What to know before you progress: Transitioning from DUISC to Durham University

Written by Chloe, DUISC Alumni Ambassador and current Durham LLB student 

Progressing from the International Foundation Year at Durham University International Study Centre to Durham University is an exciting milestone. But it also comes with real questions: Which college should I choose? How different will the academics be? What is Freshers' Week? 

This blog covers everything you need to know before making that transition, from choosing the right college to preparing academically and socially for life at one of the UK's most prestigious universities. 

Choosing your Durham University college 

One of the most important decisions any incoming Durham student makes is choosing a college. Durham operates on a collegiate system, meaning every student is a member of both their academic department and a college. The college becomes a student's home, social hub and support network throughout their degree. 

As a current Durham student, I am in St Mary’s College. As I prioritised location and catering, St Mary’s was one of my top choices. I chose the college as it has quite a good reputation for being welcoming, and with its history of being the first women’s college at Durham University, I was quite intrigued by it.  

Through Durham University International Study Centre, I was also able to attend Durham’s Open Day where I could explore different colleges in person, which was very helpful in deciding. I took a tour around several colleges – St Mary’s quickly became one of my favourites.  

If you are thinking about the college allocation process or are currently debating on how to list your preference, my advice would be to write down a list of what you want from your college. Then, write down all the colleges, or the ones you’re interested in and start your research from there.  

I would also advise speaking with past and current Durham students from a specific college that you’re interested in. They would probably give you the most realistic and down-to-earth opinions on the college itself.  

Durham University has over 17 colleges, and they broadly fall into two categories: 

• Bailey colleges: Located around Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral, or on the “Bailey”. These include University College (Castle), Hatfield, St John's, and St Chad's. They are typically located in historic buildings, offer a more traditional atmosphere and are a short walk away from most shops. 
• Hill colleges: These are located on Elvet Hill and are closer to some of the university's academic departments. These include St Mary's, Grey, Collingwood, Van Mildert, Stephenson and Josephine Butler. Hill colleges have a higher chance of receiving ensuite accommodation and are walking distance from most lecture buildings. 

Another key decision is gowned vs non-gowned. Gowned colleges, such as St Mary's, Grey, Hatfield, University College, and St John's, require students to wear academic gowns for formal dinners and certain college events. Non-gowned colleges, such as Collingwood and Van Mildert, do not have this tradition. For some, this significantly affects their choice; for others it is not a priority, but it is worth knowing before submitting preferences.

The best way to make a college decision is to: 

1. Attend the Open Day. As a Durham University International Study Centre student you will get the opportunity to tour Durham campus. 
2. Read student blogs and reviews on The Durham Student, The Durham Tab and Palatinate (Durham's student newspaper). 
3. Talk to past or current Durham students about their experiences with their respective colleges. 
4. Consider practical factors: location, catered vs self-catered, gowned vs. non-gowned and social atmosphere. 

Academic transition from the International Study Centre to Durham University 

If you have completed your studies at Durham University International Study Centre, you will already be familiar with the foundations of progression study for your degree at Durham University – this gives you a genuine advantage for year one. 

The International Foundation Year teaches the foundations of Tort Law, Contract law, and academic referencing through AES. Most progressing students, including myself, then arrive at Durham Law feeling significantly more settled than they would have if they had gone straight into first year.  

One thing that helped me feel more confident was remembering that, compared to a lot of direct entry international students, I’d already had time to adjust to studying and living in the UK before starting my degree. Instead of having to adapt to everything at once, the International Foundation Year gave me time to get used to the teaching style, academic expectations and everyday life in a new country. 

I also felt reassured knowing that the International Study Centre is connected to Durham University, so the course content and teaching are designed to prepare you properly for progressing onto a Durham degree. Because of that, the step up to university study felt much more familiar than I expected. 

To prepare before arriving, my advice would be to: 

• Revisit notes from Durham University International Study Centre 
• Familiarise yourself with academic referencing styles 
• Explore various recommended reading lists available on the departmental website 
• Make use of Durham Library’s online databases. 

Freshers' Week vs Durham University International Study Centre Induction Week 

Students progressing from Durham University International Study Centre will already have some experience of settling into student life through Induction Week at the Ebsworth Building in Stockton-on-Tees. From my experience, Induction Week felt like a much calmer and more structured introduction to university life. It was mainly focused on getting familiar with timetables, modules and meeting classmates for the first time. 

Freshers’ Week at Durham University  felt completely different in comparison. I remember being surprised by just how much was happening all at once. There were college events, Durham Students’ Union activities, society fairs, sports fairs, department introductions, formal dinners and social events happening every day across one or two weeks. At first, it can feel a little overwhelming, but it is also a really exciting time because everyone else is in the same position and trying to meet new people too. 

One thing I appreciated as an international student was arriving slightly earlier than most domestic students. It gave me more time to settle in before everything became busy. I also really enjoyed taking part in International Freshers’ Week through the International Students’ Association (ISA), because it was a good way to meet other international students who were going through the exact same experience. 

Some of the highlights from my own Freshers’ Week were: 

• Freshers’ Fair: seeing hundreds of Durham societies and student organisations all in one place was honestly one of the best parts because there was something for everyone 
• College events: every college runs its own activities throughout Freshers’ Week, which made it easier to get to know people in a smaller setting 
• Department welcome sessions: these introductions helped make starting the course feel less intimidating because we got to meet staff, understand the course structure and know what to expect academically 

My biggest piece of advice would be not to pressure yourself into attending every single event. I remember feeling like I had to say yes to everything at first, but it is completely okay to take breaks and slow down when you need to. Freshers’ Week can be busy and tiring, so finding a balance is really important. 

Tips for international students transitioning to Durham University 

The jump from the International Study Centre to Durham University can definitely feel a bit daunting at first. But one thing I kept reminding myself was that the International Foundation Year had already been preparing me for this all year, so I tried not to feel too overwhelmed. 

In my experience, the International Foundation Year really helped me build the academic skills needed for undergraduate study, especially things like referencing, critical thinking, essay writing and managing my time independently. Because of that, the transition to Durham University felt a lot smoother than I expected. 

It also helped knowing that there’s plenty of support available once you move onto your degree. Durham’s Academic Skills Centre offers help with writing, research and study skills throughout the year, so you’re never expected to figure everything out on your own. 

My final tip is that the Careers Centre at Durham University also offers a lot of support (e.g. CV, Cover Letter or advice with applications), which I personally found very helpful.  

Final thoughts on progressing from the International Study Centre to Durham University 

Progressing from Durham University International Study Centre to Durham University feels like a really big achievement, and it’s something students should feel proud of. Completing the International Foundation Year takes a lot of hard work, commitment and resilience, so by the time you move onto your degree, you’ve already proved to yourself that you can handle university-level study. 

I found that things like choosing a college, getting organised before classes started and going into Freshers’ Week with realistic expectations all helped make the transition feel less stressful. 

The skills you build during the International Foundation Year do not just disappear once you start your degree. In my experience, they become the foundation you rely on throughout your undergraduate studies at Durham University. 

FAQs 

Are people at Durham University nice? 

From my experience, people at Durham University are really friendly and easy to talk to. Joining societies and college events also makes it much easier to meet people and feel part of the community. 

How prestigious is Durham University? 

Durham University is definitely seen as a prestigious university in the UK. It has a strong reputation academically, and a lot of students choose it because of its history, teaching quality and career opportunities. 

Why is Durham University ranked so high? 

I think Durham University ranks highly because students get a really good overall experience there. The teaching is strong, there’s lots of support available and employers recognise the university’s reputation too.