Q&A with Yiting Hao
Yiting Hao was an Education, Society and Culture BA student, class of 2019. Yiting is now an Assistant Professor at a university in China.
Why did you choose UCL to study your undergraduate degree?
I wanted to pursue an education degree, and IOE was amongst the best options. I also had a one-year primary school experience in Uxbridge when I was younger, so London had had a special part in my memory. Doing a three-year programme instead of four-year was also appealing.
What do you miss most about studying at UCL?
At UCL I never stopped trying out new things. It is an extremely diverse university in an extremely diverse city with many things to experience. I was part of the film society at UCL, did some part-time work and explored many corners of the university and city. Also, my learning experience at IOE was great. The teachers are super inspiring and kind, which is why I decided to go down a similar path.
Tell us a bit about your career
I am currently an Assistant Professor at a university in my home country. After my undergraduate degree at IOE, I went on to do an MPhil and DPhil at Oxbridge.
Pursuing an academic career was quite clear when approaching the end of my undergraduate degree, since it really brought out my interest in education as a field of research.
What has been your career highlight so far
I have only been working at the university for a couple of months. However, I’ve found lots of joy from teaching and like the balance between teaching and research.
What are your future career aspirations?
In the near future, I would like to stay on the academic track and get a tenure. However, I’m also keeping my options open to try different careers. The general direction would still be in the area of education and learning.
What makes you most proud to be a UCL alumnus?
I’m proud to be part of UCL’s diverse and global community. My first-year accommodation was a flat of 6 coming from 5 different countries. This experience taught me how to collaborate and communicate across cultures, be open-minded with others’ opinions, and find commonalities rather than differences.
Is there any advice you would like to give future UCL students?
Don't be afraid of trying out new things. You will thank yourself later.
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Last updated 28 April 2026.