MSc - Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management

What attracted you to choose Surrey and to study your course here?
I had it easy - back in 2010 only a handful of universities in the UK offered PG courses in Entrepreneurship, so my choice was narrowed down for me. Surrey seemed like the best option - with a strong academic record, excellent facilities and infrastructure (and you DO need that for social sciences, too!) and within close proximity of Europe's busiest business hub, I made my mind up within hours.

What is your strongest memory of your time at Surrey – what do you picture first when you think of being here?
My strongest memories are Lecture Theatre 1 in the Rik Medlik Building (Faculty of Management and Law back in my days) and Manor Park. In business, relationships you make are just as important as the knowledge you gain and Manor Park created some of the best friendships I've had ever since.

What is the one thing you would say about Surrey (or your course) to someone who doesn’t know anything about it?
Keeping it simple, I'd just say "go to Surrey, you'll thank me later!" But in all fairness, I'd mention the superb staff and facilities, excellent accommodation and sports venues, and the kind of people that are hard to find elsewhere. For the first time, my course mates were genuinely interested in everything we had done, and we were equally immersed in Entrepreneurship both inside and outside of the classroom. Last but not least, I would recommend MSc Entrepreneurship as such - writing a business plan instead of traditional dissertation was of great advantage to a person like me, with strong preference for applied knowledge.

"Overall, this programme helped me understand what I want as a person and as a professional, and it helped show me what my career can look like, as well as how I can lead it myself."

What attracted you to the University of Surrey?
The Entrepreneurship programme and Surrey's wonderful campus. I was looking for an immersive experience where I could focus on my studies and be surrounded by like-minded people. The campus is small but there is always something happening! I love being by the lake and being a part of the changes the campus is going through.

What were the best things about your programme?
My favourite part of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship MSc (previously known as Entrepreneurship MSc) were the people, both students and lecturers. My course was wonderfully diverse, leading to interesting (if not sometimes argumentative!) discussions in class. The lecturers offered a great balance of personal industry experience and academic theory that showcased how the theory can be put into practice, or how to learn from mistakes! The course and our programme director were incredibly engaging and there were often events outside of class that meant meeting and networking with industry professionals, who are experiencing what we studied, and work the way I hope to after the programme. The programme director took time and effort to ensure each student is thriving in class and becoming the best entrepreneur they could be, which is exciting and encouraging as it feels like a real possibility! The programme was tough but rewarding, and there is much support for those that seek it out.

What impact do you feel your programme will have on your career?
The course has taught me the skills and business theory I need to start, run and scale a business. It taught me that failure is part of my personal and business journey, and that learning from mistakes is as important as the successes. I learned a lot about who I am as a person, the risks I am willing to take, and the type of work style or business I thrive in. I learned how to build a business that represents my own beliefs and personality, and that is a very satisfying start to my career after university.