Why I chose to study Computer Engineering
Unsure between Computer Science and Engineering? Layan explains how she chose Computer Engineering at Birmingham Dubai and what the course is like.
When I was applying to university, I already knew I wanted to study at the University of Birmingham Dubai. I love living in Dubai, so seeing a university offering a top UK degree in Dubai immediately stood out to me.
Birmingham being a top 100 university, the option to complete my degree in three years rather than four, and the campus feeling like it had a stronger sense of community compared to other universities I looked at all played a part. Altogether, it felt like the best of both worlds.
What I struggled with more was choosing the right course.
Choosing the right degree: computing vs engineering
At that stage, I knew I wanted to study something technical, but I kept going back and forth on what exactly. I considered Computer Science with AI because it felt familiar and safe, especially since I already enjoyed coding. At the same time, I kept feeling drawn towards engineering topics as well. I particularly liked anything related to electrical systems and how technology works beyond just software.
Why traditional engineering didn’t feel right for me
I’ve always loved maths and calculus, but physics was never something I enjoyed, which ruled out a lot of traditional engineering paths for me.
Mechanical Engineering didn’t feel right, but neither did fully committing to a course that focused only on software. I liked understanding how things worked end-to-end, not just at the surface level. None of the options I was looking at felt like the right balance.
Discovering Computer Engineering
That’s when things started to click. After talking to a few professors at the University about my interests and what I did and didn’t enjoy, they mentioned that a new course was being introduced: Computer Engineering.
It immediately felt like it filled the gap I’d been struggling with. It combined the parts of Computer Science I liked, with engineering concepts I was genuinely interested in, without leaning too heavily into areas I already knew weren’t for me.
Becoming part of the first cohort
What stood out even more was that this was a new course, and my cohort would be the first Computer Engineering students at both the Dubai and Edgbaston campuses. Instead of feeling uncertain about that, it felt exciting. It made sense in a way the other options didn’t, because it brought together the parts I liked without forcing me to drop the rest.
What I expected before starting the course
Before starting the course, I wasn’t completely sure what to expect, since Computer Engineering was new. I wondered whether it would feel too broad, or if I’d end up missing parts of Computer Science or Engineering by not choosing one clearly defined path.
What studying Computer Engineering is actually like
Once the course started, those worries faded fairly quickly. Seeing how the modules were structured made it clear why this course had been recommended to me. The mix of programming, systems, and hardware-related topics felt intentional rather than scattered, and it suited the way I like to learn.
What really stood out was how much the course matched the way I’ve always approached technology. Growing up, I was less interested in just using tech and more interested in understanding how it worked. That same curiosity showed up again in labs and practical sessions, where concepts felt more tangible and connected rather than abstract.
So far, the experience has been challenging, but in a way that feels purposeful. The workload is real, but it doesn’t feel overwhelming for the sake of it. Instead, it feels like I’m building towards something. Looking back, the course has met my expectations and, in some ways, exceeded them.