Syed Rafan

MSc Motorsport Engineering

“I chose Oxford Brookes because of its renowned reputation and affiliations with the industry. I also researched about the facilities and found that the taught modules are very advanced and specific which made it the obvious choice. Finally, and most importantly, Oxford Brookes University has the best Formula Student team in the United Kingdom.”

Why did you decide to study in the UK? And why did you decide to study at Oxford Brookes University?

Ever since I was a child, I had the aspiration to be an Automotive Engineer. Growing up, the fascination and passion towards cars evolved into motorsports and racing, especially Formula 1. When the time came to choose a path for higher education, I decided to choose the United Kingdom because of the heritage and the huge automotive and motorsport industry.

I chose Oxford Brookes because of its renowned reputation and affiliations with the industry. I also researched about the facilities and found that the taught modules are very advanced and specific which made it the obvious choice. Finally, and most importantly, Oxford Brookes University has the best Formula Student team in the United Kingdom.

What course are you studying and why did you choose to study it at Oxford Brookes University? Was there enough information about the chosen course?

I am studying MSc in Motorsports Engineering. I chose this course because this is what I’d like to pursue in the future. The range of modules like Race Engineering, Lap-time Simulation, Advanced Vehicle Dynamics, Advanced Vehicle Aerodynamics covers most of the aspects of the industry. The facilities which are available to use for the students, such as the scale-model wind tunnel or the four-post rig, also gives us the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge. The other modules also help to expand my skill set and improve myself as an engineer.

Most of the information about the course were available online, for example, taught modules, assessment information, requirements for international students and career prospects

Did you have enough support during your application process by our teams (educational agency, admissions, international team)? How was the communication during this process?

During my application, I emailed the International Student Advice Team (ISAT) for the queries I had in terms of course content and entry requirements. The application process was very smooth and I was able to make it through without any problems.

Are you involved in any clubs or societies? How do they add to your overall university experience? Would you recommend them to new students? 

I am part of Oxford Brookes Racing and I am currently assigned the Chief Engineer for Class 2. My main responsibilities are to run a team and come up with a concept for the Formula Student 2021 competition and we will be presenting our design at the competition in July 2020. Being a part of the best Formula Student team of the UK adds a different level of experience because in this racing team, we learn, design, justify, manufacture the race car. This is exactly what happens in the industry therefore, having this experience really gives us a head start for the future. Furthermore, working in a team, you get the chance to work with like-minded people and spend time together outside lectures and academic life.

For any engineering student, I strongly recommend Oxford Brookes Racing, as this is an immense learning platform and we get to do it as a team and we go to Silverstone. That is a great reward for all the hard work we do over the course of the year.

I am also part of the Global Buddies programme where I am a mentor to new international students. This gave me a great opportunity to meet new people from different corners of the world and learn about other cultures and share my own.

What do you like most about Oxford Brookes University?

At Oxford Brookes University, I love the atmosphere of the engineering school. At R-Block, there is always someone around. There are technicians with heaps of experience from the motorsport world. They are always ready to have a chat and willing to help out with any questions or issues we have. From an academic perspective, the library is full of great books, magazines to read. The computers have numerous commercial software to learn and utilise.

What do you like most about living in Oxford? What is your favourite place?

Oxford is a really nice place to live because of the atmosphere. I mainly like it because of the amazing architecture that can be seen. There are so many places to go to and to learn about. My favourite part of Oxford is the city centre where you can find so many shops and museums. Everything is explorable on foot which to me is great!

Are you living in University accommodation or in a private accommodation? How did you find your accommodation? Any recommendations for students?

I am living in private accommodation. I browsed through property renting websites. There are a few reliable websites which advertise rooms for rent and I have always successfully found a room. People are usually very responsive when enquired about a room. Few pointers, visit the house in person and check the room before confirming anything. Be sure to check out the rest of the house and the facilities available. Take into account the bus routes, walking distance to university, if necessary.