Shu Qin Wan, Chemical Engineering sudent at the University of Leeds

Shu Qin Wan

Why did you decide to study at the University of Leeds?

I chose to do Chemical Engineering as it’s the most interesting field of all the branches of science. I’m good at Chemistry, Physics and Maths – and I took these subjects in my A-levels. I’ve also always wanted to study in a foreign country, especially in the UK where high quality education is provided.

The University of Leeds is one of the top universities in the UK for Chemical Engineering, and I was attracted by the fact that it’s in the top 100 universities in the world. The University also offers a wide variety of clubs and societies for students to engage in – from culture groups such as the Malaysian and Singaporean Society, to sports and welfare groups such as the Cheerleading Society and the Leeds Nightline.

What has been the best aspect of studying on your course?

The lecturers are all very dedicated to teaching. Detailed notes are given and lectures are delivered at a suitable pace in a comfortable learning environment. During the first semester of the course, a wide range of optional modules were offered. I chose the Introduction to Management module as I wanted to challenge myself in a subject that is not directly related to science. It turned out to be a wise decision because I got to expose myself to topics that I’ve not learnt before! It was a really exciting experience as I had to conduct a survey with my teammates to get information from managers all around the world. We also analysed the feedback and did presentations to show the result of our analysis.

Tell us about some of the exciting projects you have completed so far

We did experiments on fluid flow and beam bending, and had to submit reports a week after. Though we were given briefings by the module leader, it was still quite challenging. Luckily the lab assistants were always very friendly and helpful when we faced difficulties.

Another project was the Material Selection Assignment. We were supposed to come up with an optimum material for different components of a stirred tank photo-bioreactor respectively. We had to do a lot of research on our product and construct charts to determine the most suitable material using the CES EduPack software.

What does the city of Leeds have to offer students?

Leeds is a student friendly city as it has a large population of students from different colleges and universities. For an international student like me, there are direct flights to Leeds Bradford Airport which makes things easier and saves a lot of time.

The city has a number of shopping malls such as Trinity Leeds and Victoria Leeds for people who love shopping. For quick grocery shopping, we have places like Morrison’s, Tesco and Co-op. Otherwise the Leeds Kirkgate Market offers a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with fresh meat and seafood. Some of them even have student discounts! There are also Asian supermarkets located in the city centre which sell imported food and groceries from Asian countries like Korea, Japan and Hong Kong at affordable prices.

What are your ambitions for the future?

I wish to improve the quality of people’s lives using my knowledge and ability, no matter which field I engage myself in. Chemical Engineering offers a wide variety of career paths, ranging from pharmaceuticals to petrochemicals. I aspire to become a chartered chemical engineer in the future. It will not be easy but I will definitely strive hard to achieve my goal.

What experiences at Leeds do you think will help you in your future career?

This degree program will provide me with great career opportunities. By adapting to different cultures when meeting people from countries all around the world, hopefully I will become a better person with good communication skills. Through various activities over these three years, I aim to be more creative and innovative. Leeds will definitely make me a well-rounded person.

What would you say to students coming to do the same course?

Engineering is always a course that is quite stressful and has a heavy workload. However, I believe everyone is capable of sorting things out by themselves. Work hard, play hard! It will definitely be an enjoyable journey with lots of precious memories that you will cherish.