I grew up in Pune and being around engineers, innovators, and academics from a young age encouraged me to aim higher. I wanted to see the world, learn about new technology, and build a career that matters. This led me to the University of Sheffield. While in India, I completed B.Tech Electronics and Telecommunication and M.Tech 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. So I opted for the M.Sc. AI for Engineering at Sheffield as a bridge between my engineering background and the advanced AI applications shaping industries worldwide.

The university’s reputation as part of the Russell Group made it an easy choice. But what stood out for me was the sense of history on campus. As you walk through the university, you realise that many mathematicians, scientists, business leaders, and even Nobel Prize winners once walked these same halls.

Global exposure

My course 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 department has strong industry links through guest lectures, workshops, career fairs, and networking events. The Career Mentoring Scheme matches students with alumni working in industry, giving us guidance from someone who has also taken a similar path.

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, a continuous manufacturing method used in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Creating these computational models not only helped highlight my skills but also 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.

Apart from academics, as an International Student Ambassador, I help future students learn what studying in the U.K. is like. I stood for the post of International Student Representative and finished as the runner-up, which encouraged me to connect more with the wider community. Being part of the Indian and Postgraduate Societies has helped me stay close to my roots while making friends from different cultures. This balance is important when you are far from home.

Receiving the International Postgraduate Taught Scholarship 2025 was not just a recognition of my academic performance and leadership potential, but also a reminder to me that hard work is noticed.

Beyond the degree

Sheffield is often called England’s greenest city and has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere with a sense of community. That sense of belonging, both inside and outside the classroom, ties everything together and has made this journey more than just a degree. This programme has not only helped me understand AI better but also changed how I see the world. I have gained confidence from working in an international setting and built a network across countries.

The writer is pursuing M.Sc. AI for Engineering at the University of Sheffield, the U.K.