Durham University

[NotEnoughTime]

Hello.

How many of us are waiting for their DC to hear back from Durham? My DS applied back in October last year and is getting very down now he knows that others who have received offers are being informed that they will be told soon re college allocations.

I am usually a 'no news is good news' type of person but even I am finding it hard to be upbeat as I too am fed up

I wish they would just let him me know soon if he is going to get an offer or a rejection and then he can get on with his life and his A Level revision without this hanging over him.

I’m wondering the same thing but at Exeter !

I know, error , it was your comment on the University 2020 thread that made me think of it!

I've just driven past and forgot to look - sorry!

@myrtle - I'm just imagining you stopping to have a look and a policeman asking you what you are doing, and you trying to explain that you are looking at a building site in order to update a load of bored people on MN, and yes, of course it's an essential activity, constable...

Hi jumping in to this thread, DD has been offered a place to study Law (also Hild Beed) which fingers crossed her grades will be good enough for. She's really pleased. I'm a bit nervous as we've never even been to Durham and it's a long way from where we live (Gloucestershire) but I know it's what she wants so keen to support her. Any views in Durham as a uni choice pros/cons would love to hear them, and I have no idea how the college system works as I went to Leeds. Thanks so much x

DD has told me that she’s attending a virtual open day at Durham tomorrow, I’m not sure if that’s course specific or college based! I think I might try and sit with her while it’s on .....

@tinkywinkyshandbag DD has an offer for Hild Bede too. She hasn’t actually visited the college, but loved the look of it online. I think for her the reasons for choosing Durham were that it is the best thought of university that she had an offer from, all were RG but she felt Durham had a better reputation, she was just so much more excited when she got the offer from there compared to anywhere else. I think the college system will suit her in that she is quite shy and I think it will make it easier for her to make friends and get involved in things. Also the idea of balls and some formal dinners seems exciting to a girl from a background far removed from that.

Durham as a city is small and very pretty, but it is also only 10 minutes on the train to Newcastle if you want the brighter lights. That’s about the sum total of my Durham knowledge!

Breathing a sigh of relief that DD knocked Durham off her list, as I have a feeling that her room at South College will still be under construction come the autumn.

@PosyRosie thanks my DD can appear very confident on the outside but isn't underneath. I think the college system will suit her too, so long as they aren't all hooray Henry's!

@tinkywinkyshandbag I think there will be a mix of people, most likely a higher proportion of ‘posher’ people than you might find at some universities. But my DD is from a not very good comprehensive in the North East and I know that Durham has been actively trying to recruit from disadvantaged backgrounds, so I think there will be a good mix. DD is quite excited to meet people from different backgrounds, she’s never quite felt she fits in where we’re from.

@tinkywinkyshandbag my daughter hopefully off to Durham has firmed ..got hilde bede too .we’re from the midlands only a bit less than you ..the college are doing a q and a on Instagram today that might be useful

Thanks all, if anyone's kids going to Durham would like to chat to my DD pm me and I'll give you her Insta details (with her permission!).

This is my first post!

My son is (was?) in his first year at Durham; he has had a wonderful experience. He went to state schools and has never felt in anyway 'different' from anyone else there (we are not a wealthy family, just average).

The college situation is perfect for making friends and trying out new experiences. Each college has a huge variety of sports/clubs/societies and everyone is encouraged to join them. Much of my son's free time was spent partaking in the sports/clubs he joined(the clubs in each college all mix with each other, so your DC won't be just stuck with people from their college).

He has met and become friends with so many talented and intellectually curious people, just like him. They've opened up his horizons/interests.
He's got a group of friends on his course as well, separate from the college.

Durham is surrounded by beautiful countryside; the students seem to really take advantage of their surroundings.
He is happy he chose Durham over his other offers. Good luck to your DCs! If they choose Durham, I'm sure they won't regret it.

youperfectsunflower Thank you so much for your post-it is very reassuring to read. I'm glad your DS has enjoyed his first year at Durham.

My DS is very much looking forward to starting there (in September hopefully) we are very much 'average' too so it is good to know that there are people from all different backgrounds. I think it's good for all to mix and hopefully learn from each other.

As much as I'm going to miss him I am very excited for him for this next stage of his life. I believe in most circumstances in life you 'get out what you put in'.

NotEnough-I agree! A person gets out what they put in. The opportunities are there; it's up to our DCs to take it all in and flourish.

www.palatinate.org.uk/exclusive-university-proposes-online-only-degrees-as-part-of-radical-restructuring

For anyone interested.

Gosh that’s one way to fill the gap in the balance sheet left by Covid-shy international students!

According to an article in the Guardian DU lecturers are opposing these proposals.

Good thing too Baytreemum, I hope they win out.

Am I misreading that document? It seems to suggest that 25% of first year modules will be given online from this autumn?
With 2nd year modules added in 2021......

The letter sent to undergrads today isn’t clear - could imply that all courses will be delivered this way. I can see that emergency measures are needed now but why not go the LSE way and open up an online degree programme as a additional product rather than replacing all that has been developed over years and years?

www.timeshighereducation.com/news/durham-v-c-moves-clarify-plans-online-learning?utm_source=THE%20Website%20Users&utm_campaign=338d49397a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_04_21_03_28&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_daa7e51487-338d49397a-66200765
(You may need to make an account to read the whole piece, but no paywall).

Any moves into online teaching by Durham University will be “additional” to on-campus provision and will only come after consultation with staff, according to its vice-chancellor, following claims the institution was planning to make online courses the core of its offer, partly in response to the coronavirus crisis.

Perhaps I am being cynical but putting modules online is one way of dealing with the issue of over crowded lecture halls due to the recent expansion in student numbers. Sadly Durham is not immune to the commoditisation of education.