Yu-Hsiang Chen - MSc Advanced Engineering Materials

Yu-Hsiang Chen completed his BSc in Mechanical Engineering from I-Shou University in Taiwan and is now studying his MSc in Advanced Engineering Materials at the School of Materials.

So, why did you decide to undertake the MSc in Advanced Engineering Materials?

I was studying Mechanical Engineering for my undergraduate degree in Taiwan and I had been taught how the forces act in proper mechanisms. In addition, I also learned that the properties of the mechanisms can be altered by using different materials. So that I could understand more about the properties of a variety of materials, I chose the MSc in Advanced Engineering Materials for my further studies.

I chose Materials at Manchester because the School is one of the most prestigious schools in the UK, and also it is famed among Europe for its laboratory facilities. Therefore, the experiments I can do and the research skills I can learn here are much more than in other universities.

What would you say have been the main benefits of this course to you?

This course is well organised, and each module in this programme is well designed. It is a solid programme; the content of the course is broad and deep, the coursework and the lab experiments have brought me to have an independent and critical way of thinking and what's more I have been taught a lot of practical analytical and research skills.

The power of the materials is amazing, a variety of new properties of different materials are needed to be discovered. I feel that the prospects of Materials Science are brightening and this course will provide me with a very good pathway towards various important industries such as Oil, Steel and Ceramics.

What do you think you'll remember as being the main highlights of your time in Manchester?

The students in Manchester are from all over the world. It is easy to meet people from diverse cultures and backgrounds here, which means the life here is quite interesting.

Additionally, it is easy to find somewhere to relax, there a few sports centres around campus, and if you are interested in swimming, the Aquatics Centre is just nearby as well.

Thinking about your future, what are you planning to do after you graduate?

I will try to find a job here in the UK so that I can apply what I have learned during the course. Alternatively, I will return to Taiwan to work in the semiconductor industry.

Do you have any final tips or advice for students looking to study a similar subject to you?

It is very easy to live in Manchester; you won't be bothered by any inconveniences in your daily life. But, as I mentioned before, this is a solid course so your mind should be well prepared for learning and thinking of the critical work of your studies.