Jodie, 2nd year
'Being a Materials Scientist is rather like being a chemist, physicist, engineer and mathematician all rolled into one: perfect for the all round scientist!
It is challenging, and requires a lot of effort and perseverance, but we get to carry out fun experiments involving orange jelly, molten metal and bubbles, so all the effort seems worth it.
Practical classes are particularly good for a hands-on approach, and then we also have industrial visits where you get to see where all the work is leading you. There are also opportunities to do voluntary summer placements, and an annual industrial tour abroad.
Oxford is a beautiful place to study, and I can really tell that I am learning from the best when I leave a tutorial, exhausted, but with a much higher level of understanding. I would definitely recommend Oxford for reading Materials Science, as there are so many resources and the course is just so varied, with extra options such as languages or ‘Building a Business’. Everyone really gets to know each other, and I personally have made some amazing friends on the course.
I have also dabbled in Fairtrade and journalism, and I am currently an ‘Entz rep’ at my college, which means that I organise college parties, and generally help make the place as fun as possible. Everyone at Oxford seems to manage the balance between working hard, playing hard and making the most of the best University experience available. I wouldn’t change being here for the world.'
