Dovy Cornerford 

Current Student - BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering with a year in Europe 

"I chose Swansea because of its excellent reputation for engineering and sports facilities.  It also has extra activities that help with my course and look good on CVs, for example the Formula Student race engineering team.

On my course I have the freedom to create my own projects and designs to put my own ‘stamp’ on my work.  We also have hi-tech labs.

Before I came here I was at college studying A levels.  It’s much better than I expected.  Swansea uni really captures what the ‘uni experience’ should be like.  I like the city because of the beaches, surfing and nightlife.  Outside of my course I play rugby and football.  The social environment at Swansea is amazing – the nightlife is one of the best in the UK and it is extremely easy to make friends.

After I finish uni I hope to become an electronic engineer at a top company.''

Jon Holt

Past Student - BEng Electrical Engineering, PhD Software Engineering

Jon graduated with a BEng in Electrical Engineering in 1991 and went on to study for a PhD here too.  He has founded his own software consultancy company Brass Bullet, published two books, many papers and is also a visiting lecturer.  He is a chartered professional engineer, Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and Fellow of the British Computing Society.  Here he describes his time at Swansea:

''I first came to Swansea to study for a three-year degree in Electrical Engineering in 1988. I was still uncertain as to which university I would like out of the five that I had chosen but, after coming for my interview in Swansea, I fell for the place immediately.  The university itself offered a good course and the facilities seemed to be good but it was really the atmosphere of the department, staff and students that made my mind up.

I took the then-unusual route of entering with a BTEC qualification rather than A-levels which meant that I struggled somewhat at maths but with extra support from the department this didn’t remain a problem for very long. At the end of my studies, I decided that I wanted to study for a PhD and had the pleasure of working with some of the most widely-recognised academics in the field and stayed on for another three years. After this, I worked as a research fellow for a few years before leaving academia to set up an engineering consultancy company, which is still my main job today.

My years at Swansea as a student provided me with an excellent launch pad for my broader engineering career and proved to be formative on a personal level. But this is all mostly irrelevant as it was at Swansea University where I met my wife and we settled down in Swansea, and my three-year degree has turned into the last 20 years of my life. Swansea is a vibrant and exciting place to live and has plenty going on in terms of pubs, clubs, beaches and sports – it may rain a lot, but life is never boring!''

Marwa Al-Sulaimani

Current Student - BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering

''I chose Swansea because it looked like a beautiful and safe place and is one of the least expensive places to live.  It’s even better than I imagined, the people here are so friendly.  Before I came to Swansea I studied a foundation year in the German university of technology in Oman.  The theory subjects here are fairly interesting and the practicals really prepare you for the real job experience. 

Outside of my course I like the beach and I really love the restaurants.  I also do photography, jogging and I have joined the dance society.  Swansea is great for international students.  You meet people from all around the world and that really broadens your horizons.

In the future I plan to be an electrical and electronic engineer at my favourite company back at my hometown''.

Adrian Koh

Past Student - PhD in Silicon Carbide Power Semiconductors, BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Adrian graduated with a first class BEng in Electronic and Electrical Engineering in 1997 and with a PhD in Silicon Carbide Power Semiconductors.  He worked first as a senior development engineering for Philips semiconductors, and then with their separated semiconductor division NXP semiconductors.  He became a senior principal concept engineer, and was then promoted to International Product Marketing Manager with a focus on concept & technical marketing. 

He is now a chartered engineer and holds International Professional Engineer status. He also chairs the IET Power Technical Group in Manchester.  Here Adrian describes studying at Swansea in his own words:

"Studying in Swansea University has been an exciting experience. Located along the coastal region of Swansea bay, enclosed by Singleton Park with its state-of-the-art research laboratories and sport facilities, made Swansea University an excellent environment to study. However, it is not all work and no fun.  Swansea University has one of the most diverse clubs and societies in which students are encourage to participate. Certainly my most memorable time in Swansea was with the bunch of people in the Sub-aqua club. An annual dive trip down to Salcombe & Plymouth with the club was the best time I ever had in UK. I can still remember vividly the fun, “mischief” and all the crazy stuff we did. It is not surprising Swansea University is voted the best student experience in UK.

Swansea University has a profound reputation in Engineering. The Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree courses are all accredited by the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) making it more desirable to industry. With the current severe shortage of talented engineers in Europe, it could not have been a better time to start pursuing an engineering career."

Rhyanon Bennett

Current student - BEng Telecommunications Engineering

I chose Swansea because the course looked really interesting and what I wanted to do.  It’s a great city and I have family here.

Before I came here I was studying for my BTEC in engineering at a college in Portsmouth.  It’s a lot harder than I thought but I am enjoying the study.  I pretty much work all the time but I enjoy hanging out with my friends.

On my course the topics are interesting and talk about situations in real working life.  It’s useful information.  The beach is absolutely amazing!  There are lots of places to go and plenty of bars and clubs – it’s a proper student city.

In the future hopefully I will become a communications engineer with a top class degree.