Alex H-V.

Why did you choose to study your course at Surrey?

I was working for three years after my undergrad in a job I enjoyed, but I wanted to change my career path to focus on Sustainability.

I initially heard about the MSc course through a friend who was doing a PhD at Surrey's Centre for Environment and Sustainability. As soon as I looked at the course prospectus for the MSc, I knew I wanted to study here.

The course was unique in its breadth and provided an introduction to major Sustainability topics, from Life Cycle Assessment, to Environmental Law, Environmental Management, and Ecological Economics. Having now completed the course, the range of topics covered proved invaluable and I'm confident I made the right choice.

What are the best things about Surrey and your course?

The best things about my course included the number of guest lecturers from people working in the field. Both academic and professional lecturers were extremely knowledgeable and approachable, and genuinely cared about their subject and student learning.

I also liked that my course was graded on coursework only. This is not universal to all Masters courses - my flatmates had exams - so I would advise to check before applying. However, it turned out to be one of the aspects I liked most about my course, the fact that I had time to get stuck into assignments and create pieces of work which I was proud of. Now I am back in employment, I sometimes look back on my assignments as useful resources.

As for Surrey in general, I found the campus a good mix between being close to the town centre and having its own space. The lake is particularly beautiful on a nice day to walk around and socialise by.

What are the best things about life here as a postgraduate student?

I found the Manor Park accommodation a nice place to live, it had everything I needed and a good social space, where I enjoyed the odd pub quiz and karaoke. Surrey also has a wide range of societies to get involved with.

"I mainly enjoyed the range of spaces to socialise in, from the student cafes and bars, to spaces such as the Sports Park, the Library, the Hive and the Nest, and then the outdoor spaces such as the lake in Stag Hill."

Guildford itself is quite well connected, with a system of taxis and buses and direct trains into London Waterloo. Lastly, I found the student support teams helpful and easy to deal with. There's a lot of support if you need it.

What are your career plans?

I am lucky to have found a job only six weeks after finishing my course. I think my previous work experience helped but also the breadth of my course means I had a lot of points of reference to draw upon in my interviews.

"My new role is as a Sustainability Analyst, so I will be responsible for managing my company's emissions data, and contribute towards their sustainability strategy and carbon reporting. I hope to use this role to learn the complexities of embedding sustainability into work practices and fulfilling compliance requirements."

Further down the line, I hope to be able to advise companies, internally and externally, on sustainability strategies and reporting. I have already returned to Surrey to give a lecture to Sustainability BSc students, and I hope I can provide more learning opportunities for younger cohorts in future too.

What advice do you have for students thinking of doing this course?

Firstly, understand the course's structure. For example, my modules comprised one week of teaching (Mon-Fri, 9-5), followed by a month to complete coursework. This had its benefits - I enjoyed the condensed teaching weeks, which were good to form bonds with fellow students and do group activities.

This structure meant that there were numerous weeks where I wasn't required on campus, which made it more difficult to join societies as I was more inclined to visit my family and friends who lived nearby. I would still recommend my course wholeheartedly, but this was something I wish I had checked before applying!

Similarly, the fact that my course was 100% coursework really suited me and allowed me to get high marks. But this was a lucky coincidence - I should have checked before!

Secondly, try to experience as many societies as you can early on. It's the best way to meet new people, which will make all the difference.

"It's not about having the perfect "uni experience", it's just about meeting enough new people that you find the ones that stick and that you can enjoy your time with, especially as postgraduates in a space dominated by undergraduates."

I met many amazing people, but wish I had pushed myself even more to 'get out there' and make the most of what is on offer. Similarly, introduce yourself to your lecturers, as they are more often than not fantastic people and great connections for after your time is up!

Best of luck. :)