Since joining the programme, my mindset has shifted from a solo academic focus to embracing collaboration. The curriculum is intense, and maintaining a high GPA requires the ability to work within diverse teams. Beyond the classroom, serving as a Student Ambassador allowed me to put these soft skills into practice, where I organised sports activities to help my peers balance the pressure.
Professionally, I am adopting a structured approach in Marketing and Brand Management, building on my previous experience as a marketing intern at Swire. This position offered me valuable insights into the industry and helped me refine my analytical skills to better understand market culture and translate these insights into effective business strategies. Furthermore, the guidance from HKU Career Development Team has been invaluable in sharpening my approach and enhancing my strategic thinking.
To me, the scholarship was far more than a prestigious accolade; it fostered a deep sense of belonging. I felt a strong connection to HKU and the school’s career support, facilitated by dedicated mentors and exclusive events. I truly appreciated how the school provides a comprehensive, consistent support system for scholarship students, offering ongoing guidance rather than isolated learning opportunities.
Through regular sessions with my career mentor, I was able to refine my career trajectory. By polishing my resume and scheduling internship timelines, my previously vague ideas evolved into clear, actionable plans. The school’s real-time job updates and regular career fairs also provided me with direct access to the industry. HKU’s alumni network played a subtle yet powerful role, with my identity as an ‘HKU student’ being a natural conversation starter, allowing easy exchanges to flow and paving the way for future opportunities.
After graduating with a Master of Chemistry from the University of Oxford, I realised I am a people person, and I wanted to apply my analytical skills not just to molecules, but to markets and people. That desire for a more interactive, fast-paced environment is exactly what brought me to the Master of Finance in Financial Technology here at HKU. I chose HKU because I wanted to be right at the centre of the action. Hong Kong is a global financial hub, and this programme offers the perfect bridge between my STEM background and the financial world.
My time here has been transformative. The highlight was definitely Professor Meng’s course with its model trading simulation. It converted theoretical concepts about stocks, bonds, and leverage into practical skills. At my internship at Sun Hung Kai Properties, I got to apply it all in the real world, using those trading models and data analysis skills on actual market data and client portfolios.
Before beginning my master’s programme, I was already determined to become a secondary market researcher. This motivation stemmed from my internship and personal investment experiences. From my first exposure to consulting in Year 1 to conducting industry research at securities firms and fund management companies, I steadily found joy in building investment logic.
My master’s studies definitely supported my career goals. The Business Analytics programme methodically enhanced my abilities to understand and analyse data. The curriculum closely mirrored real-world business scenarios – from basic knowledge of programming to data model training, everything was linked back to actual business projects.
The vibrant energy of HKU, unparalleled access to industry leaders and alumni networks, and rigorous, professionally designed curriculum of the Master of Wealth Management programme deeply resonated with me – making HKU the ideal place to continue my academic and personal growth.
The modular format demands rapid learning and quick adaptation to new teams and environments. Yet, this intensity fosters strong bonds among classmates and mirrors the pace and diversity of real-world professional settings. It is a dynamic and enriching experience that pushes us to grow both intellectually and socially.
I believe the panel valued my cross-disciplinary track record—top GPA at Peking University and four finance-related internships where I already built valuation models, automated data workflows and published equity-research reports.
HKU provided a series of very intensive courses, which trained me to be a professional accountant. I also joined few recruitments talks and company visits hosted by HKU, gaining latest information in the job market. From bootcamp in August to my last exam of Advanced Financial Accounting in M2, it laid a solid foundation in my accounting knowledge, and strengthened my competitiveness in the business world.
I majored in Physics during my bachelor studies at Peking University, with a specific focus on particle physics. However, during my third year – a critical time for postgraduate recommendations – I realised I wanted to apply my knowledge practically to everyday life. This led me to choose finance as my new direction.
There were good opportunities in Singapore and America, but HKU Business School gives students the flexibility to choose between a one-year or two-year curriculum. This provides students who have changed disciplines with enough buffer time to get used to the new environment and teachings. Additionally, Hong Kong is an international financial hub that offers rich internship and career options, which are important for my future career planning. Accommodating visa policies and other local advantages also swayed my decision.
This is a Master Degree by Coursework, which means the time for learning is limited. Everyone has a clear picture of what they want to learn, and they want to see results. With a defined goal, it’s easier to give it your all.
During my studies, I was amazed by the professionalism and commitment of HKU professors. Prof. Alex Chan taught “Corporate Finance”, and his approach truly inspired me. In class, he shared his rich knowledge with genuine passion. After lectures, he held tutorials to enrich students’ understanding even further. Prof. Chan was very pragmatic and efficient, conducting fast-paced, orderly classes. Students could learn effectively under his guidance and were rewarded with substantial learnings and expertise.
Prior to enrolment, I was honoured to receive the Entrance Scholarship, and later, the Business Leadership Global Exposure Sponsorship. I believe what distinguished my application was a blend of potential and authenticity. While a strong academic record—such as a 3.9 GPA, an IELTS score of 8, and sole-authored publications—was essential, I recognize that these are often baseline expectations, especially for cross-disciplinary applicants. Beyond academics, I have always valued independence, both financially and intellectually. During my undergraduate studies, I supported myself by working as an Arabic and Turkish translator and taking on roles at the Canton Fair, which enabled me to fund my master’s tuition. Though my background is in law, I maintained strong ties to the business world, including involvement in international arbitration.
HKU has surpassed all my expectations with its vibrant and enriching environment. Each day brings a sense of purpose and inspiration, whether I’m immersed in intensive lectures, studying in the library, or engaged in dynamic group discussions. I’ve been particularly impressed by how the programme fosters critical thinking within a harmonious and supportive atmosphere. Through weekend retreats, field trips, and one-on-one CV sessions, we are able to connect with charismatic professors and dedicated staff.
My academic journey has been deeply influenced by my family. My father is a high school professor in Hong Kong while my brother works in the IT industry in America. Although I received an offer from Columbia University, I ultimately chose to study at HKU. My father has experience in starting a company, and he believes HKU provides better connections for career development. The city also offers many career opportunities.
HKU’s programme is fast-paced and compact. It focuses on case studies, practical applications and industry participation. I’ve learned a lot in a short amount of time, which has enhanced my learning abilities and prepared me for my future career growth.
I majored in Computer Science at Monash University Malaysia, where I discovered the business value of data through a data visualisation elective. However, this experience left me feeling unfulfilled by purely back-end technical roles. This led me to pursue a MSc in Business Analytics at HKU Business School, with the aim of using data to empower business decision-making.
HKU Business School Masters curriculum strongly emphasises practical application. Case studies simulating real-world business scenarios, such as inventory management and profit calculation, helped me bridge the gap between theory and practice. One course that particularly impressed me was Dr Ding Chao’s “Business Intelligence and Analytics”. Dr Ding is renowned for his patient and meticulous teaching style, which is helpful for beginners. His step-by-step explanations and progressively challenging assignments help students to develop a solid foundation in programming and data analytics.
As a graduate of the same faculty at HKU, I firmly chose to stay in Hong Kong for postgraduate studies, even as many of my peers chose to pursue further education in the UK or the US. This decision stemmed not only from my trust in the school’s resources and alumni network, but also from my recognition of Hong Kong’s unique role as a “super-connector” between Chinese Mainland and the world, enabling me to access both job markets. Moreover, I believe accounting is the essence of all financial analysis. The integration of accounting and analytics—two practical and trending areas—within HKU Business School aligns perfectly with my academic and career aspirations.
