Louis Lau

About you

What work experience/internships did you have before beginning with Imperial College Business School?

I completed three internships prior to my studies at Imperial. The first one was a semester internship at EY on the Risk Advisory team. The second one was in the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, within the Clearing Risk Management team. The last summer before going to Imperial I worked in the private banking team at DBS Bank in Hong Kong.

Why did you decide to study an MSc Risk Management & Financial Engineering at Imperial College Business School?

During my undergraduate studies in Quantitative Finance in Hong Kong, I gained a strong interest in the quantitative aspect of the finance industry. I believe understanding the mathematics and models behind finance would improve my competencies.

The MSc Risk Management & Financial Engineering programme combines quantitative skills with risk management, and Imperial College Business School is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Moreover, strong support from the Careers team helps us to prepare for different job interviews.

Did you receive a scholarship?

I received a scholarship which is a great relief to students’ financial concerns. It gives us more time to look for skills development opportunities and secure better grades. It also gives us a career advantage as a scholarship is a prestigious record on your CV.

Programme

What aspects of the programme do you most enjoy the most?

I enjoy how different modules are connected to each other. For example, programming, mathematics, and statistics modules are not independent topics, but they are related to each other and really teach you how to apply these theories to the finance industry.

Which has been your favourite module so far and why?

Empirical Finance. It offers a variety of econometric methods used in economics. The knowledge acquired in different modules (like Stochastic Calculus, Financial Statistics) is used and it encourages us to think about how to develop the appropriate tools to deal with new challenges. Engaging in practical case studies also allows us to learn the real applications of the financial models.

What has been the most rewarding and challenging part of the programme?

Looking back to the last term, I realise how challenging the modules were, but at the same time they were also very rewarding. Becoming more knowledgeable in a short period of time was highly satisfying.

The most challenging part has been time management between schoolwork and job.

Did you attend an international elective?

I was a successful candidate for the New York international elective and the module takes places at the end of March.

People

How would you describe your cohort at Imperial?

Amazing! We come from different countries and different academic backgrounds, but it is amazing to share every moment with these people. The social events organised by the School also help us to connect as a group.

Did you have a favourite professor/lecturer and why?

Claudia Custodio. She explains the programme materials clearly and she encourages us to engage in the class activities.

Opportunities

Have you had opportunities to work/socialise with students across programmes within the Business School?

There was a welcome event for all the Business School students in the National History Museum at the beginning of the academic year, where we could make new friends and enjoy the fantastic atmosphere in the Museum. There have also been various social events throughout the year.

Career

How did the services from Careers help in your professional development?

The Careers workshops like Mock Assessment Centres or industry-specific workshops help us to prepare for different job interviews. There are also one-to-one appointments where we can have job application reviews or video interviews.

London Location

Do you think studying in a central location such as London is beneficial for networking and career opportunities?

London is a great place for finance students. Most of the financial institutions have their headquarters in London and they organise various networking events throughout the year.

Where do you live in London and why did you choose to live there?

I live in Finsbury Park. It takes around 45 minutes to travel to Imperial by the Piccadilly line. I live with my friends who go to UCL and LSE.

What have been the benefits and challenges of moving to London? What advice would you give to someone in a similar position?

I believe the most difficult part of moving to London was finding an affordable flat to rent, as the house pricing was quite high. However, it is a great place to live as you can find iconic buildings, museums, green spaces, financial institutions and the arts all in the same place.

Tips

What advice would you give someone who is thinking about applying for the programme

If you want to know more about quantitative finance, this programme would be a great fit for you. It combines mathematics, risk management, statistics, and finance into a single programme. Prepare to be challenged by the materials, but it will be a fulfilling experience.