Architecture, Design and the Built Environment

Emma-Louise Wiggins

Emma-Louise Wiggins
BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying and Construction Commercial Management
Placement: Taylor Woodrow Construction at the London Kings Cross Redevelopment Project
Position: Assistant Quantity Surveyor

Can you explain about what your roles were on your placement?
I worked at Kings Cross Station in London, for one of the main contractors, extending the capacity of the station in time for the Olympics. I was involved in the day-to-day management of the sub-contracted work as well as managing sub-contract packages from tender stage to final account. Being based on site meant that I also wrote the daily site diary and controlled waste transfers.

What was the highlight of your placement year?
The highlight of my placement year was being part of the bottoming out ceremony of the 10m deep basement consisting of over 370 piles using top-down construction in the centre of London. Also knowing that I’ve had an input in adding an iconic piece of 21st century structure to the London Skyline. My experience on placement has confirmed that I want to work in the construction industry as no project will ever be the same and no day is ever the same! 

Would you recommend NTU and your course?
I would definitely recommend NTU, it has the best of both worlds – being right in the city, but each hall is like its own little campus. I would recommend my course to anybody that is interested in construction and actually likes Excel! The facilities are really good, especially the study rooms in Maudslay which are great for group work. There are only 30 people on my course so everybody knows each other and we all work together.