Take a look at some of our APEC student and graduate profiles, their student experience, career path and future opportunities. Find out more about where studying Professional Engineering at Aston could take you.
- Chris Hinton - MSc Professional Engineering
Employment: Problem Resolution Engineer at BMW Plant Hams HallMy journey so far...
After completing a maintenance apprenticeship with BMW Plant Hams Hall, I have undertaken roles as a Maintenance Technician, an Asset and Reliability Engineer and most recently a Problem Resolution Engineer. I achieved a First Class Honours degree in Electrical Engineering Systems with Aston University in 2012 and started the MSc Professional Engineering programme early 2013.
How has this course benefited you and BMW?
Whilst studying the MSc Professional Engineering programme, I have moved through two promotion levels at BMW, to an Asset and Reliability Engineer and more recently a quality control / problem resolution engineer. The MSc has helped draw out particular skills and strengths within the workplace and influence a more technical ability and innovative approach to engineering activities and projects. These projects have introduced significant savings and benefits to the BMW engine plant. The MSc has helped shape my professional approach and become aware of the broader prospects engineering has to offer.
Future aspirations...
Following completion of the MSc, I will apply for Chartered Engineer registration with the IET. I believe this will be a key step in establishing myself as a well distinguished professional engineer.
- Chris Jones - BEng Professional Engineering (Power Systems)
Employment: Electrical Power Engineer, National Grid
My journey so far...
After completing school I joined the Royal Air Force, embarking on an electrical maintenance apprenticeship. Through this period I undertook training in all aspects of airfield ground electrical systems including battery, vehicle, ground power units and electronic systems.
After eight years obtaining experience within the military environment, I felt a driving ambition to search for a career in which I could further my studies and work within an industry where I could apply them. National Grid offered an amazing opportunity where I could discover the practical aspects of High Voltage power systems whilst studying for a Foundation Degree at the same time.
How did this degree benefit you?
The combination of National Grid’s practical training, combined with Aston Universities’ theoretical study has made me into a well-rounded engineer, enabling a detailed understanding of the electrical environment around me. The knowledge obtained has built foundations which will enable me to advance my experience and knowledge leading to Chartered Engineer status.
How have you implemented the knowledge you have gained?
After graduating from the Foundation Degree the practical aspect of the training continued with a push and drive towards man-management and management of safety from which I was awarded a NEBOSH certificate.
Authorised Person (AP) training was completed allowing me to operate High Voltage switchgear within the substation environment, which lead to studying for Senior Authorised Person (SAP). With my long term ambition to complete Incorporated Engineer and later Chartered Engineer status, I was set to converting my Foundation degree into a BEng in Professional Engineering (Power Systems).
How did the degree benefit your company?
Foundation Degree and BEng students provide benefits to their company by possessing a solid theoretical base and the ability to apply first principles to any fault within the system. This enables an engineer to fully understanding the basic principles of electrical engineering, deconstructing the evidence to locate the location and cause of any fault.
One of the most important and relevant experiences gained when completing the BEng was the formal report writing aspect, with each module having a main project consisting of around 2000 – 4000 words. As part of my role I am required to carry out formal investigations, therefore report writing is extremely important.
“The BEng programme has provided National Grid with an enthusiastic and very technically knowledgeable Engineer. The challenges faced within the field engineering teams require a range of advanced skills and knowledge to ensure we can maintain our exceptionally standards of security of supply. In order to achieve this, our Engineers need to possess the ability to deal with equipment and technology that is up to 50 years old as well as embracing the latest in technological design and engineering. I consider the training and knowledge instilled in Chris through the BEng programme, along with his enthusiasm for Engineering, a very real asset to our Substation Team within National Grid.” Ken Trapp MIET, Team Leader, Landulph Team, National Grid.
- David Phillips - Electrical Power Engineering
Background...
I enrolled on the electrical power engineering foundation degree in September 2009 whilst working as a Project Manager for Eon. At the time of enrolling on the course I had twenty years’ experience of the industry, having served an Electricians apprenticeship and finally becoming a senior authorised person within the electricity supply industry. The foundation degree was extremely challenging but also very rewarding and the knowledge gained (not to mention personal confidence) made this an invaluable experience that I would encourage anyone who would like a career within the electrical power industry to attend.
How has this course benefited you?
Since completion of the course my career has gone from strength to strength and I now have the position of Engineering Specialist within Western Power Distribution, a position that I very much enjoy and find rewarding.
Why study at Aston?
Aston University is truly a great place to learn, make new friends and gain the knowledge required to fulfil your professional career.
- Farida Alizadeh - MSc in Professional Engineering
Employment: Instruments Engineer, AMEC
My journey so far...
My Engineering career started while doing my last year of bachelors in 2008 as a part-time Graduate Instruments Engineer and since then I’ve been working towards becoming a professional Instruments Engineer by developing my knowledge and gaining in-depth experience in engineering and technology.
Up to date I have more than 5 years experience as an Instruments Engineer in the Oil and Gas Industry. Currently I am working for AMEC
What was your motivation to enter this course?
I am a full member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) for more than 4 years and planning to continue my professional development and gain Chartered Engineering status. That is why I decided to enrol onto the MSc in Professional Engineering Program at the Aston University in January, 2014 to gain my second MSc degree as part of my ongoing role in AMEC. Being highly supported by AMEC, I am looking forward for undertaking a number of work-based projects valuable for both my continuous self-development as well as company's prosperity.
How have you implemented the knowledge that you have gained?
Various offshore and onshore projects, in which I am involved within AMEC, provide me with a great chance to broaden my technical engineering knowledge, get familiarized with high technologies in oil and gas exploration and production, and play a significant role in decision making of safe implementation of engineering packages depending on environmental and other conditions within the country.
- Gavin Stewart - Foundation Degree Electrical Power Engineering (Distribution)
Employment: Employee at SSE My journey so far...
I then attended Perth College to do a NQ in Design Technology and robotics. At Perth College I received an award for my efforts throughout the year.
I then applied to SSE (current company) to do an apprenticeship as an electrician. In my second year of my apprenticeship I received another award for being one of the best apprentices towards attitude. I then went on to pass my FICA (Trade test) and became a fully qualified electrician. After a couple of months SSE informed me they could no longer keep me as an electrician as there was not enough work due to the recession. However, the company offered me the opportunity to change careers and I selected to go University to become an Engineer.
I attended the foundation degree at Aston University and completed the course winning an award for being top student within the Distribution cohort, something that I am very proud
What did you achieve from your time as Aston?
The main achievement was passing the course with distinction and receiving an award for my efforts.
I was also the student rep and was glad that I could help my fellow students/colleagues get any of their issues across to the faculty.
I also feel doing the project helped me get my current position within my work.
What have been the benefits of this degree?
The company has benefited from me attending the course as I have managed to establish myself within the major projects team and am currently working and delivering on projects that are assigned to me. Research and development projects have also been assigned to the team that I work in to bring over to business as usual.
Within work I have achieved my LV switching and supervisory authorisations. I will also soon be sitting my HV switching assessment.
For myself I feel the course has given me knowledge of power systems to allow me to do my job and become an engineer.
Future aspirations...
I am currently doing my electrical engineering degree at Napier University in Edinburgh (Due to cost I never did it at Aston). The degree will be completed by December. After my degree I am going to register with the IET and work towards becoming an incorporated engineer. I would have gone for chartered but I would require a Masters and unfortunately I do not have the time/money to complete this.
My work aspirations are to be a fully-fledged field unit engineer (senior authorised person) within the next few years and then at 30 I will work towards being a protection engineer.
- Jason Dixon - BSc Logistics and Operations Management
My journey so far...
When I was initially put forward and sponsored by my company for the Foundation Degree course, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Having never gone into higher education earlier in life – my experience of education had ended when I left school some 28 years prior – I had visions of being buried in books and (probably very dry) lectures, and the next two years being comprised of endless reading and writing. How wrong I was! The first days were all about getting to know my new colleagues and understanding some of the wonderful resources the university has. It quickly felt like a family, and the encouragement we were given by the staff was extremely welcome.
Looking back, I can see how cleverly the course was structured for those who hadn’t seen a classroom in many years. Although challenging, the topics were interesting and very accessible, and the support the tutors provided really helped ease us all into our new learning environment. I quickly realised that the course was some way from my original expectations, and I started to revel in the feedback at the end of each module. I was thoroughly enjoying all the different methods of research, and the ability to openly question even the most entrenched theories safely and without recourse.
As the first year went on the modules started to move further away from my own experience and skills. I can’t put my finger on the exact moment, but at some point fairly early on in the course I realised that, despite my 20 years in supply chain and fleet management, there was plenty of potential to hugely expand my knowledge in my field. – I really didn’t know as much as I thought I did! The subjects got increasingly more interesting and complex but, again, the course structure was such that the increase in complexity was gradual and followed a sensible progression route.
I can vividly remember the first year ending and two stark realisations coming to mind: that I was enjoying the learning environment far more than I had anticipated, and the bitter-sweet regret that I was already halfway through the course and all the positive experiences and relationships I had discovered. I had engrossed myself in learning, and was pushing myself to achieve more with each module. Being the cohort student rep, I was acutely aware that this was being felt by many of my classmates too.
Year two was a definite step up in terms of the challenge, but it’s imperative to mention that a ‘challenge’ was what it was – not an insurmountable leap. The module topics got more varied, and with that they became even more interesting. It was at this point that I was made redundant from my job. Although not the nicest experience, perhaps the greatest compliment I can give the course, colleagues and the university staff is that my successes in the first year had changed my mind-set from one of “How will this course improve my skills at work?” to “How will this change my career?” Being able to continue the course was a hugely beneficial part of coming to terms with leaving my job, and I have absolutely no doubt that it also made me so much more confident in facing the next stage of my career. Put simply, the confidence I had built through the course transformed into the confidence to start my own business. Interestingly, some of the modules in year two hadn’t seemed entirely appropriate to my original situation (particularly the maths based modules), but they suddenly became vital to ‘the big picture’, and I realised that they would create a much more rounded skill set in me. I had moved away from being institutionalised and thinking I would see out my working years with the same company, to firmly believing I could take my skills elsewhere and find a more rewarding role.
The outcome...
Coming to the end of year two was quite a poignant and sad affair, but I have walked away with a great mark in my Distinction, and have made some lifelong friends: a small group of close friends – including tutors - that have not only helped each other through adversity and difficulty, and enjoyed some fantastic times, but will doubtless continue to do so for the rest of our lives.
The biggest change in me personally has been my attitude to higher education. I have made an intellectual journey from thinking that any chance of higher learning was well behind me and probably not my thing, to one where I now feel utterly at home in the university and learning environment, and am actively pursuing not only my Honours Degree but also a profound desire to become a tutor myself at Aston University and share my knowledge with the next generation of students – what higher praise could I give?
- Matt Foyle - BEng Professional Engineering
Employment: Project Engineer, Wessex Engineering and Construction Services
Why did you decide to study an MSc Professional Engineering course and why Aston in particular?
As part of my professional development, I wanted to improve my technical competence, engineering knowledge/understanding and ability to provide leadership within my organisation. The BEng Professional Engineering degree met the criteria set out by the Institution of Engineering and Technology and would allow me to apply for Incorporated Engineer status (IEng) which was a long-term goal of mine.
Aston University had a good reputation in the engineering industry and provided a distance learning degree, which fitted in well around my work and home life and enabled me to be flexible and fit study in around my work commitments.
Which were your most memorable projects?
My Major Project was most memorable “Installation of an Ultra Violet System at a Water Treatment Works”. Due to being a work-based project I had been working on it throughout my degree. I was able to carry out in-depth research, which not only meet the requirements of my degree but also gave me a better understanding of the system I was installing and the ways in which the Ultra Violet system treated a microscopic parasite called cryptosporidium.
Did you face any challenges? How did you overcome them?
One of my biggest challenges was managing my time to ensure that I dedicated enough time to my studies alongside my work and family commitments. I had to manage my time very carefully and put aside study days and evenings each week.
How did this process benefit you and your career?
My academic qualifications and gaining IEng status with the Institution of Engineering and Technology has supported me in being promoted to M&E Project Manager. I now have responsibility for other staff members and apprentices, as well as managing more complex projects.
Have you changed at all?
I feel that since completing the degree I am practicing engineering at a higher professional level. After achieving IEng, I have used my experience to encourage and support others within my company to also progress as professional engineers, and apply for registration. One of my colleagues has even enrolled on the BEng Professional Engineering with the aim of achieving IEng too! I am committed to encouraging school and college leavers to join the engineering profession and give up my weekends and evenings to support Wessex Water’s apprenticeship campaign.
What were your main outcomes from this programme?
Completing the degree has been a key achievement in my professional career and improved my engineering knowledge and understanding, enabling me to work towards professional institution membership as an Incorporated Engineer (IEng), which I achieved in December 2017 with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). This was a great achievement and a goal I had set out to achieve at the start of my engineering career.
What are your career goals now?
Wessex Water has supported me to carry on with my university studies and undertake an MSc in Professional Engineering at Aston University. My managers are confident of the additional benefit it will provide to the company, as well as for my professional development - improving my technical competence and ability to provide commercial leadership to the organisation. This degree meets the criteria set out by the Institution of Engineering and Technology to achieve Chartered Engineer status (CEng) which is a long-term goal of mine.
What advice would you give to people thinking of starting the course?
I would advise anyone thinking of undertaking the BEng Professional Engineering degree at Aston University to grab the opportunity, the degree will improve their engineering knowledge and understanding and make them practice engineer at a higher professional level. The degree will open up doors to professional registration and the Institution of Engineering and Technology engineering network.
Being a distance learning degree by no means makes it any easier than a campus based University taught degree. If anything, the degree is harder as you need to be committed and self-motivated to study. The university provides all the support required to be able to achieve excellent results if you are focused, proactive and put in the work required. Graduating in 2017 with a First Class Honours degree has been the highlight of my working career.
- Neil Perry - MSc Professional Engineering
IMI Components Ltd has been dedicated to the nuclear sector for over 40 years. We have a unique skill set which allows the company to successfully undertake complex and demanding projects for its customers as well as providing a high quality source for low, medium and high volume component supply. The company specialises in precision CNC machining, assembly and welding of components in specialist alloys such as Zircaloy, Magnesium, Aluminium, Stainless Steels and Carbon Steels. We also undertake heat treatment, surface treatment and inspection services providing components for fuel enrichment, fuel fabrication and reactor plant life extensions.
Due to the large number of technical manufacturing processes the business has to manage internally and the continued development of our customers’ requirements it was becoming more and more difficult to support the on-going business needs. It quickly became evident that we needed to develop our engineering resource in a number of challenging and new technologies.
Neil Perry stood out as an engineer with great development potential, as a business we needed to find the most appropriate way of developing his technical skills in the specialised subjects to support our growing needs.
The Professional Engineering MSc work based learning programme suited the needs of our business and Neil’s own development. Neil was able to develop his academic ability and as a result applied a greater technical understanding to challenging manufacturing processes such as, specialised aluminium TIG welding, Nickel Plating of pure aluminium and advances in aqueous cleaning methods.
The course was challenging but both Neil and IMI Components have gained considerably. Neil has now achieved his MSc in Professional Engineering and been awarded CEng status as a result of his efforts. This is great for Neil and his career development and in recognition of his efforts Neil was recently promoted to Technical Development Manager at IMI Components. For us, it’s great to be able to present to the market that we employ registered chartered engineers.
- Peter Amos - Graduate of FD in Gas Transmission Engineering
Employment: National Grid
How has the course benefited you?
The current skills shortage in Engineering presents many interesting opportunities across the sector. It's an excellent time to become an engineer. The course takes you a step closer towards professional accreditation which is becoming ever more valuable as ultra-secure ''jobs for life'' become a thing of the past. I've found studying very enjoyable, a change from the day job role and a chance to focus on the wider aspects of engineering and how it all fits together. I enjoyed the visits to a foundry to observe skilful iron casting during the Materials Module, and visiting the production line of a domestic boiler producer to consider quality control and assurance for the Quality and Environment Module.
My advice for future students
My advice to prospective students would be to ask lots of questions, and take advantage of any opportunities where you can further your own and your employer's interests, for example by analysing the cause of failure of equipment from your workplace such as in the Materials module lab assignment.
- Thomas Martin - FD Gas Transmission Engineering
How has this course benefited you?
The Gas Transmission Foundation Degree has given me an excellent footing in not only gas engineering but in engineering as a whole. The skills, technical and industry knowledge learnt during the course have already proven useful, helping me to secure a role as a Network Control Engineer at National Grid.
The qualification is well respected within the industry and acts as a first step towards gaining a professional accreditation. The mixture of practical/lab time and theoretical learning suited my learning needs, with academic projects providing me with the opportunity to produce work that was also of great use to my employer. Linking academic assignments to work related projects enabled me to simultaneously contribute at work whilst studying for my qualification, proving not only my worth to my employer but the worth of the course as a whole.
- Zenzo Mpofu - BEng Professional Engineering (Power Systems)
Employment: Employee at UK Power Networks My journey so far...
I have extensive practical experience in power generation, transmission and distribution networks on power system protection and control, maintenance and repairs.
After completing my ‘A’ Levels, I did a five year Electrical Apprenticeship training programme, completed a Higher National Diploma in electrical and electronic Engineering (HND) and a Foundation Degree with the Engineering Council (UK). I also completed a three year Premier Power System Protection course with Afnor Groupe (UK) and am currently doing my final year in BEng Professional (Power Systems) with Aston University, Birmingham.
What have you achieved at Aston so far?
This programme has been a life changing experience for me. It has enhanced my theoretical and technical knowledge which helps me offer real-life solutions to real-life engineering problems. It has allowed me to apply relevant theories and techniques in the workplace such as power flow analysis and fault level calculations, using both manual and software tools. This has been a real boost for my day to day activities in the workplace.
How has your company benefited from this degree?
With the current engineering skills shortage in the country, the content of course material offered by Aston University meets both our company objectives of addressing the skills shortage and producing engineering graduates of the highest calibre, skilled in both practical and theoretical knowledge.
Future aspirations...
After my IEng registration and completing my Msc Professional Engineering, I have a dream and vision of becoming a Professional CEng.