Durham University - Student View

It's on two campuses. One is in the traditional centre of Durham itself (sometimes referred to as 'the oasis of the north'); a picturesque city with breathtaking natural and human architecture and a vibrant and varied social scene, encompassing bars, cafes, nightclubs, theatres, restaurants and a cinema. The other, Queen's Campus, is in Stockton-on-Tees; Teesdale is one of the UK's most popular sites for expanding businesses (so it offers a lot of amenities at low prices!) and the student body and campus are an integral part of this regeneration.

Durham is a collegiate university, with departmental teaching. There are several types of college: those on the Bailey in Durham are smaller, based in old, characterful buildings (ivy-clad towers and all that jazz) and include the Castle, Hatfield, St Chad's, St John's and St Cuthbert's Society; the colleges on the Hill were built during the 60s and 70s (the car-park colleges) and are St Mary's (all girls college), Grey, Collingwood, Trevelyan, Van Mildert and St Aidan's; Hild and Bede remains resolutely separate, being neither on the Hill nor the Bailey.

There are newer colleges at Stockton, currently two: John Snow and George Stephenson. About one sixth of students are based at Queen's - growing rapidly and houses the new medical school. One of the benefits of this campus is of being a member of a large and prestigious university on a small, friendly, intimate campus. Colleges provide a good sense of community for the students; all have their own individual character and atmosphere and their own dining halls (except Queen's, which is self-catering).

College facilities include libraries, computer rooms, study areas, common rooms and bars. Teaching is done mainly in departments; sciences are in a designated science park, other departments are scattered throughout the city and there is a separate lecture block. At Queen's all departments are on the main campus and there is also the groundbreaking Wolfson Research Institute.

The Students' Union occupies a building which resembles a nuclear bunker but is far livelier than it looks. There are plenty of bars and 2 successful late nights in Dunelm House. Each Wednesday, different ents take place, including 2 huge club nights Paste and Rev:elation and hugely popular Back 2 School charity night. On Fridays, Dunelm blasts off to the Planet of Sound. This is the centre of Durham's social calendar and is a 4 room mixture of clubbing 'tunes' and cheesy pop, with some hip-hop for good measure. Whatever you're into, there is something to suit you.

If drinking is not your scene, there is Durham student theatre, which gives help and advice to a myriad of student drama, musical and performance companies; and a cinema organised by Bede Film Society.

The union has an excellent cafe, Riverside, which has live jazz every week. The University also has 2 museums and the botanic gardens to wander around on a peaceful Sunday afternoon. Whilst the SU is the focal point, there are lots of activities in the colleges themselves. The SU is seen as a collaboration of the colleges. It supports over 100 societies and DUCK, the charities 'Kommittee' (sic). Student Community Action and Palatinate, the student newspaper, are also based here and supported by the SU.

The Rocket Union in Stockton is the central social facility on campus; it offers a secure atmosphere with cheap drinks and themed nights. Students also frequent the Speakeasy, a student-only bar in the centre of Stockton. The colleges run events here and have a say in the operation of the bar. If the university atmosphere is too stifling, then Newcastle, Middlesbrough and other large cities are nearby and there is regular public transport for a bit of something different. The LGBT association (which makes up for the stark lack of any kind of gay scene) runs weekly events and trips.