Niruna Suntharalingam MEng Mechanical Engineering / Mechatronics

Current student

I chose to study at the University of Southampton as it’s one of the leading institutes in the country for engineering, with world-class facilities and academic staff. The campus felt very welcoming, and I knew that I didn’t want to be anywhere else.

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

The University of Southampton is one of the leading institutes in the country for engineering. The research carried out at the University, its facilities, and the academic staff are world class, ensuring students are exposed to engineering concepts not just in the lecture theatre, but also through a practical approach, which was very important to me when I was selecting my university choices. On top of this, the campus was felt very welcoming and homely, with many great extracurricular opportunities. Once I had set sight on the university, I knew I didn’t want to be anywhere else.

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

The University has an excellent support network. Over the past three years, I have received not only valuable academic guidance, but also support with personal struggles from my personal tutor. I think the careers service at the University is one of the best around. In addition to the workshops they offer, the online services are easy to use and very comprehensive, offering advice on everything from CVs to interview skills. I have used this countless times when searching for internships, part time work and graduate jobs.

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

There have been many, such as meeting so many people, watching the University and its campuses evolve and taking part in various societies and academic events. However, if I were to choose one, it would be being a part of the university’s Street Dance Society since my first year. This, again, gave me a chance to meet students from outside my faculty, but also opened many doors in the world of dance. I have been able to take part in numerous shows over the years, and represent the University at competitions, all whilst growing as a dancer. It has been such an invaluable, irreplaceable experience which has certainly helped me both academically and socially.

What do you enjoy most about living in Southampton?

I would have to say the affordability of housing and the homely feeling of the city. For a small coastal city, it is home to all the facilities a student could need, and it just keeps on growing. Having lived in London prior to starting at Southampton, it was nice to be able to escape the busy London lifestyle and atmosphere, and live in a city which felt comparatively more peaceful.

What have you enjoyed most about your course so far?

It would have to be the wide range of opportunities that are presented to me, even as an undergraduate student. I’ve been able to use a lot of the facilities, to work alongside academic staff within their areas of expertise, and explore the engineering industry in countless theoretical and practical ways, to name a few. Being able to cover a wide range of topics helped me understand what I enjoyed and the path I wanted to take in the future, which was further supported by the chance to choose a theme to specialise in.

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

Each lecturer has had something unique to contribute to the faculty and to the teaching that takes place. My lecturers always make sure every student feels comfortable enough to approach them with queries, and for support with content.

I think I speak for every student in the faculty when I say that the supervisors you are allocated for your third and fourth year projects are some of the best people working on that topic in their fields. Being able to receive guidance from them, and be exposed to the work and research they undertake, helps with the understanding of the engineering industry prior to graduating. I think that having world-class academic staff supporting the student body makes a big difference in the way students make their life and career decisions.

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

For me, Southampton, as a town and as a University, has been a great place to start a new chapter of my life, to grab countless opportunities, both academically and for self-discovery, so I would advise them to not be afraid to take a leap of faith and step out of their comfort zone. Being a young woman from a large city who had never lived away from my parents, moving to Southampton was daunting at first. Looking back now, it was one of the best decisions I had made, and I just wish I could relive the past few years.