Durham University is'nt worth the effort of getting there

Advantages: Easy to meet people, Very reputable University
Disadvantages: Condescending, Isolated, Upper-class and ill-Equipped

...I started as an undergraduate in Durham in September 2009 studying Chemistry. Personally I disliked the place so much that I had to move to Leeds where I am now much preferring the student life. I Originally applied there because of its status and reputation which are very good. At the time it was listed third in the chemistry league table behind Oxbridge. I went on an overnight open day and had an interview. I didn't much like the place then either but I thought it would grow on me (which it didn't). Just goes to show that first impressions are important and you shouldn't pick a university solely based on its reputation. Durham is a very small 'city' and can feel very claustrophobic. The Hill colleges are so far out of town (relative to the size of Durham) that people can't be bothered to go - I was in Collingwood...

DrJBox 09.12.2009 · Read review
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Review of Durham University

Durham is perfect

Advantages: best mix of attributes of any university in britain
Disadvantages: not a good place for slacking off

...Durham is a beautiful experience from the moment you arrive on the outskirts and see the awesome cathedral and castle towering over the countryside. Five things in favour: (i) collegiate system with 16 unique college experiences ranging from traditional on the bailey to modern on the hill; (ii) highly ranked science and humanities departments with world reknowned faculty that cares about undergrads; (iii) purpose built science site with amazing modern facilities by british standards; (iv) excellent sporting, social and fine arts opportunities for all - not just the few; (v) a happy, engaged, good looking and confident student body that has both high IQ and EQ. The main downside is that it can get quite cold, although at least it rains less and has more sunny days than most other parts of the british isles. Also, Durham is small so it...

faustus123 16.11.2009 · Read review
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Review of Durham University

  Is this" the best cathedral on planet earth" ? Durham Cathedral

Advantages: An amazing cathedral, Unesco World Heritage site, free entry,
Disadvantages: none that I can think of

...changes or introductions to the Durham was in 1832 when the Bishop of Durham and the Cathedral Chapter founded Durham University . In the twentieth and twenty first centuries no major building changes have taken place as they have concentrated on conservation and the purchase of some contemporary art. OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO ME: The building as a whole is particularly beautiful in its setting on the river Wear near the castle. The Sanctuary knocker: The great bronze lion knocker on the door is actually a replica and the original is in the Cathedral treasury but it was used by those seeking sanctuary in the church to awaken the watchmen who slept in a room above the north door entry. One through these huge doors you are in nave and here you can find a number of helpful guides or leaflets and guide books should you want one. The Quire...

catsholiday 18.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Durham (England)

Durham - Traditional but exciting

Advantages: The people, the beautiful landscape and the constant activity
Disadvantages: The cold weather - not somewhere to improve your tan...

...I've jsut entered my final year at Durham, and it's fair to say I've kept myself very busy. While Durham may not be famed for it's rocking nightlife (though I promise you, it does have one), I'm yet to meet a student here who's bored or regretting their choice of university. Wandering round Freshers's Fair a few weeks ago,I found hundreds of activities and societies I hadn't even heard of, and there's plenty to keep me interested. Durham doesn't offer a course in theatre, and yet we have arguably the most active theatre scene of any university in the country, with many students going into theatre after they graduate (check out www.dur.ac.uk/DST for more info). Our student radio, Purple, is really well done and run completely by students. The collegiate system is also a big bonus in Durham. Everyone is automatically part of their...

Hannahpops 23.10.2007 · Read review
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Review of Durham University

Depression University

Advantages: Looks good on your CV
Disadvantages: Cliquey, boring area, no variety in the people you meet

...Having graduated from Durham University and attended a diffferent one for my doctorate, it is easy to see the negative points of the place upon leaving. The town itself looks beautiful from the outset but after a while, there seems to be a bad atmosphere about the place. There is a tension between local people and the students and because it's such a small place, it is impossible to escape. There is a very narrow choice of things to do in your spare time, either drink in the local pubs (which have more than their fair share of local alcholics) or go to the limited number of nightclubs. I will say this is all honesty- if you are a metalhead or you like rock music or anything that goes outside of the mainstream, you probably won't be happy in Durham- it's too small of a place to cater for your enjoyment. There are nearby places in...

Lofnorsk 13.09.2006 · Read review
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Review of Durham University

Durham - the best university?

Advantages: excellent academic support, beautiful city, everywhere is within walking distance
Disadvantages: can't think of any

...I'm a student at Durham university and I'd just like to say what a good time I am having there! It's not just that you get excellent teaching. You also get a lot of academic support from teaching staff and on top of that you also have a college tutor. At my college - Van Mildert - you also have a "college mum" who is a second/third/fourth year who does your subject and they are able to answer questions about the subject and sometimes sell you their old books at cheaper prices. As well as the support you get, Durham is great because it is a small city and all the colleges and places you need to be are withing walking distance of each other. Also Durham is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. There is the river which is only at most a ten minute walk from any of the colleges and there are lots of woodland paths which you...

Lizzie_Shaw 17.07.2000 · Read review
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Review of Durham University

Royal connections but not that luxurious -Durham Marriott hotel

Advantages: Comfortable, convenient for city sight seeing
Disadvantages: luke warm bath water and average food in restaurant

...Durham Marriot Hotel Royal County Old Elvert, Durham DH1 3JN A BIT OF SCENE SETTING: This hotel is part of the Marriott chain but is an old hotel which was once the home of Elizabeth Bowes an ancestor of the Queen Mother. Apparently it was often visited when it was privately owned by Edward VII when he was up in Durham. It has had quite a large series of extensions and now boasts 150 bedrooms, some of which are suites and family rooms all and have en suite bathrooms ( As you might expect in a hotel I would have thought). This is a four star hotel right in the centre of Durham so perfect for a city break as you can park your car in the hotel (complimentary) car park and walk round the city which is very compact and just a hop over the road from the hotel. We booked on the internet and got a special deal for two night?s bed...

catsholiday 17.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of Durham Marriott Hotel Royal County, Durham

Durham Cathedral - Britain's Best-Loved Building!

Advantages: A beautiful place to visit
Disadvantages: None

...I do like cathedrals and churches, and have visited quite a few, but I do consider myself lucky enough to live here in the north-east and not far from what I consider to be the best cathedral I have ever seen! The cathedral I am talking about is Durham Cathedral, built high on a peninsula of land, created by a loop in the River Wear, it can be seen from miles around. I remember from childhood, when being away from the north-east on holiday or a day trip, returning home up the A1 I would look for Durham Cathedral, and when spotting it in the distance, know I would soon be 'home'. I still think that way to this day! One of my favourite views of the cathedral is at sunset, there is no better scene than this, the central and western towers dark against a yellow-red skyline is breath-taking. Bill Bryson described Durham Cathedral as 'the...

JEFFJEN 05.05.2009 · Read review
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Review of Durham (England)

Van Mildert - doing it for the bishop

Advantages: see op
Disadvantages: the op is pretty long, sorry!

...I've just finished my first year at Durham University and felt that it was the perfect time to write an op about my time there so far. Durham is a place that probably doesn't need an introduction, but I shall give it a brief one. It is Up North, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne and is probably best known for its castle and cathedral. I've divided this op into three areas: College, Course and Social. These will be pretty self-explanatory when you read them through. COURSE When you apply to Durham, you have to apply to one of 12 colleges: Hill Colleges: ~ Collingwood ~ St. Aidan's ~ Trevelyans ~ Grey ~ St. Mary's (all girls) ~ Van Mildert Bailey Colleges: ~ Hatfield ~ University (known as Castle also) ~ St. John's ~ St. Cuth's ~ St. Chad's ~ ST. Hild & St. Bede's (Strictly speaking not...

emmaclaire 29.06.2003 · Read review
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Review of Durham University

The Oxbridge of the North

Advantages: See op
Disadvantages: See op

...Durham is a beautiful little city situated in the North East of England, and home to one of the country’s most famous “old” universities. Over the years, it has had students such as Mo Mowlem, Nasser Hussain, Jonathon Edwards and Minette Walters pass through it, and has been found to lurk relatively high in league tables, both for academic excellence and a very low dropout rate; it is for these reasons that I have heard it being referred to as the “Oxbridge of the North”. I was fortunate to attend Durham for three years (1997 – 2000), and I hope that this op covers my experiences adequately; as always, if I miss anything out, just post a comment and I will try and answer it. However, I will point out now that this category is about the university in general – I will not be covering the city...

Collingwood21 26.08.2001 · Read review
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Review of Durham University