Oualid – at Imperial studying Engineering

Oualid is a first-year undergraduate, an Access Project alumnus and former pupil at Highbury Grove. His A*, two As and B grades in maths, further maths, physics and economics secured his place to study Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London.

Oualid beats Alex at rounders

Oualid really made the most of the opportunities The Access Project had to offer, attending numerous extracurricular workshops, including a trip abroad to Barcelona and an Engineering Masterclass at Cambridge University.

“I took part in Creative Writing, Model United Nations, Accelerated Economics, and Culture and The Arts. I think I pretty much took part in all of them. I attended almost every session going!”

The Access Project paired Oualid with a one-to-one academic tutor who helped him prepare for his exams. He found his tutorials, with Electrical Engineering PhD student Alex Charlish from UCL, particularly helpful because he demonstrated how what he was learning is related to current research.

“Yes, the Access Project has made a big difference. Before I was a part of it I would never have thought about applying to a top university, but being a part of it made me realise that I’m good enough. I think it would have the same effect on others who join.”

Oualid volunteered in The Access Project office during his summer holiday, before taking up his place at Imperial College London in September. He is also running the Paris Marathon in April 2012 to fundraise for The Access Project and give other students the opportunity to study at a top university.