Chloe Wing-Yan
Chloe Wing-Yan is in her 4th year of studying Electrical and Electronic Engineering. She has just completed her placement year and will be graduating in 2026.
Why did you choose to study your programme at Queen Mary and why Queen Mary?
I chose Electrical and Electronic Engineering because I enjoyed both physics and computer science, and I wanted a degree that combined the two in a practical way. I’ve always been curious about how things work – not just using technology but understanding and building it. I was especially drawn to the hardware side of engineering, where you can physically design and test real systems rather than just work in software.
Queen Mary stood out to me because of its strong technical foundation and emphasis on hands-on learning. Being based in London was also important to me – having grown up here, I liked the idea of studying in a city environment with access to industry, events, and wider opportunities.
What do you enjoy most about your course?
What I’ve enjoyed most is how the course gradually develops you from fundamentals into real system-level thinking. In the early years, you build strong foundations in system architecture, circuit theory, and signals, and over time you begin applying that knowledge to increasingly complex and realistic engineering problems.
I’ve also really valued the collaborative and practical elements of the course. Many projects require teamwork, problem-solving under constraints, and applying theory to working hardware. Through different modules and design projects, I’ve been exposed to a wide range of areas within EEE – from power systems and control to embedded systems and digital design – which helped me understand how interconnected and versatile the field really is.
Which modules do you most enjoy and were there any academics that have a strong influence on shaping your time and studies here?
I’ve particularly enjoyed modules such as Microprocessor Systems Design, Embedded Systems, Digital Systems Design, Integrated Circuit Design, and Electric and Hybrid Powertrain. These modules strengthened my interest in hardware-focused engineering and gave me practical experience in system design, from low-level architecture through to real-world applications.
My final-year project has been especially defining. I’m developing an FPGA-based intelligent image processing unit for embedded security systems, which brings together concepts from digital design, microprocessors, and hardware acceleration. Working closely with academic supervisors has allowed me to explore these ideas in more depth and refine my technical direction. The academics within EECS are knowledgeable and approachable, and their guidance has been instrumental in shaping my confidence, technical direction, and interests within advanced hardware design.
Are you a member of any societies or attend any industry events during your time at Queen Mary? If so which and what did you gain from them?
Outside of my course, I’ve been involved in a range of societies that helped me grow both personally and technically. I was a member of ABACUS (Association of British and Chinese University Students), the Art Society, Debate Society, and even Pole Fitness Society – something completely new to me that I hadn’t had the opportunity to try before. Getting involved in different communities helped me step outside of engineering and develop confidence in new environments.
Technically, my biggest commitment was Queen Mary Formula Student, where I worked as an Integrated Circuits Senior Team Member. I contributed to the vehicle’s electronic systems and collaborated closely with mechanical and powertrain teams to ensure integration across the car’s architecture. It was a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment that strengthened both my hardware skills and teamwork under pressure.
Alongside this, I completed a year-long Hardware Engineering Industrial Placement at Leonardo, a major aerospace and defence contractor. I worked on FPGA, SoC, mixed-signal and PCB-based systems in a professional engineering setting. I was also selected for the 2025/2026 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Grand Prix Programme, which has given me insight into high-performance engineering environments and leadership within motorsport.
What kind of careers/employability support do you get during your studies?
For me, employability support came in the form of exposure and opportunity. For example, one of my lecturers secured UKRI sponsorship funding and chose to use it to run specialist workshop sessions in power electronics, which gave us deeper insight beyond the core curriculum. Experiences like that showed how engaged the department is in enriching student development.
The School also regularly shares opportunities through emails and internal promotion. Through this, I applied to programmes such as the Microsoft I Accelerator and the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Graduate Engineering Engagement Programme. These weren’t compulsory parts of the degree, but the visibility made it possible for me to pursue them.
I was also sponsored to attend the 2024 AFBE (Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers) conference, where I first learned more about opportunities at Leonardo – which later led to my hardware engineering placement. During that placement, I even had the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister during a site visit, which reinforced the wider impact of engineering within national industries. Additionally, the university funded my student membership with the IET, which I later built upon to become a Young Professional Ambassador.
For me, it wasn’t about a single workshop or event – it was about recognising and leveraging the opportunities the University made visible.
What are you hoping to do after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in advanced hardware and embedded systems engineering, working on high-performance or safety-critical technologies where optimisation, reliability, and innovation are essential.
My industrial experience in aerospace and defence, alongside exposure to high-performance environments such as motorsport, has strengthened my interest in mission-critical systems and performance-focused engineering. I’m particularly drawn to roles at the intersection of embedded systems, intelligent hardware, and real-time system design.
What's one piece of advice you'd offer to someone considering studying Electrical And Electronic Engineering at Queen Mary?
Take initiative early. Make full use of lab sessions, get involved in societies, and apply for placements and insight programmes – even if they feel competitive or slightly outside your comfort zone.
When I started university, I wasn’t the strongest academically, but my biggest growth came from stepping forward and taking opportunities as they appeared. Whether it was joining new societies, applying for programmes I wasn’t sure I’d get, or putting myself in unfamiliar environments, those moments shaped my confidence and direction far more than staying comfortable.
Engineering at Queen Mary gives you a strong technical foundation – but the real transformation happens when you actively engage with everything around it. The opportunities are there. The key is being proactive enough to take them.