Durham as an Institution
The main reason that I applied to Durham was due to its academic reputation. Durham is consistently ranked as a top 10 UK university and I wanted to apply and study somewhere which would challenge me yet also support me in my studies. The sociology course at Durham also had research specialisms which I was similarly interested in and I could see that this would motivate and inspire me in my degree.
The location
When I came to visit Durham, I loved the size and atmosphere of the place. It’s a small city university which has been perfect for me as I was unsure whether I wanted the campus or city style university experience. It’s been possible to have both of these experiences in one at Durham because everything is within walking distance and both my lectures and the city centre are easy to access. The unique landscape and architecture of Durham appealed to me too due to the old and traditional buildings like the cathedral and Bailey and the beautiful river which provides a great space for a walk or run when wanting a break from studying. Durham’s proximity from my home also attracted me since the hour-and-half train has allowed me to establish my independence yet also provides me with the flexibility to pop home.
Collegiate system
Durham’s colleges greatly appealed to me as they provide a smaller community within a large university. Freshers week in Durham and the organisation of college life provided me with an easy way to settle in due to the organised, but optional, activities in Freshers week and the chance to join smaller sports and society groups. There are also many opportunities to attend formal dinners and balls in college which are lots of fun! Each college also has their own facilities, like libraries and bars and some have sports pitches and chapels too. There is welfare support in colleges provided voluntarily by students and employed members of staff which is accessible if needed.
Why Durham was my firm offer
During my A-level studies, I found it highly motivating to have my Durham offer as my aspiration because it gave me a goal to strive for in my revision. The focusses of the sociology course here stood out to me as I felt it was different to other universities and more suited what I was specifically interested in. I also found that the unique features of the Durham city and university were aspects that I thought would help me adjust well to university life and I could see myself living in the city for three years.
Advice for choosing university offers
My advice for deciding whether to place Durham as either your firm or insurance offer would be to think about whether the course suits your interests and what features of a university you are particularly interested in. Durham also puts on post offer visit days in the springtime and these provide a great opportunity to sample your course, ask any questions you may have about it as well as allowing you to see the colleges and city in more depth.
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