Yuichi Kuriyama

What motivated you to pursue postgraduate study?

As a tech-geek, I had been passionate about learning to code whilst pursuing my business degree in my undergraduate - thus I wanted to kickstart my career in the field of data science. I thought having a postgraduate degree at City could equip me with skills to become a data scientist and provide job opportunities after graduation.

What were you doing before applying for a postgraduate degree?

I was studying Business and Management for my undergraduate degree in Japan. In the meantime, I was the president of a band society, and my friend and I were doing the gig tour!

Were there any challenges affecting your decision to study a postgraduate degree? If so, how did you overcome them?

I was concerned about whether I could cope with the pace of a postgraduate degree. However, my teaching assistant has always helped me if I have questions.

As a result, I have not felt behind and enjoy learning new theories! So, I'd highly recommend anyone struggling to feel free to reach out to them; they always cheer you up and help your studies.

Why did you choose City?

I chose City because of the high employability and practical content of the lecture. City has a strong connection with the industry and offers some exclusive internship opportunities for students.

Thanks to this, I recently found an internship over the summer! Also, this course offers a systematic and comprehensive range of content which helps to deepen my knowledge as a Data Scientist and cover a computational skillset.

How are you funding your studies?

Fortunately, my parents are supporting my finance. However, you can earn some money if you find a part-time job. This is also a good opportunity to expand your community outside of the university.

How are you finding studying in the UK?

As an international student from Japan, studying in the heart of London has provided me with a first-hand experience of the diverse culture in the city.

Even if you are walking around the campus, you can easily notice how multicultural the university is! I already made many friends from totally different backgrounds such as Greece, Germany, and Italy.

What does a typical week at university look like for you?

My typical week starts from going to CitySport (the university gym) to do some exercise in the morning. After having a lecture, I usually go to the cafeteria with my friend to have lunch.

There are plenty of options available in the cafeteria so I often can't decide what to order. After attending afternoon lecture, I sometimes go out with my friends to enjoy life in London. For example, I recently visited the British Museum which is one of the most iconic places in London!

What has been your favourite module or aspect of your course so far?

My favorite module so far is Computer Vision. I am confident in dealing with image data by applying cutting-edge deep learning algorithms!

What knowledge and skills has your course helped you develop?

As a business student who does not have a computer science background, this course has equipped me with important skillsets to be a data scientist - such as statistics and coding. Without having this, it would be nearly impossible to train myself as a data scientist.

What opportunities and experiences has City offered you so far?

Being a member of City provides not just an excellent academic experience but also a sense of community. There are so many societies and social events you can join! Also, my course offers a micro-placement program that allows me to gain levant working experience in the data science industry.

What are your career plans and how has City prepared you for them?

My career plan is to be a data scientist who can bridge business and technology. City, University of London is the perfect place to prepare me for this. Lectures have been very practical, and teachers have always been supportive if one wants to ask any questions.

What advice would you give to someone considering a postgraduate degree?

If you are thinking about a postgraduate degree at City, don't be afraid to ask students and staff at City! Alternatively, you can also attend Open Days and Campus Tours event to get a sense of what it is like to study here.