Leyao Yang

How did you hear about the Business School and why did you choose to study here?

I chose Leeds because of the up-to-date and creative course setting. Leeds offers a designated Masters degree in Corporate Communications, Marketing and Public Relations, which really stood out to me because not many business schools offer something so specific.

Tell us about your course - why did you choose it? What elements of the course inspired you to study here?

I got an internship in a PR agency before deciding to undertake a Masters degree. I then realised I needed to equip myself with the necessary knowledge and professional skills to pursue a career in PR.

What is the best part of your studies? What are you enjoying the most?

The professors here are from all over the world and experts in their research fields. There are also so many opportunities for you to contribute your talent and ideas, providing you with a chance to grow and improve yourself.

Also, there are always so many activities going on besides studying, which is a good work-life balance – that’s really important for me.

What are your career aspirations? Do you think the experience and skills you will gain on your course will help you in your future career plans?

My course provides me with essential marketing, communications and PR skills. In one of the modules I studied, I worked collaboratively with my classmates to operate as a real PR team.

We had the opportunity to pitch to our client, deal with a corporate crisis and hold a press conference. This was a challenging project but I learnt a lot of practical skills that I will be able to use in my career.

Do you have any noteworthy achievements from your study at the Business School that you can tell us about?

I am proud to get three high distinct over five modules that I have taken last semester. What I want to share is: the more you put into it, the more you gain.

If you are not from the UK, how was the transition to a foreign country? Can you offer any advice?        

I exchanged to the US for a year before coming to the UK. So, I was a bit familiar with the western culture already. However, loneliness is one thing everyone will deal with at some point transitioning to a new country. In my opinion, this is part of the precious opportunity to grow up. You can always easily make friends and enjoy yourself by taking part in the variety of activities at Leeds University Union.

What is your impression/experience of Leeds?

Leeds is a nice city, not very big, but big enough to have easy access to everything. There are always a lot of fun events going on, you will not get bored living in Leeds. I really like the facilities and staff here; everyone is very nice and always willing to help and support you. You can find all kinds of resources that you need from the libraries; my favourite is Laidlaw Library, which has a modern design and great facilities – not to mention fantastic coffee at Caffè Nero on the ground floor.

Are there any experiences outside of your studies that you particularly enjoyed?

I enjoy looking for good restaurant within Leeds, there are so many options and you can always find cuisines from different culture. My favourite place to eat is a burger joint called ‘Almost Famous’, its burgers are so fresh and juicy, and it serves really good cocktails too.

What would you say your defining memory of studying here was?

One of the best memories I have is holding the IABC Leeds Summer Summit with 30 other classmates this year. We started to prepare it in March and been through a lot of difficulties and challenges. However, when it was successfully held and gained enormous compliment from both professionals and students, we felt so lucky to be part of the committee. All of us definitely learned a lot from being involved.

Would you recommend the Business School to others who are considering studying here?            

Yes definitely. With high recognition from the world and high reputation to the employers, Leeds University Business School will be a great choice for your Masters.