Mohamed
BSc (Hons) Finance and Business Analytics
Mohamed’s journey to Bradford took him across continents, from Abu Dhabi to Egypt, and now the UK. After graduating with a first-class degree in our BSc (Hons) Finance and Business Analytics programme, he’s ready to take the next step in a career that blends finance, data and technology.
This is his story.
Bradford is known for its diverse community and that really stood out to me.
Why I chose Bradford
"I was born in Abu Dhabi and lived in the Emirates most of my life, before moving to Egypt for a year just before the pandemic."
"I had originally planned to study in Canada, but a couple of friends suggested applying to UK universities instead. Bradford really stood out for a few reasons. It had just won Business School of the Year in 2021, and the scholarship offer made it financially accessible.
"But more than that, it was the cultural diversity and inclusive environment that really resonated with me. It’s known for being the UK’s most inclusive university and that mattered a lot when choosing where to study."
The perfect mix of courses
"Finance and Business Analytics offered the perfect mix of everything."
"I’ve always been interested in how the economy works, not just the financial side, but how businesses make decisions based on data. I originally applied for a different course, but switched early on because I realised I wanted to focus on how financial systems and data work together.
"I'm also curious about things like fintech and AI, and this course gave me the tools to explore that. During my course I learnt how to use programming languages like Python, how to analyse large datasets, and make real-world decisions based on those insights.
"In my final year, I worked on a group project building a hybrid recommendation system for e-commerce, looking at how platforms like Netflix and Amazon use data to tailor content and sell more products.
"We studied how viewing habits, even something as small as when you stop watching a video, can inform smarter business decisions."
It was fascinating to connect theory with real-world applications.
Putting theory into action
"For my dissertation, I focused on student perceptions of assessment and feedback in the Faculty of Management, Law & Social Sciences."
"I was the faculty rep at the time, so I had access to relevant data. I scored 88% for my project, and what made me the proudest was being able to recommend changes that could directly improve teaching quality, particularly for students with different learning styles or disabilities.
"I worked closely with faculty members and other department leaders, including Richard Nelsen in Learning, Teaching & Student Experience, to push for more digital and AI-driven learning tools which are now being adopted."
I’ve loved my course, but it’s the extracurricular opportunities that have shaped my time at Bradford.
Getting involved
"One of the best things about the course was the Career Booster Programme."
"We had access to workshops and guest lectures on everything from accounting software to AI and negotiation. It gave me a flavour of different career paths and helped me figure out what I wanted to pursue.
"Outside the classroom, I made sure to get involved in as much as possible. During my second year, I secured a place on the University’s Summer Experience internship, working with the Alumni team.
"I analysed the CRM data of 125,000 alumni, segmented audiences by age and behaviour, and produced a final report with recommendations on how to tailor communications more effectively. It was one of the most hands-on and rewarding experiences while I was studying."
Taking part
"I also worked part-time as a Student Ambassador during Clearing and as an admin support officer for the Students’ Union."
"I supported societies with budgeting, health and safety paperwork, and event organisation, including CultureFest, which celebrates different cultures through food, music, and performances.
"In my final year, I was elected Minorities and Ethnicities Officer through the UBU elections. One of the campaigns I led focused on hate crime awareness, working in partnership with the University’s EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) department, West Yorkshire Police, and Bradford Hate Crime Alliance.
"We organised a wellbeing walk with a senior police officer and promoted the Alliance’s reporting app across campus. It felt meaningful to use my platform to make a difference."
Looking ahead
"I’ve applied for the MSc in Applied Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics at Bradford."
"It’s a subject I know well and one I’m passionate about. The course will help me build on what I’ve already learned and apply it more deeply.
"I’m also exploring full-time roles in the data analytics sector. There’s so much opportunity in the field, and what excites me most is that it’s constantly evolving. There’s always something new to learn, which keeps it interesting and competitive.
"Graduating with a first-class degree was a proud moment for me, especially when I saw my dad in tears in the audience as I was awarded the Lucas Prize for my final year project.
"It reminded me of everything I’ve achieved since starting my journey."
My advice to new students is simple: show up.
"It sounds obvious, but it really is the key to unlocking the best opportunities."
"Get involved in everything, even if it’s unpaid. You never know who you’ll meet or where those connections could lead. Bradford offers so many ways to grow beyond your course, from networking to leadership opportunities.
"The students who make the most of their time here are the ones who actively engage and are likely to have the best opportunities while they’re at university and beyond."