Thomas Drummond and Stephen Conn may have taken different paths on their journey to achieving first class honours chemical engineering degrees at Queen's University Belfast, but possessing oodles of focus, perseverance and determination applied equally to both students.

Lacking the right grades

Thomas Drummond, who is 26 and lives in Newcastle, Co Down, graduated from Queen’s with a MEng Chemical Engineering, from what has been a long educational journey after leaving school without the grades he needed.

“During my time at secondary school, I developed a passion for chemistry and engineering," said Drummond.

"After completing my A-levels and receiving my results, unfortunately my grades did not meet the requirements to get into Queen’s to study chemical engineering. As such, I continued to develop my interest in chemistry by studying a two-year Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Applied Chemistry at Belfast Metropolitan College.” 

He achieved an overall distinction over the two years and reapplied to study chemical engineering at Queen’s. However, due to his low maths A-level grade, he was unable to secure a place on the engineering course, but he was offered a place in the second year of the chemistry degree.

Engineering the discipline he wanted to pursue

Knowing that engineering was the discipline he wanted to pursue, he decided to retake his maths AS and A2 exams over one year rather than two.  

“This commitment required me to work very hard, and to travel to Belfast from Newcastle to attend a one-hour class every day.  

“After completing my exams, I had improved my previous A-level result from an E to an A. I was accepted onto the MEng Chemical Engineering SW pathway.

"I joined the rowing club at Queen’s as a novice and represented the club for three years in parallel to completing my studies. I took on roles such as novice manager and vice-captain of the club while continuing to train and race competitively.

Leadership and teamwork

"This experience has not only taught me how to manage and prioritise my time, it has also allowed me to develop a good understanding of leadership and teamwork.”  

After his first year at Queen’s, Drummond progressed onto the MEng pathway. Eight years after leaving secondary school, he completed his degree in 2020 with a grade of first class honours.  

“Hopefully my story will help those students who are unsuccessful getting into university and will provide some hope that there are other paths that can help them achieve what they want.

"My journey prepared me for university and helped me to achieve what I had set out to do from the start. I have had the honour of meeting and working with a diverse range of amazing people and I am now ready to begin my career as a chemical engineer."

Overcoming a rocky journey of illness

In a separate but equally inspiring story, Stephen Conn, aged 25 from Portadown, has graduated with an MEng in Chemical Engineering from Queen’s despite overcoming a rocky journey of illness.

Conn suffers from Crohn’s disease and, during his placement year, he was progressively becoming more unwell and was placed on a supplement diet in April 2018.

“My consultant had said that I was likely to need surgery at some point and asked when I would like to do it," said Conn. "I’d hoped I could make it through my final year in 2017/18 and graduate before undergoing surgery. However, things just got worse and I was admitted to hospital in February 2018, the night before my 23rd birthday.  

“I was feeling despondent and disappointed as I only had six weeks of term left after a long five years at university. However, looking back I was in so much pain that it soon put things in perspective. It was more important to get treatment and recover so I could return to complete my course later.

Seven months in hospital

“I spent a total of seven months in hospital, had three surgeries, sepsis, countless infections and treatments. I finally got out in December 2018 after a long, traumatic and eye-opening experience.”

Conn’s recovery is continuing but, determined to graduate, he returned to finish his degree in 2019.

“Throughout my time at Queen’s I had support such as using the green room for exams, extra time and flexibility with deadlines," said Conn.

"As Crohn’s is an autoimmune disease which can be triggered by stress, this was a great help in easing some of the anxiety during term.

'Amazing help' from university

"When I came back in 2019, the staff in the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering were an amazing help in sorting out what modules and exams I had to complete. 

"Thankfully, my hard work and determination have paid off and I am so glad to be graduating with a first class honours MEng in Chemical Engineering.” 

Looking to the future, he said: “I’d always thought I would go and work in the energy industry, however, after my experience I would love to go into a career in pharmaceuticals.

"If I could play just a small part in helping deliver lifesaving drugs to those that need it most, that would be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career.”