Ariana Quek MEng Mechanical Engineering/Aerospace

The University of Southampton has one of the best reputations in the engineering field.

Why did you choose the University of Southampton Malaysia (UoSM)? 

The University of Southampton has one of the best reputations in the engineering field. The top-class lecturers in the Malaysia Campus are very approachable and engaging. Even though the Malaysia Campus is small compared to the UK Campus, you get a lot more interactions between lecturers and students and everyone is supportive of each other just like a big family!

What were your Southampton ‘highlights’ (best experiences)?

My best experience in Southampton was being able to work with my supervisors, Professor Ian Sinclair and Dr. Mark N. Mavrogordato. They were extremely helpful and encouraging. Their technical guidance throughout my individual project helped me learn so much.

Being in Southampton has been very enjoyable. The university hosts social events almost every day and you can never get bored! The UoSM cohort were also very supportive of each other which made life easier especially when we first arrived as international students.

Why did you choose your course?

I chose Mechanical Engineering majoring in aerospace as I have always had an interest in aircraft and aerodynamics.

What did you enjoy most about your course?

My engineering life was filled with hard work, sleepless nights and lots of caffeine especially during the exam period but I enjoyed my module choices and most of them were intellectual stimulating. They shaped the way I thought and they gave me a better understanding about how things work and about smart engineering concepts and laws.

Did you have the opportunity to study modules outside of your core subject area?

There is a wide range of optional modules (not restricted to your core subject area) that the university offers which allows us to choose our modules based on our areas of interest. Besides, the university also offers short free language courses alongside our degree. I got the opportunity to learn a bit of Japanese which was definitely worth-while.

What networking, employment and work experience opportunities did you undertake?

I worked as a research intern with my supervisors during one summer and the project that I undertook was in collaboration with a manufacturing company. It was a good networking opportunity as I indirectly worked for the company so gained an understanding of how the research industry works.