Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics A Levels, Oxford University, Materials Science, MEng. I knew I wanted to do further study in an engineering based subject after school, ever since I did work experience with Morgan Motor Cars when I was 16. Understanding how things work and using that to better something gave me a great sense of fulfilment. I always thought I wanted to do mechanical engineering, however I went on a Headstart course and discovered I wanted to get more science out of my degree too. Due to my liking for chemistry, physics and engineering, materials science struck me as the ideal hybrid. It is also at the forefront of many modern technologies. I’m in my 3rd year of undergraduate study now, and I’m looking forward to my master’s research project which will allow me to experiment with the novel materials and techniques I’ve learned about. I hope this will lead to further research, whether in academia or industry, that may lead to a new commercial product one day.

My degree involves lots of different aspects. It incorporates both academic theory and extensive lab work, as well as individual and team based project work. It also has a business focus in places, allowing you to grasp how to take suitable materials research and identify its potential as a business opportunity, which I really like.

If you are interested in studying science/engineering try and gain some relevant work experience in your local area. The best way to do this is to send out emails and letters to appropriate companies/manufacturers. If you get a reply it will be able to give you some insight into what engineers/scientists actually do and whether you’d be interested in doing it as a career. Apart from that just make sure you get good marks in your preferred sciences and maths at GCSE, and continue them at A level (most engineering degrees will require maths and one science minimum).

Make sure you get good marks in your chosen A levels, and read around University research pages and magazines such as the New Scientist to try and spark your interest in the field and keep up to date with what developments and technologies are being made. There’s lots of information about what is happening. This will also give you good talking points for university interviews and your personal statement, and shows you’re serious about your interest in the subject.

I came back from the Alps a week ago, after spending an adrenaline filled 7 days skiing with friends on the university ski trip. I thoroughly enjoy skiing, amongst other extreme sports and love to really push my limits. It was a brilliant week and it snowed for 3 days solid at the start of the week, dropping over a metre of snow. It was a big relief to see so much snow because when we got to the resort on the first night it looked like the holiday was going to be more hiking than skiing, due to the lack of snow in the weeks preceding our trip. Luckily lots of pistes were opened by the end of the week and the huge snow fall also allowed us to do some great off piste skiing, with some huge powder fields to play in. The après-ski was also very good, and we had a great time attending several musical events.