Rayn Ismail-Ahluwalia

Course
Engineering Management BEng
Subject area
Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering

Before applying to Loughborough University, I completed my GCSEs, earning 10 grades at 8s and 9s. However, due to personal and family challenges during my A-levels, I missed out on my initial University offer as my grades were lower than anticipated, which led me to go through the Clearing process.

Loughborough University was my first choice through Clearing, which was influenced by positive feedback from students at my secondary school, as well as engineers I met during my work experience at McLaren Applied, who praised its strong engineering reputation. The Clearing process was surprisingly smooth for me, as I received offers from several prestigious Universities. Ultimately, I chose Loughborough due to its excellent reputation and the supportive staff I encountered. My decision was further reinforced by attending an Open Day, where I was truly impressed by the University and how it offers a perfect balance between excellent academic teaching and a vibrant social life.

To prepare for Clearing, I created a document to organise my research, including my UCAS ID, University names, contact numbers and courses of interest, along with a list of Universities categorised by different grade outcomes. I completed this as soon as Clearing vacancies were announced, allowing me to compare options efficiently and make full use of the available UCAS guidance. I would also suggest getting some rest before results day to help stay calm and focused.

Rayn Ismail-Ahluwalia

Clearing provides students the chance to secure a place at a University and for many it turns out to be a positive experience. Regardless of how confident you are in your A-level results, it's always wise to prepare for the possibility of Clearing.

Arranging accommodation after securing my place through Clearing was a straightforward process. At first, I was a bit downhearted with the accommodation as I did not receive my top choice option. However, I soon discovered how much the hall committees shape the events and social life within the accommodation. Looking back, I’m extremely satisfied with the arrangement, as the social opportunities and sense of community far exceeded my expectations.

I am currently pursuing a BEng degree in Engineering Management, accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). What I find particularly interesting about this course is its unique blend of core engineering principles together regular insights into how engineering businesses operate. The course also includes a significant amount of group project work, offering a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with fellow engineering students, particularly those from different disciplines.

The support at Loughborough is exceptional and my personal academic tutors play a crucial role in helping students maintain high academic standards while also caring for their well-being. As a course representative, I strive to support my peers in any way I can, and I’ve observed that this sense of support is shared by everyone. The facilities at Loughborough are outstanding, especially for engineering and sport. I’m truly grateful to have access to such top-tier resources.

While Loughborough wasn’t where I initially expected to be, it has turned out to be a fantastic experience. If you choose to accept an offer from Loughborough, you’ll find plenty of support from both staff and students, making it a great place to be.

If you're considering this Engineering Management course, I’d say it’s the future of engineering. Even if becoming an Engineer isn’t your final goal, this degree opens up nearly limitless career options after graduation.

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