When I came to Loughborough, I did a foundation year originally planning to go on to another course, but when I had my first materials lecture, I immediately realised materials engineering was the best course for me. It had such diversity, being able to learn about metals, polymers, ceramics and more, as well as all the activities associated with materials like material manufacturing, testing, and production.
While I was already set on coming to Loughborough, I attended an Open Day which let me experience all the different groups and places across the university. It was all very welcoming and overall informative.
My course
In materials you cover a wide range of topics, my advice is to try and embrace all the different modules to give the widest amount of experience, it truly does help you understand what area you later want to specialise in.
While I enjoyed my modules and projects, some standouts were automotive crash protection, advanced materials characterisation, and my final year project. However, one of my most memorable experiences was the group design project. I thoroughly enjoyed designing, modelling, and presenting our product. This project was an excellent opportunity to apply various skills and collaborate with my peers.
For me the most exciting things were based in the lab, getting hands on with the equipment available always the most fun and interesting.
The support and facilities
The teaching quality during my studies was excellent. My lecturers were informative, providing clear and comprehensive information. They were flexible with their teaching styles and personable on a one-to-one basis, making the learning experience highly engaging and supportive.
In terms of facilities, my passion within materials is microscopy. The Loughborough Materials Characterisation Centre has some great equipment, along with a fantastic team to help run, maintain, and teach. This combination of top-tier resources and expert guidance significantly contributed to my academic and professional development.
The support was always made very clear and available. In my first year I utilised the maths learning support centre to help me understand the mathematical concepts required for my modules, and my lecturers where always eager to help with any areas I was struggling with. The library is also a great resource for any help needed with writing reports or finding the right book you need to reference.
Loughborough inspired my love of microscopy, getting hands on with equipment from an early stage and being able to become more independent made my experience very unique.
My student experience and future career
I found the social atmosphere on campus to be very positive. There are many opportunities to engage and socialise with friends, but there is also respect for those who prefer a calmer style. Whether you want to be part of 100 clubs or just read your book, Loughborough will happily support and accommodate you.
My greatest achievement was achieving a first in my degree with enabled me to continue on at Loughborough doing my PhD.
At the point of writing this, my Loughborough degree has already helped me start my career. I currently work for a technology company as a materials engineer. My materials engineering degree provided me with the insight and knowledge to attain this position help support the company.