Exploring Science at the University of Birmingham with Kings Oxford

Kings Oxford recently visited the Science department at the University of Birmingham and our students share their thoughts!

Jason – Shin Khant Za

How did you find the experience at the University of Birmingham?

Visiting Birmingham University was an amazing experience. It was actually my first-time visiting Birmingham, so I got to see various parts of the city as well as get an idea as to just how huge their campus is as well.

What did you like most about the campus and facilities?

I really loved the campus and the fact that it’s also located so close to the city centre – just a short train ride from the university's own train station. I also liked how large and diverse the city seemed. I enjoy visiting different departments as I got to see a glimpse of what university life looks like. It was overall very exciting.

What did you find most interesting about the day?

Definitely, the Chemistry practical we did. I got to work together with my friends on a chromatography experiment in the Chemistry department which was very interesting and something I have not done before. The staff and students there were very helpful and welcoming. It was a memorable experience.

Did the trip help consolidate your future goals and ambitions?

As I’m planning to study Chemistry and Engineering at university, visiting the University of Birmingham taught me more about chemical engineering, such as modules that were taught at the university.

Did the staff or trip, in general, inspire you to pursue your current chosen career path?

I talked to one of the staff members from the Material Science and Engineering department where I learnt a lot about their research and the modules they taught there. I got to learn lots about different STEM courses at Birmingham too, which was really useful.

What are your future plans after Kings?

I’m planning to study Chemical Engineering at a university in the UK. I genuinely enjoy engineering and together with Chemistry, it would be fantastic!

Martina Gjoni

How did you find the experience at the University of Birmingham?

Overall, my personal feedback is positive. The itinerary was very well organised, making it efficient and very informative. This day helped me remove some doubts I had regarding my career and overall made me feel more confident in making important choices about my future.

What did you like most about the campus and facilities?

The campus was quite large but also very accessible, which set it apart from other colleges. The lab for the department of chemical engineering was extremely well-designed and well-equipped with wonderful facilities, which made it easy to maintain health and safety standards which is always very important given the situation. The lecture halls were excellent and really pleasant to be in. The campus featured several historical landmarks all throughout, including the tower clock, which made wandering around really enjoyable.

What did you find most interesting about the day?

The approach that the workshop followed was very stimulating as we got to actively practice skills related to our course of choice. In a nutshell, we had to carry out an experiment by following a set of instructions we were given and coming up with a conclusion after recording results, carrying out necessary calculations and analysing our data by comparing and contrasting. We were divided into teams and that evoked our communication and interpersonal skills. Although this university standard laboratory was very different from our smaller lab at school, the principles remained the same and thus it was easy for our team to adapt.

Did the trip help consolidate your future goals and ambitions?

I felt incredibly motivated by what I had experienced. The dialogues, the interactions, and the ambience all made me even more certain that I want to contribute to my field of interest. The students who were pursuing similar academic interests to mine seemed really satisfied and enthusiastic. I can’t wait to be a part of a community like that as well.

Did the staff or trip, in general, inspire you to pursue your current chosen career path?

The staff were all very friendly and did not hesitate to answer every question we had which ranged over a broad set of topics from academics and application tips and tricks to student satisfaction, entertainment, accommodation, and their emphasis on inclusivity across the campus.

What are your future plans after Kings?

I wish to continue my undergrad education preferably in England or somewhere in Europe, and currently, I am in the last steps to finishing my UCAS application for Biochemical Engineering also referred to in some places as Bioprocessing. I want to keep my options open as this is a very broad subject but have already developed a keen interest in Biotechnology and the Pharmaceutical sector.

Taj Attariq Topobroto

How did you find the experience at the University of Birmingham?

The University itself was very impressive and well-equipped. The lab facilities and lecture halls were expansive and modern, and they also provided a sense of professionalism and left the impression that this was a technically competent university. The trip was fantastic, and the guides were friendly and welcoming. It was a great trip in general with little to complain about.

What did you like most about the campus and facilities?

What did you find most interesting about the day?

I particularly enjoyed the amazing spread the university provided at lunch; it was the first time I ate hummus!

Did the trip help consolidate your future goals and ambitions?

What are your future plans after Kings?