Hannah Jones

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

After visiting a Birmingham Open Day and having the time to take a tour of the facilities and the campus, I was really pleased to see the amount of interaction and genuine interest the lecturers showed towards us. Within the Aerospace Engineering department, the lecturers were very approachable and keen to make sure I got the best out of the experience.

The campus itself is beautiful, and Birmingham is the perfect balance between being a campus university whilst also being a quick train journey away from central Birmingham. Now being in my 3rd year of university, the campus definitely makes a difference to me when I'm studying.

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

The balance between space and aviation-related content is really good, with optional modules within 3rd and 4th year to specialise further in whichever area you wish. The course incorporates materials science modules in each year which highlighted to me the multiple applications of an aerospace engineering degree, but also how important materials science is within all sectors of engineering.

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

Lecturers are always happy to answer questions and are genuinely invested in your progress and what they can do to help you with your studies. The University is also very research-focused, meaning a lot of the content covered often relates to current research being conducted within the department. This always gives you the opportunity to ask questions and get involved with internships or just to have a discussion.

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

My most recent summer internship has been a great experience. I focused on ionospheric modelling and validating a current ionospheric model in comparison to recorded data. As someone who had no coding experience and no confidence within this area of research, it developed my skills and my interest in mathematical modelling but also in the ionosphere. It also gave me an insight into the way research is conducted and how PhDs work.

As Co-President of the Aerospace society, I helped organise a careers fair which not only gave me confidence in reaching out and making connections, but it was also great to see so many students attending and learning about the different career pathways you can take.

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

It is very important to keep a balance between university work and your social life. I would always recommend a 9am-5pm workday to ensure you can complete your assignments and attend lectures. This is not always possible, but I think making sure you have time for your own interests (such as societies) is equally as important as working on assignments.

Have fun and take as many opportunities as you can! The University is full of internships, societies and other schemes which can give you some amazing experiences and really help you decide what you want to do after university or help you broaden your horizons!