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Higher education

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

Original poster

Durham university - explain the college system to me?

116 replies

cashewnutty · 29/08/2015 18:15

DD2 wants to apply to Durham and seems very keen on the course they offer (anthropology). In know nothing about this university but I do know it operates a college system. Can someone explain this to me?

Has anyone attended Durham? What is it like? DD2 is fairly quiet and would hate a raucous party type environment.

Any information would be gratefully accepted.

OP posts:
halvedfees · 04/09/2015 20:02

Thanks for the info - it's what I suspected. Ds is highly gregarious; should be ok.

fastdaytears · 04/09/2015 20:03

He'll have a great time. It's a very sporty college too.

halvedfees · 04/09/2015 20:10

Thanks for that - he enjoys rugby, but probably not adept enough for univ. teams so will be glad if he can play at college level. Any idea what it's like for drama and music?

fastdaytears · 04/09/2015 20:37

Good as far as I remember. Being a bigger college, he'll have loads of opportunities as they'll have enough people to put on really good shows. Does he start this coming term?

halvedfees · 04/09/2015 21:06

Yes - driving up there on Oct 3rd.

fastdaytears · 04/09/2015 21:07

How exciting! Wish I could do it all again. Way better than being a grown up,

NiceCardigan · 04/09/2015 22:11

katkat it's a 5 minute run down the hill to the science buildings from Collingwood.

ShangriLaLaLa · 04/09/2015 22:23

Hild Bede is fantastic. Eons ago for me but I had the time of my life. I think we all did. Would be happy for any of mine to go.

gonegrey56 · 05/09/2015 08:01

HB has wonderful drama and music. Have attended performances there in last 2 years . Beautiful chapel too !

ptumbi · 02/10/2015 18:26

So good luck everyone for tomorrow! I don't know how we are going to fit in dropping DS at Greys, finding a pub with the South Africa rugby on, then getting to the B&B then watching the England game - and catching Strictly too.... Grin

GypsyFl0ss · 02/10/2015 19:21

We're all packed and ready to go. We're due at Grey for 1.30 ptumbi so might see you there!

NiceCardigan · 02/10/2015 20:11

DS wants to be dropped off at 9am I think it may be closer to 10am before we actually get there as we are staying overnight 70 miles away. Packed and ready here as well.

DuPainDuVinDuFromage · 02/10/2015 21:02

halved I had friends at Hild Bede who were very musical, and also lovely. Your DS will have a great time I'm sure Smile

paleontologist when did you leave Castle? We might know some people in common (I realise I could ask you this in person at the next North-East meet-up Grin)

It's exciting thinking of all the new students coming up this weekend! I will remember to steer clear of the city centre as it will be chaos...good luck to everyone!

And ptumbi hope you find somewhere to watch the rugby - if you head into town, I think The Library generally shows the matches (on the way up to the cathedral).

Katkat50 · 03/10/2015 18:51

Ptumbi.... Lol I am in the pub having watched the rugby, have checked into the B and B, dropping son off at Collingwood tomorrow morning! All going according to plan.... DS looking to be dropped off early tomorrow :)

GypsyFl0ss · 03/10/2015 20:15

We're home. DD is in and all went smoothly. Superb help from the freshers' reps. My head is ringing from 8 hours in the car though!

NiceCardigan · 03/10/2015 20:39

Might see you then Katkat50 DS keen to be dropped off as soon as we can get to Collingwood.

ptumbi · 04/10/2015 15:48

I'm all done - ds2 unloaded the car, we saw him into his room and left! We went into Durham, when we got back he was doing getting-to-know-you games outside with everyone...Grin

Nice place, Darlington! We had a B&B there, and it is 30mins this way - so the journey home took us 5 hours exactly. Wouldn't want to do it every weekend tho!

How did everyone settle in? Anyone heard from their dc? Mine texted jsut say OK when I asked how it was going Grin

GypsyFl0ss · 04/10/2015 16:01

DD facetimed this morning whilst she put on her make up Smile . She's having a great time so far despite the BF situation and is really pleased with her room and her corridor mates. Is your DS in en suite ptumbi? I wonder if they'll meet each other?!

BitOfFun · 04/10/2015 16:14

My daughter is at Castle- Durham is absolutely beautiful, and I live vicariously through her, I'm so thrilled for her. She's having an amazing time.

GypsyFl0ss · 04/10/2015 17:22

I feel like that too! I wouldn't really want to be 18 again but I do envy her opportunities and the pleasure of new adventures. She's just texted some pics of her corridor mates getting ready for their first gowned formal. Now that does make me jealous!

BitOfFun · 04/10/2015 19:29

Oh the formula are amazing. I've got loads of photos of dd swanning around panelled halls holding champagne flutes looking like something out of Made In Chelsea Grin

BitOfFun · 04/10/2015 19:33

*formals, obviously.

GeekLove · 04/10/2015 19:52

ex Durham person and former Mary's girl here! My husband went to Durham too. I graduated in 2001.
Mary's was still single sex and despite its proximity to the science site had very few scientists. I did Physics.

It is a beautiful place and I miss it now. I miss the locals too. Going to Bedfordshire was a real culture shock!

As for societies, Durham isn't a big party place, there's Newcastle for that but it did have some of the best well run societies, I was in Treasure Trap as was DH. CompSoc had Kevin Warwick give a guest lecture on cybernetics, so its good for subject societies too. Therenis plenty of woodland and paths to explore as well.

A word of warning, it might have changed but I wouldn't go to St Cuths unless you are a mature student or live locally. It can be something of the worst of both worlds. Anyone who remembers Bernard Gilpin will agree.

BitOfFun · 04/10/2015 20:12

The locals are amazing. So warm and helpful.

ptumbi · 05/10/2015 07:30

Gypsy = ds room is not en suite. Sad I did use the loos across the hall and they have those 'hslf-doors' I remember from school! Little shower cubicles seem ok, but it will be the one down-side I expect with ds.

He had a 'formal' too last night. I didn't get to see his gown (boys are not so good with selfies and fb!) But he did say the food was good Grin

He is in Hollingdean (?) |House. (Might be Hollingwood/Hollingworth...) Funnily enough, when we went in Feb to see the uni, I had a photo taken right outside his house, looking over the cathedral and castle and bunting Grin - Spooky!

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