The experience obtained in Loughborough University is unique as it prepares students to pursue a further career, whilst also providing a good social life with the availability of various societies and a strong community. I would personally recommend prospective Loughborough University students to maximise the facilities provided by the University and to make as many friends as possible.
Using the block-taught module system, the learning period is kept short for each module with more emphasis towards self-study and a learning-by-doing approach. Through the coursework and projects supplied in the modules, I have been able to enhance my capability in thinking critically using a data-oriented approach. The teaching staff, however, are also very reliable in giving support and explanations alongside projects.
The facilities in the department are nothing short of excellent. The department has a wide variety of teaching facilities, such as a wind tunnel, engine dynamometer and fuel-cell laboratory, which can be used to improve my understanding of some complex engineering concepts and hands-on skills.
During the COVID-19 situation, my day-to-day routine may be slightly different than the pre-COVID days. My average day during the learning week would be attending extensive online classes from 10am to around 3pm, with a combination of tutorial or remote PC lab sessions. During University breaks, however, my day would consist of carrying out my personal final year project and coursework research.
The teaching staff are very helpful in giving project support and result feedback, which helps me to realise what I did wrong and what I can improve for the next project. Teaching staff are generally not hesitant to create an extra session to enlighten some difficulties found in coursework. The department also has very good professional software, such as NX and Marc Mentat, and online library accessibility, which allows me to research for various journals online.
I would say that my greatest achievement during my time at Loughborough University would be when I got an industrial placement experience with Bentley Motors. It was an extraordinary experience which allowed me to learn and practice my skills in a fast-paced industrial environment.
Through my final year project on Kalman filters, I have familiarised myself dealing with simulation-heavy works using MATLAB and Simulink. This project gave me a good understanding of building a mathematical model representative of a real-world system, while also understanding the limitations of this model. Moreover, this project also initiated my interest in performing further study on control engineering and model analysis.