Complete Guide to Durham Colleges

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

For everyone getting upset about South not being mentioned, watch the whole thing I do mention it. I think people are just being extra-vigilant because it’s new but like I said I’m not doing a college by college rundown, very few colleges got a detailed description, I’m only mentioning ones that excel in certain requirements, it wasn’t missed out it was mentioned in new modern, stereotypical uni accommodation as this is the requirement that it excels in x

[@janiholtshausen13]

"i cry too much to share a room" was way too relatable

[@bethan2975]

Your skin is so glowing and flawless in this video! Love your content :)

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Aww thank you xx

[@ihsanzermeno]

I’ve been searching for this sort of video for weeks now! Thanks for uploading it!!!

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

No problem, hope it’s helpful!! xx

[@valeriaprado166]

Omg this is so helpful! I have to pick a college this week and was looking for a video like this :)

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Ah I’m glad it was helpful, good luck! :)

[@bethanyowen8212]

Same ! What you picked

[@renatemoller2144]

Hey! Thank you so much for your video, it was super helpful and informative! I'm in the last batch of ERASMUS+ students from Germany to go to the UK and Durham will be hosting me from Sept. 21 to June 22! Eeeek, very excited!!

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Ah that’s exciting, I was actually meant to be studying in Germany myself this year from Durham but couldn’t with covid so I’m very jealous! Good luck with everything xx

[@charlotterose255]

Ayyyy I just got my first choice of Collingwood and I'm so excited!!! Hope the rest of you get what you want too and see you in September ;)

[@josephine727]

me too !!

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Well done!! Good luck! :)

[@gracefarmer5117]

same!

[@gstar9109]

Honestly you're my favourite ytber atm!! x

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Aww thank you xx

[@jackm4264]

Great video! We now have to rank our Colleges in order of preference for allocation. I went for Collingwood because I want the sportiest college, but what would you recommend as the next two good colleges for sport for when I rank them?

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

I would say probably Van Mildert or Grey xx

[@jackm4264]

@@TheOrdinaryAdventurers thank youu!

[@smnthtmx]

Thank you for this video!! I'm an overseas student and I'm currently second guessing my college choice (I chose Mildert) so it's a nice video for me to do even more research and see if I wanted to change my college preference before the deadline haha. Which college would you consider as the one with the best music scene? Thank you xx

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

I’ve heard that Trevs is quite musical but tbh all colleges are, there’s none that really stand out on the music front. I think Mildert is still a great choice though, I wouldn’t second guess it, my friend was in Mildert so I spent most of my first year hanging out there and I loved it xx

[@smnthtmx]

@@TheOrdinaryAdventurers tysm for this!! ur too nice

[@rivershadow3893]

If you are at a gowned college then buy a second hand gown online but when you're picking it up, go later in the day and they may have run out and give you a new one for no extra cost :)

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Ah interesting, that’s different to when I was in first year, we ordered ours on the college site and regardless of second hand or new they were just waiting in our room when we arrived. That’s a good tip though, thank you :) x

[@soniajones7493]

@@TheOrdinaryAdventurers when do you have to order the gowns? And where?

[@MinieMegaChua]

Hi Megan! I am choosing between Trevelyan and Josephine Butler, so I wonder if you can give me some advice please? xoxo

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Sure, if you have specific questions let me know. Though at first glance the two main points I’d give is that Trevalyn is catered and closer to classes and town (but only by about 5min) meanwhile if you want to do your own cooking and have an en-suite then Josephine Butler is probably a better option. Depends on the experience you want to have, both are great xx

[@MinieMegaChua]

@@TheOrdinaryAdventurers thank sm!!!

[@Ann-uh5zz]

how was your year abroad at durham? i've applied for it so would love to know more x

[@goha9218]

do you think the catered colleges are worth the cost. It's great not really having to make your own food but its like 3k more expensive. I'm mainly looking into baileys cause of physical condition i think a hill wouldn't be best

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Ah well in terms of getting to classes, hill might be better as they’re closer and there’s easier taxi access on the hill as well, just something to consider. Didn’t realise the price difference was so dramatic, can’t honestly say £3,000 is worth it. Though for me I have a lot of allergies so catering wasn’t the best option but it can make life easier, I hope that’s helpful xx

[@goha9218]

@@TheOrdinaryAdventurers definitely helpful ! Thanks so much for response ! just out of interest if you choose your college again which one would you have chosen ?

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

I’d have gone for either Mildert or Mary’s again probably xx

[@bp738]

Thank you for the video!! If I want a hill college that is quiet, which college would you suggest to me? I don't care about doing sports or socialise. I just want a quiet place that I can contribute my time for studying, and maybe have a nice view.

[@roycetsui8800]

I am now deciding between Collingwood and St Chad, which one would you recommend? Thank you

[@cathypu1302]

Hi Megan, amazing video, thank you! I've heard that Cuthbert's college is somewhere between full-catered ad self-catered as you can sign up to the meals package. Is that true? If it is, what about other colleges? Are there any other college that are kinda self-catered as well? Also, do you have a say in which part of Cuthbert's college you are allocated to, cos I know half of the college is on Bailey( which is full catered )and the other half is on Parson's field (which is self catered)? Thank you ever so much

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Yes if you’re on Parson’s in Cuths, you can get a meals package, this isn’t available in any other colleges, there are fully self-catered colleges like JoBo, South and Stephenson but there’s no meals package with those. I imagine because of the price difference, you will get a say in which part of Cuths you’re in. I hope this is helpful xx

[@cathypu1302]

@@TheOrdinaryAdventurers Thank you ever so much! I'm just getting really worried that I will end up sitting all by myself in dinning hall as well because this is what's happening for me now.I really don't want to spend the next three years being in the same situation so the fact that Cuths provides some flexibility is really helpful.

[@cathypu1302]

@@TheOrdinaryAdventurers I've got another question, sorrrrry I'm throwing questions at you. When would you have a say in which part of Cuths you are in? Because at the moment, they are only asking us to list our preferences . Am I right in thinking that once we're allocated to a college we can then let them know which type of accommodation you want?

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Yes there’s usually a survey thing around summer time where they ask for everyone’s preferences. Also sorry to hear about your current situation, I hope it improves xx

[@cathypu1302]

@@TheOrdinaryAdventurers Thanks a lot !! xx

[@melissabailey5930]

International Postgrad here! Colleges are a completely new thing for me so thanks for the vid. Im just basing my choice on en-suite and prettiness level. Chad's got me with that courtyard but Mary's got a cute building, now I DONT KNOW!!

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Haha, yeah does sound tough. One thing I’d say is postgrads aren’t in the main Mary’s building, they’re in one at the side, though they still eat in the main building, though Chad’s is lovely too. Hmm, not sure what I’d choose with that one, it’s a difficult decision, I do love the Chad’s courtyard though, sorry I couldn’t be more help. Good luck with whichever you choose though xx

[@Deiikyss]

Which ones are the 'boarding school' vibe ones?

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Marys I would say is the most, then any on the Bailey so Hatfield, Johns, Cuths, Castle xx

[@Deiikyss]

@@TheOrdinaryAdventurers Thanks for the reply, Megan. I'm so stuck between Marys and Hatfield; its a shame that you're able to only apply to one!

[@aneesaf09]

Im coming with my spouse to Durham in sep23, do i need to choose college? Can i stay with my husband outside of Durham University collages?

[@alisa100708]

Ho megan I just have 1 question so, it might be really dumb but like with self catered and catered colleges, do you have to pay for the food with catered colleges ? and if so which do you think is cheaper and is there much of a difference in price to make it worth self catered because catered is obviously more convenient, I have no alergy problems.

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Good question, the accommodation is slightly more for catered but the food is included in the price. If you’ve no dietary requirements, I’d say it’s worth it xx

[@lokoonkit]

it's really helpful. btw, would it be possible for me to join a catered college for semester one and if I am not used to being catered, then opt for self-catered in semester two

[@samkay675]

Hey! If you're unsure, make a big list of all the pros and cons of being catered and self-catered to see which is the best for you. If you're still unsure by next week you could apply of St. Cuthberts because they're the only college that has both

[@lokoonkit]

@@samkay675 thx much👍

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Yeah it’s not possible to swap unless you’re in Cuth’s and even then I’m not sure if an exact swap is possible sorry but you can do a meals package there which is best of both x

[@CausaNostraLaetitiae]

Hey I got a place at castle, do people actually live inside the castle?

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

They do but the majority of places go to postgrads, the majority of undergrads aren’t in the castle xx

[@mmacanelo7829]

Great vid, is there a college that is ensuite, catered and gowned?

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Usually it’s a toss up; the guaranteed en-suite colleges are self-catered and the catered colleges don’t guarantee en-suite. Though you can get lucky, like all colleges do have en-suite rooms so you can just put it on your preferences and see what happens. Sorry that’s not the most helpful xx

[@lcyremi7747]

Hi, I’m struggling between hatfield or grey college? do u have a preference?

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

I think both are really good, Hatfield’s further away from classes and Grey is further away from town centre but as close to classes as you can get. Hatfield has a nicer bar and is probably a nicer building but grey has more outdoor space. They’re both gowned, but Hatfield has formals twice a week whilst Grey only has them 5 times a term. Between the two I’d say both are good so those are just the main differences, personally I’d pick Grey but just because I like being on the hill, I prefer more space not to be in the city centre, I hope that’s helpful xx

[@lcyremi7747]

@@TheOrdinaryAdventurers this is soo useful!! thank you soo muchh💓😍

[@frankieroberts5707]

thanks for this video!! are there any other catered colleges that have kitchens also? you mentioned van milde but i wondered if there's more?

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

For definite, I know John’s and Mildert, I think Cuths as well but I’m not 100% sure sorry x

[@frankieroberts5707]

@@TheOrdinaryAdventurers thank you :))

[@hrushikeshkaalakandra2375]

You say you’re just fine with shared bathrooms and you don’t care about ensuite..but in your video “my first year in Durham uni” you called the toilets vile and you had a lot of problems with it..please explain? Cuz I really wanna decide on something.. I’m just so confused by the level of contrasting reviews each college receive

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Yeah they were gross but not gross enough for me to pay extra for an en-suite. Hope that’s helpful and sorry if it was confusing xx

[@hrushikeshkaalakandra2375]

@@TheOrdinaryAdventurers oh I get it thanks for clearing that up. But I still don’t understand why the cleaners wouldn’t do their jobs regularly, is the system there that unorganised. I mean even for shared, we pay loads of cash. The least we’d expect is to stay in a hygiene environment.

[@Abbieprosee]

South is also self catered and en-suite just for anyone wondering x

[@Abbieprosee]

John snow and South are also gowned

[@charlottepayne00]

I’m at South so if anyone has any questions let me know!

[@kushia4002]

what's the social scene like and the diversity

[@charlottepayne00]

@@kushia4002 pretty much the highest diversity I’ve seen at any college. As for social seen, it’s been covid so hard to tell.... but I know they are KEEN of proving themselves

[@maximusfbu]

Not sure if you really know it, but imma ask it anyway since you’re so close: what do you think about John Snow? How is the social life there? I somehow have the feeling that it’s a bit far away from everything and no one knows anyone from John Snow… how is it really? Do you know anything about that?

[@rowantaylor3002]

Hi - thank you so much for doing this video, so helpful it’s been a real struggle to find info on Durham colleges! I was just wondering if you could tell me a bit about South College? Because it’s new it’s been so hard to find anything about it - are students far away/happy there?

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Yeah, it’s not that far away, it’s by Van Mildert so still close to everything. I believe the students are happy there, that’s one of the colleges that probably falls into the category of having a new, modern, stereotypical uni vibe with it being mostly en-suite and self-catered. They’re also gowned as well so there’s a bit of tradition. But yes generally I believe they’re happy and it’s settling well xx

[@danielrobinson4665]

I've applied to durham and was looking at Collingwood, but what you said about claustrophobic worried me because I'm 6'4", can you please explain any more about that and whether you think its a big issue? Thank you in advance (:

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Honestly I think it was just this person’s room in particular, it was in an odd spot, not a general corridor and it was kept really messy which I think was the biggest issue. The college seems to have a theme of quite dark colours which I think always makes a room feel smaller but aside from that I think it’s fine :) xx

[@danielrobinson4665]

@@TheOrdinaryAdventurers thank you!! That was really helpful

[@yasmineo7317]

hello! thank you so much for this, I've been watching your videos a lot. I'm starting in September. And I've been contemplating whether to live in college or not. May I know the estimated accommodation fee for the college per month? I really need it to plan my savings. Thank you in advance :)

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

It was a termly charge and I believe it was about £2,474 a term (so just under £7.5k a year), hope that’s helpful (that was a catered college so food was included in that) these do increase every year though so this year I think it’s £7.9k in total xx

[@bani4581]

Heyo! Great video! I love your voice!! I put Castle as my preference and LOL you saying that it's haunted added to the fun😂 Also, a question. Are there any restrictions on Under 18 students in relation to drinking during the fresher's week?

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

MHmm, that’s an interesting question. I’m not fully sure but I would imagine they would just assume everyone’s 18 plus, like no one gets ID’d in college bars or formals etc. It could be an issue with nights out, I’m not sure where you’re from, but most UK teens go clubbing from the age 16 using different IDs so it is still possible. Specifically to drinking you could also just sort your own alcohol, not buying it in bars, which I do a lot anyway because it’s cheaper, so get your friends to buy it etc. I hope that’s helpful, sorry if it’s not, I don’t personally have any friends that were under 18 in uni (as a result of my small social circle not because there weren’t any don’t worry 😂) so I’m just basing this off when people were ID’d etc xx

[@mayamccann986]

Thank you for this video - really useful! I was wondering, have you done a video on student finance or any recommendations for managing money at uni? xxxxxxx

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

I did do one about money and costs a few years ago but it wasn’t specifically regarding managing finances etc. So I’ll get working on a managing finance video now xx

[@dianef4227]

RIP Badger the cat, he is missed

[@charlottejmartin]

Thank you so much for this!

[@lola-ld1rp]

I don't get why people hate hatfield so much they have the only college specific bursary don't they

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

I know there’s no need really. I’m not sure what you mean about “college specific”, though I think all the colleges do offer quite a few of their own bursaries and funding options xx

[@charlotterowland7062]

Please can you do a video on the process of applying to study abroad? Love your video :))))

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Yes of course xx

[@catrinblockley3450]

I’m in aidans we have half en-suite - my bedroom is en-suite and double bed - and my room is massive

[@tln_577]

This was really helpful in choosing my college, thanks. I think I going to go for Hild Bede.

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Ah nice, good luck!

[@不能还原设置]

I already chose Hatfield for my first choice😩🥺

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

No no Hatfield’s great, like I said everyone I know from there is lovely, it’s just a stereotype!! Don’t panic, you’ll be fine! xx

[@Borisr-cg7kb]

Ahah same I chose Hatfield too, mainly because mates have chosen it. Wouldn’t sweat over the stereotypes, prove it wrong.

[@DevyaniDande]

Ditto my college is Mary's as well 😊

[@itsaiisha]

literally have to choose a college today, thank you so much!! just a question, what would you say is the best college for international students? xx

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

I would say any college really, though a bigger college is probably more diverse, but even saying that, thinking of all the colleges there’s people from all over the world in every college so really anywhere would do xx

[@cathypu1302]

Hi，me as well! Still debating which one I'm gonna go for! I'm an international student as well, hoping to do psychology at Durham this year! Which college did you go for in the end?

[@hrushikeshkaalakandra2375]

@@cathypu1302 Same here!

[@itsaiisha]

@@cathypu1302 Omg, I'm doing psychology too!! I ended up choosing St Chad's first xx Hbu?

[@cathypu1302]

@@itsaiisha Hey, I ended up going for St Mary's because all the rooms there are single rooms but I put Chad's as my second option. We need to stay in touch!

[@peachymoon2400]

This was super helpful, thank you! ❤️

[@lc3352]

I ended up ranking south, JB and John snow my top 3.... hope I’ve made a good choice 😌 ( my course is accounting and finance)

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Ah yeah they all sound great, good luck!

[@joelleharrison999]

John snow and JB were in my top 3 too :)

[@benwhittle1140]

RIP 🪦 Badger the cat

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

I know, it’s so sad 🥺

[@白胖迪]

Thanks!

[@evelynkertesz1045]

what. about. SOUTH??😭

[@evelynkertesz1045]

You haven’t mentioned South once, we have brand new accommodation? Brand new everything, opened this year so there’s that option too😂

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

It was mentioned, I said it’s where to go for a modern stereotypical uni vibe. But like I said, I wasn’t running through colleges individually just mentioning ones that stood out in certain categories. Also South opened September, I’ve been on year abroad and a pandemic so haven’t been in Durham since last March so have never encountered South xx

[@rhysjones7445]

South is shit get over yourself

[@TheOrdinaryAdventurers]

Lol it’s fine, don’t worry xx

[@kirstyleeks4526]

You seem lovely thank you for this video

[@carsonwolf1707]

peng