Durham - Liberal Arts

[Anonymous160217]

Anyone with a YP studying Liberal Arts at Durham who could give their honest opinion of the course? DD loved Durham at the open day, loved the subject talks she went too, and the extra curricular she’s interested in is very strong. But she was really put off by the Liberal Arts talk - especially the compulsory module(s?) for all Liberal Arts students. The only way she can do the subjects she wants to at Durham is to take Liberal Arts. Thank you for any insights!

Hi @Anonymous160217 - my younger DD has just started Liberal Arts at Durham. Like your DD, it was the only way she could take her particular combination of subjects (in fact, Durham was one of very few places where she could achieve it at all). She's enjoying it so far but has only just started. She didn't mind the sound of the Liberal Arts module because it sounded quite philosophical to her and philosophy is one of her two subjects. I can ask for her thoughts on it if you like but it's very early days and she may not have much to say about it (especially since her other subject is a language which she's starting from scratch so I think that is taking a lot of her time and energy!).

Thank you @Dery, your DD’s thoughts would be very welcome if she’s happy to share, although I appreciate it’s very early days for her. One (or two) of my DD’s subjects would be languages too - she’s doing two MFLs for A level. I wish your DD all the best, a language from scratch must be very intense!

What exactly is it in the core modules that DD dislikes?
Or is it simply the idea of having to do courses that she isn't interested in that irks her?

My DCs went to university in the US and had core courses or general education coursework to complete before embarking on their majors. It made them very versatile candidates in the job market.

@mathanxiety But every single US college has general ed classes, for up to 2 yrs. Its not a unique aspect of US college education and really its an effort to bridge gaps in HS education which in some areas is deplorable (I was educated in a US HS as were all my children).

There is only one compulsory module (out of 6 in the first year), which is described in detail on the website. I can see why it wouldn’t be attractive to someone who is not studying history, philosophy or something more culturally related but it is not a significant part of the degree and Durham is almost unique in the flexibility it provides.

You’re right it really doesn’t appeal! The tutor who gave the talk at the open day said they’re hoping to start compulsory Liberal Arts modules in every year, although it’s only the first year currently. DD just wants to crack on with the subjects she actually wants to study.

@Anonymous160217 Is your DD thinking of studying 3 subjects? If so, i can see why losing 20 credits to a compulsory module seems sub-optimal, especially if the topic doesn’t appeal. Most Liberal Arts degrees have a few compulsory modules, i think.

Has your DD looked at Flexible Combined Honours at Exeter? It didn’t work for my DD given the language she wanted to study but perhaps could work for your DD (unless your DD has her eye on Arabic - Exeter students of Arabic go abroad in year 2 and that doesn’t work with the FCH schedule which only offers a 3rd year abroad).

@Dery yes, she’s hoping to continue with both A level languages (although she may drop to one) plus music. Unfortunately Exeter doesn’t offer music but I appreciate the suggestion. And yes, using credits for a module that doesn’t appeal seems daft. Yet she loved the uni. She hasn’t even applied yet so this may all be pie in the sky thinking anyway!

@Anonymous160217 - what a glorious combination of subjects! A colleague of mine studied music + a language at Sheffield. Don’t know if there’s room on the Sheffield course for a second language.

Good luck to your DD with her applications. It’s early days but younger DD is very happy at Durham so far.

Has she looked at Newcastle combined honours? Looks as if music and languages are an option there.
re Durham, doesn't sound as if she's planning to include any business courses anyway, but for anyone else considering it, worth being aware that in practice popular courses are too full for LA students or anyone else taking optional modules to join. This prevented my yp taking a business module in his first year for example.

DDs uni let very good students take one extra 20 credit course each year (you needed to make a good case and only in 1st two years). Would that be a possibility at Durham to get around the compulsory one.

One disliked module out of six isn't bad if she has free range over the next two years. As DS's academic tutor at Durham told him in the first term, you only need to pass year one as it doesn't count towards the final degree. DS loved Durham and it sounds as if your DD would too. I would say in the overall choosing of a university one module is not hugely significant if the rest of the course looks great.

Thank you! It’s great to hear your DD is enjoying Durham so far. Sheffield is definitely one of my DDs choices. Really enjoyed the enthusiasm of everyone at the open day and it’s the only place except Durham where she can do both languages.

That’s useful to know about the popular modules. Newcastle has recently appeared on her radar as she’s heard some excellent things from several different people. She’ll take a closer look, thank you!

That’s what one of the languages tutors said at the open day when she asked him some questions!

Music + a language is offered at Southampton (and students can choose to take a second uncredited language, if they want to).

Only if doing Liberal Arts I believe, not as a joint honours degree?

Has she looked at Birmingham? They definitely have music and MFL as part of their LA offer.

It’s possible to do Major/Minor or Combined Honours (but the website is a mess right now!)

this page has some info on Major/Minor combinations.
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/customise-your-degree.page

Yes she has and loved it! Music and languages is a joint honours there so no need to do LA.