Arusha Gunjikar

Why did you originally apply to do MEng Chemical Engineering at Birmingham?

At school I really enjoyed maths and chemistry. I debated for a long time between studying chemistry or chemical engineering at university, and ultimately decided on chemical engineering as I loved working in groups and problem-solving. As I lived very far away from the UK I never got to attend any Open Days or Offer Holder Days, but the University was highly ranked for the course and as it's the second largest city in England, I was sure there were always things going on for me to get involved in.

What do you think are the best points of MEng Chemical Engineering?

Compared to other courses, the chemical engineering course has a relatively small cohort. This has allowed me to make friends from different years within the School. Being able to interact with such different people is really useful as you get to share your experiences and get advice from the years above. The Birmingham University Chemical Engineering Society (BUCES) is excellent for making everyone feel welcome and helps you to find friends quickly.

What’s the best thing about studying at the University of Birmingham?

The University has an amazing campus with beautiful buildings. There is plenty of student accommodation around the University, so the commute in is never too long. There are plenty of societies and sports groups to get involved with and the Student Union always puts on events to help new students settle in.

What’s your highlight of your time at the University?

Apart from my academic achievements, I have really enjoyed joining the Engineers Without Borders Society. I was elected as an Outreach Coordinator, and since then I have served for two years as the Vice President of Outreach for the Birmingham Chapter. During this time I have been able to deliver workshops and teach over 700 students about studying Engineering and STEM subjects at university. As a chemical engineering student ambassador I have been able to speak to even more students and parents and explain what studying chemical engineering is like at university, which has been an incredible amount of fun.

What advice would you give to students thinking about studying MEng Chemical Engineering?

Students should keep in mind that Chemical Engineering is a difficult course. However, as long as you put in the effort and are not shy to ask questions it is a lot of fun. Make the most of your time at the University!