Eric Joyce Engineering, Physics, Geophysics Foundation Year

MSci Geophysics Student

Hi, I'm Eric Joyce and I studied Engineering, Physics, Geophysics Foundation Year within Engineering and the Environment at the University of Southampton.

My advice to anyone considering the Foundation Year: If you want to get your career moving in engineering, physics or geophysics and you need to get up to speed on your maths and science, Do it. It changes your life. Fast!

"2 years ago, I was a full time musician in a rock band living and working in Los Angeles. After playing a show at a university out there, I realised that I missed studying physics and thought about my childhood dream of being a pilot. So, I decided to make a ‘little' career change and do a degree in aerospace engineering. However, what I needed was a foundation year to get me up to speed again with my maths and science skills. I searched all over the UK for options and applied to 5 courses via UCAS. Southampton was definitely my first choice and when I got my offer through I was thrilled, as Southampton was offering the best course for aerospace engineering. By mid-foundation year, I was very keen on my new career path, until I stumbled across Geophysics. Geophysics was one of the progression options available to me and after looking further into the course I decided to pursue it, as it appealed more to the physicist and pilot/explorer in me.

So, not only did the foundation year prepare me academically, it also gave me time to really find my calling in life.

I wanted to study outside London and be in a less fast-paced environment. I didn't want to have to get the tube to Uni everyday with rush hour crowds and pay crazy living expenses. However, I wanted London to be nearby, as I have family there. The University of Southampton suits these criteria perfectly. I also love the fact that Southampton is a campus-based university. Studying is easier with all the facilities you need nearby at all times. Ultimately though, I chose Southampton because of the high quality of its courses.

The foundation year took me from zero to hero... in a year! It was hugely enjoyable because I really felt that everyone else on the course was in a very similar phase of life to me. They were there because they really wanted to be there. Many of them were changing career paths and pursuing their dream careers and as a result there was a lot of community energy and spirit. People would help each other work and understand the concepts taught and my foundation year group really felt like a team! I met some of the most driven people I have ever met on the course and as a result it was a very productive and valuable year for me.

I don't know how I would cope without the Foundation Year. The level that it takes you to is just beyond what the other first years know... so it actually gives you an advantage!

I'm really enjoying my undergraduate degree. All the lecturers here are extremely supportive and their office doors are always open if you need help.

The facilities here are awesome. Southampton has a huge library with endless rows of books on any subject you can imagine, computer rooms dotted all over campus and very modern, comfortable lecture theatres.

I use the student union café a lot and love the food there. The Uni shop is full of useful bits and bobs too that are easy to grab and go between lectures. Like I said earlier, Southampton is a campus university so everything you need is onsite, including: banks, food, gym, swimming pool and even a pub. Everything is here.