The University has a well structured campus with convenient necessary facilities. This best of all includes a modern, 24/7 library that has a significant number of desktop computers and helpful staff at hand.

Mental health is taken seriously by the University, with check ins sent out frequently with links to support staff available and upcoming events specifically for those who are struggling.

My course itself (Mechanical Engineering Masters) is well structured in that the theory we learn becomes progressively more difficult and we gradually move to more assignment based modules as it goes on (applying what we have learnt).

The engineering staff are very attentive and have always been available when I have needed them in their offices, as well as going above and beyond when answering any queries via email, often doing so out of office hours if necessary.

I choose to do a year in industry in between my 2nd and 3rd years at University at Sellafield Ltd nuclear plant in Cumbria. Throughout the year I was regularly checked in on by my placement supervisor, both that I was making the most out of my year (being challenged) and was coping with moving away from home.

As well as my placement supervisor, I was assigned a tutor from the engineering department who ensured I was enrolled onto a chartership scheme.

This ensured that my work was contributing towards achieving chartership once I have graduated, a highly commendable achievement in engineering which usually opens an individual up to higher pay grades within a company. Further, my tutor physically visited my workplace to see the work my area did, my role and again that I was making the most out of my placement year.

Despite these positives, during my placement year I realised that I had a number of gaps in my theory knowledge when confronting some real world problems, such as understanding the numerous types of valves.

At the time, I did the research myself and applied what I could teach myself alongside help from colleagues, but it did worry me for my future work or any unsuspecting graduates, that there could be a lot more common practical problems I don’t have the theory knowledge behind.

This I believe is a gap in the course that could replace some more modules that are very much theory based and are unlikely to be used, where students in their final year could have the option on which they wish to learn.

Overall I am satisfied with the University, enjoy my course and I am confident it will set me up for the graduate roles I hope to be successful applying for.