Haoyu Liu

How do you feel the learning experience on your course helped you to prepare for your career?

I joined the University of Birmingham via its 2+2 programme, having completed my first two years of undergraduate study at Fudan University in Shanghai. My decision to study abroad stemmed from a clear goal: to expand my scientific knowledge, immerse myself in a new cultural environment, and access broader academic resources. After attending a seminar led by a Birmingham academic, I was particularly drawn to the university’s advanced technological facilities and robust academic support - factors that ultimately solidified my choice to enroll here.

Initially, I found the course a bit challenging, as I was still building up my English proficiency. Fortunately, I had exceptional support around me: one of the academic staff provided me with personalized mentorship, and I collaborated closely with my peers to navigate the coursework. What’s more, I’ve maintained contact with one of the classmates who helped me settle in so warmly - last year, I even had the pleasure of being invited to his wedding in Singapore!

To strengthen my language skills, I dedicated significant time to practicing with English audio materials, and paired self-directed revision with group study sessions with classmates. By the end of the first semester, I had fully caught up with the course pace. This effort paid off long-term: today, I work frequently in the UK and rely on my English skills extensively in my professional life.

Beyond language and cultural adaptation, the Biochemistry programme at Birmingham laid a critical academic foundation for my subsequent PhD in Oncology. A key highlight was my final-year project, which I conducted in a university lab alongside leading experts in the field. Through this experience, I gained hands-on expertise in analytical techniques, rigorous research methodologies, and bioinformatics, all of which proved invaluable for my PhD research later on.

In short, every aspect of my learning journey at Birmingham, from skill-building to mentorship, equipped me with the tools to thrive in both academic and professional settings.

Please tell us about your current role and employer:

I currently work as a Venture Capital Investor for Tencent’s European arm, splitting my time between Shenzhen and the UK. My core focus is identifying investment opportunities, primarily in AI and healthcare technology. This involves evaluating prospects of cutting-edge startups and researching emerging technologies in the space.

My educational background has equipped me with the ability to analyse a wide spectrum of cutting-edge technologies, which I apply to assessing the feasibility of startups and exploring frontier tech trends.

What was the journey to getting a job after graduating from Birmingham?

After graduating from Birmingham, I went on to pursue a PhD at the University of Oxford. I had long set my sights on a PhD, as my goal was to deepen my scientific expertise.

Once I completed my PhD, I decided to return to China. As a rapidly developing country, it offered abundant opportunities in emerging technologies, and I was eager to explore its business landscape firsthand.

Initially, I joined a consultancy firm in Shanghai, later moving to Tencent in Shenzhen. At Tencent, I’ve been able to apply the rigorous research mindset and in-depth scientific expertise developed during my studies at Birmingham and Oxford to real-world tech challenges, effectively bridging the gap between academic theory and business innovation.

Looking back, this entire career journey - from graduating Birmingham to pursuing my PhD, then joining China’s tech industry - has not only let me grow in a dynamic environment (a desire I’ve long held) but also made clear how my early academic foundation continues to underpin my professional goals today.

How did the University’s support service (e.g. Careers Network) help to prepare you for your career?

The University of Birmingham’s Careers Services was truly excellent - something that made a real difference for me early on. Before enrolling, I had little clarity on how to shape my career path, and my CV was fairly basic at the time.

I worked closely with an advisor who was incredibly supportive: she helped refine my CV and walked me through how to best showcase my strengths and value within a single page. She also shared a range of useful resources with me, all of which proved invaluable once I started my job search. This guidance didn’t just polish my application materials; it gave me a clearer sense of how to present myself professionally, laying a solid foundation for my later career steps.

What was your biggest achievement during your course (personal, professional or academic)?

I have plenty of reasons to celebrate my time in Birmingham, especially when reflecting on how I grew through initial academic hurdles. At the start, I faced challenges with course comprehension and the language barrier—but I turned these into opportunities to improve, starting with a scientific review assignment over the first Christmas break.

I devoted my holidays to refining this review, focusing on sharpening my academic expression and grasping the nuances of scientific writing. This process wasn’t just about completing a task; it significantly boosted my confidence in structuring academic content and let me clearly see my skills evolving - when I submitted the work to my tutor, the strong grade felt like concrete proof of my progress, which was incredibly rewarding.

Beyond that, I take great pride in the thesis I completed. Working on this project went far beyond meeting a requirement: it deepened my critical understanding of my field, honed my ability to conduct rigorous research and analyse complex data, and strengthened my skill in organizing layered academic arguments. It wasn’t just a piece of work—it was a milestone that expanded my intellectual depth and solidified my confidence in tackling advanced academic tasks.

These experiences didn’t just help me “get better”—they shaped how I approach academic challenges, leaving me more capable and self-assured than when I started.

What are your top tips for students graduating today?

The University offers numerous valuable resources – use them to the fullest amount. Focus on developing yourself and enjoying yourself – your time at Birmingham really will be an invaluable life experience.