MEng Chemical Engineering with Industrial Study , School of Chemical Engineering
"The career prospects for this course are also excellent and the opportunity to work in industry during the course appealed to me"
Why did you originally apply to do your chosen course at Birmingham?
I originally applied to do Chemical Engineering at Birmingham because the department had a good reputation in the engineering discipline compared to other universities in the country. The career prospects for this course are also excellent and the opportunity to work in industry during the course appealed to me. After attending the university open day and being shown around the department, I found the University of Birmingham had friendly staff and a good atmosphere and so my mind was made up.
What do you think are the best points of your course?
The staff are brilliant. Not only experts in what they teach, but also approachable and willing to give their time to help. The department itself has great facilities, which are under constant improvement. The material is varied and taught at different locations in the university, so it never gets boring!
What’s the best thing about studying at the University of Birmingham?
The amount you can do here. Part of my decision to stay in academia after graduation is based on the opportunities there are here in terms of groups to get involved in, hobbies to take up, and the on-campus facilities to use.
What’s your highlight of your time at the University?
The people I've met. I've had the privilege of meeting and working with people from so many cultural backgrounds, which has taught me a lot and in many cases inspired me. I have learnt as much from the people I have met as I have from my course itself, and I don't think there are many environments where you are in such a diverse environment. It's extremely valuable.
What advice would you give to students thinking about studying on the course?
Make sure you learn what the course is about. The “chemical” part of chemical engineering is often not what people think. This course is predominantly engineering, and there may only be one pure chemistry module throughout the degree. Other than that, make sure you see the department before applying. The open days are a perfect opportunity to see the facilities, and more importantly, meet and talk to the people.