I’ve gained confidence from working in an international setting, built a network across countries, and feel sure that taking this step was worth it.

I grew up in Pune, India, a city known for its lively educational scene. Being around engineers, innovators, and academics from a young age shaped how I solve problems and encouraged me to aim higher. I wanted to see the world, learn about new technology, and build a career that matters. That dream led me to the University of Sheffield.

I arrived in Sheffield with a B.Tech in Electronics and Telecommunication and an M.Tech in VLSI and Embedded Systems. While doing postgraduate research in India, I saw how AI and automation were changing engineering by improving systems, predicting failures, and creating efficiencies that older methods could not. The MSc in AI for Engineering at Sheffield was the perfect bridge between my engineering background and the advanced AI applications now shaping industries worldwide.

University of Sheffield’s reputation as a Russell Group university with excellent faculty made it an easy choice. But what really stood out to me was the sense of history on campus. As you walk through the university, you realise that many mathematicians, scientists, and business leaders and even Nobel Prize winners once walked these same halls. It’s a reminder that you’re part of a long tradition of people who came to Sheffield to grow and achieve more.

The programme has given me the global exposure I wanted. The curriculum brings AI and engineering together in a meaningful way, and classmates from all over the world share different viewpoints in every discussion. Outside of class, the school has strong industry links through guest lectures, workshops, career fairs, and networking events. The Career Mentoring Scheme matches students with Sheffield alumni working in industry. Having guidance from someone who has taken a similar path and balanced academic learning with real-world experience is something I truly appreciate.

The individual project has been the most challenging and rewarding part of my studies. My project is about modelling the twin screw granulation process with MATLAB, which is a continuous manufacturing method used in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Creating these computational models highlighted all the skills I learned in the programme. It showed me, more than any lecture could, what it really means to use AI to solve real engineering problems, working through complex issues, dealing with uncertainty, and finding solutions that stand up to careful review.

The University of Sheffield has also let me get involved outside of academics. As an International Student Ambassador, I help future students learn what studying in the UK is like. I ran for International Student Representative and finished as the runner-up, which encouraged me to connect more with the wider community. Being part of both the Indian Society and the Postgraduate Society has helped me stay close to my roots while making friends from different cultures. This balance is important when you’re far from home.

I was honoured to receive the International Postgraduate Taught Scholarship 2025, worth £2,500. It recognised my academic performance and leadership potential and reminded me that hard work here is noticed.

Sheffield itself has been a pleasant surprise. It’s often called the greenest city in England and has a friendly, welcoming feel that made settling in easier than I expected. The campus has a real sense of community, and the Students’ Union, consistently ranked among the best in the UK, always offers something to do outside of academics. For Indian students, the Indian Society gives a sense of familiarity that helps Sheffield feel like a second home over time. That sense of belonging, both inside and outside the classroom, ties everything together and has made this journey so much more than just a degree.

This programme has helped me better understand AI and has given me the skills to solve engineering problems across different fields. Even more, it has changed how I see the world in ways that are hard to measure. I’ve gained confidence from working in an international setting, built a network across countries, and feel sure that taking this step was worth it. If you’re thinking about a postgraduate degree that values your engineering background and prepares you for a world shaped by AI, Sheffield is worth considering. The opportunities are real, the community is welcoming, and the experience is truly rewarding.