Jia Yi Chia

Tell us a bit about you

Hi, I’m Jia! I’m Chinese and I was born and raised in Malaysia, where I lived and studied until high school. I completed the IGCSE for my secondary education and A-Levels for my pre-university program. I’ve always been in the science stream and I love maths! I was deciding between doing either physics, maths, or computer science - but here I am! 

How was the transition from doing your A-Levels in Malaysia to studying in London? 

When I decided to do A-Levels, I always had the goal of studying abroad, so I was really looking forward to this opportunity. I worked hard because I knew Computer Science was a competitive course, and I even enrolled in extra courses online to prepare. 

The move from Malaysia to London was a big adjustment. I met a lot of people from different backgrounds, had to adapt to the weather (fun fact again - Malaysia doesn’t have four seasons!), and learned a lot about being independent. 

Looking back over the last 3 years, what was your favourite part of the Computer Science BSc? 

One of the best parts was getting involved in so many activities. I’m quite outgoing and I love trying new things. Making friends and participating in hackathons was the highlight for me. It helped solidify my business ideas and taught me to be not just technical, but also a more well-rounded person who can pitch ideas confidently. 

Were there any things you’d prefer to forget? 

Oh yes... it can get really stressful at times! It was especially tough when coursework piled up along with other commitments. One piece of advice I’d give is to enjoy university as much as you can—but know your limits. Don’t burn out trying to do everything at once! 

How would you describe the workload for a CS student? 

I think UCL Computer Science is quite flexible. From what I’ve seen, most students still have time to get involved in things they enjoy while maintaining academic excellence. It’s about finding the right balance. 

Have you been involved in any societies? 

Yes! I’ve been very active since my first year. I’ve taken on leadership roles in cultural societies like the Malaysian Society. In my second year, I got involved in the Technology Society, where I served as president. We even co-organised a hackathon with KCL, which was an amazing experience. 

Working in a team and taking ownership even while juggling coursework taught me a lot. I definitely recommend joining societies you enjoy. Leave university with no regrets. Even if it's stressful at times, it’s all part of the learning experience. 

What are the best things about being a uni student in London? 

I absolutely love being a student in London. I honestly can’t imagine being anywhere else. At first, it was hard adjusting to the cost of living compared to Malaysia, but over time, I discovered lots of great student deals. There’s so much to do here. I love musical theatre and opera where students can get discounts! Plus, there are so many cafes and museums. London really has everything. And the best part? Most company headquarters are here, so you can attend events without needing to travel far. It’s amazing! 

Can you tell us about the hackathon you organised? 

It was called Hack London, and we reintroduced it in partnership with KCL’s tech society and hosted it at Bush House. We attracted over 200 students! Switching roles from participant to organiser was fantastic. I got involved in logistics, team coordination, and planning. It was a great learning experience. 

What internships have you done since joining UCL Computer Science and how did you find them? 

I did four spring weeks in my first year, which helped me fast-track into a summer internship. Eventually, I secured a graduate return offer. Sometimes, the UCL Computer Science department sends us internship opportunities, and I just applied. For others, I searched websites that list open applications. I mostly applied to companies I knew and had researched well. I found mass applying can be overwhelming!

What advice do you have for future students when it comes to securing internships? 

It’s really important to know why you’re applying to a company. Mass applying can be tough, especially since each application has multiple stages. It’s better to focus on a few that genuinely interest you and give your best at each stage. For technical interviews, practice explaining your code out loud with a friend; this really helps make your logic clearer. Most importantly, be yourself and stay confident! 

The information on this page reflects the student's status at the time of publication (June 2025).