After arriving in the UK from war-torn Afghanistan in just over 10 years ago and without knowing a word of English, read Hussain’s incredibly inspiring journey from where he started to now studying BEng Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Salford.


Why did you choose to study at Salford?

I chose Salford University because it offers a great mix of practical learning and strong industry connections. I like that Salford focuses on real-world skills and has links with companies that can help me gain (and have gained) experience for my future career. Additionally, Salford has a friendly and diverse sort of community, making it a place where I feel supported and being able to grow during my studies. Also not feel excluded or being treated different to others. In Salford, it does not matter your color, background, knowledge, everyone is welcomed, everyone will be treated equally and supported accordingly which is something I love!

What made you want to study your course?

Ever since I was young, I’ve been drawn to the technical aspects of things, especially when it comes to understanding how machines, like aircraft, are put together and seeing jets carry out complicated actions. Deciding to study Aeronautical Engineering was no easy of a decision. In 2014, I arrived in the UK from war-torn Afghanistan without knowing a word of English to achieving a grade of D*** with placement from Kingston College – it seemed like an impossible dream due to the language barrier and my initial struggles catching up in my studies. However, despite these hurdles, I was determined not to let them hinder my progress and I achieved the best grades possible to make it to university. Surviving the peak of war in Afghanistan encouraged more and more every day to have a desire to make a positive impact in the world. This drive continues to motivate me till today.


Have you done or will you do a placement? If so, tell us a bit more about your experience finding the placement and the placement itself.

Yes, I completed a short work experience at Morson Projects and definitely intend to pursue a full placement if the opportunity arises, and currently in search of a year long placement or summer. At Morson, I worked on various projects across departments: in Stress Aero Engineering, I used MSC Patran and Nastran for stress analysis on pistons; in Control System Engineering, I helped optimize performance for unmanned systems; and in Power & Control, I created circuit drawings in AutoCAD. I also gained skills in IT by setting up a LAMP web server and programming in Java, and in Electrical Design, I learned about relay functions and wiring. The experience was invaluable in gaining further technical skills and understanding real-world engineering applications.

What support is available for you throughout your studies?

The support here has been incredible. Lecturers are not only knowledgeable but also really approachable, they are there to help us with any questions, from coursework to career advice, and it’s easy to reach out when we need guidance on and off campus. We also have academic advisors who regularly check in, making sure we’re on track and offering help if we hit any bumps along the way. I have a disability and the university has put many things in place to support me with that, such as extra time in exams and a scribe. The school provides a lot of resources too, like extra workshops, study groups, and drop-in sessions for English, mathematics, and things like CV for any additional support. It’s a welcoming environment that genuinely encourages us to do our best and makes sure we don’t feel lost in the process. All topics and modules are taught from get go such as for mathematics, GCSE content is taught first before main content which helps student a lot in all shape of form.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of studying here?

If you’re thinking of studying Aeronautical Engineering at Salford University or any other course, my advice is to build a strong foundation in your subject area. For example Aeronautical Engineering would be basic mathematics and physics. It’s difficult for sure but definitely achievable with effort and hard work. Try to get involved in activities that build your communication skills, as working with others is a big part of the course. If possible, get some hands-on experience in an engineering-related environment where appropriate; it’ll give you confidence and insight into the field. Most importantly, make sure you’re genuinely interested in the subject you want to study or have the right basics. It’s a demanding course, so having a real passion for it will keep you motivated and engaged through the tougher parts.

What does a typical day in your life look like?

My Mondays start at 7 a.m. with a quick prayer, then I go over last week’s lecture notes and update my calendar, adding in breaks to keep the day manageable. I grab a £1 coffee from the university coffee hut on my way to my 9 a.m. lecture, which usually runs two hours. After that, I’ve got a two-hour break, so I have lunch and head to the makerspace to work on designs.

In the afternoon, I have a solid block of back-to-back classes, a two hour lecture, then a three-hour session that’s mostly group work, where we’re designing a regional aircraft. By 5 pm, I’m done with lectures and take a quiet break at the faith center to recharge and reflect.

Afterwards, I’ll spend about an hour going over anything from the day that was tricky, just to keep up. Around 8pm, I hit the gym with my best friend, where we mix it up with boxing, squash, or swimming, and a gym workout until about 10 pm. Once I’m home, I catch up on emails and relax with a book before bed. I keep this routine going until Friday, then enjoy the weekends for myself!

What do you think of the facilities and equipment? Is there anything you particularly enjoy using?

The facilities here are fantastic. In the new SEE building, we have access to multiple labs where we can run all kinds of experiments, like wind tunnel testing, which shows how it would perform in real life. If there’s something we can’t do on campus, we have alternative sites, so nothing is ever out of reach. One of my favorite places is the makerspace. It has everything from laser cutters, lathes, water jet, and CNC machines to 3D printers and every CAD software we might need. Plus, we can even get the certifications on software like SolidWorks, and all of it is completely free for students! Having access to all this makes learning so much more hands-on and exciting.

What is your favourite thing about being a University of Salford student?

My favourite thing about being a University of Salford student is the supportive and respectful community. Both my friends and lecturers genuinely encourage me, which makes a huge difference in staying motivated. I chose Aeronautical Engineering because I’ve always been fascinated by how machines work, especially aircraft. Coming from Afghanistan with no English and facing big challenges, making it here has been a huge achievement. Overcoming obstacles has only strengthened my drive to make a positive impact on my environment, and being part of Salford Racing has helped with all of this too. Within which working as an aerodynamics engineer with students from different backgrounds to build a race car has been incredible, and it’s prepared me even more for the future I’m working toward.

Where do you want your degree to take you? What is your dream job and how do you think your degree will help you get there?

I want my degree in Aeronautical Engineering to lead me into a career where I can make a positive impact in aerospace, specifically in sustainable aviation or even motorsports engineering. My dream job would be working within the aviation sector, ideally focusing on aerodynamics and developing cleaner, more efficient technology to reduce emissions. My degree is giving me both the technical skills and hands-on experience I need, along with access to industry connections and real-world projects. This combination is building a strong foundation for me to pursue opportunities in innovative and sustainable engineering.