Serene Loh

Email Serene: serene-link@leeds.ac.uk

I was studying the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) in Chung Ling Private High School, Penang, Malaysia before I started at the University of Leeds. 

I’ve always longed to come to the United Kingdom to further my studies ever since I was 13. People asked me from time to time, ‘why the United Kingdom though’? The fact that I was deeply into somewhere thousands of miles away was intriguing.

I always tell others that the United Kingdom is my utopia. Somewhere I would love to explore the endless possibilities of life. No doubt the UK has an impressive international academic reputation which draws the attention of applicants all over the world. In addition, the culture and historical background of the UK fascinates me. Not to mention the amazing accents people have in the UK.

So why did I choose University of Leeds? It is undeniable that University of Leeds has an excellent reputation as it is a Russell Group university and has a top 100 global ranking. The School is also in the top five universities targeted by top graduate employers in the UK. Furthermore, Leeds University Business School is triple accredited which weighs a lot because only about 1% of all business schools around the world have that. 

The course I’m studying – BSc Accounting and Finance – performs well in all three league tables and it is a plus point that the programme carries exemptions from three professional bodies.

The atmosphere at University of Leeds is welcoming and friendly, which makes me feel like I’m home – not to mention that the School has plenty of schemes that give you a sense of belonging.

The School’s buildings are absolutely stunning and they’re equipped with world class facilities. I fell in love with the vibes the campus gives me ever since the first time I’ve stepped into it – it makes me feel like I’m going to be elite in business in no time.

The lecturers and seminar leaders are super friendly and approachable and they constantly remind students to not be afraid to reach out at any time. They always say “Feel free to drop in my Q&A sessions” and “I don’t bite”. I have to admit that a lot of learning does come from asking questions.

Not to mention my academic personal tutor has been really helpful and open to all kind of questions I have. From all these scheduled one-on-one meetings, she listens to me, pays special attention to my work and provides constructive feedback and encouragement. I know my academic personal tutor would be the go-to person if I need any advice.

Support and opportunities like academic personal tutors, the mentoring scheme, the peer-assisted study scheme, volunteering, study abroad and work placements definitely enhance the whole university experience. Not to mention the school has services like the Careers Centre which helps you with building a LinkedIn profile, writing a CV, preparing for interviews and so on. There are also student representatives for different matters so it’s quite easy to voice your opinion and contribute to change.

Leeds is a really student friendly city and feels like a home away from home. The campus is only 10 minutes away from the city centre. It has a perfect balance between study environments and leisure environments. Not to mention that the cost of living is not that high so it wouldn’t be that much of a burden to you and your family.

There’s always something for each and everyone in the city – be it a café, a park or a club. The best part of the city is that you can access everywhere by foot. Even if it’s somewhere further, you can take the bus and it’s super easy to navigate too.

I feel happy to be able to wander around the city and try out a new food place when I’m free. Once in a while, my friends and go out and explore the nightlife in Leeds. You would be amazed by how many nice pubs there are in Leeds. Since the library in our School has long opening hours, we do a study marathon sometimes too.

I’m staying in a University accommodation called Lupton Residences, which is in the middle of Headingley – a vibrant and lively area. There are a range of cafes, bars, shops and restaurants on my doorstep. The local supermarket is just around the corner from Lupton, where you'll also find regular bus services to and from the campus and the city.

Some days I prefer walking, so I will walk back to my accommodation from class but some other days I take the bus. The best part of it is that there’s a student price ticket too. I would definitely say that Lupton offers great value for money and it’s a pretty sociable accommodation.