Student Profile - Xiyue Leng

Home Country: China
Course: MSci Chemistry with Year in Industry
Department: School of Chemistry

Seraphim"The MSci Chemistry with Year in Industry programme allows me to gain industrial experience during my degree and enables me to see how my degree course can fit into the wider world and develop both technical and transferrable skills."  

Why did you apply to the University of Birmingham?

The University of Birmingham offers the MSci Chemistry with Year in Industry programme which allows me to gain industrial experience during my degree study. It really attracted me as a placement year enables me to see how my degree course can fit into the wider world and develop both technical and transferrable skills.

What are the best points of your course?

Practicals! I really enjoy organic synthesis and doing reactions in the lab is one of the most exciting things for me. From a theoretical synthesis scheme to the practical application of this in the lab, problem-solving any challenges at each step of a synthesis, proposing alternative approaches and enhancing a route. They all really fascinate me.

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

The best for me is that I get to study chemistry - the subject I like the most - in an academic atmosphere and learn modern techniques from experienced academics. My course also involves a placement year, which will allow me to gain invaluable industrial practical experience, and the opportunity to work alongside the professional scientists and learn from them. I have also been learning about the application and recruitment process as well as getting a better understanding of what the employers are looking for.

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

There have been many highlights! The most recent one is playing the flute and piccolo in the University Wind Band Christmas concert. It was such a privilege to work alongside over 50 other young musicians across university. My parents also came from China to watch the concert and that made me really happy.

What advice would you give to other international students?

Don’t be scared to talk to anyone, reach out and get involved in as many things as possible! People will understand that your first language might not be English and showing that you’re trying is a great thing to do. The more practice you do, the better you will get. Also, join the student clubs! University of Birmingham has over 100 student-run societies. Pick up your flute and join wind band?! It's a brilliant way to make new friends during your first few weeks in a foreign country. Student societies are also a good way to make friends from different subjects.

What do you like most about the city?

Birmingham, as the second largest city in the UK, has well-developed public transport and I benefit from it a lot. Hopping on the train from University station takes only 7 minutes to get to town centre and another 20 minutes to get to Sutton Park which makes me feel that I’m no longer in a city. The connection of city and nice fields is great! I also enjoy my strolls down the canal after a long day of revision in summer term with friends. There are more miles of canal in Birmingham than in Venice!

How do you feel you have benefitted from the experience of studying in the UK?

I have become a more independent person in general. I have a different view of the world and experienced the great cultural differences. Also, undertaking internships and work experience in the UK will not only benefit me from job hunting after graduation, but also gives me a clearer idea of my future career plan.