Ping Liao
Alumni
What are your career goals after graduating?
In the long term, I aspire to become a researcher designing and implementing scientific yet user-friendly digital health intervention, bridging the gap between academia and industry. I have now started my PhD at the University of Cambridge, focusing on wearable technologies and the self-management of Type 2 diabetes.
Tell us about the teaching environment and lecturers on your course.
The University of Birmingham provides a modern and supportive learning environment. Classrooms are bright and spacious, equipped with high-quality sound systems and multiple displays so that. every student can fully engage, no matter where they sit. What impressed me most was the digital ecosystem: resources are abundant, easy to access, and available on the computers across campus. Lecturers explained complex concepts in a clear and accessible way, which was especially helpful for international students. In addition, the Academic Skills Centre offered excellent workshops and resources to strengthen our academic writing and research skills.
Tell us how the course has helped you to develop your skills for your current/future career.
The Health Research Methods programme offered me, as a student with an interdisciplinary background, an exceptional opportunity to prepare for a research career in public health. It provided comprehensive knowledge of epidemiology, solid training in medical statistics, and, most importantly, encouraged critical thinking in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research.
What are the best things about your course?
There were so many great things about the course. What I appreciated the most was the incredible support from my Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) and supervisor, from before I started my studies to after I left Birmingham. They guided me through academic preparation, future career planning, and developing a mindset for meaningful research. The Department of Applied Health Sciences also provided opportunities such as city tours and practical internships, which helped me better understand the local context.
Why did you choose to study your current course?
With my background in the health technology and my career goals, the Health Research Methods programme stood out as the best option. It offers comprehensive training in research skills and critical thinking, while many other UK programmes focus more on addressing public health challenges.
Why did you choose to study at the University of Birmingham?
The University of Birmingham is a prestigious institution, so it was one of the first universities I explored. I was particularly drawn by the local health challenges Birmingham faces and the strong medical resources available at the University, which make it an exceptional place to study applied health sciences.