Meet students who studied Finance and Economics at Queen Mary

"[The School of Economics and Finance] manages to offer a curriculum that provides the required theoretical background and also meets the needs of modern businesses, offering empirical application of such knowledge."

Why did you choose the School of Economics and Finance at Queen Mary for your Postgraduate study?

The evidence of high academic quality and the strong links with the financial sector and economic developments, made the School of Economics and Finance at Queen Mary my top destination for my master studies. It manages to offer a curriculum that provides the required theoretical background and also meets the needs of modern businesses, offering empirical application of such knowledge.

Moreover, the favorable environment for the development of critical thinking and contact with the business industry that the city of London provides, made it an excellent choice.

What did you gain from your time at the School of Economics and Finance?

Studying in a competitive and multinational environment has been a valuable experience and excellent preparation for the working conditions. Moreover, it triggered my interest to explore in depth the interrelatedness of financial markets.

What are your career plans in the next five years?

Aiming to recognition as a professional economist the program will affect my career plans by expanding my horizons in the field of finance and adapting economic theory to apply to real life questions and problems.

"The staff and teachers are approachable and easy to communicate with."

One of the main reasons why I choose the School of Economics and Finance at Queen Mary to pursue my undergraduate studies is for the fact that it has the best campus in the whole of London.  In terms of location, the School is really close to the hub of financial world in Canary Wharf and central London. I wanted to go to a university where I could get the campus feel and at the same time I wanted to stay in London. Queen Mary has got the biggest campus in London and this helped me finalise my university choice. The School of Economics and Finance is located in the main Queens building which gives a prestigious feel to its students.

My time at the School of Economics and Finance has increased my knowledge in all terms. The events held, and the warmth of the department, have made me a more confident person today. The staff and teachers are so approachable and easy to communicate with; in fact they are more like your friends. The way Economics is taught at Queen Mary is exceptionally good; a challenging discipline is made easy thanks to the efforts of all staff members of the School of Economics and Finance.

In the next five years I see my self working for a well reputed financial firm. Specifically, being part of a successful sales team at an investment bank that plays a substantial role in the banking industry.

"The university has collected some of the most world known professors to educate us; their ideas are so fresh, current and enlightening that it is a pleasure to be taught by them."

Hi Ben, thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions for us!  Can you tell us a little bit about why you chose to study at Queen Mary?

Queen Mary has always been known for its research and teaching quality, hence with Queen Mary ranked 2nd in London & 4th nationally in Law, MSc Law & Finance would definitely be the perfect course for me given my economic undergraduate background.

You've almost finished your first semester now, what are your impressions of the university and MSc programme?

MSc is a big leap from undergraduate, it involves lots of input & research from students, rather than "spoon-feeding" you knowledge. Hence the university has collected some of the most world known professors to educate us; their ideas are so fresh, current and enlightening that it is a pleasure to be taught by them. My course mates all studied their undergraduate degrees at top universities in the UK, and have chosen QM to study our course, which indicates how high the teaching quality is. The university has upgraded lots of its facilities, especially the library which makes things much easier, fully equipped with a 50 inch TV computer in each group study room, automated book lending system; what more can a student ask for, it's hugely efficient.

Congratulations on being selected as a representative for MSc Law & Finance, how are you finding it? What does being a course rep involve?

Being a course rep has always been very enjoyable & challenging; it's easy to define course rep as a person who acts as a voice for course mates needs. I am always happy to receive enquires as you learn more interesting facts about the university’s everyday operations; furthermore having regular Student Support Committee meetings makes a lot of difference in student's learning environment.  There are so many resources from the School that improve our experience. But being course rep doesn't only focus on the academic side, we are holding a Christmas dinner for course mates and directors of the course, can't wait!!

Do you have any plans for when you've graduated?

Very likely I will work on to PhD as I am determined to become a lecturer to educate the next generation. Having such great lecturers enlightening me throughout my learning path in QM, it just makes me more determined to join them.

"I chose Queen Mary because of the excellent reputation in the field of Banking and Finance and the wider field of Economics, that Queen Mary has."

Hi Neville, can you tell us a bit about the MSc you are studying and why you chose Queen Mary?

I am studying for a Banking and Finance MSc. It involves in depth analysis on portfolio management, valuation, and quantative methods in finance
I chose Queen Mary because of the excellent reputation in the field of Banking and Finance and the wider field of Economics, that Queen Mary has. In addition, I had studied there many years ago in the Economics Department.

What challenges did you face returning to education as a mature student?

Many! Financial, cultural, and learning.

I paid for the course myself as I knew this would be great investment in my future, but it did also involve paying for living expenses and not earning for a year.
I had many years which I enjoyed in a Sales and Marketing environment, comeing back to an academic environment was different, but a very enjoyable challenge.

I also had to relearn how to efficiently learn. It took a few weeks!

The trading society has been a big success. Can you tell us a little more about that?

There was already an existing Trading and Investment Society which I wanted to be involved with as soon as I joined QMUL. However, it was a joint group activity. A friend and I thought it would be a good idea to have in addition, a direct competition between students to compare trading styles and to have an eventual top three. Also we were all being taught Portfolio Management, and we thought it would be good to actually trade on a trading simulation platform. We had backing from the Department and awarded substantial prizes to the top three. We were pleased that a high proportion of Masters Students joined the tournament and it was a great success.

What are you plans after graduation?

I plan to have a career in the City of London, in the area of Banking and Finance. I would also welcome working overseas in financial markets.

"The teaching standards and facilities are excellent."

Priyanka is currently working as a freelance finance researcher along with preparing her business plans for future.

Why did you choose Queen Mary?

The decision to choose Queen Mary was a very calculated one on my end. The reputation of the economics department (one of the leading departments in the UK) and the centralised location of the sprawling campus in the heart of London city were the biggest reasons for me to decide to study at Queen Mary. Secondly, the course modules for this course were pretty challenging and contemporary and in sync with what I wanted to do.

What did you gain from your time at Queen Mary?

My time at Queen Mary has been one of my best so far. I was fortunate enough to live in the university halls of residence which was my home for one full year and an amazing place to live. Not only did I meet a lot of like-minded people from different backgrounds, countries and disciplines but I also made many long lasting friends.

Academically, my course has kept me interested throughout the year and the teaching standards and facilities are excellent. We had the most wonderful lecturers and the department was well organised and extremely helpful. All in all the experience had been truly satiating on the personal and professional level. If given a chance I would love to relive that one year in Queen Mary.

What are your career plans in the next five years?

I am extremely inspired by the number of opportunities available to the entrepreneurs in this country and I plan to set up my own venture soon within financial advice and counselling.

"The lecturers and tutors are really friendly, and it’s great having the opportunity to join in with extra curricular activities."

Why did you choose to study at Queen Mary?

I chose Queen Mary after having visited the campus and local area on numerous occasions over the previous 3 years, as my sister is studying Medicine here. I also thought it would be a good idea to base myself in London, with an eye towards future job prospects. Being situated between Canary Wharf and The City makes Queen Mary very appealing. I also liked the idea of being part of a campus university. Its situation close to Central London is a big attraction, although the campus is just far enough away to make you feel that you’re not always in the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

You took a gap year prior to joining us; what experiences did this allow you to gain and would you recommend it to other students?

The gap year I took was a fantastic experience and one I would be keen to repeat at a later stage of my life. After working for 7 months, I went with 3 friends on a trip that lasted 4 months, although looking back it felt a lot shorter than this. I would recommend it to anyone. It lets you, albeit briefly, see and experience other cultures. To do it justice you need to be able to get your hands dirty and experience the living conditions in different countries, which are sometimes far from the luxurious. You certainly get to experience other things you ordinarily wouldn’t back in Britain, like scuba diving on the barrier reef, sky diving over glaciers, coming face-to-face with wildlife like dingoes, sharks and bears and on one memorable occasion canoeing through a canyon with rabid monkeys climbing all over your boat trying to steal your fresh water! The trip pushed me out of my comfort zone especially when we were amongst the Thai protests of March 2010, but I now look back at the photos I took and I only have fond memories of my travels. It really makes you grow as an individual, taking you out of the comfortable bubble of the Western World. The trip took a fair amount of organising but the skills you learn through organising and then doing something like a gap year are invaluable. Also the people I met and friends I made on the trip I will never forget. I’m sure some of you reading this will have watched the Gap Yah video on YouTube and think I might sound a little similar but it’s really hard not to once you’ve experienced it.

How have you found your time at Queen Mary so far?

To say that the start of my time at Queen Mary was plain sailing would be a lie. There were some difficult moments at times, and I think that’s always going to be the case with big changes in life. But now I’m really starting to settle in and am really enjoying myself. I’ve got a good bunch of friends now, which is great, the lecturers and tutors are really friendly, and it’s great having the opportunity to join in with extra curricular activities. I can’t wait for the next couple of years.

What have been the most interesting aspects of your course?

Doing Economics and Politics has allowed me to do two subjects I am really interested in. I like the diversity of topics within both subjects. It’s nice to be able to jump between the two and it prevents me from getting bogged down in any one area particularly because within the two topics the styles of learning are very different. I find it most interesting when the two topics overlap, for example using economic theory to describe political ideologies such as communism. It allows you to draw ideas from another area and adapt it. 

What are your future career goals?

This question seems quite daunting being a first year. A lot can happen over the next few years and so I prefer to leave the door open for opportunities that might take my life in any number of directions. At present I would be keen to continue my studies through a postgraduate degree, but I am also keen to experience different parts of the world and so working in countries like: China, Singapore, India and Japan interest me, but with the present economic climate who knows.

Interview with Li Zhengyu, an Analyst at Clarkson Research Services Ltd who graduated from our MSc Investment and Finance in September 2010.

Why did you choose Queen Mary?

Firstly, location. Queen Mary has a good location in London and allows me to commute to my current company in the City to do the part time job during my postgraduate study.

Secondly, cost performance: The School of Economics and Finance at Queen Mary is recognised for the excellence of both its teaching and research and the graduate employment rate and starting salary of Queen Mary is 6th in the UK. With these excellent performances, the tuition fee for international student is very competitive.

Thirdly, course structure: The structure of the MSc Investment and Finance is excellently setup. In the first term, mathematical and theoretical foundation is built up and in the second term, the strong foundation offers great help to complete demanding courses. Also, several options are available to serve different tastes, which allow me to follow my interests.

What did you gain from your time at Queen Mary?

I have been with this company as a shipping analyst for five years and throughout the past years, I gradually become interested in shipping finance. The knowledge I received during my study in Queen Mary allows me to pursue my interests in shipping finance area. This not only enables me to be more valuable to the company but also broadens my career path in the future.

"Queen Mary has a great location in London and allows me to commute to my current company in the City to do the part time job during my postgraduate study."

1.      Location. Queen Mary has a great location in London and allows me to commute to my current company in the City to do the part time job during my postgraduate study.

2.      Cost performance: The School of Economics and Finance at Queen Mary is recognised for the excellence of both its teaching and research and the graduate employment rate and starting salary of Queen Mary is 6th in the UK. With these excellent performances, the tuition fee for international student is very competitive.

3.      Course structure: The structure of the MSc Investment and Finance is excellently set up. In the first term, mathematical and theoretical foundation is built up and in the second term, the strong foundation offers great help to complete demanding courses. Also, several options are available to serve different tastes, which allow me to follow my interests.

I have been with this company as a shipping analyst for five years and throughout the past years, I gradually become interested in shipping finance. The knowledge I received during my study in Queen Mary allows me to pursue my interests in the area of shipping finance. This not only enables me to be more valuable to the company but also broadens my career path in the future.

Interview with Mai-Li Pang who read BSc Economics at Queen Mary and then went on to gain an MSc in Finance and Investment here.

After having studied BSc Economics at Queen Mary, I decided to stay at Queen Mary to obtain an MSc in Finance and Investment. QM Department of Economics and Finance is renowned for its excellent reputation and outstanding research work, and since I completed my Bachelors here I knew the university and the lecturers relatively well. I appreciate the quality of teaching, and the knowledge and exposure to my subjects and the encouraging support of my supervisors.

The Msc Finance and Investment course is very well structured; it combines lectures, support classes and guest speakers to keep the students engaged with the current financial markets. Some of the lectures are taught by professionals who bring valuable knowledge and experiences. As one of the course rep of the course I have thoroughly enjoyed my first semester at QM, not only have I began to grasp an in-depth understanding of the financial markets but I have also met a wide range of students from different cultures and backgrounds.

"The Economics department at Queen Mary is renowned for excellent teaching"

My reasons for choosing Queen Mary were essentially threefold. Firstly the location of the university is perfect: it's set in the heart of East London, and with views of the City and Canary Wharf I get daily reminders of my gap year, but also it puts those early morning walks to lectures into perspective! For me it definitely helps knowing that what I’m working for now will help my career in the long run.

Secondly the Economics department at Queen Mary is renowned for excellent teaching, in fact it is currently ranked as the best Economics department in London for students.

Lastly, I wanted to experience the campus environment but still be in London, which Queen Mary was able to offer me.

Since being at university I can only testify that all of my expectations have been exceeded. Not only is the teaching creative and engaging, but the lecturers are approachable and extremely helpful if you ever have any issues. Further to this there is a wealth of information available to you if you should need it; examples include the recently refurbished library and the excellent careers events that frequently involve guest speakers and networking events.

In summary my experience of Queen Mary so far couldn’t have gone better; there is a very strong community within the department that makes it easy to settle into university life quickly. As a course representative for Economics I can attest to the opportunities to get involved within the department and provide your opinion about your course.

"I find the course extremely challenging and thought-provoking whilst remaining thoroughly enjoyable."

Having lived in East London my whole life, I visited Queen Mary during a summer school programme whilst I was still in secondary school. There I discovered that not only does Queen Mary have an excellent reputation, but the whole atmosphere of the university (especially the staff and students that I met) was so friendly. In addition, the location of Queen Mary is perfect, especially for an Economics student, because it is so closely linked to the City. There is so much diversity at Queen Mary that is a perfect place for enrichment, not only academically but also culturally and socially too.

I find the course extremely challenging and thought-provoking whilst remaining thoroughly enjoyable. I love how different the courses are individually, but also how they are all intertwined. The course is helping me to look at things from a different angle and analyse situations as an economist would. Furthermore, I was surprised when I learned just how much support the School of Economics and Finance gives you, and how friendly the lecturers and tutors are: all are willing to help you in every way possible. I am so glad I chose to study Economics at Queen Mary!