Youssef

Why did you choose to continue your postgraduate studies at Surrey, instead of another university?

I chose to continue my postgraduate studies at Surrey because I had a really positive experience here during my undergraduate degree. I enjoyed the university environment, the teaching style, and the support available to students, so it felt natural to stay somewhere I already knew and liked.

I was also very interested in the structure of the MSc course I wanted to study. The modules matched my academic interests and career goals, and the course seemed like a strong next step after my undergraduate studies.

Another important factor was the returning students discount on tuition fees, which made continuing at Surrey a very attractive and practical option financially.

Overall, Surrey offered the right combination of familiarity, course quality, and financial support.

How did the University support you in your transition to becoming a postgraduate student?

The transition to becoming a postgraduate student at Surrey was smooth because I was already familiar with the university systems from my undergraduate studies. I did not have to reintroduce myself to new platforms or ways of working so I could continue using many of the same systems I had used before.

The University was also very helpful whenever I needed support. Staff were responsive through phone calls and emails, and the Hive support system made it easier to get guidance and answers to any questions I had during the transition.

"The biggest benefit of continuing my studies at Surrey has been getting to continue the life I have made in Guildford...I have been able to keep in touch with friends, continue my hobbies and enjoy university life beyond academia."

What have been the biggest benefits so far of continuing your studies at Surrey?

The biggest benefit of continuing my studies at Surrey has been getting to continue the life I have made in Guildford.

Relocating can be quite difficult as an international student so staying at the same university made the transition from BSc to MSc easy because I already knew and liked the campus, the town, and how things worked. By staying at Surrey, I also got first priority for student accommodation, which helped reduce a lot of stress when planning for the year.

Outside of my studies, I was also able to continue with the same societies and social environment that I had been part of during my undergraduate degree. I have been able to keep in touch with friends, continue my hobbies and enjoy university life beyond academia.

What advice would you give to a current Surrey undergraduate student who is thinking of staying for a masters?

I would also say that if they find an MSc course that genuinely suits their interests, career goals, and future plans, then pursuing it at Surrey can be a great way to develop academically while staying in an environment they already feel comfortable in. Knowing the university, campus, local area, and support systems made my journey from undergraduate to postgraduate study simple and I was able to get stuck in immediately. 

What do you plan to do after graduating and how has your masters degree supported that?

After graduating, I plan to look for a job in my field, ideally in an area that combines electronics and machine learning.

I studied Electronics Engineering with Computer Systems during my undergraduate degree, so doing an MSc in Machine Learning, Robotics and Computer Vision felt like a strong continuation of my academic background. At the same time, this masters has helped me widen my career options by giving me a broader skill set across areas such as AI, robotics, computer vision, and applied machine learning.

I believe this postgraduate qualification will support me in finding a job by making me more adaptable and better prepared for roles that require both engineering knowledge and modern technical skills.