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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

999 replies

KingscoteStaff · 19/02/2021 11:03

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.

Assemble! @Baytreemum @WelshDaff @WinterRobin @janinlondon @MarchingFrogs @ChildOfFriday @tava63 @Terfterfterf @TonTonMacoute @Suki2 @Quair @Greyhair59 @bpisok @Jan069 @999caz @nipersvest @mum2eim @witchend @chopc @alterego2

Who have I missed??

OP posts:
chopc · 30/08/2021 11:47

Ah I see @SpringSparrow - good to know

OnTheBenchOfDoom · 30/08/2021 20:30

@NCTDN I believe Durham are very strict on grades. Ds applied for Computer Science, the standard entry was A*AA he had a contextual offer for AAA (based on POLAR postcode) but he also had a put us as your first choice and it will be AAB. It seemed to only apply to contextual offers as I don't recall anyone else saying it. Durham was the only one to offer a contextual.

Technically Durham was in the middle for grades for Ds, Cambridge and Warwick wanted A A A, Durham and Manchester wanted A*AA and Leeds was AAA.

He was predicted A/A right from the start of sixth form across all subjects. They took all his GCSE grades, added them together, divided by the number taken and came up with a GCSE grade which converted into A/A. No one was predicted As straight out, the highest was A/A for all 8s and 9s at GCSE.

He achieved A A A A in maths, further maths, physics and computer science.

They usually suggest aspirational grades, then ones you can achieve and then the if it goes wrong and I drop a grade. At the end of the day predicted grades are just that, an idea of where they can be. I believe grades can be improved with a good work ethic and asking teachers for help.

NCTDN · 31/08/2021 07:03

What's the difference between A, A and A*? Confused

NCTDN · 31/08/2021 07:04

Oops I mean A. A. and A*

NCTDN · 31/08/2021 07:05

Aargh keeps changing what I've put BlushBlush
A
A*
A

Original poster
KingscoteStaff · 31/08/2021 07:40

A bold A indicates that you are having a mare with the Mumsnet ‘put a starry thing if you want bold’ rule, I think…

Or maybe it’s a foretaste of Gav’s new grade expansion?
“You only got an A star? I got an A bold!”

OP posts:
Longtimenewsee · 31/08/2021 08:23

Or maybe it’s a foretaste of Gav’s new grade expansion?
“You only got an A star? I got an A bold!”

[grin]@KingscoteStaff

to fellow parents of those waiting on Durham allocation.. it’s been a loooooong weekend 😣

LeiatheSchnauzer · 31/08/2021 08:42

Keeping fingers crossed that you all hear today and that it's the allocation you want.

NCTDN · 31/08/2021 09:38

@KingscoteStaff

A bold A indicates that you are having a mare with the Mumsnet ‘put a starry thing if you want bold’ rule, I think…

Or maybe it’s a foretaste of Gav’s new grade expansion?
“You only got an A star? I got an A bold!”

Haha that's true for Gavlar!
Vargas · 31/08/2021 13:16

Still no email from Durham. Ds now starting to get worried Sad.

Peaseblossum22 · 31/08/2021 13:27

@Vargas I think it’s on the WIWIKAU Facebook site but someone has posted a screenshot of the accommodation and allocation direct line number. Is it worth trying to call direct ?

321zyx · 31/08/2021 13:42

Eeeek - DS (still waiting for accommodation) says he's just received an email, which is presumably to everyone, offering £5000 to students willing to defer to 2022! I haven't seen it, he's says it's not spam as email address is valid........anyone?

Bluebellwoods1 · 31/08/2021 13:49

DD just had the same email re £5000 , she says she has till Friday to accept , so if offered accommodation she dislikes she will consider the offer however she just wants to know re accommodation.

Vargas · 31/08/2021 13:57

Yes, ds just checked, same email. Some courses more oversubscribed than others, including ds' Geography. DS has just said he still wants to go this year, but hoping this will skim off a few people and make more space for him...

par05 · 31/08/2021 14:32

Yep dd has just had the email of deferring too, just getting so frustrating now. Hoping we shall here tomorrow.

Bluebellwoods1 · 31/08/2021 14:58

DD preference would be to go this year , all the excitement she should be feeling has gone as she just wants to know if they offer her accommodation .

Braveheart35 · 31/08/2021 15:01

I assumed it was an email just for those awaiting accommodation choices - but DS just forwarded me his email, same offer (History), he has already had his college confirmed.

His mind is set for this year, esp as he’s hoping to spend a year abroad.

chopc · 31/08/2021 15:19

@Braveheart35 my DS also doing History and also thinking of year abroad ...... has your DS have any idea on where? DS was thinking of Boston

Braveheart35 · 31/08/2021 15:53

@chopc

DS want to go to Boston!

Braveheart35 · 31/08/2021 16:05

I do wonder if all this push for deferrals (and it’s not just Durham), is going to make next years admission cycle very difficult.

chopc · 31/08/2021 16:18

Excuse the grammar on previous post . What a coincidence @Braveheart35 !

Yes I think next year will be an even tougher year than this one.

There must be some Unis that are under subscribed though?

lockdownmadnessdotcom · 31/08/2021 16:23

@KingscoteStaff

A bold A indicates that you are having a mare with the Mumsnet ‘put a starry thing if you want bold’ rule, I think…

Or maybe it’s a foretaste of Gav’s new grade expansion?
“You only got an A star? I got an A bold!”

Brilliant Grin
Peaseblossum22 · 31/08/2021 16:30

There must be some Unis that are under subscribed though?

I’m not sure there is I think it’s filtered all the way down pretty much . Ds also thinking of a year abroad , going to be difficult I think there are very few places , it was one of the attractions of St Andrew’s

Longtimenewsee · 31/08/2021 17:17

Dd has not had email.
At this stage I’m willing to believe the offer, place confirmation and indeed my presence on this thread is just some weird fever dream.
You couldn’t make it up

chopc · 31/08/2021 17:20

I know - it's ridiculous isn't it @Longtimenewsee . I really feel for all those waiting