Alex Naval Architecture MEng Honours
Why did you choose Newcastle University?
Newcastle has a long and fascinating history of shipbuilding and I found that the Marine Technology degrees are highly regarded in industry. When I came to look at the School on the Visit Day I instantly fell in love with the University and city; we’re located in the Armstrong building, one of the oldest in the University, and you can feel the connection with all of the city’s shipbuilding heritage when you walk the corridors and see all of the models of ships built over the years.
What do you think of your course so far?
My course has always challenged and interested me; there is so much to learn about the subject that it can be somewhat daunting at first, but you soon get to grips with it and realise how fascinating the often forgotten Marine Industry is. Although you train as an engineer you can touch on all areas of industry from maritime logistics to business and environmental management. We have really good links with the technical institutions and as a student you’re offered membership, journals and even the chance to travel down across the country to listen to conferences for free.
Is there anything that has surprised you about either the course or University, which you didn’t know about before you came here?
I hadn’t realised quite how much there is to know about Naval Architecture and the Marine industry as a whole. We have the chance to create some of the most complex and largest man made machines in the world!
Whether it's learning the complexities of how a ship floats or moves, how you support thousands of tonnes of steelwork and how that structure interacts with the phenomenal power of the sea, or even just how the economics of building a ship with a fuller body and easy to manufacture flat plates compares to efficiency gains in service from having a sleeker and finer curved hull as it cuts through the water, I think you’d be hard pushed to find a more interesting and impressive subject than engineering.
What are the facilities in your school like?
The School has some amazing research facilities, the best part of which is that can you actually use them as a student for your dissertation. It’s great that we’re offered the opportunity to practice practical research skills in addition to the theory you learn in lectures. We also have a comprehensive computer suite with all the programmes that you will use once you enter industry.
Tell us about any field trips or project work you have taken part in
The School has an active student society which runs regular trips around the country and abroad to visit shipyards, research centres and other universities studying Marine Technology. This is something I’ve gotten heavily involved with personally and would recommend to anyone thinking about learning a practical subject such as engineering. What you learn in lectures is certainly useful and interesting, but it cannot prepare you for the feeling of awe when you stand under a 120,000 tonne cruise ship towering over your head in dry dock.
Have you taken a year abroad? Tell us about this
I haven’t taken a year out but I have worked in industry on a summer placement. Over the summer I worked for in a shipyard for a UK defence contractor in the concept design department. This was a great chance to practice the skills I had been learning in lectures. I was treated like a valued member of the design team and my work was a large contribution to the final project. Newcastle has very good links with industry and we often have guest lecturers come in to talk about things happening at the cutting edge of technology.
How would you describe the city?
Newcastle is a great city; full of history, culture and a busy night life. I have been here for three years and have only scratched the surface of all the things to do out and about. We’re very lucky to have a campus university so close to the city centre. If you’re willing to travel a bit out of the city at the weekends you can find some real treasures of the North East; the beaches at Tynemouth, Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland and Beamish in County Durham. The city has some brilliant night life whether it’s in the Bigg Market, on the beautiful quayside or in the trendy student bars along Osborne Road.
Do you have any tips for living in student accommodation?
Do your homework on the halls of residence and decide what is important to you; a location close to the University and the city centre, interesting, social flatmates or a good night’s sleep. Each hall usually has their own facebook group which is an excellent chance to scope out what they’re like.
Where do you live and what is it like?
I live in Jesmond; definitely the best place to be as a student! Very close to University, gorgeous terraced houses and all the student amenities you could want.
How do you spend your spare time?
In my first few years I spent a lot of time taking part in clubs the University offered; the University Royal Naval Unit, the sailing club and the university choir. I also tried to experience as much of the culture Newcastle and the region had to offer. I think you’ve got to make the most out of the time you have at University and everything being part of a huge community of students offers; you know these will be the best years of your life when you have the chance to get involved in something you’d never have thought would be your cup of tea. Unfortunately it’s not all fun and games; I now spend a lot of my time working on my dissertation or group project work, but this is challenging and rewarding in its own way.
What is the best thing about being at Newcastle University?
The best parts of being at Newcastle for me are the people you get to meet and the history surrounding you whilst you work. You can feel a real connection to the people who’ve studied here before you and I can guarantee that when you graduate and get out into the marine industry you’ll meet legions of Naval Architects from Newcastle who have sat in the same seats as you and listened to the same lecturers. When you leave with a degree from Newcastle it is a badge of honour in the Marine industry which will always put you in touch with a great network of alumni.