John is the University’s top scoring student

Keen footballer John Williams has scored a double. Not only did he achieve a first class BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering from the University of Teesside, he is also the University’s Student of the Year. John, 23, from Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, has been awarded the Cecil M Yuill Foundation Student Award: Achievement in Any Field, in recognition of his high academic scores.

John came to the University with A levels in Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Biology from St Mary’s Sixth Form in Middlesbrough, all at grade A. He said: ‘The degree was good - every subject was interesting. I enjoyed the placement year at PMM Process Solutions in Wilton the most, where I could apply my knowledge on practical research projects.

‘I was surprised to get the Student of the Year award. I thought my grades may have been good enough but you never know if someone is going to beat them. My parents Lynn and Stan are very happy for me; they’ve always supported me in everything I’ve done.’

John is currently living in Kensington, London, as he is studying for a one-year MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering at Imperial College. He has received an £18,000 scholarship for the master’s, awarded by Imperial for academic performance. John’s placement year in the Tees Valley has also proved invaluable, as he has an engineering post with PMM lined up when he completes his master’s next summer.

Away from his studies, John enjoys football and used to play for Whitby reserves.

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