So, you’re thinking of studying PPE or Economics and Politics at Durham – let me walk you through a day in the life!
My day begins with a picturesque stroll along the river, leading me to the Science Site – the hub for most of my lectures and seminars. The walk is slightly longer than other routes at around 30 minutes, but nothing beats the gorgeous view of the Cathedral in the morning.
While the day-to-day schedule varies, today is packed with contact hours, so I grabbed a quick coffee at the TLC café (they make a mean Flat White) and headed quickly into my ‘Capitalism: History and Theory’ lecture.
One of the major perks of pursuing Economics and Politics at Durham is the degree’s incredible flexibility. From placements to studying abroad and hand-picking modules, the ability to customize my academic journey adds a layer of enjoyment to my studies. Even though my degree title focuses on Economics, I relish delving into history through courses like ‘Capitalism: History and Theory.’
After my lecture, I have a couple of hours before my next seminar, so I head to the Billy B (the fond nickname for the Durham University library) to work on some summatives. Another aspect of customizing your degree is that you can vary how you are examined! This means some modules are assessed through summative assignments whilst others are in-person exams. Personally, I tend to enjoy summatives more as I can spend more time editing them before submission, and spreading out my chosen modules between exams and summatives means that I can maintain a healthy balance of stress during term and exam time.
Next up on the schedule is a seminar for ‘Middle East and the International System’, which is one of my favourite modules. As someone with an Egyptian background, I love the opportunity to learn more about a region I visited often as a child and getting to discuss modern day issues with peers provides valuable insights and is an engaging way to learn. Today, we analysed speeches that leaders in the Arab world had made, reflecting on how language can shape political perceptions.
Around 3 pm, I take a break, meeting a friend at the Small Island Café for a well-deserved breather and lunch. The various campus cafes provide fantastic spaces to unwind and recharge.
Finally, my day concludes with an Econometrics practical, where we are learning how to use the Statistical software ‘STATA’ to perform multiple regression analysis. This is crucial preparation for the third-year dissertation, where we are expected to conduct research to support our paper, so having practice using fictional datasets is a great learning experience.
And there you have it – a glimpse into my day as a second-year student in the second term. Keep in mind that the routine varies slightly each day and term, but on average, I dedicate around 13 hours per week to lectures and seminars, with additional time allocated for independent reading and assignments.
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Hi I'm Farah! I am a second-year Economics and Politics student at Van Mildert College. Besides my studies, I'm deeply passionate about music and am part of various musical ensembles across Durham.
