Home Country: Azerbaijan
Course: BEng Mechanical Engineering via Kaplan pathway
Department: School of Mechanical Engineering
"By living in University accommodation, I have benefited from a great experience and the opportunity of meeting many friends and fellow students, whom otherwise I wouldn’t have met."
Why did you apply to the University of Birmingham?
The University of Birmingham was a natural choice for me because of its rich history, great campus and location. It offered me a vastly different experience to what I had encountered before.
What’s the best thing about studying at the University of Birmingham?
One of the things I really enjoy is the amount of help that the university offers, especially to international students to overcome any conceivable challenges they may encounter. A lot of attention is paid to students' wellbeing.
Have you joined any clubs or societies?
During my first year, I joined a judo club, the UBeRacing society and the Azerbaijani society. If you have any hobbies or interests in sports or arts, you might find that UoB offers you every opportunity to be involved in what you love as well as offering one of the top academic educations in the world.
What do you like about your University accommodation?
I have lived in University accommodation and enjoyed the experience so much so, that I applied to live there for a second consecutive year. Though I will be considering living outside the University for my third year, I have benefited from a great experience and the opportunity to meet many friends and fellow students, whom otherwise I wouldn’t have met.
What do you like most about the city?
Birmingham is a large and diverse city, with lots of opportunities and entertainment. It is especially enjoyable during Christmas, when the famous Christmas market is set up in the city centre. There are a lot of recreational and entertainment venues, so you won't get bored here.
Why did you choose a foundation Pathway with Kaplan and what was the best part?
The best part about Kaplan was undoubtedly the experience of living and studying in London. I chose to study with Kaplan because of the flexibility of their courses and also the variety of modules that brought my academic knowledge up to speed.
What advice would you give to a Kaplan student progressing to the University of Birmingham?
It is very important to be diligent and hard working in order to achieve your goals. At the same time, it is also important to pace yourself, be sociable and practise language skills. Luckily at Kaplan there is no shortage of opportunities to improve your language or find friends.
What advice would you give to students thinking of studying in the UK?
It is very important to speak the language and understand the culture of the place you plan on moving to, and UK is no exception. Finding friends who can educate and help you through any difficulties has helped me the most.