During my visit to Loughborough, I was really impressed by the modern campus, which offered not only excellent study facilities but also a wide variety of sports and leisure options. The tennis centre stood out as a highlight to me. I also appreciated the convenience of having everything so close together, as living and studying on one campus made everything much easier.
The Robotics, Mechatronics and Control Engineering course at Loughborough offers a comprehensive curriculum, covering diverse areas such as programming, simulations, electronic circuits and the development of fully autonomous robots. For my team project, we created a model of an autonomous remotely controlled boat, which we tested in one of the campus swimming pools. For my individual project, I developed a micro-turbine, utilising simulations and wind tunnels to test my 3D-printed prototypes all within the University campus. Additionally, the course offered numerous student-led projects, providing valuable hands-on experience that could be applied to industry. This included both technical and soft skills, where there was a focus on problem-solving and building practical solutions.
During my time at University, the academic staff were approachable and always willing to help, sharing valuable industrial experience that provided real-world insights during lectures. The technical staff were skilled and supportive, offering advice and guidance for building devices and operating machinery. We also had access to specialised equipment with training tailored to the needs of our projects.
The initial months were challenging as I adjusted to a new country and University but the supportive and friendly atmosphere at Loughborough University helped ease the transition. Team projects in my first year allowed me to connect with my classmates quickly and form new friendships, as well as playing tennis had a positive impact on my mental well-being and gave me the opportunity to meet and socialise with new friends.
During my placement year, I worked as an Electronics Engineer at a PCB design, where I engaged with clients and suppliers, collaborated on project specifications, conducted design work, managed project progress and participated in business decisions. I chose to undertake a placement year to gain an advantage over other graduates and to experience a real work environment in industry. This opportunity reconfirmed that I had chosen the right career path.
I found the engineering principles I learnt during my course were invaluable during my placement because they allowed me to approach tasks with a clear understanding of the concepts and techniques needed to design effective solutions, making me more efficient and confident in my work. The highlight of my placement was working on real designs for actual clients and seeing the impact of my work being recognised and appreciated. I feel proud that the designs I developed during my placement are now being sold in the market.
My placement year taught me the importance of not being afraid to ask for help or advice. While working on a complex design, I regularly consulted with application engineers who were experts in their field. This not only helped me develop a working product more quickly but also boosted my confidence in presenting my designs to clients. My placement experience greatly benefited my future career, as it led to me being offered a graduate job back at PCB design continuing my role as an Electronics Engineer.
One of my key achievements during my degree was earning a first-class degree while effectively balancing my studies, sports and a social life.
Another highlight was developing innovative designs for my final year project, which focused on improving the efficiency of airflow micro-turbine systems. One strategy to enhance efficiency was to increase the power captured from the airflow. Throughout this project, I created novel shapes for the turbine vanes that not only improved the turbine’s efficiency but also boosted its power output. These unique designs may potentially be featured in academic papers in the future.
After graduating, my career plans are to continue as an Electronics Engineer, as I thoroughly enjoy this role and the opportunity to utilise my engineering knowledge and apply my problem-solving skills.
I am proud to have studied at a top-tier University that is highly regarded in the industry, as its reputation has opened many doors for me.