All the different modules which I have been able to take have been extremely interesting

What made you want to study your course?

I chose to study Theoretical Physics because I really enjoyed doing mathematical subjects at school. I also thought that it would open up a wide range of career options after graduation as a physics degree can take you into many different sectors, for example software development due to the programming skills that you develop, or finance due to the numeracy and data analysis skills that you acquire.

What made you decide to study at the University of Sheffield?

I decided to study at the University of Sheffield because it is one of the closest universities from where I live, and I was planning on staying at home throughout my studies. Location was therefore the biggest influential factor for me when it came to deciding which university to apply to. Sheffield Hallam University was also an option, but my physics teachers recommended the University of Sheffield as the better university for me so that's what I went for! The University of Sheffield is a Russell Group university, which may have also contributed to helping me decide to study at this university.

What have you enjoyed most about your course so far?

I've really enjoyed learning about the wide variety of different areas of physics which we are exposed to when studying a physics degree at the University of Sheffield. These include quantum mechanics, solid state physics, special relativity, electromagnetism, atomic physics and particle physics. All the different modules which I have been able to take have been extremely interesting, and have greatly developed my passion for physics. I have also had the opportunity to get involved in physics at the cutting edge of research in my third year project (Quantum Information Laboratory), during which I was able to experimentally verify the quantum nature of light and investigate phenomena such as quantum entanglement.

What skills have you developed during your course?

Studying a physics degree allows you to develop a wide range of transferrable skills which are invaluable in many occupations. The main skills which I have developed include programming and data analysis by taking part in modules which have involved learning how to program in languages such as Python and C, and then using these languages to write code which would allow me to generate figures for data presentation purposes. I have also developed verbal communication and presentation skills by giving several presentations during my third year project module, as well as in a group project.

Completing group projects in my second and third years has helped me to develop teamwork skills, which are amongst the most sought after skills by employers, as most jobs require working together with other people. Furthermore, writing lab reports and theory reports has greatly improved my written communication.

What would you say to a student thinking about studying your course at Sheffield?

Based on my personal experiences, I would highly recommend studying a physics degree at the University of Sheffield. Studying a physics degree is challenging but extremely satisfying – physics is much more interesting than I could have imagined before starting my degree! In addition, the academic staff are friendly, approachable and always willing to help when you have questions, making it a pleasure to be studying a degree here.

What are you planning to do after your degree?

Due to the interest and passion I have developed for physics, in particular in the area of quantum information and computing, I am currently planning to stay at the University of Sheffield to complete a PhD in this field.