The world-class facilities offered by the Diamond building made Sheffield stand out from the other universities

A profile photo of Alex Buxton.
Alex Buxton
Undergraduate student
Aerospace Engineering BEng
Alex enjoys the variety of practical and theoretical elements that come from the course's interdisciplinary nature.

I have always had a passion for engineering. From a very young age I have been fascinated by the way things work. At school I was particularly strong in physics and maths and so engineering seemed like the obvious choice for me to study for my degree.

The world-class facilities offered by the Diamond building made Sheffield stand out from the other universities when I attended an open day here. The very idea that I could be a part of an innovative programme that forms the core of aerospace development is very exciting to me too.

Aerospace engineering allows entry into some of the most elite and advanced sectors in the world.


The course isn’t purely theoretical; it also comprises lab work and practical activities, creating a strong sense of community within the aerospace cohort, lecturers and students alike.

Alex Buxton

BEng Aerospace Engineering


This intellectually stimulating course has confirmed my preconceptions that engineers require not only incredible self-discipline but also a determination to succeed.

The course isn’t purely theoretical; it also comprises lab work and practical activities, creating a strong sense of community within the aerospace cohort, lecturers and students alike.

As the course is interdisciplinary, it provides you with essential communication skills too as you have to learn how to work across disciplines

I have particularly enjoyed the Aerospace Design module, where students are taught about flight principles and aircraft design. This module encompasses CAD and coding, appealing to my love of computer software.

The iForge is a makerspace within one of the Diamond labs which can be used by any student at the University of Sheffield. It is a space in which students can explore the labs without the supervision of academic staff and allow their creativity to flow.

At the beginning of the year the iForge held a selection event in which students could apply to become an iForge Rep. As a first year I was delighted to be given this opportunity and applied with my fingers crossed. I was successful and became an iForge Rep, a position of which I am extremely proud.

Although I have not yet decided which career I would like to pursue following graduation, I know that this degree will be invaluable to my future aspirations. I am also considering applying for a Year in Industry where I will be able to put my new found skills into a real world environment.

Four students laughing while sat at a bench, outside the Students' Union

International Merit Scholarships

We offer a generous package of financial support for international students including 75 undergraduate scholarships worth £10,000 towards the annual tuition fee and 125 postgraduate taught scholarships worth £5,000 towards the tuition fee. Applications are now open for existing offer holders.