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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Durham 2022 applicants

242 replies

NinaProudman2022 · 29/12/2021 13:25

New thread for those applying to Durham for 2022. What time of year do Durham usually make offers please and do they interview? DS applied early and we are new to all this but are wondering if he has now missed the deadline for ranking Colleges (unlike most of his friends applying who managed not to miss this and did this early on) as he can’t now see this option in the portal or if he hasn’t missed it then is their a deadline for doing this please? I know in previous years college rankings may have been irrelevant. Thanks

OP posts:
WhyOhWine · 17/05/2022 14:48

DD has now decided against Durham. It was mainly due to the college allocation. The actual college allocated would have been fine i think in a normal year even though it was quite low on her list and is SC this year when she wanted catered. But this year they are refurbishing so everyone is living off-site further away from the other colleges and there is a temporary bar (i think in college not at the temp accomodation) etc. She just felt she would not get the full college experience overall. Shame, but I can see where she is coming from given she had other great choices including one she was equally happy with when she got the offers. As the college system was the main pro of Durham over her other choice, the college allocation essentially offset that so she went back and looked again at others pros and cons of the two, and landed up with her other choice.

Shame as I was gunning for Durham!

So good luck to everyone on this thread and their DCs - I am off to look for Edinburgh threads now!

Camtak · 18/05/2022 17:41

DS got an offer yesterday. Are only the unpopular colleges going to be left now? I don’t think he chose one previously. Thanks

EwwSprouts · 18/05/2022 19:39

@Camtak It might be wise for your Ds to rank all the colleges not just his top few. Saying that I suspect DS chose an unpopular one & is delighted to have got it. He didn't want one in the town as we visited one and he would have cracked his head every time he walked in. His preference was for near the science blocks, self catering and whether the college was old or new wasn't a factor. It does have a good bar! I hope he makes good friends in college but for now his perception is he will make them mainly through the course and sport.

jaffa987 · 19/05/2022 13:54

I really don't think it's a case of popular/unpopular colleges as they all have differing aspects. Definitely agree that they should rank them all though. My son was lucky to get his first choice but had definite ideas of ones he wouldn't be so happy with so they went at the bottom.

Wordlewobble · 21/05/2022 16:16

Some prefer the older Colleges especially those from public schools.

So it really depends on what your DS is looking for.

Whereas, DS is happy with his first choice at Durham Self Catered, bigger room, bigger bed, not sharing, decent sized kitchen newish looking facilities, close to science centre.

Camtak · 21/05/2022 17:36

Thanks all. He chose elsewhere. Offered a different course to the one he applied for, and after waiting this long the allure of Durham has worn off.

NCTDN · 21/05/2022 19:52

I get that @Camtak. My daughter did the same.

Wordlewobble · 02/07/2022 13:55

Has anyone had an email yesterday about securing Durham College Accommodation? It says this isn’t a deposit and is a non-refundable advanced rent payment to secure the accommodation. But as DS is still waiting for his A level results we will be £200 down. If he his insurance Uni choice do the same that will be £400 upfront. Are people paying this now and crossing fingers or waiting until results day please? Thanks 😊

DroopyTulips · 02/07/2022 17:50

It's not a request for payment now. It's asking whether you will want to live in college or not. If you don't fill out the form by the deadline, you won't get accommodation in college. When you click through to the form you have to fill in, it says that you will have to pay £200 "when you receive your college accommodation offer", which will be after A Level results day.

Wordlewobble · 16/08/2022 12:19

Hows everyone feeling just before results day?

lilylouisa · 16/08/2022 15:32

Wordlewobble · 16/08/2022 12:19

Hows everyone feeling just before results day?

Nervous. My news feed is bombarded with 80,000 less A and A*s...'top universities most impacted...' 'International admissions up a zillion percent'... 'Scramble for clearing...' 'Top grades down by a quarter'..Honestly what is it with the news these days? One crisis after another. He has a good insurance option if he performs a little under par, but this cohort has never had 'proper exams' so I have no idea how he'll do.

Acuppaandcake · 16/08/2022 17:37

Yes - anxious here too. DS has had a big wobble this week and is convinced exams didn't go to plan (at the time he seemed ok so hopefully his current feelings are due to the anticipated stress of results day) - however his insurance doesn't give him a great deal of leeway... anyway! Good luck to everyone.

Wordlewobble · 16/08/2022 21:31

DS seems fine but think he is stressing. I am getting worried. He needs AA A for Durham and I can’t remember his insurance offer but it also doesn’t leave him much leeway.

Fruitygal · 16/08/2022 23:09

DD got covid during exams so impacted them a lot who knows? She’s had the day out today with friends with lots of fun and only got home an hour ago so should be knackered tomorrow and sleep in. Fingers crossed for everyone x

Watsername · 18/08/2022 10:58

DS is really happy - he got his grades for Durham and has accepted his place :)

Wordlewobble · 18/08/2022 11:34

DS even surpassed his Durham grades slightly so he’s also in. It was so lovely that some of his teachers made it in for results day. So pleased and proud for him but then feel a bit sad and empty as the realisation of him leaving home very soon has hit again. Really hope he is happy there. Our kids have had such a time on it with covid and lockdowns etc.

Fruitygal · 18/08/2022 12:38

DD got in too! Super happy x

lilylouisa · 18/08/2022 13:16

DS got in with a smashing set of grades. Over the moon for him.

MargaretThursday · 18/08/2022 13:25

Well done all! They'll have a fantastic time!

Juneday · 18/08/2022 15:31

Well done to your DCs, there is something for everyone at Durham, small city and a 10 min train to Newcastle for much bigger high street shops etc. Same Trainline as Edinburgh too - and Alnwick worth a visit if you go up to visit. My DS has made friends for life and friends DD too.

HighlandCowbag · 18/08/2022 16:56

Absolutely chuffed to bits that DD got in, actually did 1 grade better than predicted and her offer. It was very exciting in the house this morning. She got an email at 8.05am saying congratulations on your place, then her UCAS portal updated and then we went for her results.

She had convinced herself she hadn't done it. Well done to everyone else as well.

EwwSprouts · 18/08/2022 17:56

DS also in! Very happy.

GoldenRuby · 18/08/2022 20:28

DD is also in, very very happy!

KingscoteStaff · 19/08/2022 09:14

Well done all your DC! Durham is a fantastic place to study / socialise / play sport / play music etc etc etc.
I’ve just watched DS move into his 3rd year house and had massive deja vu of his original arrival!

BeeBB · 14/02/2023 11:38

Is everyones DC still enjoying student life in Durham? It was definitely the right choice for DS who sounds like he is having the full on student experience at John Snow College. All his housemates seem well adjusted and look out for one another and the College system also seems to work well.

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