Business meets classroom: a win-win for students and entrepreneurs
Surrey Business School (SBS) believes that the best way to prepare students for the future is to connect classroom learning and theories with real-world business experience.
At SBS, there is a strong emphasis on practical exposure and giving students opportunities to learn directly from leaders, engage with companies, and tackle real challenges that shape industries today.
The School runs B-Clinic, which provides experiential learning opportunities for students while delivering valuable services to local businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs.
Earlier in the academic year, undergraduate Business Management students on the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management pathway met Jools Tyrer, founder of Mama’s Flightpath, a podcast for parents returning to work.
Working with students from Surrey Business School has been a consistently high-quality experience. The students I have worked with have demonstrated strong commercial awareness, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to applying theory in real-world business contexts. The support and structure provided by Surrey Business School clearly equips students to add meaningful value to small and medium-sized enterprises, and I have found the collaboration both professionally rewarding and impactful.
Jools Tyrer, Founder, Mama’s FlightpathAs part of the New Business Creation module, led by Anna Holland, Associate Professor, Jools gave students first-hand insight into the realities of life as an entrepreneur, exploring both the opportunities and challenges of running a business. For their final project, they applied what they’d learned about income diversification in the classroom, by developing and presenting recommendations directly to Jools for her business.
These experiences not only build confidence and communication skills but also deepen students' understanding of how businesses operate in fast-changing markets and encourage innovative yet strategic thinking – all of which they can apply to their future career.
Surrey Business School’s B-Clinic is equally beneficial for local and international companies. Partner organisations receive specialised expertise, fresh and innovative approaches, and cost-effective support – all while contributing to the professional growth of students.
"Working with a real business is different – rather than theories and what-ifs, I really feel as if I have made a tangible difference.’ Ethan, third year student said.
This practical exposure transforms theory into experience, enabling Surrey Business School graduates to enter the professional world with hands-on consultancy experience and an innovative and collaborative outlook.
“I found the project to be both really interesting and challenging as it allowed us to put the theory we’ve learnt into actual practice with a real business – which meant real risks and real rewards. It also confirmed for me that I’ve taken the correct course as I was able to practice my degree in a controlled environment.” Alexandra, student
