Progress to Postgrad: Elliott

Posted on: 7 September 2026 by Richard Finch in Class of 2025

Elliott Watkiss-Leek is a Class of 2025 BSc Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) graduate who is now studying MSc Advanced Data Science & Artificial Intelligence at the University of Liverpool.

What motivated you to pursue postgraduate study, and when did you realise it was the right path for you?

I realised postgraduate study was right for me after taking part in internships at the University of Liverpool, particularly the Google DeepMind Research Ready programme. Through these experiences, I knew I wanted to continue studying and could see the value of building on what I had already learned through an MSc.

What were the biggest challenges you faced during the transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study, and how did you overcome them?

I wouldn't say I faced too many challenges, as I had always known I wanted to pursue an MSc and felt prepared for the transition.

Is there anything you are doing outside of your study that has helped your development whilst studying?

Keeping fit and regularly going to the gym helps me manage stress and maintain balance. I've also taken advantage of research opportunities within the department, which have enabled me to contribute to tangible outputs such as academic conferences.

If you could give future grads one piece of advice, what would it be?

Take every opportunity you are given before it passes you by!

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