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The University of Southampton
Chemistry

Nadiia Kovalenko MChem Chemistry with research project abroad, 2017

Nadiia Kovalenko's Photo

My highlight during my course was my six month placement in New Zealand. It was an amazing experience, I made a lot of new friends and had the opportunity to visit some really beautiful places. I also worked on a very interesting project. The placement was very well organised and I had constant support from Southampton.

Why did you choose to come and study at Southampton?

I visited an Open Day and I really liked the campus and the facilities they had in the Chemistry building. The staff were welcoming and friendly, and Southampton's Chemistry department is recognised worldwide for its excellence in teaching and research.

What is it like studying here?

 The course is very interesting and challenging and offers a wide range of modules, including optional modules, that can be chosen to suit one's interests. The Chemistry staff are very passionate about their subject, which makes learning a lot more fun and interesting. The lecturers are very approachable and are always happy to answer any questions and explain material in more detail. There are a lot of practical hours within the course, and in Year 3 students can complete a research project which is great as it provides the opportunity to see what research is like on a daily basis.

How do you rate the study facilities at the University?

The study facilities are very good. The library [Hartley Library] has recently been refurbished to allow for more individual study spaces. Around exam periods, the library is open 24 hours. The Chemistry department's research facilities are excellent, with well-equipped teaching labs. When completing research projects, students are given the opportunity to use research equipment too. The Chemistry building has a lot of computer study space, which is great for working on assignments.

The University's Highfield campus has a variety of cafes and shops which are great for getting lunch. What I particularly like about the campus is that there is a cinema onsite which often shows newly released films with low ticket prices. 

What have been your Southampton highlights? 

The University has a wide variety of societies to suit everyone's interests. They're a great way to spend time outside of studying and an excellent way to meet like-minded people and make new friends outside of your course. 

My highlight during my course was my six month placement in New Zealand. It was an amazing experience, I made a lot of new friends and had the opportunity to visit some really beautiful places. I also worked on a very interesting project. The placement was very well organised and I had constant support from Southampton. 

What did you enjoy most about your course? 

The course is very well structured with a good balance of lectures and laboratory hours. I really enjoyed my research project in my third year, which was carried out at a chemistry research laboratory. The group members I was working with were very friendly and supportive. 

What is Southampton like as a city? 

Southampton is a very vibrant city with lots of things to do. I like the old part of the city with the city walls and historical monuments. It's great for shopping and going out. There are plenty of buses to take you around the city. 

I've also enjoyed the numerous parks in Southampton which are great for walks and taking breaks from city noise. 

What one word sums up how you feel about your experiences at Southampton? 

Rewarding.

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