I had a dream – and it came true

My name is Jingtian Lan, and I’m from Changzhou, China. I recently completed a BSc in Applied Finance in Practice at the University of Dundee School of Business. In September 2025, I will begin a master’s programme in Management and Leadership at London's Global University (UCL) —an intentional and strategic step that will build on my finance background while broadening my interdisciplinary skills. This transition will allow me to analyse global economic trends from a macro perspective and strengthen the foundation for my future doctoral studies.

My ultimate goal is to become a policymaker capable of driving meaningful, large-scale impact. It’s a vision I am deeply committed to, and one I intend to dedicate my life to achieving.

Four years ago, I had a dream—to study at one of the world’s top 10 universities. At the time, the odds felt impossibly low. My English was limited, and my academic background didn’t meet the requirements. It was a difficult reality to face, and the path ahead seemed out of reach.

Looking for a silver lining

I decided to give it a try anyway and aimed for a master’s level programme at my dream university. I knew I needed to improve my English language skills and obtain a proper bachelor's degree. I reviewed five universities in the UK, US, and Australia. I chose the International College of Dundee, which is part of the University of Dundee.

The International College of Dundee focuses on developing English language proficiency as well as general academic knowledge and skills, allowing students to progress into specialised programmes at the University of Dundee from the second or third year. In my case, I joined the Applied Finance in Practice BSc programme at the University of Dundee School of Business in the third year.

Starting to live on my own in a different country was challenging for the first time in my life. Various people at the International College and the University of Dundee supported me greatly – helping me settle in Dundee (e.g. finding a flat), connect socially, and solve many other issues.

Clearing the sky

I took full advantage of the Applied Finance in Practice BSc programme at the School of Business. At first, the studies were difficult. I noticed many gaps in my knowledge and skills that I needed to develop. In almost every class, in every module, I asked a lot of questions. Honestly, I wanted to truly understand the material, not just get good grades.

I was impressed by the patience of the lecturers and their ability to simplify complex concepts until I could finally grasp them. For my research project, I met my supervisor, Dr Suzanne Fifield, around 20 times over a four-month period. She was always happy to see me and eager to help.

The ability of the lecturers to respond to my questions and inspire my curiosity gradually made my studies easier. It boosted my confidence in both my knowledge and skills.

Much of what I learned has practical applications — for example, I used some of the approaches to manage my own stock portfolio.

The dream has come true

In autumn 2024, I submitted my application for a master’s programme at my dream university. Several lecturers from the School of Business kindly supported me with recommendation letters. And in spring 2025, I was accepted to one of the top 10 universities in the world!!!

I want to say a big thank you to everyone at the University of Dundee who helped me achieve my dream.