Shubh Pandoyi

Why Birmingham Dubai?

As I was comparing different universities for postgraduate study in Dubai, Birmingham Dubai stood out because it combined a strong UK reputation with a Dubai campus and a masters programme in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science that matched what I was looking for. I wanted a degree that would be genuinely recognised by employers.

At the same time, the Dubai campus appealed to me because of where it is and how it operates: a modern, close-knit campus in a fast-growing, international city that still felt relatively close to home.

I attended the Online Open Day and an in-person University of Birmingham seminar in Delhi. The Online Open Day gave me a clear overview of the Dubai campus, the AI and Computer Science programme, and a chance to ask questions about admissions, careers and student life. The seminar in Delhi went a level deeper. Hearing directly from University representatives gave me much more insight into the teaching style, support available and what a Birmingham degree actually means for reputation and career outcomes.

What made Birmingham Dubai the right place to study Artificial Intelligence & Computer Science?

For my course, Birmingham Dubai felt like the right fit because both the curriculum and the location matched where I wanted to grow in AI. The MSc Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computer Science programme follows the same UK curriculum as the main Birmingham campus, so I knew I was getting solid foundations in algorithms, programming and core AI.

What really helped is that I was studying AI in a place where it’s actually being used and talked about all the time. The UAE has a clear focus on AI and digital innovation, so things we covered in class, like machine learning or data-driven decision making, are linked naturally to what you see around you in government services, tech companies, and startups. That made the course feel relevant for how AI careers in the UAE are developing.

My Birmingham Dubai experience

My experience at the University of Birmingham Dubai has been really positive overall.

What I liked most was how naturally international the campus felt. You’re surrounded by students from different countries, and that shows up in everyday things like group work, conversations in the atrium, and how people talk about their home cultures and traditions. It never felt intimidating, more like a small, friendly campus where you start recognising faces quite quickly.

Some of my favourite memories are about how the University and students celebrate different cultures together. Global Day on campus was a highlight for me. Everyone brings a bit of their home country, whether that’s food, clothes, music or performances, and the whole campus turns into a very colourful, busy space for the day.

I also really appreciated how the university marks key moments for the UAE. The National Day celebrations in December are done with a lot of enthusiasm. Flags, decorations, activities and a genuine focus on Emirati culture and traditions. As an international student, it helped me feel more connected to the country I was studying in, not just to the campus.

Of course there were challenges at the beginning; mainly settling into a new academic system, managing deadlines and figuring out a routine in a new city. But between the support from staff, the smaller class sizes, and the number of events and activities happening on campus, it quite quickly began to feel like home, and I built a circle of friends.

Birmingham Dubai’s impact

Birmingham supported me in a lot of very practical ways throughout my studies, both academically and in terms of my career.

On the academic side, having approachable lecturers and smaller class sizes made a big difference. I could ask questions easily, get feedback on my work, and book time in office hours when I was stuck on something, rather than feeling lost in a huge cohort.

From a career point of view, the support was very structured. I used Careers Network for one-to-one appointments to review my CV and LinkedIn, talk through possible paths with my AI and Computer Science background, and prepare for interviews. There were skills workshops, employer events and networking opportunities.

I received support in two main ways:

• I was awarded a scholarship of 40% on my total tuition fee, which reduced the overall financial burden a lot and made it much more realistic for me to choose Birmingham Dubai.
• On top of that, I was able to pay my remaining tuition in three instalments across the academic year, rather than all at once.

My journey from Birmingham Dubai

Since graduating, my journey has stayed closely connected to the University and has built quite naturally on what I was doing as a student.

I actually started getting experience while I was still studying. As a Student Ambassador, I supported Open Days and recruitment events, spoke to prospective students and parents, and helped the team with applications and data. That was my first real exposure to working with the University and understanding the student journey from a different perspective.

After completing my postgraduate programme in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science, I stayed on with Birmingham Dubai after graduation, moving into a full-time Business Development and Engagement role at the University. In this position, I support areas like student recruitment, engagement, and data. My masters has helped a lot in this role, because the analytical and technical skills I developed mean I can look at processes, data and systems and help make things smoother and more efficient.

Birmingham helped shape my journey by giving me confidence, connections and practical experience. Working in classes and diverse groups pushed me to speak up more and communicate better. Being a Student Ambassador and using the Careers Network events and guidance helped me build a network on campus and get comfortable talking to people professionally.

My achievements

I’m most proud of a mix of personal growth and how my skills and experience developed during my time at Birmingham.

Becoming a Student Ambassador pushed me out of my comfort zone, especially when speaking to prospective students and parents. It helped build my confidence, communication skills and sense of responsibility.

Academically, I’m proud of how much I managed to grow my portfolio in terms of programming and core AI, and how I could start combining that with an interest in finance. Through the modules and projects I worked on, Birmingham gave me the space to build multiple projects that brought together data, algorithms and real-world problem solving.

After graduating, I’m proud that I was able to turn that experience into a full-time Business Development and Engagement role at the University itself.

Advice for students

I’d keep my advice quite simple:

• Don’t treat networking as something extra: Talk to people, classmates, staff, visiting speakers, the Careers Network, and employers who come to campus. The more conversations you have, the easier it becomes and the more opportunities you’ll hear about.
• Use Careers Network early, not just in your final semester: Book CV/LinkedIn checks, attend employer events and workshops, and practise talking about your skills. It feels small at the time, but it builds your confidence a lot.
• Get involved beyond lectures: Join at least one society, group or student role (like an ambassador or committee position). It’s one of the fastest ways to make friends, feel at home and build soft skills that employers care about.
• Ask for help when you need it: Use academic support, wellbeing services and the Students’ Association advice service if you’re struggling with workload, deadlines or settling in. It’s much easier when you don’t wait until things feel overwhelming.