This year,4 graduates from Tamkang University’s Department of Banking and Finance—Ting-Yi Chu, Yi-Hsuan Hung, Chung-Kai Lin, and Liang-Yu Lai—have been admitted to University College London (UCL), ranked 9th in the QS World University Rankings and classified as a G5 super-elite university by Times Higher Education (THE). Lin and Hung were admitted to the Finance MSc program, while Chu and Lai were accepted into the Finance with Data Science MSc program. All four will begin their studies in September, joining top students from around the world.

Among them, Chung-Kai Lin, a transfer student, shared that he had been top of his class at Shih Chien University but chose to transfer to Tamkang due to its strong reputation in the industry. He admitted that his first semester at Tamkang was challenging, but after forming study groups with high-achieving peers, he was inspired to plan for graduate school. “Being admitted to UCL together is a result of both environment and peer support. Having like-minded companions really accelerated my growth.”

Lin once served as a project intern at JPMorgan Chase, as well as at Eastspring Investments and PGIM. He emphasized that “capability is key—don't be limited by your academic background.” He deliberately chose to work in foreign firms alongside colleagues from NTU, NCCU, and overseas institutions, discovering that with enough “chips” in hand, one need not self-limit. He describes himself as aggressive, believing that as long as you actively strive for something, opportunities will follow. Lin also noted the strong Tamkang alumni network in the finance industry, where seniors are always willing to offer guidance.

Yi-Hsuan Hung, formerly a Spanish major at Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages, also transferred to Tamkang. She expressed gratitude to the university for allowing her to transfer a significant number of credits. Lacking a background in finance, she initially faced considerable pressure, but with perseverance and a hardworking attitude, she completed her studies with a perfect 4.0 GPA and graduated early after just two years at Tamkang. When applying to overseas universities, meeting the IELTS requirement was necessary, and she overcame this challenge with a proactive and determined attitude.

Hung highlighted Tamkang’s abundant resources for both employment and further study. For example, during a study abroad fair, a recruiter asked if she had an SPSS certificate. Fortunately, she had already gained this skill in Assoc. Prof. Chien-Fu Chen’s econometrics class—an asset that helped her stand out. She also credited Prof. Wo-Chiang Lee’s Securities Investment Practices course, which gave students hands-on experience through simulation platforms, bridging theory and practical knowledge.

Ting-Yi Chu also graduated a year early with a perfect 4.0 GPA, an IELTS score of 7, and an SPSS certificate. She stressed the importance of early planning for those intending to study abroad and noted that she did everything on her own without enrolling in external cram schools. Realizing that extracurricular activities are highly valued by overseas programs, she actively participated in competitions to build a strong portfolio. She especially thanked Asst. Prof. An-Chi Wu from the International Business Department for encouraging her early involvement in competitions. Chu added, “Tamkang professors are always willing to help—whether it’s coursework or career planning—just ask.”

She encouraged juniors to take full advantage of Tamkang’s event registration system, which offers a wide variety of certification courses that are much more affordable than those offered by external institutions and are highly practical. Thanks to her strong academic performance, she served as a teaching assistant for econometrics and also worked as a Microsoft campus ambassador, gaining experience with tools like Power BI and SPSS. “Academic performance and internships are equally important—they allow you to connect classroom learning with real-world practice,” she said.

Liang-Yu Lai maintained excellent academic standing from her first year and accumulated internship experience in her junior and senior years. She hopes to complete her studies in the UK successfully and secure a job to achieve her goals and dreams. She has already outlined her plan to pursue a finance-related profession and work in Europe or North America after graduation. “My goal is to enter the investment banking or startup sector to sharpen my skills—whether in investment analysis or strategic management, I hope to gain valuable experience,” she said.

Chair of the Department of Banking and Finance, Professor Yun-Yung Lin, praised the students’ outstanding achievements and wished them success in their academic journey in the UK. Prof. Chien-Chih Lin, who wrote a recommendation letter for Hung, congratulated them on this milestone and reminded them to give back to their alma mater in the future. Prof. Chien-Chung Nie, another reference, encouraged the students to prepare well for the intense academic environment in the UK. Assoc. Prof. Chien-Fu Chen from the Department of Diplomacy and International Relations, who teaches in the Banking and Finance Department, shared that these students consistently sat in the front row, listened attentively, and asked thoughtful questions, making it impossible not to give them top marks. “They are truly outstanding,” he affirmed.

SDGs #SDG04 Quality Education #SDG09 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure #SDG12 Responsible Consumption and Production #SDG17 Partnerships for the Goals

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