Our tutors - Kate Lau

Kate - History of Art and English Literature, University of Cambridge

Hello! I’m Kate. I’m a graduate of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge (Distinction MPhil in English Literature) and the University of St Andrews (First Class BA in History of Art and English Literature). Throughout my time at St Andrews, I was recognised for academic excellence, receiving awards for my exam results in three of my four years. I’ve always been fascinated by how ideas, texts, and visual culture intersect, and I enjoy helping students discover the same excitement in their studies.

Too often, students get stuck in memorisation, missing the chance to explore ideas for themselves. My classes will focus on developing critical thinking, close reading, and analytical skills, encouraging students to trust their own interpretations and stretch their intellectual curiosity.

I am an experienced tutor. As a Cambridge postgraduate student, I led essay-writing workshops tailored to each student’s strengths and challenges, helping them improve their writing and exam performance. At St Andrews, I mentored first-year students in both English and Art History, supporting research, essay writing, and engagement with course material. Many of my tutees have gone on to achieve excellent results - not just because of what I teach, but because they learn to think independently, creatively, and rigorously.

After graduation, I undertook a competitive year-long internship at Christie’s art auction house, supporting high-value sales across departments. I now work in tech, leading Product Strategy and Marketing for a company that deploys computer vision technology within the UK’s electricity network. These experiences continue to inform my teaching, helping me bring practical insight, strategic thinking, and intellectual curiosity into every tutoring session.

My teaching approach sees content as just the starting point. The real skill is learning to analyse, question, and connect ideas, giving students the tools to excel not only in exams, but in thinking critically across any challenge.