It has certainly been an eventful academic year – one which has flown by far too quickly! Yet in the hustle and bustle of student life, perhaps now is as good a time as ever to take a step back and reflect on the year that has very much characterised the stepping-stone into adulthood.

As with anything, the transition from school to university is a uniquely personal experience. But what seems to ring true for us all is the fact that there will always be some things that feel smooth-sailing, and other things that feel like an entirely new world. Oftentimes we get hung up on the unfamiliar; navigating new lives and new homes and new people without any real indication of where to go. Yet at the very crux of the student experience lies the awkwardly-endearing friendships we form along the way; friendships which make that transition just that much easier.

Studying Medical Physics at UCL has been an incredibly fun rollercoaster of emotions. From ice cream breaks during lab sessions (in the middle of winter…) to the existential crises during exam season, my first year of this course has certainly been one to remember. Yet what has become abundantly clear over the past twelve months is that I feel content knowing that choosing to study Medical Physics here at UCL was indeed the right choice.

That’s not to say that it has been a walk in the park. The course content and academia is inevitably challenging – but it is by no means unattainable. Studying a subject as multi-faceted as this truly is remarkable; combining the wonders of Physics with Medicine, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Engineering, this degree offers the flexibility for each student to select modules across these disciplines, allowing us to tailor our education in the way that fits us best.

Perhaps my favourite part of this year has been embarking on a research journey as part of the MPBE Summer Studentship programme. To have had the opportunity to learn about and contribute towards paediatric brain tumour radiotherapy research at such an early stage of my academic career reflects the abundance of opportunities available to us as students here within the MPBE Department – and may just be why so many students end up going on to do their PhD within the department that has always been so warm and welcoming.

This past year has been one of growth and laughter. And it has also been a year of setbacks and unfamiliarity. The good and the bad accompany one another; they both exist, simultaneously. Yet if quantum entanglement has taught us one thing, it is that it takes knowing one to know the other. We must know the bad before we can know the good, and vice versa. And I am beyond excited to continue this journey here at UCL – knowing that despite the challenges that are yet to come, there is always so much to celebrate throughout it all.

This blog was written by Saarah, Medical Physics

Choosing the right university can often be harder than choosing your course itself. Which university has the best facilities? The best support? The friendliest environment? The most convenient travel routes? And most importantly – which university is closest to the best food spots?

The UCL Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering (MPBE) Offer-Holder Day is back again this year – and it is here to answer all of your questions! The opportunity to learn more about the courses I was considering was certainly a valuable one – especially given how indecisive I am in general. The event included talks and presentations from faculty members and current students, which provided valuable insight into the curriculum, teaching style, and research opportunities available.

 Academia aside, the campus tour – led by current students – was the perfect chance to explore the facilities available and find out the best study spots, libraries and cafes available on campus. I was able to get a sense of the social life at UCL, the support services available to students, and the opportunities for extracurricular activities. Perhaps what stood out the most to me was how welcoming the students leading my tour were – and is ultimately what invited me back to study at UCL full-time.

Finally, attending the Offer-Holder Day gave me the opportunity to meet other prospective students and make new friends. University can be a daunting experience, especially if you’re moving to a new city or country. Meeting other students who were in the same position as me helped me to feel more connected to the university community and gave me a great sense of friendship and support.

If you were considering going to the UCL MPBE Offer-Holder Day, let me make that decision for you – do it! There is so much more to see than what is available on a website or prospectus. The Offer-Holder Day is such a great opportunity to have all of your questions answered by students as well as staff, to get an understanding of the campus vibe, and to make new friends – friends who you may just end up going to lectures with come October.

You can view more pictures from the May 2022 Offer Holder Day here >>>

This blog was written by Saarah, Medical Physics

My best friend and I went on a nostalgic walk around UCL last week, remembering the highs and lows and discussing fond memories we had made over the last four years. As we walked past our favourite meeting spot (Malet Place cafe), sat on the Portico steps in the sunshine, and passed the iconic Jeremy Bentham auto-icon, we realised this was probably our last time on campus together. It was through this walk that I realised how many inspirational people I had met at UCL, both students and staff, and how much I had grown as a person as a result of studying in the Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering Department. If you are starting in September or continuing on to the next year of your degree, I hope that some of these tips will help you make the most of your time in the department and at UCL in general.

Go to department events

The MPBE department puts on many events throughout the year to both welcome newcomers and showcase different areas of the department. In October, we went on a guided boat tour along the Thames, which was hosted by the department. It was a fun day out, seeing the sights, and meeting students from different years who we hadn’t met before. It was a good way to share your experiences with students who were just starting their degree and for new students to meet older students who they could ask for advice.

Don’t be afraid of meeting new people

The MPBE department has a wide range of research groups concentrating on topics from MRI to proton therapy. If you are interested in a topic, do not be afraid to approach new people in the department to discuss it. Completing a research project in my final year at UCL was one of my favourite parts of my four years here. Working with many different people in the department and across UCL, I was able to apply my knowledge and passion for radiation to an experiment. This project helped me realise what I wanted to do with my future career, and I couldn’t have finished it without the help of the people I met in the department.

It’s OK to find things difficult

Starting university is very daunting. Everybody already seems to know what they are doing, where to go and how to do this week’s problem sheet. I found some modules very difficult (looking at you labs!). I remember crying during one of the lab sessions because I didn’t understand something, but then the lab supervisor came over to offer guidance and support, and my classmates asked if I wanted a hug. Don’t be afraid of asking for help when things are difficult!

Here are some pictures from my time studying at UCL:

1st year Medical Physics doing secret Santa (2018)

Some photos taken during the boat trip to Greenwich (2021)

Some photos taken during the boat trip to Greenwich (2021)

Rehabilitation Robotics lab session selfie (with EMG electrodes placed on arm to convert electrical signals to a motor to simulate hand opening and closing) (2022)

Celebration of end of exams with some Medical Physics friends in my year (2022)

Me and my friend took some photos around UCL during our ‘last trip around UCL’. This is me on the Portico steps.

I have loved my four years doing Medical Physics at UCL and am sad to see it come to an end. I’ll always remember the memories made and know that I can count on the friends I’ve met along the way. Thank you MPBE!

This blog was written by Pip, fourth year MSci Medical Physics (graduating summer 2022)

Photo credits: Pip