Sam Denby

Sam graduated from the School of Chemistry in 2018 with a BSc undergraduate degree in Chemistry and Mathematics. Since graduating from the University of Leeds, Sam completed his PGCE and have since started his career in teaching.

Undergraduate life in Leeds

Whilst studying for his A-Levels, Sam developed a strong passion for both Chemistry and Mathematics. With this, he became intrigued to study both disciplines further and to discover their intricacies at a higher level. He said, “whilst there was lots of work involved with studying both disciplines for a joint honours degree, it was certainly a choice that kept me active and absorbed in the two subjects I have a strong affinity for.

The secondary school I attended did annual visits to a university for students who were studying A-Levels. Their university of choice had been the University of Leeds for many years, despite it being around an hour and a half drive! Their choice was predominantly down to the culture of the institution, its facilities, history, and a wide range of courses available. As I was initially undecided whether to study Chemistry or Mathematics at university, the University of Leeds and its wide range of courses available solved my predicament. The University of Leeds was one of a handful of institutions that offered a joint honour in both disciplines. Before confirming Leeds, I did visit the other universities which offered this choice, however, Leeds felt like home immediately.

...whilst there was lots of work involved with studying both disciplines for a joint honours degree, it was certainly a choice that kept me active and absorbed in the two subjects I have a strong affinity for.

I really enjoyed the variety and flexibility that my course offered. The wide range of options and pathways to pursue was somewhat mind-bending in itself. With Chemistry we were often venturing off into modules that were applied to the physical world, for example looking at atmospheres and climates, whilst in Mathematics, we would be exploring the world of financial mathematics.”

I really enjoyed the variety and flexibility that my course offered. The wide range of options and pathways to pursue was somewhat mind-bending in itself.

Enrichment opportunities

“As students at Leeds, you also have the opportunity to take up Discovery modules. I was able to study a module which was Chemistry into Schools. It allowed me to gain some experience of school education as an adult and research the effectiveness of teaching and how relevant the curriculum is in schools. This experience and module allowed me to confirm what career I wanted to seek, and that was as a secondary school Mathematics teacher.

This experience and (Chemistry into Schools) module allowed me to confirm what career I wanted to seek, and that was as a secondary school Mathematics teacher.

Since finishing my studies, I pursued my career as a teacher of mathematics. I’ve completed my training in Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) and qualified as a teacher. I’ve obtained a full-time post in a secondary school and the experience has been so rewarding by inspiring the next generation and making a difference to a community.

To any prospective students of Leeds, or any choosing to study Chemistry and Mathematics at Leeds, without any doubt, I would say do it!”

Find out more 

Discover more about our Undergraduate degree courses in the School of Chemistry.