“I studied my undergrad at the University of Liverpool. I graduated in July 2023, but I didn’t find out that I’d got my place at Melbourne until about November that year. That period of uncertainty was quite difficult, but I went travelling for those few months and I had a few backup options in case it didn’t work out, but obviously luckily I did get in.

“I did a year in industry in the third year of my degree and from that experience I knew I needed to do a masters. You don’t have to have a masters for engineering, but it is really helpful. I couldn’t quite bring myself to go through another year of studying in the UK, so I started considering programmes abroad. I only speak English, so that was an immediate limit on where I could go. Costs came into it as well, as did university reputation – I wanted to go to a good, well-ranked internationally-recognised university.

“I looked at Canada, America, Singapore, Australia and America, but I’d heard amazing things about Australia. I’m a big skier, and there’s skiing near to Melbourne and in New Zealand. Plus I wanted to get into surfing, so all these kind of factors seemed to point to Melbourne. I then looked for my course, and found one that’s pretty unique. There’s a similar one in Oxford, but in terms of well-regarded universities offering this course, there’s not a lot of options. And cost-wise, I don’t think Australia is hugely different to if I studied at home in the UK, which is not necessarily true of other countries.

“I think it is noticeable that many Australian universities are really well ranked, yet seem less competitive than in the UK. The University of Melbourne is not far off Oxford and Cambridge in the rankings, but it didn’t feel as competitive to get a place, which is another advantage.

“The other nice bit about Australia is they start in February, so it meant I could have six months off in between without having time off, if that makes sense. You don’t necessarily want a year off stepping outside the system.

“My course has been brilliant so far. Better than I’d expected, which is nice. The level of teaching here is excellent. I had some good lecturers at Liverpool, but some of my lecturers here have been world class. One of my lecturers is a principal researcher at the local electrical grid and he’s a science communicator who’s just been brilliant. Some of the other academics will get to the end of their lecture and then talk about their research and their work is cutting edge, right at the forefront of what’s happening in industry. You feel like you’re directly liaising with really high class academics and their teaching is equally good, which has been great.

“I’ve really tried to get involved with things outside my course. One of my priorities coming here was to not get as obsessed with studying as perhaps I was during my undergraduate degree. So I’ve joined the surf society, picked that up which has been really fun. Plus it unlocks some really nice places to go and visit all around Melbourne. Victoria as a state I think is awesome. I’ve just bought a ski pass for Australia too, the runs have opened this week and I’m hoping to go soon.

“I’ve ended up being the secretary for my course society as well, so we’re going to start putting on a few events and an industry night and, and things like that, which should be interesting.

“I love living in Melbourne; I think it’s amazing. It’s very unique city, it’s got so many different areas to explore. And the coffee here is amazing. I don’t know how I’ll ever go back to Costa!

“I live in student accommodation at the moment, at a university college, but I’m moving out to live with friends next semester. I’d recommend anyone go for the college option, at least for their first semester. I found it very reassuring to know I was going somewhere safe, somewhere you know will be in a good area, all of that. I’m at International House, which is in a great location and is filled with really interesting people from all over the world. When I first arrived I got in at about 1am, but when I got to International House there was someone there to take me to my room, which was all set up and ready for me. I did have to sleep on my bed without a blanket; but it could have been a lot worse!

“My first semester at Melbourne has flown by. I’ve absolutely loved it, it’s been such a positive experience. If you can do this, I’d say do it. I’d thoroughly, thoroughly recommend the experience to anyone if you’re lucky enough to get the opportunity.”