Valeria Goatham

Why did you originally apply to do BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Birmingham?

I applied to this specific course as the first year allows you to study modules of all three branches of Engineering, one of which you can then specialise in by your second year. Although I was pretty sure I wanted to do Electronic and Electrical Engineering, I still wanted to explore my options, and was reassured in knowing that I had chosen the right path, but could have also easily changed my mind during this exploratory first year.

What do you think are the best points of your course?

For me, one of the best points about my course is that you have a mix of ways that you can learn about each of your modules. There is a blend of pre-recorded videos, lectures, tutorials, seminars and labs. This helps so much because you have different ways of learning each topic. We also have a lot of labs in which we can put into practice all the theory that we learn in lectures, which helps you understand by doing.

What is the best thing about studying at the University of Birmingham?

The best thing for me about studying at the University of Birmingham is that although you have to put a lot of time into your degree there is also plenty of time to do other fun things. The University of Birmingham has so many different societies that you can join to learn new things and have a good time with other people. I am currently part of Brum eco racing which is an engineering society where you build a fuel-saving racing car. I also had the opportunity to join one of the free language classes and I am learning German this year.

What is the highlight of your time at the University?

The highlight of my time at university has been meeting and making new friends from all around the world. It has been so amazing learning about their cultures and also making a bond with so many of them that I know will last forever. Also, I have enjoyed traveling around the UK and Europe as it is so easy to get around and see all the lovely places there are.

What advice would you give to students thinking about studying BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering?

An advice I would give to students thinking about studying my course is that although it is a challenging degree and a lot of people might make you doubt doing it because it is hard; if you like it and think it is interesting just do it. Once you are in the course, the most important thing is managing your time and putting effort into each module. If you keep up with your work each week, you will be completely fine by the end of each semester!

Is there anything extra students thinking about studying BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering should know?

An extra piece of advice I would give to anyone thinking about studying in my course is that you should use the opportunity of being in an amazing university to your advantage. Always talk to professors and get to know what they have studied and also if they are researching something that you are interested in. Professors are always willing to talk about their knowledge and also help you if you need help with anything during office hours.