Lamyea Ahmed

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

I started sixth form in London, and so I always thought I would go to a university in or near London to be closer to home. However, 6 months into year 12, due to personal reasons, my parents had to move houses. As a result, I had to start year 13 in a different college, in an environment where I was behind on work due to a change in exam boards. I had new teachers who didn't know my capabilities or target grades and I didn't know anyone to ask for help or to ask to guide me.

However, this was when I learned about the University of Birmingham's A2B (Access to Birmingham) Scheme, and all the uncertainties I had due to my situation diminished because the University of Birmingham was not only close to my new home, but the A2B scheme provided additional support for my education. This reassured me that I could still enroll on my dream course and all the anxiety I had faded away. Birmingham is also a vibrant, diverse city, so I felt comfortable and very happy and excited about going to the University.

All the support and guidance from my new teachers, friends, college, and most of all, the University of Birmingham, culminated in me getting a place on my chosen course, Aerospace Engineering.

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

The aerospace course at Birmingham is very diverse and multidisciplinary. Its taught by both the School of Engineering and the School of Metallurgy and Materials and so allows you to take modules in different engineering disciplines including mechanical, materials, and electrical engineering. Unlike other degrees in aerospace engineering, you can study spacecraft engineering alongside terrestrial aviation as early as year 2, whereas most other aerospace degrees only offer spacecraft content as optional modules in the final years of the degree.

We also have flight simulation software and a wind tunnel that we are able to use in our studies. Along with the department enjoying strong links with leading companies such as Rolls-Royce and Airbus, the course also provides its students with diverse skills which is great for our future prospects and employability after graduation. The lecturers are beyond amazing- some are working with Rolls-Royce researching single crystal structures, whilst others are experts in high-performance jet engines. My own personal tutor used to work on the Cassini mission to Saturn.

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

The campus, the city and the people!

I love how beautiful and diverse the University of Birmingham is. The fact that the university train station easily connects the campus to central Birmingham is great for arranging outings with friends. The campus is stunning and the amount of facilities available to help with learning is amazing, including a multitude of study spaces for students to use and ample wellbeing support. There's also tons of resources to further students' education, such as laptop loans and student software packages, as well as remote access on the university PCs and assistance with using LinkedIn Learning.

As the second largest and youngest city in the UK, I feel like I am in a community of like-minded people in Birmingham, and have made a lot of friends whom I otherwise would not have met.

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

My highlight so far has been the projects I have been able to take part in! We have tons and tons of societies at the University; I am part of the Space Society where we are currently building a rocket and rover for competitions. I am currently a Design Review Coordinator, responsible for creating and writing up the Preliminary Design Review and Critical Design Review documents for the Olympus Rover Challenge held by UKSEDs (UK Students for the Exploration and Development of Space). I am also an Outreach Officer for Space Society and organised an outreach event at the University of Birmingham School, delivering a programme on bottle rockets.

I am also Treasurer and former Co-President of the Aerospace Society, where I organise and run events for members, liaising with university staff who help with planning the events and managing the budget. I also designed a session for first year students to build foam gliders, and we are currently arranging the groundwork to build drones.

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

Every degree is hard and challenges its students to push themselves to their limits. The aerospace engineering degree at Birmingham will test you on your knowledge and widen your understanding of the world. However, this degree also gives you a sense of accomplishment that I feel many other degrees cannot give. This degree teaches you how to manipulate the basic rules, laws and building blocks of the world to achieve results which were considered unimaginable just a couple of centuries ago, like being able to make things fly and go to space.

This degree is hard, but my advice is to keep on top of your workload, utilise your organisation skills and take care of your physical wellbeing, and you will find that this course has a lot to offer you.