FROM LESOTHO TO EARTH OBSERVATION: MY INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP JOURNEY REFLECTIONS FROM A THREE-TIME SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

My name is Keneuoe Maliehe. I was born in Lesotho, spent much of my life in South Africa, and am now a South African permanent resident. My first degree was in Geography, with a focus on geoinformatics, which I studied at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. Since then, I have pursued postgraduate study and research in areas that combine geospatial sciences and analysis with environmental and sustainability challenges. These include Earth observation, computer science, climate change, and greenhouse gas monitoring.

I decided to pursue further education because I have always been motivated by the idea that science should help solve real-world problems. I wanted to contribute to more sustainable futures for the Earth, and particularly for Africa, which is vulnerable to the effects of climate change but often underrepresented in global scientific knowledge production. That motivation led me towards geospatial data science. I saw it as a powerful, evidence-based way to understand environmental change, support better decision-making, and contribute to climate change mitigation. This eventually shaped my decision to specialise in Earth observation and geospatial systems at a doctoral level.

University of Nottingham/UKRI International Scholarship Details

• Institution name: University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
• Scholarship Name: University of Nottingham/UKRI International Scholarship (a 4-year studentship provided by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC))
• The amount: The scholarship comprised two parts of funding, namely:

A UKRI Scholarship from EPSRC, which included:

• Annual maintenance stipend (with annual inflation uplift): GBP 25,237 for 2024/25
• Home tuition fees: GBP 4,786 per annum
• A Research Training Support Grant: GBP 22,000 (over 4 years)
• A University of Nottingham International Scholarship, which covered the fee difference between the Home and International Fee rates: GBP 25,000 per annum

Were You Offered Any Other Scholarships?

Yes, I have received three other scholarships in my academic journey. I accepted two, and had to decline one, namely:

In 2017, I received the Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM for University Students (EUR 4,800) by the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung - plus project, Geomatics and Partizipation, which was a programme between the University of Pretoria (UP), South Africa, and Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences (HSKA), Germany. As part of the programme, I completed the first half (6 months) of my Bachelor of Science Hons (BSc Hons) in Geoinformatics degree at my home university, UP, and the last half (6 months) at HSKA. The scholarship covered travel to and from Germany as well as living costs in Germany. Tuition in the Baden-Württemberg area was free at the time.

In 2018, I was offered the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung Normalprogramm Scholarship, still in Germany. The scholarship amount was EUR 9,350, and it was designed to cover my living costs from Sep 2018 to July 2019 while I completed the rest of the modules in the MSc (International) Geomatics program at HSKA, which I was enrolled in during my tenure with the Geomatics and Partizipation project. Baden-Württemberg had just reinstated study fees for international students at that time of EUR 1,500 per semester, but these fees were waived for me in that degree as it would still be under the cooperation between HSKA and UP per the original Geomatics and Partizipation project. Although I was awarded the scholarship, I was unable to return to Germany when the programme recommenced in September 2018 due to personal reasons. As a result, I had to withdraw from both the programme and the scholarship.

In 2019, I received the Irish Fellows Program Award (EUR 55,000), which was funded by the Irish Government and managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs. It enables early-to-mid-career professionals from eligible countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Small Island Developing States to complete a fully funded one-year master’s degree in Ireland. I used this to study towards a Master of Science (MSc) in GIS & Remote Sensing at Maynooth University in Ireland. It was a full scholarship which covered tuition, housing, living costs, insurance, travel to and from Ireland, visas, and everything in between that related to the well-being of the international student during their time in Ireland. My experience with the Irish Fellows Programme was particularly positive. Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) took care of practical arrangements such as accommodation, taxis, flights, hotels, and cash envelopes for international students. This support was especially helpful in the first few days after arrival, before we had opened local bank accounts or settled into life in Ireland.

Educational Background

My previous degrees in chronological order:

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Geography (GPA: 78.2%) | University of Pretoria, South Africa | 2016
• Bachelor of Science Honours (BSc Hons) in Geoinformatics (GPA: 68.5%) | University of Pretoria, South Africa | 2018 | Geomatics & Participation Programme | Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, Germany | WS 2017/18 (Joint degree under the cooperation between HSKA and UP)
• Master of Science (MSc) in GIS & Remote Sensing (First Class Honours, 76.3%) | Maynooth University, Republic of Ireland | 2020
• Master of Research (MRes) in Geospatial Data Science (GPA: 68%) | University of Nottingham, United Kingdom | 2022

My academic background prepared me well for PhD applications because I had consistently performed strongly in geospatial sciences, geography, GIS, remote sensing, and data science. I achieved first-class or high-grade results across my postgraduate degrees, which helped demonstrate my academic ability and readiness for doctoral study. In addition, I had already written research proposals and completed dissertation-based research projects. This experience helped me understand how to define a research problem, justify its significance, identify appropriate methods, and communicate the value of a proposed project. These skills were especially important when preparing my PhD application and research proposal.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the University of Nottingham?

How Did You Find Information About Scholarships and Institutions?

I first came across the Geospatial Systems Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) scholarship opportunity on LinkedIn. The advert indicated that the programme was being offered through either the University of Nottingham or Newcastle University. I researched both institutions carefully, including their academic strengths, research areas, supervisory expertise, and how each university aligned with my interests in Earth observation, geospatial science, and climate-related research.

After comparing the two, I decided to apply through the University of Nottingham because it was the better fit for my research interests and long-term academic goals. My preparation involved reviewing the programme requirements, identifying how my previous academic and professional background aligned with the CDT, and preparing the required documents, including my CV, research proposal, and motivation statement. I did not approach the process as a generic application. I treated it as a targeted proposal, where I needed to show not only that I met the entry requirements, but also that I understood the programme’s focus and could contribute meaningfully to it.

Did You Take Any Standardized Tests? If So, How Did You Prepare for Them?

No, I did not. My prior education in the Republic of Ireland exempted me from the IELTS tests, which were the only standardised test requirements relevant to my application. Because of that exemption, I did not need to prepare for an English language test or any other standardised admissions test. My application was assessed mainly on my academic background, research proposal, previous qualifications, and suitability for the programme.

How Did You Prepare to Apply for the University of Nottingham/UKRI International Scholarship?

At the time, I was based in South Africa and was initially looking for PhD programmes in Ireland, particularly in areas related to Earth observation, climate change, and/or energy sustainability. However, I could not find a programme there that aligned closely with my research interests, so I expanded my search to the United Kingdom. I applied to two UK programmes. One was the CDT programme at the University of Nottingham, which I eventually joined. The other was at the University of Cambridge. I was not selected for the Cambridge programme, but it was not a major setback because the project was not as closely aligned with what I genuinely wanted to do.

My preparation was fairly straightforward. I completed the online application forms and submitted the required documents, including research proposals, my CV, and motivation letters. I would not say I prepared extensively in the traditional sense, but I did draw on skills I had already developed through my professional background.

Before applying for the PhD, I had worked as a bid administrator in consulting engineering and in client relations as a strategic accounts director. In those roles, I was involved in preparing competitive bids, proposals, and formal submissions. That experience taught me how to present a strong case, align an application with funder priorities, and communicate value clearly. In many ways, I approached my PhD applications with the same discipline I had used when preparing winning bids and proposals professionally.

How is Your Experience at the University of Nottingham?

My experience at the University of Nottingham has been academically rewarding, personally demanding, and institutionally mixed. I have had access to meaningful academic opportunities, strong research exposure, teaching experience, and the benefits of being part of an interdisciplinary doctoral training environment. My PhD has allowed me to grow significantly as a researcher, particularly in the areas of Earth observation, greenhouse gas monitoring, inverse modelling, and applied geospatial science.

At the same time, my experience has not been without difficulty. As an international PhD researcher, a single parent, and the parent of a child with special educational needs, I have often had to navigate doctoral study alongside complex personal, financial, childcare, and immigration-related pressures. In those circumstances, administrative delays or unclear processes can have a much greater impact than they might for students with more stable support systems.

Overall, I would describe my experience as one of academic growth under challenging conditions. The institution provided valuable opportunities, but the support systems were not always as joined-up, timely, or accessible as they needed to be for someone in my circumstances. I have produced strong academic outputs and gained important professional experience, but that progress often required significant resilience and self-advocacy.

How Do You Rate the University of Nottingham Academically?

Academically, I would rate the University of Nottingham highly. The university offers access to strong research expertise, good facilities, interdisciplinary networks, and opportunities to engage with real-world research challenges. Through my PhD and CDT involvement, I have been able to work on research with clear societal relevance, particularly in relation to climate change mitigation, satellite observations, methane emissions, and environmental monitoring.

The academic environment has given me opportunities to develop technically, present my work, contribute to teaching, supervise student research, and engage with wider research communities. These experiences have been valuable for my development as a researcher and have strengthened my confidence in pursuing an academic or research-focused career.

However, a strong academic environment does not automatically translate into a consistently supportive student experience. My view is that Nottingham’s academic strengths are clear, but future students should also pay close attention to the practical realities of doctoral life: funding arrangements, payment processes, pastoral support, childcare needs, visa restrictions, and the administrative systems they may need to rely on.

For students who are well-supported financially and personally, the institution can offer excellent academic opportunities. For students with caring responsibilities, limited family support in the UK, or more complex circumstances, the experience may require much more persistence and self-advocacy.

How Does the University of Nottingham Support International Students?

The University of Nottingham does offer support for international students, including advice services, visa-related guidance, wellbeing support, academic development opportunities, and access to broader student support systems. In my case, there were also mechanisms through which I could seek support for travel, subsistence, childcare, and additional costs linked to doctoral training activities. However, one important limitation was that much of the practical support I accessed came from my Research Training Support Grant rather than from a dedicated international student or equality, diversity and inclusion support fund. This meant that support for childcare, subsistence, or travel-related needs had to be balanced against the technical and research requirements of my PhD, including training, fieldwork, conferences, and other research costs. In practice, this created a trade-off: support that helped me participate in doctoral activities could also reduce the budget available for the research and training activities the grant was originally intended to support.

My experience suggests that while support does exist, it can sometimes be fragmented and administratively demanding. International students often face challenges that are not only academic but also practical: visa restrictions, limited access to public funds, higher travel costs, separation from family networks, childcare pressures, and uncertainty around post-study options. When these issues overlap, support needs to be proactive, coordinated, timely, and ideally funded through mechanisms that do not take away from a student’s core research and training budget.

For future international applicants, I would advise asking detailed questions before accepting an offer. It is important to understand not only the academic programme, but also how funding is paid, what additional support is available, whether there is dedicated support for students with dependants, how quickly expenses are reimbursed, whether childcare-related support exists outside the research training budget, what visa limitations may affect work or family life, and who to contact when problems arise.

My experience has shown me that support does exist, but students may need to be persistent in finding it, asking the right questions, and advocating for their needs. For international students with dependants or caring responsibilities, this is especially important. The institution can provide valuable opportunities, but the practical experience will depend heavily on how well support systems respond to your individual circumstances without unintentionally reducing the resources available for your research.

What Did You Pursue After the University of Nottingham/UKRI International Scholarship?

I am currently in the last stages of writing up my PhD thesis and preparing for the next stage of my career. My main focus remains Earth observation, geospatial data science, greenhouse gas monitoring, climate change mitigation, and environmental decision-making. I am pursuing academic, research, consulting, and advisory opportunities where I can apply these skills to real-world climate and sustainability challenges, particularly in Africa and other underrepresented regions.

Beyond my core scientific work, the PhD has also shaped how I approach other areas of impact. The research skills I developed; evidence-gathering, critical analysis, problem-solving, and communicating complex information clearly, have helped me support other women in areas connected to my own lived experience, including stress-related hair loss and confidence during difficult life transitions. I have also continued writing fiction, which allows me to explore identity, resilience, spirituality, and social issues from a more creative perspective.

I see these interests as connected rather than separate. At the centre of my work is a commitment to using knowledge, whether scientific, practical, or creative, to help people understand their circumstances better and make more informed decisions. I remain available for further research, mentorship, collaboration, advisory work, and consulting in geospatial science, Earth observation, greenhouse gas monitoring, and climate-related applications.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think my application stood out because I had a strong academic background and a proven record of completing competitive international scholarship programmes. Since PhD completion rates can be uncertain, my successful completion of two previous international scholarships showed that I was a low-risk candidate who could adapt, persevere, and finish what I started.

My background in geospatial science and environmental research also aligned well with the CDT’s focus. I was able to show not only that I had the technical foundation for the programme, but also that I was motivated by real-world environmental problems and had the resilience required for doctoral study.

Looking Back, Would You Have Done Anything Differently During Your Time in the Program?

If I were going through the process again, I would ideally have pursued the PhD earlier in life, before having a dependent. Doctoral study is demanding in any circumstances, but doing it as an international student while also raising a child, especially a child with additional needs, adds a level of complexity that is difficult to fully anticipate before starting.

I do not regret doing the PhD, but I now understand more clearly how much doctoral success depends not only on academic ability, but also on timing, support systems, financial stability, childcare, immigration conditions, and emotional capacity. Having a dependent meant that every conference, training event, relocation, funding delay, or administrative issue had consequences beyond just me.

If I were advising someone in a similar position, I would encourage them to think very carefully about the practical realities before starting: who will help with childcare, what happens during travel or fieldwork, how flexible the programme really is, how secure the funding is, and whether there is enough support for unexpected challenges.

So, if I could do it differently, I would either have started the PhD when I was younger and had fewer responsibilities, or I would have entered the programme with a much more detailed support plan in place from the beginning. I have learned that resilience is important, but it should not be the only thing carrying you through a PhD.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

My advice to future applicants is to treat the scholarship application as more than a formality. A strong academic record matters, but it is also important to show fit, clarity of purpose, and evidence that you can complete what you are proposing. Before applying, research the programme carefully. Understand the institution, the supervisors, the research priorities, the funding structure, and the practical realities of living in the country where you will study. If you are an international student, especially one with dependants or caring responsibilities, ask detailed questions about visa conditions, childcare, payment timelines, travel support, expenses, and what support is available if circumstances become difficult.

I would also encourage applicants to take their previous experience seriously. Professional experience, personal resilience, community work, and lived experience can all strengthen an application if they are connected clearly to your academic goals. Do not present yourself only as someone who needs an opportunity; present yourself as someone who is ready to use the opportunity well.

Finally, be honest with yourself about the support systems you will need. A scholarship can open life-changing doors, but doctoral study is demanding. Academic ability is important, but so are stability, planning, self-advocacy, and the ability to ask for help early. Choose a programme not only because it is prestigious, but because it is a good fit for your research, your values, and your life.