UIC's Applied Economics graduate of 2018, Liu Yingyi, started her Master's programme in Law at Peking University School of Transnational Law in August 2019. Another 2018 graduate, Yang Yongpeng from the Applied Psychology Programme, started his postgraduate studies at Beijing Normal University Law School this September.
One of the test requirements for applicants in most postgraduate programmes in Mainland China is English proficiency. Four years of studying at UIC had equipped them with a strong understanding of English. Liu Yingyi only took three months to prepare for her postgraduate entrance exams, and Yang Yongpeng also focused on studying relevant subjects except English. Yingyi and Yongpeng appreciated UIC's education that helped them shape their values and outlooks.
Liu Yingyi
Yingyi’s interest in law stems from her high school days. When she entered UIC, Yingyi, like most of her classmates, was planning to study abroad. She did not expect to continue her studies in Mainland China and realise her dream.
Liu Yingyi
In UIC, the students in the Division of Business and Management (DBM) must study the Principle of Law, which helped Yingyi have a stronger understanding of it. After that, Yingyi had been fighting for various opportunities to study law, and used her summer break to intern at a court.
During her junior year at UIC, she was given the opportunity to study abroad as part of an exchange with Lille Catholic University in France. Yingyi chose to study at the IESEG School of Management and the School of Law. During the exchange in France, one of the lecturers she had was a law professor who graduated from Harvard. He asked Yingyi whether she had heard of at Peking University School of Transnational Law and said that this is the only one in the world that teaches both Chinese and American laws.
Yingyi with other students during her exchange
Yingyi had never heard of this university so her curiosity drove her to check the information online. As she developed a better understanding and became more aware of the university, she realised that this university was very suitable for her own studies. Yingyi believes that if you study abroad and only concentrate on foreign law then your employment opportunities are relatively limited due to the particularity and regional nature of the legal profession. If a student can learn the laws of its own country as well as another legal system, it combines the best of both worlds. At that time, she revised her goal and decided to apply for Peking University School of Transnational Law.
Due to spending four years at UIC, which uses English as the medium for teaching, Yingyi found the English language subject to be stress-free. She spent three months mainly in professional and comprehensive classes.
Yingyi developed a detailed study plan for herself, spending nine hours a day reading and researching in the library. All the studying and research allowed Yingyi to feel less nervous throughout the preparation process plus she was happy to acquire new knowledge on a daily basis. She claims the secret to studying well was not to have a mobile phone present therefore reducing any distractions.
Yingyi is most grateful to her alma mater for her English education. “Many candidates are restricted due to their English language ability. The English language is a major factor. UIC students have an excellent English ability, which plays a big advantage."
Yang Yongpeng
Yang Yongpeng understood as an Applied Psychology student with no background in law that he was at a disadvantage. He proved his determination by taking eight months to prepare; which consisted of him going to the library at 7:30am every day and returning at 10pm. With a combination of self-study and online lessons to teach himself, Yongpeng finally achieved an ideal result.
Yang Yongpeng
During the English interview process, Yongpeng was impressed that the four examiners knew UIC. They asked some questions, such as the similarities and differences with other schools, and how the curriculum was set up, etc. Yongpeng answered the questions and left a good impression with the examiners.
Yongpeng believes that UICer's domestic postgraduate research has its own advantages, and the most important is English. “In fact, domestic tutors value English very much, and each postgraduate student needs an interview in English. Domestic journals also have hard requirements for reference to foreign literature. Furthermore, English determines the calibre of the school.”
Looking back at their college life, Liu Yingyi and Yang Yongpeng are very fond of the time that they had spent in UIC. Yingyi believes that the teacher-student relationship that UIC boasts is harmonious and the college also provides state-of-the-art and user-friendly facilities.
“UIC has not only advanced my English skills, but also subtly changed my values and personality. UIC taught us about humanity and warmth,” Liu Yingyi said.
Reporter: Samuel Burgess
Editors: Deen He, Lauren Richardson
(from MPRO)
