Brunel University like many other academic institutions have produced graduates that have gone on to thrive in their chosen career field and add on to their workforce. However, there are a handful of former students who have gone on to perform exceptionally well and even risen to prominence worldwide. Often we look at successful people in awe of their talent and admire but they all started somewhere. If you’re interested in hearing about the most famous alumni from Brunel University keep reading and learn all about some of the University’s standout students and how their time there played a role in their success.

1. Damson Idris

 

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Starting off not so subtle, you may know him as the infamous Franklin Saint, Thomas Harp or as the young and ambitious  formula one racer Joshua Pearce in his most recent summer blockbuster hit F1. Regardless of which character you may know him as, prior to his success in the acting business Damson Idris was just another student like his peers with drive and ambition to make his dreams come true. Damson Idris studied Drama with Film & Television Studies and graduated in 2013. Since graduating Damson has went on to have a successful acting career with his most notable role being a six year stint starring as Franklin Saint in the hit FX series Snowfall. As a result of his success, in 2024 Damson Idris was invited back to Brunel University to receive an Outstanding Contribution to Culture & Creativity Award at the University’s Annual Alumni of the Year Award.

2. Jax Jones

 

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Talking about the most famous Brunel alumni would be impossible without mentioning the hitmaker Jax Jones. Jax Jones is a DJ, record producer and remixer who graduated from Brunel in 2008 after studying finance and accounting. Upon graduating, Jax Jones went on to create hits such as You Don’t Know Me featuring RAYE, Instruction featuring Demi Lovato and Stefflon Don and Ring Ring featuring Mabel and Rich the Kid. Jax Jones’ music catalog currently has amassed a total of 5.2 billion streams on Spotify and other artists he’s worked with include Charli XCX, Saweetie and Bebe Rexha. In 2024 Jax Jones was invited back to Brunel University to receive an honorary doctorate for his distinguished contribution to music.

3. Shini Somara

Shini Somara is a qualified mechanical engineer and an established STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) media producer. Before going on to excel in the world of STEM, Shini studied engineering at Brunel University for her undergraduate degree and went on to pursue further studies and received an engineering doctorate. Shini’s passion for science has allowed her to infiltrate both the literary and media space with her production company eSTEAMd Media and authoring a series of STEM books for children. Shini’s career in media has spanned over the course of just under two decades working with channels and such as BBC, Channel 4, Al Jazeera, Sky, UKTV and PBS Digital.

Outside of the media realm, Shini has delivered talks such as at TEDx, became a trustee of The Global Communications Museum and a panel member of English Heritage’s Blue Plaques Committee. In 2024 Shini became a pro-chancellor for Brunel University playing an important role as an ambassador and advocate for the University.

4. Michael Dapaah

 

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Michael Dapaah is a comedian, rapper and actor commonly known as Big Shaq, a fictional rapper which he previously portrayed himself as online. During his time at Brunel, Michael Dapaah studied theatre, film & television studies and graduated in 2017. After his time at Brunel, Michael Dapaah slowly began to gain a social media following for small comedic roles in shows such as Meet the Adebanjos.  In 2017 along with the help of friend, he began a mockumentary YouTube series titled SWIL (Somewhere in London) which amassed over a million views in its first series.  Later that same year, Michael Dapaah catapulted his social media presence after appearing on Charlie Sloth’s BBC Radio 1Xtra show Fire in the Booth to perform his comedic rap Man’s Not Hot. Since then, Michael has continued to maintain an online social media presence and in 2020 launched an online fitness show titled Belly Must Go.

If you’re interested in learning more, read our review of Brunel University to find out from a student’s perspective whether the university is good.

Authors

  • I’m currently a second year student studying creative writing. From poetry, short stories, novels and more I very much enjoy all things fiction and non-fiction. I hope you find my articles both informative and enjoyable to read while you're at uni, or thinking about uni!

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  • Aminah is a dedicated content expert and writer at Unifresher, bringing a unique blend of creativity and precision to her work. Her passion for crafting engaging content is complemented by a love for travelling, cooking, and exploring languages. With years spent living in cultural hubs like Barcelona, Sicily, and Rome, Aminah has gained a wealth of experiences that enrich her perspective. Now based back in her hometown of Manchester, she continues to immerse herself in the city's vibrant atmosphere. An enthusiastic Manchester United supporter, Aminah also enjoys delving into psychology and true crime in her spare time.

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