Sabiha Siddique

What attracted you to this area of study and why did you choose Kent?

Engineering was the only profession that interested me. I have always performed better in subjects that are inclined towards engineering, ever since high school. During my bachelor’s degree, I realised that, no matter how good the technology is at present, it will be replaced in the future with better, highly autonomous and intuitive solutions. Ultimately, my fascination with development became the reason to start my Master’s degree at Kent.

There were many reasons to choose this course. Firstly, I did my bachelor’s degree in the same field. I saw that Kent was offering modules that cover all my interests and this Master’s course is very similar to my previous degree, but at a more advanced level. I felt that I was quite good at this field and really wanted to pursue my research in the area of communications. Secondly, my last job was related to communications, but while working there I felt that I needed to get more in-depth knowledge. Thirdly, and luckily, I got a scholarship, which helped me financially and further persuaded me to go for the Master’s degree.

What aspects of your studies have you particularly enjoyed?

I have benefited vastly from the breadth of this course and gained a comprehensive exposure to many core areas of the field and a strong conceptual understanding. I have learnt how to maintain an independent approach in all my endeavours. I have particularly enjoyed the labs and workshops because through them I have been able to apply what I learnt in lectures.

My favourite module was on advanced networking. The module covered all the advanced topics in detail and the lecturer delivered it in a very interesting way.

What do you think of the teaching and support? 

The thing that has made my Master’s degree easier and more interesting is the support given not only by the lecturers but also by the technical staff in the School of Engineering and Digital Arts (EDA). They are always available whether you have a technical problem in your project or some issue with your assignment. Lecturers are approachable, they always reply to emails and students can book one-to-one meetings to discuss any problems. It feels like home because of the help and support provided by the staff.

What about the social side of university? 

The best part is that there are so many students from all over the world. You can learn a lot of interesting things about different cultures, which itself is an amazing experience.

How does postgraduate study differ from undergraduate study? 

I feel that, at undergraduate level, students are given a basic idea about everything relevant to their course, while postgraduate study is all about specialisation. You get an in-depth knowledge of your field in a more advanced and practical way.

Have you taken part in programmes and activities run by the Graduate School? 

The Graduate School runs the Global Skills Award, which involves workshops and lectures that help you to develop skills and knowledge outside of your subject area. Depending on the number you attend, you gain different levels of award. The lectures are quite interesting and informative and are delivered in a very friendly way. I attended most of them and I achieved a Gold certificate. I think this certificate is very important for my CV because it shows my participation and knowledge in other activities apart from my coursework.

What are you planning to do next? 

I could either go into industry or stay in academia. Currently, I’m leaning more towards finding a job to gain some industrial experience ,which will help me to polish my practical skills. After that, I might go for a PhD because of my interest in research. The University’s Careers and Employability Service has been really helpful. They have guided me through everything and helped me to improve my CV.

Any advice for prospective students?

I would say don’t think twice, go for it. The lecturers are so well qualified, the libraries are well equipped, and everyone is so friendly here. It may be challenging but you will learn new things every day. The student life is well balanced. While you are here, try to take advantage of the diversity that Kent offers. Interact with different students from different countries and engage in activities alongside your studies to make your experience memorable.

Advanced Communications Engineering is not currently available; the MSc in Advanced Electronic Systems Engineering offers similar content