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.

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??

Yup, last year DS got his offer first week of Jan and his college 2 weeks after.

I see......

Oxbridge were lucky for 2021 entrance, as Gav made his announcement about exams/TAGs BEFORE they started offering (after interviews). They therefore made roughly 2/3 of their usual number of offers (as many Oxbridge redirectioners know well).

For all the other universities, they had already made their first tranche of offers (some in early November) and so it would have been supremely unfair on late applicants to have shut down their offer numbers.

I absolutely get how horrible it is at the moment waiting for accommodation details, but, as @Peaseblossum22 says, there are other 2021 freshers with no guaranteed accommodation AT ALL and have Freshers' Week from next Monday!!!

All of this chaos does make. E wonder weather some of the selector universities may consider opting out of UCAS and running their own admissions as the Ivy League do so that they can set their own timetable . But I suspect government funding is conditional on participating in UCAS

Sorry about typos , on my phone which seems to have a mind if it’s own

Progress of a kind…..Butler have split students by first name alphabetically and told them either the Sat or the Sun. No times given, no opportunity to book. . They do say times, when given, can be changed but tbh DS is reluctant to do that in case it all goes pear shaped and his slot goes missing!
I don’t know why slots couldn’t have been allocated at the same time - perhaps they are waiting to see if anyone else takes up the deferment option? I get the impression Butler might be a college where students are being reallocated. It was DS’s first choice and he was really pleased to get it, before all this palaver.

Stephenson have now confirmed room type & sent contract. Waiting for move in date. I think Stephenson also a college where students being reallocated to.

Deadline to defer is tomorrow, iirc? Maybe we’ll hear on Monday. Really not in the mood to wait for InThurmation day next week! We’re pretty flexible but things do need arranging here at home for goodness sake.

Ds has had his contract through, signed, returned and confirmed. This was a few days ago. Sorry to everyone else who is having issues.

Re payment, Durham have said they prefer Direct Debit and the payment schedule is as follows

"Collections take place on the first working day of the month. Our collection dates for full time students for both tuition and residence are one third of the annual charge collected on 1st December, 1st February and 1st June during each academic year."

However, if you choose not to pay by direct debit

"Please note if you do not pay by direct debit the fee is due at the start of the year. Full time students are permitted to pay in three instalments 30, 14 and 14 days into each term respectively i.e. by 4th November 20, 25th January 21 and 10th May 21"

The page was last updated October 2020 and is the link Ds sent to me so we could see the payment details for his college accommodation.

Re Butler, I believe last year the time slots were tight due to shortage of car space at JoBo but it was just a case of moving the car once unloaded. I believe they took over part of the park and ride car park for move in day so that cars could be put on there.

That’s very helpful about the Butler slots, @OnTheBenchOfDoom, thank you.

DD’s department have been really helpful (she emailed them ) with info about choosing modules and getting onto the blackboard pointing towards induction courses etc. So that’s modules finally chosen.
Also has now paid for college jcr, freshers pack and gown . Had I known there was an option to order a bedding pack (before I had bought half of it). I would have done so.. it’s a really good idea to have that waiting there on arrival.
Will hopefully hear which room type in the next few days . I hope everyone’s dc are getting sorted.

@Peaseblossum22

Also waiting for Trevs, hopefully it will be soon.

College websites include all the details of when fees are due. Trevs has an incoming students area which includes a checklist ( yes the dates have flipped as discussed !) but also all the finance information . College accommodation fees are not payable until November to avoid the situation at other universities where you have to pay before the loan comes in. JCR fees details are also in the handbook. In the Trevs one there is also a checklist of what to bring and what not to bring, what’s in the rooms , size of beds , college contacts etc .

We are really trying to be relaxed here , they will have accommodation , unlike some other RG universities where there are literally first years who have no accommodation with only a week to go.

@Peaseblossum22, could you please point me in the right direction for all the Trevs info? I have found the pre arrival checklist and gone through the handbook but I can't find the bed sizes or what's in the room info? Hoping more information comes from Trevs soon, at least they haven't said anything (yet) about private accommodation, fingers crossed for those that is still a concern for. Would love to know a moving in date and if dd will be sharing.

@LeiatheSchnauzer the bed size and room contents are listed in the Trevs freshers handbook page 44.

@Meery, thank you! Have now realised that I have been reading the wrong Handbook as my version only goes up to page 34! I downloaded the Trevelyan College Handbook 2021, not a Freshers version.

@Longtimenewsee how have you been able to pay the JCR fees etc? Have you now received more details?

Hi @chopc
Dd joined her college Facebook group and says the the jcr reps posted a link to the form and clickable items to pay for.
It’s college specific so no point pasting here.

Trevs people, dd has received a holding email late afternoon, apologising for the delay in sorting out accommodation contracts. Now expected next week.

I’ve just seen on the University College Instagram that they are emailing room allocations today and tomorrow, and time slots for moving in on Monday. Has anyone heard? @Longtimenewsee? 🤞🏻

Yes we had that too , frustrating but honestly having spoken to people having done real nightmares with no accommodation I am trying really hard to keep cool, calm and relaxed. It’s difficult though , I hope he isn’t in a tent on the basketball court .

Hi @SpringSparrow
Yes Dd had an email saying she would hear either today or over the weekend . No news yet though.
Now she's heard from her department she seems quite chilled. I’m going with that. @Peaseblossum22 is right .. they’ll get somewhere won’t they?.. and they will make friends with other s who are keen to make friends .. and they will be fine

Thanks @meery! Also trying to keep cool @Peaseblossum22, am sure it will work out fine and keeping fingers crossed that delay is just due to getting details right rather than an extensive plan for tents .

DS received a "Particulars of Offer" email today from his college.

The period of occupancy was yet another Durham clanger as the 25th September is a Saturday! We are still none the wiser as to whether he is due on the Saturday or the Sunday! Sigh.

"PERIOD OF OCCUPANCY: Sunday 25th September 2021 (14.00 hrs) to Saturday 25th June 2022 (10.00 hrs) - Includes induction week"

@Longtimenewsee I think there are advantages and disadvantages to both types of accommodation. The nicest accommodation is in the castle, but the rooms there are usually shared for freshers. Owengate is also nice but is also usually shared. The self catered at Kepier looks like much nicer accommodation than the halls of residence. I had a look at the other self catered option and that looks like really nice accommodation with lovely social spaces too. Just a pain finding out so late as if you are self catered, you will need loads of extra stuff!

Thanks for info @SpringSparrow
All are much nicer than any student accommodation in my day ! 😁

Yeah was saying in another group in my halls we shared connubial toilets and showers/ baths with the whole floor ........ ensuites were unheard of