Christian
Parrish

What made you choose to study at NTU?

The overall course appealed to me, especially the module build-up and the areas that would be studied. The city of Nottingham is very student based, so settling in wasn’t as difficult as expected.

What do you enjoy most about your course?

In the context of the actual course, the factor which I have found most enjoyable is the overall build-up of the modules and how helpful the lecturers are themselves. If I had any issues with the work, the lecturers would always be easy to approach and were understanding, helping in any way they could.

Have you been involved in any live projects during your time at NTU?

During my second year, I worked on a live project involving a client from Nottingham. The brief was to design and produce detailed floor plans, elevations, sections, details and 3D models of the proposed apartment structure.

Have you had any speakers or lecturers from industry visiting as part of your course?

Recently the course had a speaker from a sustainable modular company visit the University. The purpose was to help introduce sustainable aspects of the industry, which gave us the knowledge to implement this into designs we create upon the course.

Have you been on any trips with your course?

In second year, we visited the Centre of Alternative Technology (CAT) in Wales. The visit involved 4 days of living and learning about sustainable methods, including growing our own vegetables and relying on ourselves to create enough energy and fuel to power the facility which we were staying in. The methods that were taught within the visit helped me design buildings with sustainable technology, lowering carbon emissions for future purposes.

Tell us about placements that you’ve undertook during your studies.

I undertook placement in 2018/2019 with Scurr Architects in Harpenden. Whilst being in the industry I gained valuable experience by being involved with live, real projects with design deadlines. The experience allowed me to gain software and architectural knowledge, which could later be implemented into university designs within final year. The company were brilliant to work with and I have been offered a job there after I graduate.

My placement was found upon InPlace, NTU’s dedicated placements website. The University’s employability team were a great help!

Tell us a bit about the staff on your course – your lecturers, tutors, administrators and technical staff. How do they support your learning and University experience?

All of the lecturers, tutors, administrators and technical staff are welcoming and easy to approach. This is a huge beneficial factor at university in the instance that if a problem occurs, it can be easily resolved.

What do you think of the facilities available to you at the University?

The facilities accessible upon the course help aid learning and self-improvement. The multiple shops and workshops are easily accessed and plenty of resources are provided to help with lectures and deadlines.

What do you like about studying and living in Nottingham?

Studying and living in Nottingham has been a huge chapter within my life, which has made me a more independent person. The University is hugely welcoming and is reflected within the city.

Being a student at NTU is like being a part of one big family. The wide variety of student communities, social nights and activities allow you to easily make friends.

What do you hope to achieve after completing your degree?

To become fully employed within my chosen area of study within the architectural industry.

What advice would you give to a prospective student thinking about studying your course?

I would recommend NTU, as the University is remarkable for student assistance and invaluable lecture sessions. The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), recognising the quality and relevance of our course content. All of these will show future employees that the course you've studied is one of the best.