Arturs Grigals

Arturs graduated from the University of Leeds in 2016 with an Integrated Masters degree in Mechatronics and Robotics. He is currently a Software Engineer working at The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).

Undergraduate life

Arturs chose to study in Leeds because it’s one of the top 10 Electronic and Electrical Engineering schools in UK. The Mechatronics and Robotics course stood out particularly because of the amount of hands on work that was provided. He added, “ the Mechatronics students undertake twice the amount of projects that others do therefore gaining valuable practical skills, which was very important to me to gain besides engineering theory.”

The Mechatronics and Robotics course stood out particularly because of the amount of hands on work that was provided.

“I find that the best aspect of studying at Leeds have been the opportunities that the university’s students union provides. There are a vast amount of activities and sports to participate during your degree. “Give it a go” sessions have been an astonishing opportunity to try activities you have never done before. Scuba diving, martial arts are cultural events are just some of the things I experienced whilst studying here.”

Project work

In the first year of his undergraduate degree programme, Arturs built a control system for a traxter buggy, programmed a small buggy to follow a track autonomously and designed and built a rubber band powered buggy. During his second year of studies, he worked in a team, and they designed and built an autonomous buggy and waterwheel.

Enrichment opportunities

In the summer after his second year, Arturs undertook a summer placement in an automation systems company near Leeds as a software intern. He said, “This opportunity was organised by the university carreers centre. They guided me all the way from writing an application to signing the contract. One of the projects I completed whilst studying at Leeds played a vital role during my interview and helped me to secure the job.

During the internship, I gained valuable skills and experiences such as problem solving and commercial awareness. I worked in a team of engineers and learned about the use of PLC’s in automation machinery. I got an insight into how projects are executed in the real world and worked on company projects. This gave me an edge when organising my third year individual project.”

During the internship, I gained valuable skills and experiences such as problem solving and commercial awareness.

The future

“I have gained a vast amount of skills whilst working on projects, gained experience in job applications and now have the understanding that there are opportunities everywhere. I feel that Leeds has provided me with the skills I need to be able to tackle new challenges.”

Find out more 

Discover more about our Undergraduate degree courses in the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering.