Motorsport Engineering graduand Alex Nuttall reflects on his time at Wiltshire College & University Centre (WCUC) – from hands-on race team experience to collaborating with local industry on cutting-edge research.
The 21-year-old from Little Somerford completed his BEng (Hons) in Motorsport Technology with a first and was named Adult Learner Student of the Year at the College’s 2024-25 Student Awards. He is now starting a Master’s degree at Cranfield University.
We hear from Alex about what he loved most about the course, his proudest moment and how WCUC helped him prepare for the next stage in his engineering journey.
WCUC: What made you choose to study at WCUC?
Alex: “Wiltshire College offers a unique course combining a high technical level with small classes that allow each student to thrive. The direct teaching style and personal approach were my main reasons. Compared to many degrees with hundreds of students, WCUC’s close-knit learning environment really appealed to me.”
WCUC: What did you enjoy about the course?
Alex: “Being part of the race team. Getting involved in each car from preparation to race weekends was a really fulfilling experience – it was amazing to see vehicle dynamics theory make a real impact on track.”
WCUC: Can you tell us about your proudest achievement?
Alex: “Definitely my dissertation, which I completed in collaboration with local industry partner Dymag. The project explored non-destructive test methods for motorsport carbon-fibre wheels. It combined my knowledge of composites and maths from WCUC with real industry processes I learnt during my placement year.”
WCUC: How did your course prepare you for the future?
Alex: “The range of modules on the Motorsport Engineering degree gave me a strong and confident knowledge base to continue studying. The quality of the teaching and course content has also given me the transferable skills I’ll need to transition into the world of advanced materials.”
WCUC: What are you future plans?
Alex: “After completing my master’s, I hope to further my work with Dymag, using my vehicle dynamics and composite skills to develop new and existing products.”
WCUC: What advice would you give to someone considering Motorsport Engineering?
Alex: “Do it! Motorsport Engineering is an amazing field that will transform your career potential. This course gives you the skills to be both practical and academic.”
WCUC: What does graduating mean to you?
Alex: “Graduating is a huge source of personal pride. Four years ago, I struggled with maths and could barely cut a straight piece of metal. I owe so much to my family and lecturers for their support throughout my studies. ”
Alex will officially graduate at Salisbury Cathedral this week, joining fellow students from across Wiltshire College & University Centre to celebrate their achievements and look ahead to the next chapter.
You can read more stories and find key information about this year’s celebrations in our Graduation 2025: Celebrating student success feature.
Find out more about higher education courses on the link below.
