Mary
BSc Mathematics
The Imperial Bursary provided a great relief and gave me one less thing to worry about once I got to university.
Imperial’s reputation as a global top ten university and the opportunity to receive the Imperial Bursary – one of the most generous bursaries of its type in the UK – led Mary to apply for BSc Mathematics here. She shares what it was like to join the Imperial community, why she enjoys being a student ambassador and what careers support she’s receiving to achieve her aspirations.
Why Imperial?
Like a lot of people, one of the main reasons I applied to Imperial was its reputation as a top global university. I believed that Imperial would offer me lots of opportunities to grow and develop and I wanted to learn from the best. I believed Imperial would give me an insight into mathematics that I wouldn’t get anywhere else.
During year 12, I also took part in the Problem Solving Matters course which showed me how invested Imperial is in its future students and how much support the university provides for people who want to apply for mathematics courses at Imperial.
The Imperial Bursary
The Imperial Bursary was one of the deciding factors when choosing to come to Imperial. It was the best out of all the universities I applied to and is probably one of the best in the country. In the first year, my bursary covered most of my rent as I shared a room, which left me with a lot more disposable income to save and budget. Money is a major concern for a lot of students living away from home and it was definitely one of mine when I first arrived, but the Imperial Bursary provided a great relief and gave me one less thing to worry about which I am very grateful for.
Why Imperial?
Like a lot of people, one of the main reasons I applied to Imperial was its reputation as a top global university. I believed that Imperial would offer me lots of opportunities to grow and develop and I wanted to learn from the best. I believed Imperial would give me an insight into mathematics that I wouldn’t get anywhere else.
During year 12, I also took part in the Problem Solving Matters course which showed me how invested Imperial is in its future students and how much support the university provides for people who want to apply for mathematics courses at Imperial.
The Imperial Bursary
The Imperial Bursary was one of the deciding factors when choosing to come to Imperial. It was the best out of all the universities I applied to and is probably one of the best in the country. In the first year, my bursary covered most of my rent as I shared a room, which left me with a lot more disposable income to save and budget. Money is a major concern for a lot of students living away from home and it was definitely one of mine when I first arrived, but the Imperial Bursary provided a great relief and gave me one less thing to worry about which I am very grateful for.
Joining the Imperial community
The first couple of weeks at Imperial were very nerve-racking for me. I always say the first month at Imperial was the hardest as I had to balance starting a new course with getting used to a new environment and being more independent.
However, people here are so welcoming and open to having weird and wonderful conversations, which is what I cherish and enjoy most about being at Imperial.
People are always very happy to start conversations and having the courage to go up to someone and start a conversation is actually how I met most people I know at Imperial now! You just need to remember that a lot of people are going through similar situations and struggles at university as you, so meeting people and having them around to share your worries with is really helpful.
One thing that I didn't consider when applying to university, but that has proven important, was how receptive my department is to students' needs. Although the course is very challenging, the Department of Mathematics is great at listening to students and accommodating their needs to make sure the course works for everyone. For example, we no longer have January exams after the discussions the department had with students – they really took on board students’ feedback and actually made a positive change to the student experience. We have many student representatives in our department and across the university that do an amazing job getting across the sentiment of the student body to people who can make changes and it’s something I truly value at Imperial.
Extracurricular activities
Applying to become a Student Ambassador at Imperial is something I’d highly recommend. I became a Student Ambassador at the start of my first year as the opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’ appealed to me, but I particularly enjoy all the outreach work I get to do.
I have met so many incredible people through working on different outreach programmes, with lots of people I work with coming from a very similar background to me.
It’s great to see your students’ development and have this opportunity to give back the support I received when I was in their position.
Outside my course, I’ve done some Imperial Horizons modules which have helped me grow personally and professionally. In my first year, I took a Korean Level 1 module which was a great way to meet people outside my course. As an avid K-drama watcher, it was fun getting to engage with a different aspect of the culture.
Student life in London
One of my favourite things about London is that it always has something for everyone to do, whatever your interests. I’ve visited the Royal Albert Hall several times in the summer to watch the BBC Proms – it’s very convenient that South Kensington Campus is just next door!
I think the best thing about London is the food – living in such a multicultural city means that you can experience all the different types of cuisines and dishes from around the world without ever having to book a flight. A great place that has both things to do and things to eat is Shoreditch. It's very different to west London but has nice markets and vintage shops.
Mary in the Department of Materials
Mary in the Department of Materials
Mary in the Royal Albert Hall
Mary in the Royal Albert Hall
My plans for the future
Before coming to Imperial, I knew I wanted to go into finance, and I thought trading would be a good chance to use some of my maths knowledge and engage in some of my other interests. In my first year, as part of the Imperial Work Shadowing scheme, I got the opportunity to work at RWE Supply & Trading, an energy company. Although I already had some experience in the industry, it was the first time I got to understand what trading was and all the different aspects involved in the role which helped me to confidently pursue a career in global markets. Aside from this scheme, the Careers Service and other student-led societies put on lots of career-related events and provide support for students at all stages of their career journey.
Top tips for future Imperial students
Don’t come to Imperial to just get your degree, and don’t feel like you have to do it alone – you'll get a lot more out of your university experience and your course by interacting with others. By talking through questions and getting to see how your peers think, you truly get to benefit from the diversity of thought that Imperial has to offer. This includes not being afraid to ask questions. The consequence of not knowing the answer to the question you’re too shy to ask will always be greater than asking it.
The new experiences you have at Imperial are a great starting point to meet new people who might turn into lifelong friends and will help you grow as a person.
There will always be time for more studying, so just say ‘yes' to all the other opportunities Imperial has to offer!
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