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Original poster

Durham and Lancaster

65 replies

KittyMcKitty · 09/10/2022 16:19

Hi

i know we need to visit and we will but Lancaster is a very long way from home!

DD is applying to Durham for Sociology- been to the open day and stayed overnight in Durham and she loves everything about it (which came as a surprise as she’d been not that keen till we visited).

Shed always thought that York would be her preferred Uni but Durham now trumps that. She’s also been looking at Lancaster- highly ranked for sociology and it seems to have a heavy research focus (one of the things she likes about Durham). Also there is a lot more focus on the areas of sociology she’s particularly into compared to York (Durham also focus’ on her interests heavily).

so my question is does anyone have any recent experience of Lancaster for Sociology and as a city how does it compare to Durham?

I know a lot of this is subjective but would appreciate any opinions.

OP posts:
Doingprettywellthanks · 09/10/2022 16:22

May I ask whether she has a career choice in mind?

Original poster
KittyMcKitty · 09/10/2022 16:35

Vaguely - she wants to do an MA but would like to work in something guiding / informing policy (she doesn’t want to do a straight social policy degree but Durham sociology incorporates policy - York doesn’t). Why?

OP posts:
Doingprettywellthanks · 09/10/2022 16:37

Because if these absolutely superb universities are available to her, then I would suggest a more well regarded degree.

Doingprettywellthanks · 09/10/2022 16:38

I know sociology is bloody hard work and academic

but it is not a particularly well regarded one

Original poster
KittyMcKitty · 09/10/2022 16:45

But she wants to do sociology- it’s what interest her - she runs FemSoc and another society at school and presents on topics each week to upwards of 100 people - she loves it and is good at it.

she’s doing science A levels and people had always assumed that she would go into Bioscience but this is what she really really likes and life is too short to do what people regard as a “better” subject. Science A levels are not a problem at all for Sociology having spoken at length to a professor at Durham about it (she actually seemed to view it as a plus point).

dd would be fantastic working in a position which guides policy and tbh looking at our country we could do with more people in these roles.

(Full disclosure I have another child doing philosophy and politics at Uni - we’re obviously social science type people).

OP posts:
Original poster
KittyMcKitty · 09/10/2022 16:47

Anyway - back to my question- what’s Lancaster like as a city compared to Durham? As everyone in Durham kept telling us it’s only 12 mins on train to Newcastle. Lancaster I guess would have Manchester as it’s nearest big city?

OP posts:
Dogsogdog · 09/10/2022 16:57

Ds has just graduated from Lancaster and loved it. It’s on the edge of the Lake District but still close by train to Manchester. It’s a small city so not huge nightlife but lots revolves around the uni colleges

Original poster
KittyMcKitty · 09/10/2022 17:01

Thank you - what did your dd study?

Does it feel a much smaller city then Durham? Also - shallow but important question - what’s the castle like?

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ScoobyDoobyDoowhere · 09/10/2022 17:01

No experience of Sociology but I can say Durham, Lancaster and York were all on DS’s list for another degree subject for 2022 entry.

As parents Durham and York were our preferred options based on the feel of the cities (Durhams reputation), the feel of the campuses, how the student ambassadors came across, how well organised, professional, welcoming and informative the Open days were.

DS always preferred Durham but didn’t think much in it between Lancaster and York. In the end he firmed Durham and opted for Lancaster as his insurance as the cost of living was cheaper, it was nearer home and it had a better reputation for his course.

DS was also an early applicant so both York and Lancaster were falling over themselves to make offers to him fairly quickly. Whereas, Durham didn’t make an offer until February/March and some students at Durham didn’t receive offers until mid May!!

Meanwhile, York accommodation portal opened ridiculously early in something like January saying they were offering accommodation on a first come, first served basis to totally crank up the pressure (whilst DS had one refusal and was still waiting for Durham and St Andrews to come back to us). I was worried he may miss out on accommodation in halls at York if he chose it as his insurance which has happened for some students in recent years (and they ended up in places such as York or Leeds).

Anyway he surpassed his Durham grades and he is there now and absolutely loving it and whilst I am sure he would have been happy wherever this seems to have been the right choice for him.

wormshuffled · 09/10/2022 17:04

My DD had a wonderful time at Durham. I'm so glad I bullied 😉, I mean encouraged her to apply there. I don't have any experience of Lancaster as a uni, but the town itself is very uninspiring.

BionicEar · 09/10/2022 17:10

Lancaster is a lovely small city. The castle is well worth a visit.

It is a fairly small city but has plenty going on throughout the year.

Locationwise you can be in one of the bigger cities within the hour (Manchester/Liverpool), get to the seaside (Morecambe) within 20 mins and up to the Lake District in less than an hour.

Original poster
KittyMcKitty · 09/10/2022 17:14

@ScoobyDoobyDoowhere York’s accommodation policy and the way it disadvantages those who have it as an insurance is a major negative imo!

Dd is not an early entry applicant - not sure on her final predicted grades but do know that there is no problems with anything she’s considering applying to.

so pleased yr ds enjoying Durham - it would be perfect for dd so we just need to cross our fingers!

OP posts:
Original poster
KittyMcKitty · 09/10/2022 17:15

@BionicEar thank you that’s great to hear - her brother is in his first year at Manchester so she’d have somewhere to stay there!

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SpamhappyTootsie · 09/10/2022 17:20

I’ve visited Lancaster many times and it’s a nice little city. The Castle and Priory are worth a visit, but maybe only once or twice.
DS has several friends who went to Uni there (2021 and 22 intakes) and he had it as one of his choices. We visited the campus in 2019 and were impressed by the newer accommodation in particular. It’s come a long way from the grim Uni on an isolated hill that it was when I was applying for courses.
However, Durham was his first choice and I think it stands a bit above Lancaster tbh. There is a lot of green space and easy links to Newcastle, the North East coast etc.
It wouldn’t be the end of the world for your dd to go to Lancaster but she should certainly aim for Durham if she can, imo.

Original poster
KittyMcKitty · 09/10/2022 17:23

Thank you that’s really useful - Durham is 100% her first choice - she loved the city - the castle, cathedral and architecture. They have a Taylor Swift society (as does York) and the Sociology course is just perfect for her so we are keeping everything crossed and of course need to have other options.

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Onceinnever · 09/10/2022 17:24

I don't think Durham and Lancaster are comparable as cities, if you're a student. Lancaster is sweet and has a beach nearby, and the lakes - but it wouldn't have been my choice at 18. The castle looks cool but basically it has a cafe inside it.

The uni itself is a small city really anyway!

Bobbins36 · 09/10/2022 17:27

Lancaster is great in our experience. Accommodation is first class and the campus facilities outstanding. A really friendly Uni. DS doing politics and history there. Teaching went face to face much quicker than a lot of unis post covid and it’s been a really positive experience. Easy out to the Lakes, and Manchester and Liverpool are v close for a bigger city trip.

SpamhappyTootsie · 09/10/2022 17:32

Lancaster is certainly a decent option for her.
The centre of Durham is a bit low on independent crafty -type shops but that’s from the pov of a middle aged parent Grin. Elvet & Bailey is lovely though and Durham Ginstitute well worth a visit if you like gin or know anyone who does. I could visit the Cathedral over and over again (and intend to!). Beautiful riverside walks and the Botanic Gardens (free pass for students iirc).

SeasonFinale · 09/10/2022 17:38

Apply for both and see what happens offer wise. Durham often makes some early offers but lots of late ones and some all A star students don't get offers. Lancaster on the other hand often gives dropped grade offers if firm.

Bobbins36 · 09/10/2022 17:42

Lancs also offered DS a reduced offer based on a good EPQ result if that’s applicable. And a £1k scholarship for exceeding offer grades which came as a v welcome surprise!

MsAnnFrope · 09/10/2022 17:42

Lancaster feels much more “campus” than Durham which has its colleges scattered through the city. I would have said Durham had a higher “yah” contingent back in the day but not any more, the Lancaster intake isn’t as socially diverse as it was.
The sociology department is superb, I’m a researcher and have links there and I would say it was one of the standout subjects at Lancaster.
She could always do UG at Durham and consider an MA at Lancaster! She sounds smart and ambitious, good luck to her.

Original poster
KittyMcKitty · 09/10/2022 17:49

Thank you @MsAnnFrope thats good to hear about Lancaster Sociology- it ranks highly in League Tables and looks substantial on paper.

Durhams high % of students from private schools had been what had put her off it but at the open day she had a long chat with an (amazing) sociology professor about this and she was great recognising it as something they needed to redress and succeeded in selling the Uni to her! I know many fab students are rejected by Durham but sociology is more niche so we shall have to wait and see!

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ErrolTheDragon · 09/10/2022 17:52

As cities go, Lancaster is more like a large market town tbh. DD went to school there and we like it, often go for a walk in and around it (or bike ride) but it's small.

Longtimenewsee · 09/10/2022 18:33

i have it on good authority that one of the Durham nightclubs had Taylor swift nights last year .. 😁

mmzz · 09/10/2022 18:44

I have a son at each of Lancaster and Durham, but neither do sociology.

Actually my first thought is what do undergraduates have to do with research?

Anyway, the universities are similar in that they both have the college system and different in that Durham is scattered throughout the town whereas Lancaster is out on a limb, accessed by bus.

Durham does not appear to try very hard to ensure good outcomes for their students, but Lancaster does.

Both of my sons love their respective unis.

Lancaster appears to be a bit cheaper for living out after the first year in halls.

Durham has much more black tie dos.

This might be relevant: LNER services Durham which is much, much better than Avanti which services Lancaster.