Chemistry by Research MSc

During my undergraduate studies, I have always wanted to pursue a higher degree abroad to engage in further academic studies and broaden my horizon. Fortunately, I gained an opportunity to study at masters level at the University of Southampton.

The University of Southampton offers a great learning environment, especially to master students who study in the chemistry department. During my masters study, I found my research project helped me to learn things independently, and the knowledge I learned the lectures contributed to my understanding of my research.

I really enjoy the research life in the chemistry department - both the staff and the other students are very friendly. During my masters study, I spent most of my time in the lab, and life was always colourful. I shared my feelings with my colleges and they help me overcome being home sick. We are close as a family. I get most of my energy from their encouragements.

Now, I believe that my research experiences in my masters study have given me a good starting point to do what I want and I am happy that I gained an opportunity to continue to study in the chemistry department as a PhD student. I am very interested in my current project and I believe this further study will make me a better person and will help me spend my life more efficiently.

My current plan is try my best for the rest of my PhD programme, and hope to find a job relating to my research.

After obtaining a degree in Chemistry in Germany I felt that doing a PhD was a viable option. I found a position in the Computational Chemistry group of Professor Jonathan Essex. The topic, ‘Docking of potential drug molecules into proteins’, quickly aroused my interest, because it comprises not only of chemical, but also of biological, pharmacological and computational aspects.

My work is challenging and not always easy, but at the same time it is very interesting. My group and supervisors are extremely friendly and helpful, I have learned a lot and there’s something new almost every day. As chemistry PhD projects are often funded by industry, students get an insight into life at work and gain not only science related skills, but also communication, presentation and team work experience. The possibility to attend a wide range of conferences supports that even more.

Living in England has proved to be even better than I expected. Southampton is very well located, being close to the coast and surrounded by stunning countryside and beautiful old cities like Salisbury and Winchester. Also, for the more adventurous, the excitement of London is within reach.

I was first attracted to the University of Southampton due its good reputation, location and campus. I came to the University as an undergraduate student and obtained a BSc in Chemistry. During the final year of my BSc I conducted a project within the electrochemistry department investigating electrode materials for use in lithium ion batteries. I developed a strong interest in the research area and I enjoyed the practical and problem solving nature of the work.

I was then offered a sponsorship from an industrial partner and the opportunity to study for an MSc Chemistry via research degree. I continued studying lithium ion batteries and developed a deeper understanding of a specific area of research. I have now started a PhD and I am continuing with the research which I began during my MSc.

I decided to continue with further postgraduate study as I am interested in the subject area and plan to work in industry in the future - a PhD is a good thing to have to enable you to work at a high level within industry. I believe that a PhD gives you the opportunity to learn to independently motivate yourself to produce work to a high standard, obtain many transferable skills and to become highly knowledgeable in an area of research.

I have found postgraduate study much more enjoyable than undergraduate study. I now have the opportunity to study something that I am specifically interested in and I also enjoy the responsibility of having my own research project.

In the future I would like to work in industry and have the opportunity to travel and study part-time for an MBA.