Personal Statement - Mechanical Engineering 8

Why do you want to study this course or subject?

Hailing from a developing world in need of great technological advancement in the field of engineering, I have long aspired to be a part of the age when significant improvement is made in this area. This desire has been fueled by my passion and intellectual curiosity in all things mechanical. I choose engineering as completing the course will equip me with the expertise and skills required to play a part in that progress of emerging countries. Reinforcing this career choice is my desire to be challenged, and to extend my enjoyment of Mathematics and Physics, whilst applying both to a discipline that will enable me to contribute to African development.

James Watts’ work into finding ways to minimise losses in heat energy of the steam engine, thus improving upon the energy inefficient engine of Newcomen, has inspired me – because in a world where we struggle for energy supplies, it is incumbent upon engineers to design more energy efficient systems and it is in this area that I aspire to make valuable contributions. My participation in the East African Model United Nations, where I debated in the Ecological committee tackling issues concerning environmental degradation, allowed me to appreciate how consideration of the environment is important when designing mechanical systems.

For the last 4 years, I have attended school in a different country to where I was living; because of this experience I am confident I that will adapt quickly to university life in the UK. I choose your university because I know that I will receive a priceless education, and that the university will suit me as an individual, allowing me to mature both intellectually and socially.

How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

Studying Maths and Physics at A-level has enhanced my analytical skills. I particularly enjoyed topics in mechanics and material physics. The study of the principles of momentum, forces and energy has led me to understand how nearly everything we encounter each day can be explained. The problem solving skills I have acquired from studying Maths have enabled me to solve unfamiliar problems by applying previously learnt techniques.

I am currently taking a gap year teaching Physics to IGCSE students. This has given me an even more thorough understanding of the basic principles and I believe these fundamental laws play an integral part in solving larger, more demanding problems.

What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

In June 2010, I interned at a local real estate firm where my duties involved visiting construction sites and verifying measurements against the blueprints, learning about city planning and the safety behind multi-storey buildings. I believe the skills I learnt here are important for any discipline - one such skill is accuracy, which plays a crucial part in engineering.

I have strived to be exceptional in all areas of my personal growth. Last year I was appointed Head of School and President of the Student Council – positions that challenged me and refined my leadership skills. I believe that these and my ability to work well under pressure will prove invaluable in the field of engineering; such as when a sense of urgency is required in making critical decisions in uncertain circumstances. My ability to think on my feet and be resourceful will be advantageous in the field – qualities which I honed on a team-building and leadership course in the Kenyan bush on which I was awarded ‘best girl’ and invited back to be a leader the following year, and hope to continue to develop at every opportunity.

I have actively participated in sports – my achievements include playing hockey for the team that came third in the Kenyan Nationals, and being Vice Captain when subsequently claiming Bronze at the East African Games in 2010; holding the records for the open age 200m sprint and long jump at the ISSSAK International Schools’ athletics meet; being awarded the Victrix Ludorum in 2010 and my schools ‘Athlete of the year 2011’. I was also a violinist in the school band and we performed in school and around Kenya.

Universities applied to:

• University of Bristol
• University of Manchester
• University of Sheffield
• University of Oxford
• University College London (UCL)

Grades achieved:

• Maths (A2) - A*
• Physics (A2) - A*
• Chemistry (A2) - A*
• French (AS) - A

How personal statements have changed?

The current personal statement format, with three 'scaffolding' questions, was introduced by Ucas in September 2025. This personal statement was submitted before then, using the old essay-style format. It has been carefully edited into the three-question format, with all of the original wording kept.

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