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(Picture by wjhecho, from http://blogs.tigtag.com/wjhecho/archive/10052005.aspx,cited without notice, but many thanks!) From Times OnlineAugust 15, 2007
Profile: Durham UniversityLong established as a leading alternative to Oxford and Cambridge, Durham even delays selection to accommodate those applying to the ancient universities. A collegiate structure and picturesque setting add to the Oxbridge feel, attracting a largely middle-class student body. However, although more than a third of undergraduates come from independent schools, the university is attracting more applicants from non-traditional backgrounds. Those who receive offers without interview are invited to a special open day to see if Durham is the university for them. Since about 80 per cent come from outside the North East of England, most are seeing the small cathedral city for the first time. The proportion of regional students is much higher at the Stockton campus.
Applications are made to one of the 15 colleges, all of which are mixed since the decision of St Mary’s to abandon its women-only tradition from 2004. The newest, Josephine Butler College — a self-catering college with about 400 bedrooms — accepted its first intake of students in 2006. Colleges range in size from 300 to 900 students and are the focal point of social life, although all teaching is done in central departments. There are significant differences in atmosphere and student profile, ranging from the historic University College in Durham Castle to modern buildings on the outskirts of the city.
Winning a place is far from easy — entrance requirements are among the highest in Britain — but the dropout rate of less than 4 per cent is also among the lowest in any university. Six subjects (chemistry, applied mathematics, geography, law, English and history) reached the pinnacle of the latest research assessment exercise and 14 others were considered nationally outstanding. Most of the teaching ratings also produced high scores. Biological sciences, physics and chemistry are particularly strong on the science side; history, philosophy, economics and theology among the stars of the arts. A ￡3 million grant to establish a centre for fundamental physics should place Durham at the forefront of world research on the structure of the universe.
Durham is generally quite traditional. Wherever possible, teaching takes place in small groups and most assessment is by written examination. However, the establishment of the Queen’s campus, in Stockton-on-Tees, broke the mould of tradition. Initially a joint venture with Teesside University, Stockton is now Durham’s own venture into community education. Entry standards are 363 points at A level, compared with an average of 473 for the main university, and subjects such as business, primary education and psychology have helped to broaden the university’s intake.
The Stockton campus has also seen the fulfilment of Durham’s long-held ambition to restore the medical education it lost when Newcastle University went its own way almost 45 years ago. In another joint project, this time with Newcastle, 95 students will do the first two years of their training on Teesside, concentrating on community medicine before transferring to Newcastle to complete their training. Medicine has added to the 200-plus undergraduate study programmes. Undergraduates are also offered a variety of generalist “free elective” modules such as environmental economics and personal language learning. The aim is to make Durham graduates even more employable.
The university dominates the city of Durham to an extent that sometimes causes resentment, but adds considerably to the local economy. For those looking for nightlife, or just a change of scene, Newcastle is a short train journey away. Sports facilities are excellent and Durham is among the premier universities in national competitions. It came fifth in the national student championships in 2005 and won the rowing title for the second year in a row. Among its alumni are the former England cricket captain, Nasser Hussain, current opener Andrew Strauss and the rugby World Cup winner, Will Greenwood. The university runs Centres of Excellence in cricket and fencing and has plans to build on its existing strengths in rowing, rugby and hockey.
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