Why I chose Natural Sciences at Birmingham

Why did you choose to study at University of Birmingham?

I chose to study at the University of Birmingham because the Natural Sciences degree programme here allows me to study both Physics and Biology, and also teaches me how to be an interdisciplinary and collaborative scientist. I also really liked how nice and convenient the campus is!

Did you face any challenges when deciding what university to study at and, if so, what helped you to choose Birmingham?

I thought that moving away from home is a must for people starting university and that I wouldn't be as independent or have as good of a university experience as people living in campus or private accommodation if I continued living at home. So, I was unsure whether to put Birmingham or a university further away as my first choice on UCAS. I spoke to my head of sixth form about this and she said: 'Well, you've said that you like Birmingham at least four times, so I think that's where you really want to go and just want someone to reassure you that it's the right choice' and she was right!

I really liked the Natural Sciences programme at Birmingham the best and I saw how welcoming and amazing everyone was on my Offer Holder event day, and didn't really feel this 'spark' at the other university. So, even though moving away from home can be a great experience, for me, the actual degree and university were more important, and in hindsight, I'm glad I made the right choice for myself. Commuting can work for you too, and you can still live in campus accommodation even if you are from the West Midlands or decide to share a flat with your friends after first year!

Did you participate in an Access to Birmingham or Widening Participation Scheme and How did this influence your time at University of Birmingham?

As an A2B student, I was invited to campus with other A2B students for a day before Welcome Week and we also had some webinars that introduced us to life at UoB. This allowed us to meet each other straight away and it was helpful to learn more about the library and Academic Skills Centre, Birmingham Award, societies etc. in advance. We still have this student network and also get exclusive careers support and opportunities.

What is the highlight or biggest achievement of your time at the University of Birmingham?

It's really hard to pick just one highlight or biggest achievement of my time at the University of Birmingham but I'd say it was the first time I gave a Student Ambassador presentation during an Open Day. It was nerve wrecking to talk in front of so many people and show them how brilliant Natural Sciences and Birmingham are because it's a big responsibility. This day was really important to me because it gave me the opportunity to develop my confidence and to do my best instead of pondering on what other people think of my student experience and presentation style. Giving this presentation also reminded me of why I like being at Birmingham and all of the great people I've met and opportunities I've had. I also felt honoured (and still do) to reach out to so many prospective applicants and their families to help them decide what path they want to pursue.

What are your future plans for after you have graduated?

After graduation, I want to pursue a PhD researching the importance of biophysics in nanomedicine because I'm really passionate about this subject and want to become a researcher. I also want to be involved in public engagement, EDI in STEM and entrepreneurship. I've developed experience in all of these areas during my time at the University of Birmingham, so I'm very keen to keep working in these areas in the future.

What skills and knowledge did you learn at University of Birmingham?

As a student at the University of Birmingham, I have learnt to make the most of opportunities and networking, as well as technical knowledge and problem solving skills in my degree.

How have your experiences as a student helped you to think about your future plans, or secure your job?

I was determined to obtain work experience in science and research from the start, so I spoke to academics and careers advisers to learn more in addition to spending time on my CV and applications. The University of Birmingham has fantastic ways for you to volunteer through Guild societies, local initiatives and charities like CoachBright. There are also jobs on campus and summer internships that can help you develop soft skills and learn about specific career sectors.

What advice would you give to students thinking about studying at University of Birmingham?

If you are thinking of studying at the University of Birmingham, I would highly recommend you to look carefully at degree programmes you are interested in and what jobs/further study they will allow you to pursue, accommodation options and try to visit campus in person!