Abdul-Azim Ahmed

What was the best thing about the MA at Cardiff?

Cardiff is a fantastic place to study, with lots of resources available and history on your doorstep that really brings the Masters in Islam in Contemporary Britain to life. The way the Masters combines a practical in-depth exploration of Islam in the UK with the social science skills needed to research is quite unique, and certainly gave me the confidence and knowledge needed to continue along my career path.

What difference do you think it has made to your career choice?

The Masters really gave me an idea of what would be expected from postgraduate research, both at doctoral and post-doctoral level. This helped me to decide that I wanted to continue my academic career, as well as giving me the skills to pursue it.

What skills did you learn?

Alongside the ESRC approved modules on social science research, the Masters also taught me how to approach large amounts of reading, exploring other academic studies and how to link together theory and practice. The latter was particularly emphasised during the dissertation.

What difference has being a Cardiff Jameel Scholar made to you?

The Jameel Scholarship gave me the ability to focus and develop my skills as a researcher and student. Without it, I certainly wouldn’t have been able to pursue a Masters. It also gave me access to a network of other Jameel scholars with whom I could share ideas, learn from and engage with during my Masters.

What was the best thing about being a student at Cardiff?

Cardiff is a great university with a really vibrant student scene. It has everything you would want from a capital city but doesn’t lose the nice local touch that makes the whole experience even more enjoyable.

The Jameel Scholarship gave me the ability to focus and develop my skills as a researcher and student.