Durham or Bristol

[Fabfabfab]

Does anyone have any advice on Durham versus Bristol for History? Durham ask for AstarAA and Bristol AAA (DC's current PGs). Given that a lot of the Universities seem to accept a slight drop in grades I'm wondering whether it's worth a shot. DC's college have said they are open to discussions about PGs and may very well change it if they know Durham is in the running (and if DC can convince them she will work hard this year - which I have no doubt will be the case - and she may very well end up getting AstarAA). Saying that, is Durham really that much better than Bristol? It's much further away for us so isn't ideal from that perspective but if it will open more doors (thinking of doing a law conversion possibly) then it would be worth it. We haven't been to the open day but pretty sure she would like the collegiate feel. Bristol seems great as well though and she did really like it at the open day. Any thoughts?

Yes, although Bristol is also known for pretty terrible accommodation and it’s seems to be luck of the draw where you end up.

@Fabfabfab What’s terrible about Bristol accommodation? Like everywhere, there’s a variety at varying prices.

Much of a muchness between the two. What vibe do they want?

Also Bristol features more highly in the High Fliers preferred unis of Top 100 Employers

Not in our experience. Great room in North Village and very sociable.

Just heard lots of stories of people ending up in a completely different place to the one they put down e.g. if they asked for self-catered they got catered, if they wanted to be near campus they ended up far away etc etc. Seems to be quite a few examples this year - although I'm sure it's character building and it's just for one year!

@Fabfabfab There is one hall far away! In Wales. The rest are in Bristol but the ones at Stoke Bishop are a short bus ride away. Much closer than many London halls are to the universities. Others are near the bars in the centre and a few are near the university and always have been very popular. Students can sleep in a bit longer. Few halls are catered and they are very convivial for students - not a hardship and not the most expensive as they are old halls.

The vast majority are happy as no doubt they are at nearly every other university. This year Warwick is getting the bad rap and Exeter but of course the majority who you don’t hear from are ok. Others years it’s been ones in London. I’d just not single anywhere out as being consistently poor. Yes, students really will be ok wherever they are.

I live in Bristol. The accommodation for the university absolutely is not "terrible" but I think sometimes people have a terrible time getting it sorted out. Perhaps that is what was meant.

@TkaequondoDitto at quite a few others though.

My DD is at Durham (she disliked Bristol on Open Day though enjoyed her taster lecture and wouldn’t even entertain Warwick) and I echo what @donstrenchcoatanddarkglassesstates. Uni is so much about what you put in. My DD is doing Sociology and is quite keen on education policy in the future, but also maybe teaching or journalism. So she’s currently shadowing a teacher at a school for a few days (nothing to do with uni, but an example of what a student can do off their own bat). She just emailed the head teacher, and the head’s own DD having gone to Durham and at the same college may have helped!
She’s an editor on the uni newspaper and had a one on one with a visiting award winning journalist. Visited Parliament and spoke to a few people there with the Women in Politics Society. This can be done at any uni to boost the CV and gain invaluable insight. So many students get caught up on the social side and overlook the variety of extras on offer. My DD often goes to guest lectures and is amazed to not see students from that department attending (no undergrad Law students at a series of interesting lectures put on by the Law Society for example). You don’t have to stick to your own subject if something appeals. Uni costs so much might as well get your moneys worth!
As for accommodation - many unis seem to struggle to house their first years but the Durham issue has really only affected a minority, though its system doesn’t seem fit for purpose I agree! DD got her first choice of college, as did several of her friends.

@mondaytosunday She knows ALL the undergrad law students? Impressive. In the end just attending things isn’t enough, you have to do something. Everyone studying politics, working in education, studying just about anything wants to be a politician or civil servant working on policy. Unfortunately a great depth of knowledge is needed first. Maybe teach to get it?