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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

Durham or York, which is best for history?

52 replies

Twisique · 27/02/2021 18:34

Does anyone have any experience of Durham or York history?

Trying to see which has the broadest range of topics and biggest department. Which is the most highly regarded?

OP posts:

boys3 · 27/02/2021 19:13

Durham is extremely well regarded for History, DS1 had it as his insurance a few years back. He also had York as one of his UCAS five. At that time the York course started a little later - chronologically something about Vikings :). That may have changed since. Durham covered a more expansive time period.

piggywaspushed · 28/02/2021 09:19

I was looking at both recently and both still seem quite old fashioned really (which is amusing as back in the day York was 'trendy' as it had modules and continuous assessments). Not sure how far back Durham goes but York's specialisms, for obvious reasons, were always Vikings and medievals. Both unis have longstanding reputations for history, as I am sure you know. Both large departments.

I felt that neither did a huge amount of diverse, vibrant modern stuff (as far as I could see form prospectuses and YouTube) but some students might prefer that.

My school has zero tradition of Durham so it is a bit of an unknown to me . Of late the able historians have gravitated to Nottingham, and Birmingham but that is partly a geographical choice.

I mean, overall, most will tell you Durham is better regarded as a university. But that doesn't mean it is right for everyone. And York is still RG etc etc anyway and York historians carry their own cachet.

piggywaspushed · 28/02/2021 09:28

Not to derail but we have this sort of thinking process atm : DS could get grades to do sociology at Durham, thereby having a 'Durham degree' but the course looks quite dull, comparatively, and it is waaay down the league tables (every one of them) for that subject.

I ahve always been given to understand that Durham remains quite staid assessment type wise : which is good if exams are your thing. That also may have changed but it used to be a reason why York (and others) was chosen over Durham.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 28/02/2021 09:35

I think it seems to depend on the time studied-DD wants to do a combination of modern and classical civilisation. Oxford is here top choice. She’s then got Durham/Exeter/Birmingham/Nottingham I think.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 28/02/2021 09:35

Her...

Themostwonderfultimeoftheyear · 28/02/2021 09:40

I did history at Durham (graduated in 2011). Wide range of modules, I specialised in early modern European but I recall there being a lot of choice. Did a Native American module, could have done a Chinese history module, warfare etc. Did do a couple of 20th century European modules and a Tudor module. I can recall always feeling pleased with the choice available.

piggywaspushed · 28/02/2021 09:45

There is so much history ! I always wonder how history students choose modules from such a wonderful embarrassment of riches.

piggywaspushed · 28/02/2021 09:48

There was a lovely lovely young man who documented his application to and first year at Durham on YouTube a couple of years back. Not at all your typical YouTuber . He was history. I will see if I can find him.

BigWoollyJumpers · 28/02/2021 11:45

DD's top choices were Oxford, Exeter and Warwick, which she choose because of the widest range of options available. She didn't want to go too far North though, so she didn't look at Durham or York.

Xenia · 28/02/2021 15:29

Both are good. I think Durham is better career wise butt here won't be much in it. Also Durham is lovely (I am from up there so biased I suppose).

piggywaspushed · 28/02/2021 15:31

Durham is lovely . So is York. Both lovely places.

MarchingFrogs · 28/02/2021 16:05

And York is still RG etc etc anyway

And like QMUL and Exeter, with the same length of membership of the club, all four being the most recently admitted, in 2012.

SaskiaRembrandt · 28/02/2021 16:14

Odd that neither cover classics/ancient history, that seems like a big omission.

picknmix1984 · 28/02/2021 16:17

I'm biased. York. I work there😁

42isthemeaning · 28/02/2021 16:21

@SaskiaRembrandt

Odd that neither cover classics/ancient history, that seems like a big omission.

Do you mean as separate degree courses?

piggywaspushed · 28/02/2021 16:24

I don't see why it is any more of an omission that some that really don't go beyond well documented shores of UK and USA or make very few forays into the later 20th century really.

piggywaspushed · 28/02/2021 16:32

Plus, also. Durham has a degree in ancient history. I am not sure how many standard history degrees do do ancient history.

PresentingPercy · 28/02/2021 16:43

For employment after graduating, Durham. For people for whom history will be their life: either.

piggywaspushed · 28/02/2021 16:47

They are only a few spaces apart in that graduate recruitment table on another thread, as it goes. Both bottom end of top 20 for being targeted by top 100 employers.

SaskiaRembrandt · 28/02/2021 16:51

42isthemeaning Do you mean as separate degree courses?

No, as part of their history degrees. Both seem to start with medieval.

SaskiaRembrandt · 28/02/2021 16:56

@piggywaspushed

Plus, also. Durham has a degree in ancient history. I am not sure how many standard history degrees do do ancient history.

Mine did. As far as I know Oxford does too. I know some concentrate on modern history, but I wasn't aware that some do medieval, early modern, and modern, but miss off the beginning, so to speak.

I don't see why it is any more of an omission that some that really don't go beyond well documented shores of UK and USA or make very few forays into the later 20th century really.

This too! It was very odd sitting through lectures on things that only happened a few years before

TheLaughingGenome · 28/02/2021 16:56

As an aside ... why not Newcastle? History Degree (with or without Ancient/Classics/Archaeology) is excellent there, all set around the quadrangle in the heart of the university in the centre of a fabulous and very affordable city.

chopc · 28/02/2021 16:56

@piggywaspushed if you look at it like that Oxford was no 9, Durham 12 and York 20 ..... make of what what you will

To be honest I think a student should go for the course they would enjoy studying at a place where they would enjoy living and like the culture of. What happens after is probably based on the students character. Careers advisors are available in all universities but it's up to the student to investigate. They don't go behind you and shower you with the advise and opportunities. You need to seek them out.

Going to a good university is no longer ticket into a good job. Unless of course you come across a contact that may help you. But I don't know how it works these days ........

piggywaspushed · 28/02/2021 17:07

I don't really look at it like that chopc to be honest. I agree with your second paragraph wholeheartedly!

Bettafish · 28/02/2021 17:20

DD did History at York - she had a great time, although the contact time was low (? 9 hours per week). She got onto a good graduate scheme after uni. Her course mates are now employed in a wide variety of careers - National Trust, System Analyst, BBC, PR etc. History seems to be a great degree for transferable skills

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