MSc Architectural Engineering Design

The course combines Architecture, Civil & Structural Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering modules, a mix that gives an accurate understanding of the architectural and structural performance of buildings. I had a stimulating and varied workload with many opportunities for team work, enriched by lab work, seminars with great visiting professors and various trips. Thanks to the course I stretched my limits and sharpened my problem solving capabilities, team work and networking.

Undoubtedly, the built environment is a challenging sector where delivering sustainability and efficiency is not as easy as it seems, especially now we also need buildings designed for well-being and productivity. In this context, the skills and the knowledge I developed are the perfect starting point to understand the challenges in the development of innovative solutions to make safer, more sustainable and high-performance buildings.

Thanks to the University and the many opportunities found on ‘Career Connect’, I joined Cundall for an internship in their sustainability department. During that work experience, I had the chance to apply my competencies and skills when researching the relationship between productivity and indoor environmental factors. I developed a productivity mapping tool capable of predicting the cognitive and economic losses in offices by using data on carbon dioxide concentration, thermal and visual comfort of building occupants. I also studied and researched a method to overlap the effects of the different indoor environmental factors. Eventually, I prepared an office experiment to assess how the cognitive performance of employees is affected by the indoor environment in order to verify the accuracy of the tool developed. The skills and knowledge I developed during my studies were fundamental to comprehend the relationships between buildings, people's wellbeing and productivity.

After graduating I joined Arup as a graduate engineer in their sustainability team. It is unbelievable how many things engineers can do to improve people's lives and add value to society. Of course, it’s important to achieve this social usefulness through responsibility, a humanitarian attitude, integrity, and enthusiasm. At the University of Sheffield, I was inspired by this philosophy, which is absolutely necessary to tackle future challenges in the energy and sustainability sector.

I think the course is set up really well, with modules from lecturers who are top in their field. The department offered me lots of support whenever I have needed it.

My modules have been challenging but interesting, with a range of teaching options and assessment options. I have really taken advantage of everything the city of Sheffield has to offer; from great bars and restaurants, street food, shopping and theatres, there really is something for everybody.

I decided to apply to Sheffield as it was ranked in the top 50 departments in the world and it stood up there in the Russell group for me.

My experience of being a student here has been exceptionally good. Being an international student you get overwhelming support right from the word go as you land at the airport and various teams from the university are there to welcome you.

The students’ union has been ranked number 1 in the UK for the past few years on the basis of surveys carried out on student satisfaction, and throughout your studies you get various incentives and discounts from the union.

The large number of international students in the university make you feel at home because you meet people from various cultures and backgrounds and you get international exposure. It is one of the best experiences of my life to meet people from various nationalities sitting on the same table and discussing our studies. It is a tremendous experience to study in Sheffield.

The teaching is very well organised and every module is taught based on the latest possible techniques by very experienced academic staff who make things much easier and simple for the students to understand.

Lectures are recorded and uploaded online so they’re easy to access and helpful especially for students who may have not understood elements due to language barriers.

The university tries to facilitate its students in the best possible ways by providing extraordinary study spaces that are easily accessible and spacious enough to accommodate everyone. Many buildings like the Diamond and the Information Commons are open 24 hours a day, have free internet and computers, and there are also silent study areas. The libraries are easily accessible and they have enough books in them to accommodate all the students.

Sheffield as a city is lovely and a peaceful place to live. The weather here has always got that surprising element! From a student’s perspective it has got everything; all types of foods for all nationalities are easily available at very affordable prices. Travel to places like London or Manchester is easy, quick and relatively low cost. Lastly, Sheffield is great for cyclists as they tend to enjoy going uphill a lot in this beautiful terrain!

I chose the University of Sheffield because of its worldwide reputation and the high-quality research and teaching in the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering.

The tutors are very helpful and are always available for students. Students can take advantage of office hours and drop-in slots to ask questions. Tutorials are set to solve problems and give you the opportunity to communicate with other classmates, which will enrich your knowledge and learning. Students are able to access a variety of facilities. The range of engineering software provided is very helpful, as engineering students can use it to simulate and practice for different scenarios and problems.

The city of the Sheffield is very safe and green and the people here are friendly and lovely. I can walk home after a late-night of studying in the Diamond or Information Commons without worrying too much. I can enjoy lots of green spaces; the Peak District, the Winter Gardens and the Peace Gardens.

I am going back to China to find a job related to building consultancy or ‘green buildings’, because I want to make more impact on the energy saving of buildings.