Work experience

Do you think it's necessary to have done a work experience during summer before uni applications if you want to apply for Materials Science? I've emailed a company but they have not replied and summer is coming to an end. I'm afraid my personal statement won't look presentable if I have done nothing except reading around the subject . What do you think?

I think you will be OK.

Which unis are you looking at? This is also something you can ask about at uni open days ie do admissions value this.

Your personal statement is all about how you want to engage in the subject and why you are choosing it.

Thank you so much for replying! I'm thinking about Materials at Uni of Manchester or Imperial College.

Do you think it's necessary to have done a work experience during summer before uni applications if you want to apply for Materials Science? I've emailed a company but they have not replied and summer is coming to an end. I'm afraid my personal statement won't look presentable if I have done nothing except reading around the subject . What do you think?

Hi there

Cardiff uni student here!

I don't personally study Materials science but work experience is always beneficial if you can find it. However, generally, universities understand that this is not realistic for everyone to find so shouldn't impact your application too much. What is appreciated is things such as (free) online courses, extra reading into your subject and anything that shows particular interest/ passion that you can write about in your personal statement. I'd still recommend emailing round a few more companies or asking your sixth form./ college for support as work experience in a field that you're interested in can give you a great direction of interest with your studies.

All the best

Jaz - Cardiff student rep

Great - are you booked in to open days?

Imperial offer a 4 year Meng - are you considering this?

No, I'm not booked to open days, but yes I am considering the 4-year Meng. I was also wondering how they consider who to choose for an interview, as in, if my grades meet all the requirements do I immediately get an interview?

Definitely recommend Open Days - Manchester is a very different campus experience to Imperial.

They'll select applicants based on grades and personal statement. It is not guaranteed you will get an interview just because you meet the tariff requirements.

Do you think it's necessary to have done a work experience during summer before uni applications if you want to apply for Materials Science? I've emailed a company but they have not replied and summer is coming to an end. I'm afraid my personal statement won't look presentable if I have done nothing except reading around the subject . What do you think?

I see. I'll have a look into it. Thank you for the reply again!

Thank you for replying! I've asked around and it all came down to having the right connections but I'll still try regardless. Are there such opportunities provided at Cardiff University?