Isobel is a current MSc Computer Science student who received the AI and Data Science Masters Scholarship last year. Hear her story of how she applied and what impact the funding has had on her postgraduate journey.
I first learned about the AI and Data Science Masters Scholarship through an email I received after I had confirmed my place on my MSc Computer Science course. The idea of receiving financial support for my studies was appealing, but I was doubtful about my chances of being selected. Despite this, I thought I might as well give myself a chance and decided to go ahead and apply, especially since the application process was straightforward and didn’t take much time. Firstly I had to provide some basic information about myself, such as details of my previous degree. The longest part of the application was to write a short personal statement about myself and how I would benefit from the scholarship. Still, this did not take too long as it had a 2500 character limit. I was delighted when I received an email in August, telling me I had been awarded the scholarship.
Receiving the scholarship has been a game-changer for me. It has allowed me to fully immerse myself in my Masters course without the constant worry of financial stress. Without this scholarship, I honestly doubt I would have been able to make it this far in my studies. As expected, the Masters programme has been quite demanding, and a significant step-up from undergraduate studies. Had I not received the scholarship, I would have been forced to work more hours to support myself financially, and balancing this with the demanding academic workload would have been incredibly challenging. Thanks to the scholarship, I have been relieved of this financial burden, allowing me to dedicate more of my time to my studies. This has allowed me to focus on keeping on top of the course material, practice coding and complete assignments to the best of my ability.
My career aspirations have been a driving force behind my decision to pursue this Masters degree. Once I’ve completed my Masters, I hope to begin a career as a software developer. This would have been difficult to achieve without the education I am receiving, as my prior knowledge of Computer Science and coding was quite limited. The course has provided me with a solid foundation of knowledge and has opened numerous doors in my chosen field, making my career goals much more attainable.
Applying for the scholarship was one of the best decisions I have made. It has alleviated financial stress, enabled me to focus on my studies, and brought me closer to achieving my career ambitions. The university offers many scholarships with different requirements, and I would strongly encourage anyone considering applying for similar opportunities to just go for it! Even if you think you don’t have a chance, like I did, you have nothing to lose by applying, and the impact it may have on your academic success and future career cannot be understated.
Find out more about how to apply for our AI and Data Science Masters Scholarship.