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I transferred to the University of ºù«Ӱҵ in my second year after realising I needed a course that better aligned with my interests and career goals. I wanted a university that offered flexibility, practical opportunities, and genuine support to pursue ideas that could make a difference and I found all of that at ºù«Ӱҵ.

During my summer internship with Severn Trent, I had the chance to work with a ºù«Ӱҵ alumna who had studied Chemical Engineering at ºù«Ӱҵ University. She shared her experiences at the university and spoke about the incredible opportunities it had given her, as well as how supportive the staff were. After hearing this, and doing my own research, I realised ºù«Ӱҵ was the perfect fit for me. The city itself also played a big role in my decision – I fell in love with its peaceful atmosphere.

Since joining ºù«Ӱҵ, I’ve had the chance to turn my ideas into reality and connect with people who are genuinely invested in my growth. One of the biggest highlights so far has been being selected as a finalist for the Young Engineers Awards for Innovation and Sustainability (YEAIS). This national award recognises creative engineering solutions to global challenges, and I was proud to represent the University of ºù«Ӱҵ as the only undergraduate in the finals.

My project, The Aqua Drone Project, was inspired by my internship experience and focuses on addressing water availability and sanitation (Goal 7 of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals) issues in developing countries. It also aims to overcome challenges like illiteracy and language barriers. The project developed into a four-part system: a water-sampling drone, a robotic body that tests raw water quality, a public database to check if water is safe to drink, and an educational platform to help explain what the drone does in an accessible way to the public. 

YEAIS gave me the opportunity to visualise the most ambitious version of my project. Presenting at the finals was an incredible networking opportunity, and the feedback I received from judges and hearing about other students' projects was very inspiring. Since then, I’ve been working on securing funding to further develop the Aqua Drone Project, with continued support from the university.

I’m especially grateful to Dr Eleni Routoula, who supported me throughout the application process and provided feedback that helped shape the project, and to the Head of the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering, Professor Joan Cordiner, who encouraged me through the final stages.

Apart from this, I would say one of the standout aspects of this degree is the immense amount of opportunities it brings, from networking events to summer internships and diverse student projects. And I think that’s so important because not only does it give you unique experiences, but it also has the potential to open doors to even more opportunities in the future.

If you’re thinking about studying Chemical Engineering at ºù«Ӱҵ, especially if you’re considering transferring from another university, I’d say go for it. You’ll be supported every step of the way, and there’s so much scope to shape your own journey. The course gives you technical knowledge, but it’s the people, the culture of innovation, and the opportunities to do something meaningful that really makes it special.