only 8 weeks long!

I imagine life as a student is really different these days, but I would go back and do it all again in a heartbeat. 3 of my very best friends are from Durham and we're still in touch and I saw one of them last night in fact.

Stealthpolarbear · 19/09/2014 22:19

Nope neverseen him :)

Stealthpolarbear · 19/09/2014 22:20

Oh fram we overlapped by a couple of years

Framboisier · 19/09/2014 22:21

And it's a great university academically that definitely still carries weight with employers...

Framboisier · 19/09/2014 22:23

Ooh stealth,I am curious now!
(I was on my year abroad in 96/7...)

Stealthpolarbear · 19/09/2014 22:28

Sorry - I was at grey. Unless you slept with my roommate, I'm unlikely to know you really!

friendface · 19/09/2014 22:28

Sorry think I may have been a bit unclear about the ballot - students still pick a college however if they are oversubscribed college principles are not allowed to choose who they accept, and then those who applied are put in a ballot to decide who gets a place in the college. Those that don't are then allocated a similar, less oversubscribed college.

DrSeuss · 19/09/2014 22:35

Mary's girl (89-92), state educated, absolutely loved it!
Married to a Trev's man. Was actually married in the chapel at Mary's with reception in the dining room.

Really hope that at least one of my (state educated) children will go there too!

Cerisier · 20/09/2014 07:52

DD starts next week at Van Mildert- exciting times!

mrsrhodgilbert · 20/09/2014 08:25

Goodness, where did you all pop up from suddenly. Thank you all, I'll have a proper read through tonight. Last open day today, off to York in the mist.

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ouryve · 20/09/2014 08:51

Not a Durham graduate (I came to the northeast via newcastle) but how the hell have I never seen mario?

The quality of the buskers in the marketplace Might go up, with the students back. Getting a bit tired of kenny rogers' down and out cousin.

Turquoisetamborine · 20/09/2014 09:07

I didn't go to Durham (Northumbria, much more fun and no rahs) but I lived and worked there.
I once went out to Klute and met a totally hot rah lad. Had a bit of a cheeky snog with him and he asked to ring me to take me out. We went for a meal and all was going well until he referred to me as his bit of rough!!! I do have quite a strong Geordie accent but I'm intelligent and went to a private school.
He thought I should be thrilled with this title and wanted to take me to meet his mates so they could see what an oddity I was.
I climbed out of the toilet window and made a run for it.

Giraffeski · 20/09/2014 11:01

Turquoise- Grin

Framboisier · 20/09/2014 11:49

Haha Stealth - not guilty of that particular one so no, unlikely we know each other

Nice to know there is someone of equal vintage out there though Smile

IAmAPaleontologist · 20/09/2014 13:32

Grin at the bit of rough Grin

when I lived on Crossgate there was a lovely folky who busked on the bridge near the gates. I liked him. I feel the quality has deteriorated rather.

scousadelic · 21/09/2014 15:12

Paleo What years were you there? I think my DS may have lived on Crossgate at one point

IAmAPaleontologist · 21/09/2014 15:36

Erm I lived on Crossgate 2006-7, just in a flat above the hairdressers. Ds1 was born there :)

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