I’m Ahmed Chyad, and I hold an MSc degree in electronic and communication engineering from Al-Nahrain University in Iraq. Currently, I’m pursuing my PhD at the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Leeds. My research focuses on Edge Computing for eXtended Reality (XR) applications. My interests span wireless communication, mobile communication, antennas, filters, networking, and edge computing. When I’m not immersed in technology, I enjoy playing football and swimming.
Studying the pre-sessional course
The pre-sessional course boosted my confidence, enhanced my language skills in four areas, and taught me academic English, which is very crucial for students. The tutors were professional, well-organized, friendly and happy to help. Almost everything on the course was enjoyable and beneficial.
Living in Leeds
Leeds is a diverse city with many colleges and some universities, and green spaces are abundant. There are activities throughout the year. One of the things that is very interesting is that there are plenty of libraries, and there are different types of support in the libraries.
Developing skills for your career
Mastering a new language, especially English, increases your opportunity to secure a job or move to a better one. Furthermore, interacting with people from different countries and cultures expands your social network, which is a significant factor that helps in your career.
What advice would you give to someone who is unsure about studying the pre-sessional?
Almost all my colleagues who were studying abroad advised me to take a pre-sessional course. This course will not only enhance your language skills but also boost your academic skills, familiarise you with the culture of the country, and give you time to acclimatise to the new environment.
Ahmed studied the Academic English for Postgraduate Research pre-sessional.
Find out about our pre-sessional courses for postgraduate researchers.