What attracted you to the University of Edinburgh and this programme, in particular?
I was very keen to go to a city university and fell in love with the city when I visited on the open day. The course also really suited me, as I liked that the first year is General Engineering, so I had time to decide on what I was going to specialise in.
What do you wish you'd worried about less about coming to university?
I wish I’d worried less about the uni work before coming, as first year provides a really good and accessible start to the course. Yes, Engineering gets intense, but it is manageable, and the university is really good with supporting you to keep up with work. I also find the work really interesting, so it’s not a chore to keep up!
What one thing would you recommend new students at the University of Edinburgh do?
I would recommend joining societies as soon as you can, as it’s such a good way to meet like-minded people. It's definitely worth trying out new things, especially in the first semester when you don’t know anyone. Your flatmates in halls might not necessarily be your people, so I’d really recommend expanding your horizons as much as you can!
Any student wisdom you'd like to pass on?
Take the time to explore Edinburgh and surrounding areas! As long as you can keep up with uni work, it’s so worth taking a day off when you don’t have class or using the weekend to explore. There is so much to see and do, and it makes uni life so much more colourful if you have a chance to appreciate the country.
What aspects of student life do you enjoy the most and why?
I love the freedom that student life brings: you can choose when and where you study, and your priorities are entirely up to you! I also love the opportunities to try new things and new hobbies, while always meeting new people.
What do you most like about studying here?
I love the number of cafés, restaurants and pubs available to us around the city. It makes study breaks with friends so enjoyable, and gives such a fun way to explore and try new things. I don’t think I could ever get bored of finding a new favourite café!
What do you find most challenging and most rewarding about your programme?
Engineering definitely requires a level of determination, but for me it’s so worth it. We get given a lot of work, especially in second and third year, but it’s really interesting and covers such a wide range of topics that it’s really impossible to get bored. Doing so much group work and big projects provides such a rewarding experience, as you get to regularly see the incredible progress you’ve made.
What's a 'must do' at the University of Edinburgh?
Climb Arthur’s Seat and Calton Hill! An absolute must, especially at sunset when you get the most incredible view of the city.
What is your favourite course so far and why?
I’ve loved the Manufacture 3 course in Semester 1 of third year, which I definitely didn’t expect to love! Part of it involved designing and producing a CAD model of a gearbox from scratch. It was such an insightful project and amazing to see a fully animated gearbox at the end.
How would you describe the practical elements of the programme?
Varied! And generally, very engaging. There are some really fun practical parts of first year and this continues all the way through to my favourite practical in third year: an introduction to welding.
Can you tell us of any personal of professional achievements during your studies?
During my time at uni I have become the captain of my uni hockey team, allowing me to be a part of a uni society committee. It’s been such a fun and insightful experience and I would really recommend it!
How is your programme equipping you for your future career?
In Engineering there is a significant focus on personal and professional development, and it gives a lot of opportunity to ask for assistance from professionals regarding career advice. Engineering is also such a wide field, and the talks we’ve had as part of the course have really showed me how many different options are out there!
What advice would you give to anyone thinking of studying at the University of Edinburgh?
Take the plunge! It’s such an incredible city to live in and may be daunting at first, but it’s got such a nice atmosphere that cannot be replicated. My advice would be to take part in everything, and meet as many people as possible so that you can have the most fulfilling experience.
