The Foundation Year programme at Sheffield stood out as the best

What drew you to apply and accept a place on the Foundation Year (FY)?

I applied for the Foundation Year course because I was passionate about studying Mechanical Engineering - however, I did not have the right qualifications after finishing school, and this offered me an opportunity to do it.

The Foundation Year programme at Sheffield stood out as the best, after having done some research online.

What was your educational background before and what were the main concerns you had before embarking on the course?

I was studying in Switzerland at an international school doing an International Baccalaureate Diploma.

However, I was only studying standard level Maths, and higher-level Maths was a requirement for an MEng in Mechanical Engineering, therefore I turned to the Foundation Year, where I was able to apply with my current courses.

My main concern was not being able to keep up with the year due to the increased difficulty of going from school to university level - however, my transition was very smooth, thanks to the continued support throughout Foundation Year.

How did FY help to prepare you for Year 1 study and beyond?

Foundation Year brought me up to the level that is required to start my First Year course and also taught me many valuable skills, such as lab work, report writing and workflow prioritisation, which are beyond the criteria for acceptance into the course.

What were the big learning points for you during your FY?

The most important skill I learnt in Foundation Year was how to write a concise and accurate report with industry-standard formatting and structure. However, this could have not been achieved without first being able to adopt a methodical, academic learning process, which was encouraged by the Foundation Year staff.

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Going from engaging projects to learning about finance and law or project management has helped me expand my knowledge beyond just engineering

Marton Szabo

MEng Mechanical Engineering

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What do you enjoy most about your current degree programme?

Mechanical Engineering gives you a taster for many different areas, not just classical engineering concepts.

Going from engaging projects to learning about finance and law or project management has helped me expand my knowledge beyond just engineering, with a heavy focus on real-life industrial context.

At the same time, it has also allowed me to focus on the things I find interesting and provided many specialised choices for future learning.

What are your favourite things about studying in Sheffield?

Sheffield has all the benefits of a busy city, but none of the shortfalls of large cities. Whether it is sports, cuisine, cultural activities or a good night out, Sheffield has a wide variety throughout all seasons.

What has the wider University offered you in terms of support and student community?

By moving into student accommodation I got to know many people with different backgrounds and interests, and have made friends for life.

University staff are always available to provide support and resources. The university’s Students’ Union is an excellent place to get paperwork sorted, socialise or find support, whether it is financial, career-orientated or otherwise.

How have you overcome challenges so far and what would be your advice to a prospective Foundation Year student?

The best advice I could give to current Foundation Year students is to maintain a steady workflow throughout the year and not just try and cram all the material taught last minute, because there is a lot.

Engaging in extracurricular activities will help with studies, no matter what activity it is, and offers great opportunities outside of the scope of the course.

What are your career aspirations after your degree?

After my degree I would like to work in either the automotive or aerospace industry and become a chartered engineer. My internship at Jaguar Land Rover this summer should be a good kick-start for that; however, I am also interested in business and would like to work in a management position later on in my career.