Caleb Walker MEng Mechanical Engineering / Advanced Materials

Current student

At Southampton, there are multiple opportunities to get hands-on experience. The course offers not just the theoretical knowledge, but reinforces it with practical sessions, labs and group design projects.

Why did you choose to study at the University of Southampton?

I chose to study at the University of Southampton due to my experience at the University’s Open Day I attended. Everyone here was friendly and approachable, answering all my questions enthusiastically. They made me feel welcomed and the campus was open with loads of places to relax.

Also, the engineering course offered here was different to other Universities I had seen, allowing for extra specialisation in later years. This appealed to me as I would be able to study the subjects I am most interested in while giving me a broad understanding of engineering as a whole.

How do you feel that the University has supported you so far?

The University offers loads of support in a variety of different ways. I have used the Careers and Employability service multiple times to get them to check over my C.V. and cover letters, as well as attending the career fairs. They are always willing and enthusiastic towards helping and have been a great help in my applications.

On top of this I have an excellent tutor, who is there to chat over important decisions as well as the everyday issues and has always been able to point me to the right person to help resolve them.

What has been the highlight of your time here so far?

The highlight of my time studying at the University of Southampton would have to be during my second year group design project, where I was challenged to design and manufacture a wing for a unmanned aerial vehicle. During the project, I had the opportunity to get hands-on experience using a variety of techniques, which all led towards a final test day in which the wing got tested. Seeing something you have spent months tinkering on finally fly (even after crashing twice) made all the work worthwhile.

What do you enjoy most about living in Southampton?

The thing I enjoy most about Southampton is the variety. Southampton has the best of both worlds; being a city, it has excellent transport links and facilities. However, it is not as busy as larger cities like London, making it quieter and friendlier. There are amazing open spaces which you can go to and relax with friends and in the city centre are numerous shops and restaurants.

What have you enjoyed most about your course so far?

The module choice and specialisation available. I have had the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects during the first two years and from that specialise into the subjects I enjoy the most.

There are also multiple opportunities to get hands-on and experience engineering first hand. The course offers not just the theoretical knowledge but reinforces it with practicals and labs. These have been great learning opportunities as well as being fun and enjoyable, especially during destructive testing.

What are your lecturers and supervisors like? Have you found them supportive?

The lecturers and supervisors here are very dedicated and knowledgeable. There have been numerous occasions where I have been stuck on a topic or problem and sent them a quick email. Majority of the time they respond within a couple of hours (sometimes late at night when we should all be in bed!), explaining the problem or offering their time the next day to come to their office for further help.

If you could offer prospective students one piece of advice, what would it be?

Use every opportunity to get hands-on experience when offered. The University of Southampton has top-of-the-line machinery and equipment accessible to us students. There is technology available which you may not have the chance later in life to use, such as 3D printers and laser cutters. By using these facilities you will be able to develop lots of technical skills which will be useful for your third/fourth year projects, and potentially later in your career.