Earth Sciences MSc by Research

Durham University

The SU is awful, but college JCRs are great, and definitely make Durham amazing. I love the collegiate system. The central university system needs some revamping, access to student services can be difficult. I have never struggled to access academic resources or contact a professor or tutor.

I really enjoyed my time at Durham before Covid, both socially and academically. Throughout the pandemic I could see the department efforts to switch to online teaching. Whilst online lectures and contact hours were carried out in an acceptable manner, I don’t think students were supported appropriately. Many lecturers failed to understand the individual strains put on student’s mental health/studying abilities and showed little sympathy.

While I’ve had some extremely stressful moments and I did contemplate dropping out especially due to my health and the lack of help or recognition from the university. I believe that it’s still been a good experience as most of the modules I’ve enjoyed if I’ve had questions they have been answered. My accommodation and college have been a great places for me mentally as I’m surrounded by people my own age. The library was relatively always accessible and was a great different four walls.

Really great quality and very interesting course, with excellent opportunities to choose specific areas of interest, whilst giving necessary quantitative and qualitative skills.

I think Durham is an outstanding university. The students enjoy a very high standard of living and the university is viewed as being very prestigious. The work load is heavy. The sporting facilities are excellent and therefore Durham do extremely well in sport. The city is a fantastic place to live.