Roza, a Kurdish Chevening Scholar, Pursues Her Fully Funded MSc in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Surrey in the UK

My name is Roza, and I am from Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan. Currently, I work as an AI Engineer at the Kurdistan Regional Government's Department of Information Technology.

Before my master's degree, I worked full-time as a mobile application developer. My interests have always been multidisciplinary, spanning technology, research, and humanitarian and civil work. This led me to work with various local and international NGOs, participate in research, and engage in civic projects to build my leadership skills. In 2019, I was selected for the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP), a U.S. Department of State-funded scholarship, where I spent a month in the United States developing community enhancement skills.

After graduating with my BSc, I continued as a mobile developer but remained deeply interested in academia. I began reading research on AI's potential impact in the healthcare and humanitarian domains. At the same time, I also conducted research on the biases and data misrepresentation within AI and ML models. I was fascinated by the science, both its potential for good and its risks, and I needed to study it deeply. This motivated me to pursue an MSc in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Surrey.

Chevening Scholarship Details

I received the Chevening Scholarship, funded by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organizations. The scholarship selects applicants based on academic merit, a clear purpose, and strong leadership and networking potential.

It is a fully-funded award for a one-year full-time study in the UK, which covered my full tuition fees for the one-year MSc at the University of Surrey, a monthly stipend for living expenses, and travel allowances.

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

Yes, I was also offered the NAWA - The Banach Scholarship Programme. This program aims to promote socio-economic progress in developing countries by funding master's studies in Poland for students with strong academic and scientific prospects. It is a joint initiative of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). The scholarship provided a full tuition fee waiver at partner universities, a monthly stipend, and a travel allowance.

Educational Background

I began my studies in Electrical Engineering at the University of Sulaimani. However, during my first year, I received a full scholarship to transfer to the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS). I graduated from AUIS with a BSc in Information Technology and a minor in English Literature, finishing with a 3.3 GPA.

I believe my educational background taught me and helped me be resilient, allowed me to communicate my plan, passion, and thoughts clearly, sharpened my critical thinking skills, and above all, exposed me to the tools I needed to research for my own and find my own interests and nurture them. A strong academic record was also helpful when applying to competitive UK universities.

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

How Did You Find Information About the Chevening Scholarship and the University of Surrey?

I first heard about the Chevening scholarship from alumni and began researching it online. My general process for finding scholarships and institutions involved using university websites, specific scholarship portals, and platforms like this (like Global Scholarships). I would scan for opportunities, create a list of those that matched my profile, and then narrow it down.

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

I took the IELTS test. While it was not a Chevening requirement at the time, it was necessary for admission to almost all UK universities for applicants from non-English-speaking countries. To prepare, I watched YouTube tutorials, studied the test fundamentals, and carefully analyzed the grading rubrics.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Chevening Scholarship?

I start with the administrative tasks initially, making sure I have proper documents, reaching out to my references, then I’d start by researching the scholarship body, the institution I wanted to study at, the specific courses, the country it's located in, and the city. Then I would start writing the essays as needed.

How is (was) Your Experience at the University of Surrey? 

My experience was very positive. The University of Surrey is in Guildford, a peaceful university town with a beautiful, green landscape. The campus is large and well-equipped with all the necessary facilities, with an extensive library and multiple computer labs.

How Do You Rate the University of Surrey Academically and Why?

I would rate it 9/10. The university, particularly its Centre for Vision, Speech, and Signal Processing (CVSSP), is a leading research center in AI. The institution is academically rigorous. The course was very fast-paced, which made it challenging at times, but the quality of education was high.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe my application stood out because I had a clear and concrete vision. I was specific about my passion for AI, why I needed to study it, and why I wanted to do so in the UK. I avoided vague statements in my essays and interview. I demonstrated that I was a good investment by clearly linking my goals, vision, and leadership skills to my commitment to academic achievement.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

I would have tried to join more university clubs and societies. My course was very challenging, so I naturally spent most of my time studying and didn't have much time for extra activities.

I did travel whenever I could, making frequent visits to London and exploring cities like Brighton, Bath, Sheffield, Leicester, Nottingham, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. After finishing my course in September, I lived in Leeds for a few months, which was a memorable experience. If I could do it again, I would have visited more places within the UK.

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

Have a clear vision and a concrete plan. You need to convince the selection committee why you are a good investment. Explain what you want to do with the knowledge you will gain and how you plan to apply your studies.

Be realistic, but also let your personality show. Don't be afraid to mention personal interests or activities you want to explore. Finally, clearly tie your personal goals and vision back to the overarching goals of the scholarship program.