If I succeeded in the foundation year then I would be able to progress to the full Materials Engineering course. This route of progression has given me the best possible outcome, as I was initially uncertain that university was going to be the right path for me. However, the foundation year allowed me to step up and prove to myself that I was capable of performing at degree-level, and now I am graduating from the second-ranked University for my course in the country.

When I was younger, I loved the TV show Mythbusters. Watching the presenter’s complete fun, interesting and exciting engineering tasks within a range of disciplines, sparked my interest in applying science to real-world problem solving. This got me interested in the investigative part of engineering which often falls into the category of 'failure analysis and investigation'.

To be an effective failure analyst, you must have a wide understanding of all engineering disciplines. When looking at various engineering disciplines during my A levels, Materials Engineering seemed to be the most comprehensive engineering discipline. To me, materials engineering provides the perfect balance between Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering and Physics, as you cover everything from atomic structures of materials through to large mechanical engineering style design projects. The wide range of skills and knowledge you acquire means that you are not limited to one particular field when it comes to searching for a job after university. This course enables you to become a well-rounded, fully adaptable engineer who can operate in any field you choose.