Lewis Maxwell

Why did you choose to come to Surrey? What appealed to you?

Choosing Surrey was an easy decision for me. During A-Levels I visited Surrey on several open days and each time it felt like a welcoming and professional environment in which to study. One of the biggest factors in making my decision to study at Surrey was the recognition the University holds for Professional Training Placements as I knew at the time that it would add significant, real-world value and experience to my degree. Surrey is also unique in the fact that it is a relatively small University which means teaching feels more personalised and rapport can easily be built with the lecturers.

What do you like about your course and why?

"The Business Management degree at the University of Surrey has allowed me to explore different avenues of business and even tailor the experience to meet my interests."

The Business Management degree at the University of Surrey has allowed me to explore different avenues of business and even tailor the experience to meet my interests. In my first year of study, I was able to build a strong fundamental understanding of areas such as accounting and marketing but moving into my second year I was able to select modules that appealed to me. I primarily focused on International Business Management modules as I had developed interest in international business operating practices and models through some of the research I had undertaken. 

Have you been on a Professional Training placement? If yes, where did you go?  

On my placement year, I worked at Mace, a construction consultancy based in London with projects globally. I joined Mace Consult as a Project Assistant in the defence, energy, nuclear and utilities (DENU) sector which meant my role was flexible within the project management office. I initially started working in planning and risk before moving into an assistant project manager role where I quickly found my feet and began to work alongside the senior project manager. The experience contributed significantly to my professional development in areas such as stakeholder management, analysis and planning.

If you’ve done a Professional Training placement, would you recommend it to others? Why?  

"I would definitely recommend undertaking a placement year to any student considering the opportunity."

I would definitely recommend undertaking a placement year to any student considering the opportunity. I believe anyone who undertakes a placement year will benefit greatly, either through exposure to the environment, learning about a new industry or through applying learning to the real world.

What has been your best moment at Surrey so far?

In 2022, Surrey had their big return to Varsity sport against their Varsity rival Royal Holloway (RHUL). The day was a big occasion as it showed the return to normal University life post-Covid-19. Lots of Surrey students, including myself, made the journey to RHUL to witness the clash in all forms of sport and watch Surrey take a massive victory. The day was particularly memorable as everyone had made the effort to dress in university varsity colours and support their respective teams.

Discover more about the Business Management BSc (Hons) course at Surrey Business School.