Why I chose to study Materials Science and Engineering at Birmingham

When deciding which university and course to study for a degree, it can be a challenging task. Here are some of the main reasons why I chose to study Materials Science and Engineering at Birmingham.

Why did I choose to study Materials Science?

Materials Science combines areas of chemistry, physics and maths which is perfect for someone who wants to delve into many different scientific areas. It is also such a broad degree which means there are many career prospects and transferrable skills. For me, I chose this discipline because I was fascinated by how materials work and behave after studying Design Technology at GCSE. I wanted to build on this interest by combining it with Chemistry and Maths, which I enjoyed at A Level, leading me to choose Materials Science.

Why did I like the course at Birmingham?

One of the other reasons I chose to study at Birmingham was how the course is delivered. It is taught in a combination of lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. The lectures teach most of the content with the tutorials and lab sessions helping embed knowledge and apply it to different scenarios. This also enables you to ask questions to lecturers and PhD students if certain aspects are troubling you.

What are the other benefits of studying Materials Science and Engineering at Birmingham?

There is so much research going on in the School of Metallurgy and Materials. This means that the teaching is always linked to real world situations and focuses on important issues engineers face such as sustainability and renewable resources. There is also option for a year abroad or in industry in-between your 2nd and 3rd year. This can help build industry connections, improve your CV and embrace different challenges.

The University also offers similar opportunities over the summer as part of the ‘Go Global’ scheme. For example, I am heading to Bali for an Engineering course and my friend is heading to Kuala Lumpur for a month-long internship. There is also plenty of help and funding regarding this, meaning everyone can take part.

Why did I pick the University itself?

After going on a few Open Days to different universities in Year 12, Birmingham was the university that stood out to me the most. I loved the campus and really saw myself living here. The University train station was also a bonus, meaning I can easily travel back home or head somewhere else in the country for a small adventure. There is always something to do here whatever your hobby and interests are, making it easy to call this place home.

What advice would you give to students thinking about studying Materials Science and Engineering?

My advice to someone who wants to study this course is to be prepared to learn a variety of content and skills. There are so many different areas covered in the degree but try and embrace it all; you may even end up liking an area which you were never interested in before!