Teiba Ahmed

"After completing my A levels, I went to Japan to teach English where I was inspired by the design and innovation that surrounded me. I saw solutions to problems I had never thought of, and the more I understood the culture, the more I was inspired by the designs. This sparked my curiosity into how things work and what problems designs solve.

As my A levels (Biology, Chemistry and Music) are not typically the ones most engineering students have studied, it was a huge and risky step for me to pursue an engineering degree. I saw that Loughborough offered a foundation course for Product Design Engineering which was exactly what I was looking for; it was the perfect mix of design, creativity and technical skill.

It was a no brainer for me to choose Loughborough; the student satisfaction is so high and because it is a campus university, I was sure I would get the full university experience. I have not been disappointed! I love how hands on my course is, everything I learn in lectures is applied in our lab sessions and tutorials the same week. This has given me the confidence that I will be able to apply my knowledge to real world problems.

One of the best things about my course is how broad it is. After I graduate, I hope to pursue a career in the medical device sector. I have been passionate about this field since the beginning of my degree, and I was pleased that I was able to complete a healthcare engineering module during my first year and I am currently working on improving the non-compliance of a medical device. I have done several observerships at hospitals and clinics, which I feel has given me a unique appreciation of doctor-patient relationships, which is beneficial to take into consideration during the design process. 

Everyone at Loughborough is so supportive; I find it really easy to approach my lecturers if I need support, and the knowledge and skills of the technicians has been a lifesaver for some of my projects. Additionally, as a student without a Maths A level, the extra maths support (MSLC) offered by the University is an incredible resource for me. I find that everyone pushes you to achieve your best at Loughborough. During the start of my foundation year, I was elected Programme Representative and Social Involvement Officer. At the end of the year, I was awarded ‘Programme Representative of the Year 2018’ as well as ‘Committee Member of the Year’ at the School of Science Awards. I was also recently nominated by one of my lecturers and was shortlisted as one of the top five for the Ricardo ‘Most Promising Female Engineer Prize’ and was offered a summer placement with them in one of their technical centres, which I am really excited to start soon!

If you are considering a degree in engineering, I would recommend you choose Loughborough. This degree is the most hands on, versatile and well-rounded engineering course out there! You’ll gain the breadth of all engineering disciplines, real life applications and knowledge which will definitely help in your future career, whatever you aspire to do."