My name is Jackie Yip and I proudly graduated from Cardiff University with a First Class BA in Music with a year abroad in 2018. 

I was born and raised in Bristol where I started piano lessons when I was six years old and this fuelled my love of music and why I chose to study it at degree level. I was a widening participation student who was lucky enough to receive the Cardiff bursary and I spent my first-year fundraising for this to support other students just like me. My parents are immigrants from Hong Kong, so we were often travelling to visit the country, so I became a keen traveller when I entered Cardiff University.  

In my first and second year, I was given the opportunity to travel and perform all across Europe with the University Symphony Orchestra playing piano and percussion. Thanks to the University, I also successfully applied for an internship in Hong Kong for four weeks during the summer, working at a high-end fashion house as their marketing intern.  In my third year, I went on a year abroad to Helsinki, Finland where I studied Musicology at the University of Helsinki and piano playing at the prestigious Sibelius Academy.  During that year, I was also flown to China to perform again with the University Orchestra. 

In my final year, I ran in the Students’ Union elections to become the next Vice President Education and successfully became a charitable trustee for the University and the Union whilst representing all Cardiff Students with their academic Interests. The Following year, I ran to be the Students’ Union President and became Chair of the Board of Trustees of a £10 million-pound charity that was 4th best in the UK as well as Trustee for the University for a second term. I line managed my own team of six Vice-Presidents and led an organisation of over 100 staff. 

I had an amazing time at Cardiff and was lucky to be so well supported during my studies. I was interested in this role so that I could continue to give back to my institution who have already given me so much!