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Higher education

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

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Original poster

How to decide between Bristol, Durham and York

137 replies

PortTable · 20/01/2021 15:12

DD is very lucky to hold offers for the Unis above. The courses are different, but she pretty much likes them equally. She hasn't been to visit any of the Unis or the cities, though obviously has viewed their virtual open days. She's also posted on TSR for opinions.

I was hoping that parents on here could offer me their views on either what they think of these cities as places to live, and/or pass on the views of their DC who have recently attended.

DD is state school, bit quiet, sporty, not into party stuff that much but really wanting to spread her wings. Her bf will also be going to Uni this year but (I think luckily) hasn't got similar Unis on his list so that isn't a factor. We are in Kent, so all of them seem a long way away!

What insights can you pass my way?

OP posts:

Frodont · 20/01/2021 19:17

Yes I would think Cambridge is far more diverse then Durham!

goodbyestranger · 20/01/2021 19:21

Ignore the posh/ private school thing. Durham is no better or worse than Bristol on that front. The sort of posh kids who want to be exclusive just go off into a huddle of their own at both places and make quite a bit of noise but are otherwise not hugely annoying, and the vast majority mix like completely normal human beings. The way colleges are allocated helps greatly on the social front. Being at a collegiate uni is incredibly helpful for sport, no doubt about that.

Laquila · 20/01/2021 19:26

I agree with @goodbyestranger that the posh/public school thing is a bit of a red herring. I went to state school (very working class comp) and made friends of all stripes at Durham. In my day there were certainly a fair few from a public school background (and of these sometimes shout the loudest, if you see what I mean, so they're a bit more obvious 😁) but it certainly didn't characterise my time there.

goodbyestranger · 20/01/2021 19:30

I should have typed the way colleges are allocated now - it's changed in the past few years to make the process far more random than it was back in my day.

goodbyestranger · 20/01/2021 19:31

A DS of mine graduated last year so I'm up to date too :)

JunoTurner · 20/01/2021 19:35

I thought your million children all went exclusively to Oxford @goodbyestranger?

Frodont · 20/01/2021 19:37

@goodbyestranger

I should have typed the way colleges are allocated now - it's changed in the past few years to make the process far more random than it was back in my day.

I think that's what put dd off. Fear of getting a crappy college!!

goodbyestranger · 20/01/2021 19:38

Nope only seven of them although the one who went to Durham is now at er..... Oxford too, by coincidence :)

Durham is much nicer, actually. Gets my vote every time.

goodbyestranger · 20/01/2021 19:39

What the difference between a crappy college and a crappy hall of residence at another uni?

goodbyestranger · 20/01/2021 19:40

*What's the difference not what the difference.

Frodont · 20/01/2021 19:42

@goodbyestranger

What the difference between a crappy college and a crappy hall of residence at another uni?

It reminds her too much of the house system at her boarding school! I presume there is a difference or they wouldn't bother with a house system.

ZenNudist · 20/01/2021 19:42

It sounds like Durham woukd be more her style, or York. But Bristol is nearer to get to.

All good unis. Durham and Bristol more prestigious. Bristol has fab student scene. York is still a great place to live. Durham is a bit of a rubbish place to live but not too far to Newcastle.

goodbyestranger · 20/01/2021 19:47

I'm not part of the boarding school world but I would say that from what I know of colleges, they're very different from school in terms of allowing members to be self- determining adults. The only vague resemblance is the identification with a particular group, but that's no bad thing for young people branching out on their own, away from the familiar.

JunoTurner · 20/01/2021 19:49

@goodbyestranger

Durham and Bristol may be more prestigious overall, but for the subject concerned - psychology - York has a much higher ranked course.

JunoTurner · 20/01/2021 20:01

Actually scrap that. It really depends what taking system you look at. Durham definitely more generally prestigious overall. I just think if your DD rejected applying to Oxbridge for the reason she did, it’s a bit funny she chose Durham.

The three places are so different. Does she have any preference or leanings?

Frodont · 20/01/2021 20:14

Bath is better than both for psychology I think.

JunoTurner · 20/01/2021 20:16

It is. As is both Oxford and Cambridge...

PresentingPercy · 20/01/2021 20:33

Bristol is definitely more cosmopolitan. The city centre is not student dominated. Clifton is where lots of students live in years 2/3. Redland and other nearby areas are also popular. Like everywhere there are more expensive house rentals but if you look now for houses in Clifton for students you will get a flavour of prices. You have to remember that this is a lovely area of the city with expensive houses. The Lido is to die for!

There’s no disadvantage for her subject at any of these universities. The big problem is usually getting the training after the degree. She might need to think about other careers as many Psychology grads do. Two DC in our village did Psychology but one is now a political journalist and the other is a hospital theatre technician. None of my DDs friends who did psychology are psychologists.

You can look up the numbers of privately educated dc at these universities but it’s really important she understands they are just young people too and she should not pre judge them. Going to a university thinking you won’t like 1/3 of the students isn’t a good start. Bristol and Durham are at least that. She should be open to meeting and liking anyone.

Laquila · 20/01/2021 20:37

I guess the difference between a crappy college and a crappy hall of residence at another uni is that you're stuck with a crappy college for 3-4 years. Also if you really disliked your college that might curb your opportunities or willingness to join college clubs and socs, and indeed to make friends - whilst people do of course make subject friends IME your college friends are the ones you stick with for life 😀

When I was at Durham there were definitely people who didn't take up college life, as it were, but I sort of feel that misses out on one of the major advantages of Durham!

goodbyestranger · 20/01/2021 20:41

Laquila most students live out after the first year these days. And so college is as much or as little as you want to make of it.

goodbyestranger · 20/01/2021 20:42

Also, surely most clubs/ societies are uni wide?

goodbyestranger · 20/01/2021 20:43

Even back in the 80's most people seemed to live out after first year.

goodbyestranger · 20/01/2021 20:46

So not sure why I differentiated.

JunoTurner · 20/01/2021 20:49

Not pre-judging others is definitely a useful skill for someone studying psychology to develop

Original poster

PortTable · 20/01/2021 21:32

Thanks for the additional messages.

For those questioning DD's choices (!) - she didn't like the psych content at Oxford, Cambridge or Bath compared to Bristol, Durham and York.

Added to that is she went and looked around both Oxford and Cambridge in Year 11 with school. She talked to current students and just decided it wasn't for her. She has no problem with 'posh' people per se - her bf goes to a private school and she plays hockey with a lot of girls from private school. Her conclusion from her Oxbridge visits were that she would be in a minority as a state school girl and that's not what she wanted.

It is also a bit of an issue with Durham too, but liking the course so much made up for that. I hope that clears it up!

OP posts:

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