My name is Sophie Wetz, and I am an Irish student currently pursuing an MSc in Cognitive Neuroimaging and Data Science at the University of Birmingham, specialising in the Computational Neuroscience pathway.
The £10,000 AI and Data Science Scholarship has played a significant role in my postgraduate journey. As a woman in STEM and an international student, being awarded this scholarship felt like a recognition of both my potential and the importance of supporting diversity in data science and AI-related fields. It’s encouraging to know that these kinds of opportunities exist to help students from a range of backgrounds succeed. Receiving the scholarship as a direct cash payment rather than just a tuition fee discount provided essential financial flexibility. It enabled me to comfortably manage living costs such as accommodation, food, and travel home to Ireland. Importantly, it allowed me to dedicate my full attention to my studies without the distraction of seeking part-time employment. Knowing my core expenses were covered meant I could approach my studies with less stress and more focus. It allowed me to maintain a better work-life balance, which has been crucial for my mental wellbeing and academic success.
This interdisciplinary MSc programme delivers diverse content, covering a wide-range of cognitive theories and practical neuroscience techniques. Modules such as Neural Computation and Translational Neuroscience have significantly broadened my understanding of how the brain functions and how computational methods can be applied to analyse complex neural data. Over the course of the year, I’ve expanded my proficiency in several programming languages, particularly MATLAB and Python, which has strengthened my data analysis and coding capabilities. I’ve also improved my academic writing, learned to engage with machine learning algorithms, and gained familiarity with advanced neuroimaging technologies and equipment.
My overall experience has been incredibly rewarding. The teaching has been of a high standard, with lecturers who are both knowledgeable and approachable. Beyond gaining technical skills and academic knowledge, I’ve valued the strong community spirit among students, making my experience studying abroad genuinely enjoyable. Studying alongside a group of like-minded, motivated students has been one of the highlights of my time here. The University of Birmingham campus itself is beautiful, with excellent facilities and plenty of dedicated study areas. One of the aspects I’ve appreciated most is the opportunity to get involved in meaningful and current experimental work as part of my research project.
During my undergraduate degree in mathematics, I found myself increasingly drawn to topics at the intersection of data science and biology. I began exploring how quantitative methods could be used to better understand the brain, which ultimately led me to pursue this MSc. This course offered the perfect opportunity to merge my analytical strengths with my growing interest in biological sciences, psychology and neuroscience. That, combined with the University of Birmingham’s Centre for Human Brain Health, renowned for its cutting-edge research and resources, made it my top choice. I knew it would provide the kind of hands-on, research-led experience I was looking for.
Looking ahead, I hope to apply my computational neuroscience background in the fast-growing field of bioinformatics, potentially making contributions to healthcare technologies and computational models to understand and improve health outcomes. The blend of computational expertise and biological understanding I received from the University of Birmingham, coupled with the support of the scholarship, has provided a strong foundation to confidently pursue a career that bridges science and technology in a meaningful way.