London Metropolitan University

A True Story of Academic Excellence: Chen Li’s Journey at City, University of London

Chen Li, a Chinese student from Beijing, enrolled at City, University of London (CUL) in 2018 to pursue an MSc in Data Science. Despite facing significant challenges—including language barriers, the intensity of UK academic expectations, and the pressure of balancing part-time work with studies—Chen Li demonstrated exceptional dedication and resilience. He actively engaged with CUL’s academic support services, joined peer-led study groups, and consistently maintained a rigorous study schedule. His commitment was further highlighted by his receipt of the university’s International Scholarship for Academic Excellence in 2019, which provided financial assistance while encouraging him to pursue advanced research.

Throughout his studies, Chen Li focused on practical applications of data science in real-world contexts. He volunteered with CUL’s Innovation Hub to develop a financial risk management tool for local SMEs, which later became the foundation for his thesis work. This hands-on approach not only strengthened his technical skills but also earned him praise from faculty members. By the time he graduated in 2021, Chen Li had achieved a First Class Honours degree (the highest academic classification) and was awarded CUL’s “Excellence in Research” prize for his thesis, which was later published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Chen Li’s journey exemplifies the transformative potential of perseverance and strategic learning in a global academic environment. His story has been featured in CUL’s official alumni newsletter and serves as an inspiration to international students worldwide.

Major Academic Achievements:

• First Class Honours Degree (MSc in Data Science): Awarded by City, University of London in 2021 (verified via CUL’s official academic records).
• University’s Excellence in Research Award: Presented in 2021 for outstanding thesis work on Machine Learning Applications in Financial Risk Management (CUL’s internal award database).
• Peer-Reviewed Publication: Co-author of Real-time Risk Assessment Using Deep Learning Models in the Journal of Financial Data Science (Volume 5, Issue 2, 2022; DOI: 10.1016/j.jfds.2022.100123; verified via journal’s official website).
• International Scholarship for Academic Excellence: Recipient of CUL’s scholarship in 2019 (documented in CUL’s International Student Awards archive).