Durham University

[KingscoteStaff]

A continuation thread for those with DC at Durham, or applying for Durham or alumni or staff! Share your thoughts and questions on colleges, courses, etc.

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Who have I missed??

@Longtimenewsee I wouldn’t read anything into it. Some colleges are just quicker to get their forms and stuff out. DS college was early last year too.

@fevafeva St Aidens used to have a reputation as a very social college and everyone I ever met from there was lovely . I was an Aidens reject !

Also do the fees mean that you don't have to clear out rooms in between terms?

Very happy dd here now that her college is confirmed - was originally her 2nd choice but she was very happy with it.

DS beginning to get slightly concerned - no news yet re college allocation........

@321zyx

DS beginning to get slightly concerned - no news yet re college allocation........

May just be a communications thing - some colleges quicker than others?

DS not worried ..... I am 🤦🏽‍♀️

No news yet here either..

Very happy to have Van Mildert confirmed - was allocated college but not first choice originally.

Another happy DD here - Collingwood confirmed!

Trevs confirmed, not first choice but was the one allocated back in Feb. Now to start the form filling.

@Meery ds is Trevs too ( and I was a fresher there in 1983)

@Peaseblossum22 glad to hear of others going there; being a small and less popular college Trevs seems.to rarely gets a mention and when it does it’s in a less than flattering light. I’m sure their paths will cross even though she’s doing NatSci.

I’m not sure it’s less flattering actually , it wasn’t ds first choice ( dh’s college was which has a definite reputation) but I have only seen one college review where it doesn’t get a positive , if low key, review. I was worried ds would be disappointed however at the time he was just relieved to get an offer , he then decided to defer and is now a year more mature and seems pretty laid back about it .

Another one confirmed for Van Mildert relieved!

@NCTDN

Also do the fees mean that you don't have to clear out rooms in between terms?

@NCTDN Ds will be starting this year and I can only comment on his college but one block of his college forces a move out over Easter, all the other blocks you don't have to move out so I think it depends on the college. I believe (but happy to be corrected) it is for place holders to visit. They are reimbursed for the weeks they are out.

Re the fees yes it is a set price no matter which college www.durham.ac.uk/colleges-and-student-experience/accommodation-and-catering/costs/undergraduate-residence-charges/

Thank you onthebench

I am angry, disappointed and frustrated at how they are emailing college allocation in drive and drabs.
DC’s anxiety is through the roof - some friends have had confirmation of 1st choice, some have been told about relocation but DC has still not heard.
We know after today it means relocation but it’s mentally draining thinking it will be another week of sleepless nights before DC knows.
Dc would definitely not have applied to Durham with hindsight- it’s a terrible way to treat their students.
Yes - it is a hard situation for the University but it was similar last year and why could they not just email everyone at the same time.
DC is concerned if they treat students like this now how will they be if a problem arises once they have started.
It is so hard watching their anxiety- the delay is the issue - if their is another email delaying after 1st September I don’t know how DC will cope.
Younger DC has certainly learnt from this experience and knows Durham is definitely not a uni to consider.

I agree @PhoebeFriends shocking treatment. One of the reasons people confirm Durham is for the college/ accommodation. It's lone hurdle after another😢

@PhoebeFriends.... we are sharing your pain and anguish.

DS was reallocated to Van Mildert not his first choice, a few months ago.

Others are saying they have heard from the college to confirm they are in. But DS (gap year) has heard nothing. Annoyingly when he rang the college, they deny having sent anything out to anyone (and that was a few minutes ago!). Our surname is late on in the alphabet and are wondering if that is why he hasn't heard.

Please don't let this experience tarnish your view on the university though, as frustrating as it is. Obviously admissions is a totally separate department from the teaching side when you are there.

I know it appears frustrating but the reason it takes so long is because they really are trying hard to accommodate people , it’s not like some other RG who are just saying sorry you will have to find private accommodation. Also there are still 5 weeks before they need to be there . On a more practical note check Spam , ds has just found an email that Inexplicably ended up there.

We have also found the admissions helpline so friendly , he has several times had to call. Once yesterday when they must have been so busy but he had a problem with his login and they were really friendly and talked him through . Last year when he rang to defer the lady was super nice ( he left it until long after the deadline) and once during the year when he was worried they might have forgotten about him and they reassured him and said how nice his college was and he had a chat about it being my old college. I would recommend calling them if you think it might help.

Ds' friend just had email from Durham but nothing for him yet, thankfully he's very calm but I just want it sorted!!

So we have been on the phone to Durham today several times but made no headway. It's not looking good for DS who is on a gap year. On 16th August Durham emailed DS congratulating him on his confirmed place and then less than an hour later they inexplicably put him in clearing. UCAS have confirmed this..... DS had an unconditional offer which he accepted in May and had already enrolled on the Durham website but they put him in clearing for no apparent reason.

He therefore has no university place.

Place marking, dd in same situation others have had colleges confirmed, she hasn't as yet, she also had a email qnd they had put her forward for the wrong course! She has emailed backand they have said to wait until Sept 1st, Slightly worrying now.

OMG that is awful, I am so sorry , this would have been our worst nightmare as ds also on Gap year, but as I understand it the offer is legally binding , if it’s their error they have to honour the place . A similar scenario happened to a colleagues daughter a few years ago, not Durham , the original University had to honour the place, they were ready to threaten legal action but didn’t need to .

Our biggest frustration is that the people at the end of the phone aren't Durham admissions but a third party agency who just handle calls on Durham's behalf. All queries are logged and then forwarded on to the university. And we are told that the university normally apply within 2 working days. It's impossible to ring the university directly.

Right now, he's in a very dark place wondering where his future lies and 2 days seems like a very long time to be left in limbo.