The Management School's research actually helps in the real world

Ali Alobaid.
Ali Alobaid
Sheffield University Management School
PhD researcher
2023
Ali shares what he has gained personally from studying a PhD in Sheffield and why Sheffield is such a great city to study in.
Ali Alobaid.

I began my academic journey as a bachelors student in accounting

I began my academic journey as an undergraduate student in accounting, and graduated with first class honors. Following that, I pursued a master’s degree in accounting and auditing in the United States, earning certification as a Certified Fraud Examiner. These experiences laid a strong foundation for my subsequent pursuit of a PhD.

Accounting is an important part of any society

I decided to do a PhD because I really love accounting, it is an important aspect of any society, and I felt my masters degree just wasn't enough. I wanted to dive way deeper into it. I knew it was going to be a bit tough, with long hours and lots of studying. But the cool part is, I get to discover new things, not just read about them.

I really want to help out in my home country, Saudi Arabia so my big project is all about Audit Quality there. It's a big deal, and I want to make things better. So, that's why I did the PhD, to learn tons and help out back home and the world.

The specific area of my research is Audit Quality. The title is: Towards an Understanding of Audit Quality: Exploring Perceptions of Audit Quality and Audit Quality Indicators in Saudi Arabia.

Sheffield University Management School's research actually helps the world

Sheffield University Management School is one of the top universities in the UK and the world. They also like to make sure their research actually helps out in the real world, which is exactly what I was looking for with my PhD.

Sheffield is such an awesome place. The people are friendly, and it's like a big team working together. What makes it even better is the support I get from my fellow PhD students. We're like a little research family, all excited about what we're doing. I've even made some awesome friends from different countries! It brings a whole new perspective to our work and makes the whole thing way more fun and motivating.

My advice for future PhD students

When working on your PhD proposal, keep your question clear, understand what's already out there, and one more thing: Be ready to roll with changes along the way, it's all part of the journey.

Once you've started your PhD, try to squeeze in time for family, friends, some sports and definitely some 'me time'. Some days you work round the clock, even on weekends, and there are times you spend days just figuring out your next move. It's not easy, but finding those moments for life outside of research keeps you motivated.

The supportive community, top faculty, and collaborative vibe make it a great place to do your research. Just know, it's a journey, so be ready for challenges, but the friends you make and the expertise you gain will make it totally worth the ride.

Find a PhD

Search for PhD opportunities at Sheffield and be part of our world-leading research.