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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:
Justanotherday3 · 26/03/2021 08:44

@bigTillyMint

My DS is deciding between Durham & Bristol, was very pro Bristol back in Autumn, but now seems to be more fixed on Durham. Could you give some details re the differing experiences of Durham/Bristol, if you don’t mind?

IrrationalAnthem · 26/03/2021 09:42

[quote Justanotherday3]@bigTillyMint

My DS is deciding between Durham & Bristol, was very pro Bristol back in Autumn, but now seems to be more fixed on Durham. Could you give some details re the differing experiences of Durham/Bristol, if you don’t mind?[/quote]
I’d love to know more too. I think Durham is putting on a lot online to draw people in, but I’m sure that she’s more Bristol. (I went to neither)

bigTillyMint · 26/03/2021 09:53

Well, they are both v happy with what they chose. DD chose Bristol and a city centre halls for her first year. She was glad that she did as there was much more of a mix of students than in say Stoke Bishop and she was right in the middle of things. She likes clubbing and a culturally mixed city life (we are in London, so it’s a bit like a smaller version, but she says more “hippy”) She also worked part-time till Covid struck. She has stayed there to do her MSc and is very happy there.

DS chose Durham as he liked the college system. He found his college a great match for him - organised sport and socials and catered (though he regrets not getting up early enough for breakfast most days now!) He likes the openness and it being a v small city. However, he didn’t meet any others from state comps in his college (though there may have been some!) so whilst he has felt that, he has also been able to fit in with that vibe and has made lots of friends.

Courses wise, both are Humanities and the degrees are module based - so not with a set group of course-mates. This meant that they made friends more easily on a social basis than on their courses. Most of DSs friends are from his college. Teaching hours (not many!) and support (not much!) seems broadly similar at both I think.

chopc · 26/03/2021 12:16

Enjoyed reading that @bigTillyMint and you reiterated why Durham is a good fit fir my DC. However the lack of support is worrying.

Do you have any idea what the careers guidance is like at Durham?

chopc · 26/03/2021 12:17

As in are graduate prospects good because of the type of students that goes there or does Durham actively help them

bigTillyMint · 26/03/2021 12:48

I’m not sure. He’s in his second year, so maybe will hear more next year?!

I think RG unis expect students to be independent with their study. Which is a bit of a jump for some.

chopc · 26/03/2021 12:50

From what I have read it is the second year summer placements that might lead to a job after the third year- so it would be worrying if he hasn't been advised to think about that

MrsTabithaTwitchit · 26/03/2021 12:59

There will be plenty of emails about opportunities from the careers service and webinars etc that they can attend but it’s up to the student to take the initiative . They will not lead them by the nose and tell them what they should he doing and the higher ranked the university the more hands off it will be .

chopc · 26/03/2021 13:40

Yet they can take credit for their graduate prospects.

Similar to grammar schools in a way ..... kids are bright and driven. How much of their results or destination is down to the teachers?

I know you do have to be self motivated to study at Uni but I am talking more on the point the higher tier the Uni the more hands off they are

MrsTabithaTwitchit · 26/03/2021 14:10

Well there are a lot of employers who will rate graduates by where they went to university. Many only recruit from about 10 places. I think I may be missing your point.

chopc · 26/03/2021 14:26

I was just wondering out loud what the value addedbess of the top tier Unis were

bigTillyMint · 26/03/2021 15:43

the higher ranked the university the more hands off it will be

That is exactly it!

bigTillyMint · 26/03/2021 15:44

He has been trying to get a summer internship, but no luck so far, and we haven’t got the connections many of the other students seem to have.

chopc · 26/03/2021 15:52

@bigTillyMint I feel that Durham Uni and his college would have enough of an alumni network and connections to help him. I would be very disappointed if he has tried this approach and there is no help available

bigTillyMint · 26/03/2021 16:04

I didn’t mean that there was no careers advice.
But I don’t think it opens doors in the way some parents/personal connections can.

Original poster
KingscoteStaff · 26/03/2021 16:11

There is a strong alumni community who offer support and advice on career choice. DS’s college has been offering alumni talks about particular careers on zoom through lockdown.

OP posts:
chopc · 26/03/2021 16:16

DS school has been giving them and usually there Is an offer to be contacted if a student needs. That's your contact ........ Or isn't that how it would work?

SeasonFinale · 26/03/2021 18:10

@bigTillyMint

He has been trying to get a summer internship, but no luck so far, and we haven’t got the connections many of the other students seem to have.
Connections mean nothing nowadays for most of the more desirable internships and certainly at those in the top 250. Most recruit by online applications and testing.
chopc · 26/03/2021 18:13

Pleased to hear that season ......

bigTillyMint · 26/03/2021 19:56

Yes for official internships. But Work Experience can be gained via connections and then used to support applications for proper internships. DS knows others who have done this!

goodbyestranger · 26/03/2021 20:09

chopc your expectations on career advice are way too high and , if I may say so, suggest that these young people need spoon feeding when in fact what they need is initiative.

I'm unconvinced that parental or other connections help much any more.

chopc · 26/03/2021 20:35

Goodbye young people need guidance and I am not expecting them to be spoonfed

However if a certain Uni takes pride in reporting their graduate employability as a plus point, then I don't think it's wrong to expect sufficient guidance to be provided into helping graduates find those jobs.

If it's all down to the student initiative then what is the role of the university in this?

goodbyestranger · 26/03/2021 20:39

To educate chopc.

I think perhaps your experience as a fee paying parent skews your expectations at university level.

MrsTabithaTwitchit · 26/03/2021 21:30

I agree with goodbye it’s the rigour of the course which attracts employers. Students are given every opportunity to engage with the careers service and there is plenty of guidance but they have to take the first step, the university cannot be expected to be chivvying along 15,000 students

chopc · 26/03/2021 21:34

Perhaps goodbye.

So for a first time Uni applicant or parent what Durham has put on their website is not true? Because if you have not sent a child to university before you tend to take things reported on their prospectus at face value. Note the "one to one appointments with careers advisors to make a personal careers plan". It even says they help students find and apply for work.

So you are saying this doesn't happen and it's just something they put on their website?

Durham University