Esther Taylor

Esther Taylor is currently studying Chemical Engineering with a Year in Industry MEng, BEng. She has just finished her third year, and will be starting her Year in Industry placement at MDBA in September. 

Why Leeds?

Esther decided to study Chemical Engineering at Leeds after she enjoyed visiting the university whilst she was in sixth form. Reflecting on her choice, she said: “I liked the close proximity of most university accommodations to the campus and the city centre of Leeds.”

“The school was of a reasonable size, but not as large as other universities which appealed to me as I thought it would be easier to get to know the other students.”

Learning the key principles of chemical engineering

Esther likes studying a wide variety of modules and working on engineering projects. She said: “I particularly enjoyed the design project in third year, which involved weekly meetings on designing my equipment and consideration of the real applications of the equipment.” 

“The focus Leeds has on material science is also something I enjoy, with modules in first and second year providing useful background for the design project in third year. The course at Leeds has a focus on sustainability, for example, I had a first year project on wind turbines and there are extracurricular talks on renewable energy solutions.”

“I like the facilities at Leeds with many study spaces, including the cluster and study zone in the chemical engineering building and the libraries on campus.” 

The course at Leeds has a focus on sustainability, for example, I had a first year project on wind turbines and there are extracurricular talks on renewable energy solutions.

Student life: Societies and travelling to South Korea

During her time at Leeds, Esther joined student societies and travelled to South Korea for a funded research exchange. She said: “I am the current President of the Chemical Engineering Society, which involves coordinating events such as our annual ball, academic talks and social events.” 

“In my second year I was part of the hiking society which involved trips such as a weekend in the Lake District.” 

“Last summer I went on a funded research exchange to the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) which was my favourite part of my university experience so far involving a research project on Bayesian Optimisation and travelling to Seoul and Jeonju for a Bibimbap making cookery course.”

I am the current President of the Chemical Engineering Society, which involves coordinating events such as our annual ball, academic talks and social events.

Careers support, internships and work placements

Esther is developing professional skills to build her career in materials science. She said: “At Leeds there is a focus on careers guidance with an employability team exclusively for engineers, tutors and industrial mentors providing advice for placements and graduate applications.”

“Last summer I attended an internship with the university on the research topic of Characterisation and Synthesis of Photo and Bio-active minerals, this involved using the laboratory equipment such as the XRD, UV-Vis SEM-EDX and FTIR which is studied in second year. Next year I am on placement at MBDA.”

“At Leeds there is a focus on careers guidance with an employability team exclusively for engineers, tutors and industrial mentors providing advice for placements and graduate applications.”

“I hope to become a charted chemical engineer and I hope to complete a masters research project in the field of material science, to decide if this is what I wish to peruse as a career.”

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Find out more about studying Chemical Engineering MEng, BEng at Leeds