School of Social and Political Science

Content

Ziyue (Jessica) Li

Ziyue shares her experience of studying International Relations with Quantitative Methods, giving particular insight into the benefits of studying Quantitative Methods. She shares her favourite courses, how studying Quantitative Methods has shaped her career goals, and her tips for settling in to University life.

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Studying at the School of Social and Political Science

What made you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh?

I fell in love with the city on my very first visit to Edinburgh when I was 12. The history, the architecture, the culture, all sounds so fascinating. So, when it came to the time to choose where to go for undergraduate study, the University of Edinburgh just came up straightaway.

I always knew I want to study International Relations, however, I was slightly concerned that it might be too theoretical. I also wanted to have some practical element alongside it. Therefore, when I came cross the International Relations with Quantitative Methods programme, I knew this is what I want to proceed with. That’s another reason I chose to study at the University of Edinburgh, as the programme structure is so well designed and attractive.

How have you enjoyed your programme?

I really enjoyed the combination of data analysis and political knowledge. I was initially afraid of the programme potentially having too much mathematics, however, it was quite the opposite. It actually helped me to build up my confidence towards mathematics and statistics. I even ended up taking Introduction to Linear Algebra from the School of Mathematics in my second year.

What has been your favourite course?

Looking back to the first three years of my undergraduate study, my favourite course was Statistical Modelling, a compulsory course for all Quantitative Methods students in third year. The contents were truly challenging, however, I also found them inspiring. The course has opened my eyes towards data analysis at an advanced level and subsequent coding techniques. While Quantitative Methods courses in the first two years were more fundamental and focused on practical use, this Statistical Modelling course allowed me to start understanding why we choose certain analytical technique for a particular type of question.

Aims for after University?

At first, I was unsure about what I wanted to do after my undergraduate, be it a Master’s degree or a graduate programme at a firm. However, with time passing by and pursuing the with Quantitative Methods degree, I gradually figured out my way - it is with data. Currently, I am on my way to a Data and Analytics graduate programme and my time at Edinburgh has certainly prepared me for it. I got the opportunity to develop both my interpersonal skills and technical skills, especially with the placement that comes with the Quantitative Methods degree.

What does a typical weekday look like for you as a student at SPS?

Depending on the day, my typical weekday would start with walking to campus or sitting in front of my laptop. Coffee is too strong for me, so tea has become my routine morning drink. My go-to tea type is Earl Grey and you can get it in any café. If I had classes the whole day, I would go to one of the food trucks for lunch - my favourite is the Golden Chicken Chilli from Union of Genius. It is right in front of Chrystal Macmillan Building, the home of the School of Social and Political Science.

What are your highlights from your time at the School of Social and Political Science?

My highlight would be the placement project I did last summer with Dr Ugur Ozdemir. I managed to write a full set of Python code, scraping information from the target website that contains a lot of different type of information. Though the codes were not perfect, it was still a great achievement for me as I could not imaging myself accomplishing that. The placement project really provided me with the hands-on experience of starting from scratch and playing with raw data.

Knowing what you do now, what would you say to your past self before starting the course?

It is hard to say, as we have been through the pandemic, which changed everything. However, if I will say: “Don’t panic, be brave and try whatever you find interesting!”.

University life

Are you involved in any student societies?

As a Quantitative Methods (QM) student, I was involved in the Edinburgh Society for Quantitative Research (Q-Soc). I highly recommend it for first year QM students as there will be students from senior years to help you with your questions from courses. There might also be a winter social, which is a great opportunity to meet other QM students and some Teaching Fellows!

I was also deeply involved in Tandem Language Exchange during my first two years. I first joined it as I was starting to learn Spanish and wanted to get some speaking practice. I would recommend it to all students who want to learn or improve a language, or just to chat with people. Their events provide such a relax and chilled atmosphere.

Where have you lived while studying at Edinburgh? 

I lived in a University accommodation, Beaverbank Place, for my first year. It’s quite new, has a Tesco Superstore nearby, but is slightly far from campus. So, I either take the University shuttle or the regular bus to commute. From second year onwards, I moved to a private student accommodation which is closer to campus, just next to the Edinburgh College of Art, allowing me to have a nice 10-15 minute walk to both campus and Princes Street.

What has your University experience been like, in just three words?!

Challenging, inspiring, thrilling.

If you recommend ONE thing to do in the first semester what would it be?

Attend Activities Fair!!! You won’t regret it.

The City of Edinburgh

What are your favourite things to do in Edinburgh at the weekend? 

For me, it kind of depends on the weather. If the sun decides to come out, I will hang out with my friends - maybe a walk along the canal, a visit to Dean Village or lunch at a restaurant. However, when it’s raining, having a spicy beef stew at home is my ultimate favourite!

City of Edinburgh top tip or hidden gem?

Indigo Yard! I only came across this place last summer. It is such a lovely place in the city centre to spend some time with a bunch of friends and chatting. They have heating equipment for outdoor tables so winter weather isn't a problem.

Have you had a part-time job while you’ve been in Edinburgh? 

I had an online tutoring job on and off for about a year while I've been in Edinburgh. The best part of this job is its flexibility, so I could arrange tutoring according to my own timetable. I guess my tip for balancing a part-time job with studies would be to make sure you don’t take on too much and maybe start finding a part-time job after settling down and experiencing a few weeks of University life. This way, you may have a better idea of how much time you need each week for study and how much you can commit to a job.