Ellen Slack

Ellen is an Architectural Engineering student, currently in her third year. So far, she’s really enjoyed the variety of content that’s covered on the course, plus it’s proving to be great preparation for her career. She also enjoys being part of the wider Civil Engineering school relating that there’s “a great social aspect to the course and opportunities to meet like-minded people”.

Why Leeds?

Ellen explains that she decided to study at Leeds because the course ranks as one of the best in the country and she felt it was the best move in terms of attaining the career she wanted. The city itself, with its large student community and lots going on, was also an important factor.

...the employability at Leeds is also really high which gave me reassurance that I was on the right track into the industry.

The variety of modules on offer also appealed to Ellen, plus the fact that all courses share a common first year in terms of modules and learning within the School of Civil Engineering – “it established a broad understanding right from the start of my degree.” Additionally, she explains that “the employability at Leeds is also really high which gave me reassurance that I was on the right track into the industry.”

Moving away

She describes moving away from home as “very daunting”, especially as she started university during the Covid-19 pandemic. However there was nothing to be concerned about: “There are so many opportunities on your course or in societies and in accommodation to meet a variety of new people, which makes the process a lot easier as you know you’re not alone.”

Rewarding projects

Project work forms a good part of the Architectural Engineering course at Leeds. Ellen relates: “A particularly exciting project was my year 2 Design Studio where we had to complete a full concept design of a market hall. This included the initial sketches to the structural systems to the lighting, heating and ventilation of the space and a complete Revit model. It was very rewarding seeing my work on display at the end of year exhibition and on open days too.”

It was very rewarding seeing my work on display at the end of year exhibition and on open days too.

Ellen shares that she is also a PASS Leader, “mentoring first year students in course and social related aspects, which is a great university initiative to help the adaptation to university life and something I have found very enjoyable.”

Annual summer placements

“For the duration of my degree in Leeds I have been lucky enough to have been granted an ICE Quest Scholarship sponsored by WSP. This has been invaluable experience as I undertake summer placements every year with them, and this summer I was part of the structures team in London working on HS2 at Euston Station joint with Arup engineers. The experience was very interesting as I was able to put what I have learnt so far at university into practice and gain important work experience.”

Outside of studies

Outside of her studies, Ellen is part of the university performance rowing team where she trains up to six times a week and represents the university at regional and national race events. “This has made a huge positive impact on my time at Leeds as I was trying something new, I met so many lovely people and felt pride being able to represent the university at events such as BUCS.”

Ellen is also part of the Get Out, Get Active scheme which leads walks around Yorkshire and this has been very rewarding, plus a great way to meet new people and explore Leeds further.

She’s a student ambassador which means she helps out on open days and talks to prospective students and their parents to encourage the next generation of Leeds architectural engineers!

I met so many lovely people and felt pride being able to represent the university at events such as BUCS.

Additionally, she has been part of CivSoc, the civil engineering society where you get to meet course mates, and the cycling and surfing societies too.

Future plans

Ellen has already secured a graduate role with WSP where she hopes to pursue a career in structural engineering and gain chartership. “I would also love to travel with engineering as I think it is a very transferrable and applicable degree all around the world.”

Words of wisdom

Ellen advises that if you enjoy maths and want to apply it in an interesting and rewarding way definitely choose to study at the School of Civil Engineering. She relates that “Leeds is also a very unique course where it gives you the appreciation for both architecture and engineering which I think will make you a more well-rounded and efficient professional outlook having an understanding of both.” Finally, she advises future students to gain industrial experience during their course as this will be really benfit your studies.

Join us

To find out more about studying in the School of Civil Engineering, view our Undergraduate courses.