Blandine M.
"The University has personal values aligned with mine in its commitment to sustainability in both its teaching and how it operates."
Why did you choose to study your course at Surrey?
I chose the MSc in Corporate Environmental Management at the University of Surrey because it provided the perfect combination of sustainability principles, business strategy, and guest lectures. I liked this course due to its interdisciplinary perspective that brings environmental science, corporate responsibility, and management together, which matched my goal of pursuing a career that integrates sustainability into business decision-making.
Furthermore, Surrey's Centre for Environment and Sustainability (CES) has a strong reputation for its impactful research and strong connections with industry. Additionally, the University had personal values aligned with mine in its commitment to sustainability in both its teaching and how it operates.
What are the best things about Surrey and your course?
One of my favourite things about Surrey is how genuinely supportive and collaborative the learning environment is. The course is taught by academics who bring real-world experience and current research into the classroom.
"I particularly like the balance between practice and theory, the modules cover theoretical topics, such as life cycle assessment, environmental auditing, or corporate sustainability strategies, and all of those are improved through case studies, group projects, or even field trips."
The CES also supports collaborative learning through a great network of professionals and researchers who are working on practical sustainability challenges outside academia giving guest lectures. Beyond the course, the campus is situated in a beautiful and peaceful environment and is full of great facilities with a strong sense of international community.
What are the best things about life here as a postgraduate student?
Life as a postgraduate student at Surrey is a very nice experience. There is a strong postgraduate community at the university, which means that it is easy to socialise with other students from all over the world with various common interests.
"There is also a lot of support meant to help you during your studies, both academic and personal, from all the professors, your tutor, the university's career services, and wellbeing resources."
I've enjoyed the balance between being independent and accessing support, we are encouraged to follow our own research interests but can have assistance if we need more guidance. Additionally, the location is an added advantage, Guildford is a lovely town, with a nice combination of tranquillity and services, and it is only one hour away from London.
What are your career plans?
After finishing my MSc, I wish to pursue a career in corporate sustainability focusing on helping organisations integrate environmental considerations into their business strategies.
"I am particularly interested in sustainability reporting, ESG consulting, and life cycle analysis. Through these areas, I hope to support companies in measuring and improving their environmental performance, increasing transparency, and driving change across their operations and value chains."
Ultimately, my goal is to make organisations more sustainable and resilient, while enabling them to take responsibility for their environmental and social impacts.
What advice do you have for students thinking of doing this course?
My advice would be to come ready to engage with the wide range of sustainability topics covered throughout the course. Take advantage of the many things provided by the CES and University to broaden your experience: attend events, research seminars, and guest lectures whenever you can, as they provide valuable insights and connections. Try to connect aspects of your coursework and dissertation to something that you are deeply passionate about, as it makes the experience even more meaningful and enjoyable. Above all, enjoy the journey, it goes by faster than you think!
