Ahmad Uppal

Hi! My name is Ahmad and I am currently doing a Master’s in Engineering Fluid Mechanics for the Offshore, Coastal and Built Environments. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hong Kong. I love travelling and meeting new people, along with going to the gym.

Why did you choose to do your MSc with us?

After my Bachelor’s degree, I wanted to achieve certain objectives. These included gaining a deeper understanding of fluid mechanics (which I found interesting) from a well reputed institution, and being better qualified for any fluid mechanics related career prospects. With great academic staff, an excellent research platform and a high repute amongst employers, Imperial College London was the definite choice for me.

Another reason I chose Imperial was due to its location – I visited London in 2015 and had fallen in love with the city. London has a great deal to offer in terms of diversity of cultures, career prospects, and a large area to explore!

What are you hoping to do after your studies?

I am looking forward to working for an engineering consultancy in a fluid mechanics role, and both apply and build on the skills I will have learnt by the end of my Master’s degree.

What have the highlights been so far? 

Perhaps the greatest highlight so far has been the level of support that the College provides to its students. From tutorial lessons to extra sessions for help on courseworks and exam revision, the Department and academic staff do a great job of lending any support that may be required. This ensures that even if at some point things seem to get too busy, there is always a way through.

Another highlight has been the diversity of the student body. A college degree is indeed more than just the courses studied, and the college’s student body plays a vital role in that experience. Imperial College is a microcosm of London in that it boasts a very rich mixture of people from all backgrounds and nationalities – my class of about twenty has nine nationalities represented!

What does a typical week look like for you?

It depends on the part of term – up to mid-term, there are few courseworks and projects to hand in. However, past the midterm milestone, things become much busier with courseworks and oncoming exams.

The important thing is to give yourself time to recuperate so you do not burn out. The clichéd phrase‘work hard, play hard’ comes to mind. This is because at Imperial, you will be working hard but the playing bit is up to you! Make sure to follow activities that help you let off steam and be ready for the next day.

What advice would you give to someone considering doing an MSc with us? 

The most important thing to consider is whether the MSc course covers the areas you are interested in. A good place to start will be to go through the modules offered for the MSc course. Another factor to consider would be the location – I would recommend spending a few days in London to get a feel for the city which will help you make a better-informed decision.