Rachel Greenhill MChem Chemistry with research project abroad, 2016

Graduate

I really liked the course, it has a lot of choice and you can change your direction of your studies if you want.

What did you do for your placement?

I went to Munich in Germany and it was amazing. I worked in a large group with more than 30 researchers from a range of different backgrounds. Many were from Germany but there were also other Europeans and people who came over from China. I was looking to create new molecules that could help scientists working on new drugs understand how proteins interact.

Do you speak German?

I did a GCSE in the language many years ago but had forgotten most of it! However, the University put me on an intensive beginners course which was very useful. But the group was so international, we had no problem understanding each other.

Why did you choose the University of Southampton?

I really liked the course, it has a lot of choice and you can change your direction of your studies if you want. I was also impressed by the campus, it’s not right in the heart of the city and it’s not far from everywhere either, it’s a good place to be.

What are you doing next?

I’m going to study a Masters in Crime and Forensic Sciences at University College London. I envisage working in a lab assisting criminal investigations in my career but you get the chance to try lots of different things on this particular course so we’ll see what happens.

What’s your advice to other potential students considering Southampton?

I’d say go for it! Although I was always interested in coming here, my first choice was a Cambridge college. When I didn’t get in, I went for my second choice. Now I think Southampton was just as good and better in some ways. I don’t regret my decision at all.

*Course formerly titled MChem Chemistry with six month placement