Shinan Zhang Foundation Year, 2016. MEng Civil Engineering and Architecture
Current Student
I enjoyed the breadth of the Foundation Year, and this helped me to consider my options fully before committing to a degree. The course covered a range of aspects of engineering, including thermodynamics relevant to aerospace and civil engineering, programming associated with Computer Science, and circuits related to EEE.
What made you choose to come and study at Southampton?
Southampton has a specialised department for engineering, with a range of great facilities. Civil Engineering is a demanding course but it is varied and engaging. The student night life here is also amazingly fun and affordable.
What were you anxious about before coming to Southampton, and once here were these fears overcome? How did Southampton help you settle in and help you belong?
Living away from home for the first time can be daunting but living in a flat of 10 other people going through similar experiences helped immensely. Staying in halls as a first year is a must. You meet many people from all over the world from many different cultures.
Why did you choose to take a Foundation Year?
After completing my A levels I had no idea what I wanted to study at university. During my gap year, I decided to study engineering but I lacked A level physics. After doing research on foundation years, I found that Southampton has one of the best courses in the UK as it accommodates people from non-engineering backgrounds.
What did you enjoy most about your Foundation Year?
I enjoyed learning about all the different disciplines of engineering before committing to one in the following degree years. For example, we learnt about: thermodynamics relevant to aerospace and civil engineering, programming associated with computer science, and circuits related to EEE.
How did the Foundation Year help to prepare you for your degree?
Many of the modules taken in the foundation year provided a strong foundation for my following degree year. It prepared me mentally for how tough of a jump it is from A levels to university work. It also made me organise my time efficiently to accommodate the work load.
What is it like studying here?
Lecturers are passionate about what they teach and are interested in things you may not immediately understand. However, support is always provided by your personal tutor as well as from the friends you make on your course. When studying gets too consuming, there are many sports facilities and other societies available around campus.
What have been your Southampton ‘highlights’ so far?
I took a leap of faith (literally!) and joined the skydiving society. I jumped at 15,000 feet and pulled my own parachute! I also joined the rowing team. I have since rowed at Henley, Bristol, Reading and at Putney (London) and even met some of the GB rowers at these races. I had never rowed before coming to Southampton and it has given me a mental resilience I never thought I had, as well as making friends worth keeping for a lifetime.
What other activities have you taken advantage of while at University?
Most engineering degrees at Southampton have a sponsorship programme. If you get on board and are proactive in the application stage, it is very useful. You get a better idea of why you learn the things you do in your course and how they apply to the real world.
What are you enjoying most about your current course?
The course is challenging, and there are topics within it which can be difficult to get your head around at first. However, there is always lots of support available, with both academic staff and peers willing to help out. It is incredibly satisfying when you realise you fully understand a difficult concept!
Do you like living in Southampton? What are the benefits of Southampton as a city?
There is lots of choice for shopping in the city centre, with regular buses connecting it to the university campus. Living costs are not extortionate and there are a variety of places to live around the University to suit your needs. I live close to university but a 15-minute walk to the clubs and supermarkets.