Megan Surman
MSc Marketing & Strategy (2020 - 2021)

Tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and the course you are studying.

My name is Megan, I am originally from Swansea, Wales and I am currently studying MSc Marketing & Strategy at Warwick Business School (WBS). Prior to this I studied BSc Management also at WBS.

What first attracted you to WBS, why did you choose to study here?

One of the major aspects that attracted me to study for an MSc at WBS is that it ranks so highly internationally, with MSc Marketing & Strategy being ranked 6th in the world in the QS Masters in Marketing Ranking 2021. The teaching staff within the business school are also some of the best in their respected fields, so I was certain that the standard of education would be high. I also really enjoyed my time studying at an undergraduate level within the business school, so I decided to continue my studies at masters level.

What would you say are the key things that sets WBS apart from other schools?

One of the initial things that sets WBS apart is the building itself. The business school at Warwick is a state of the art facility, boasting study spaces for all levels of study, student kitchens, an on-site cafe, modern lecture theatres, seminar rooms, group study and presentation spaces, as well as facilities such as a green screen room and computer spaces. As well as having access to the WBS building, we also have access to study spaces throughout campus such as the Library, Learning Grids and spaces such as The Oculus and The Junction building.

Another key element is my.wbs. My.wbs is Warwick Business School’s own platform where we can find everything we need for our course, such as our timetables, module details, lecture content, assessments and more. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for online-study, my.wbs has also been our access point for all online lectures and seminars. Having use of my.wbs as a student is great, as it holds all of the information I need, easily available in one place.

WBS also has designated programme teams, handling all aspects from administration queries, module choices and more.

What is your favourite module? What do you cover on this module?

So far, my favourite module has been Business Across Borders: Global Issues in Marketing and Strategy. We covered various topics including international modes of entry, corporate social responsibility and emerging market multinationals. The module included group work where we presented an internationalisation strategy for an emerging market firm to enter into a developed market. This was particularly interesting as it developed our understanding of the theory, knowledge of the real world, as well as our presentation abilities.

This term I am particularly excited to get started on the Branding, Marketing Communication and Design module, especially as it is being taught by Dr Laura Chamberlain. Having been taught by Laura at undergraduate level within WBS, I am sure that she will make this an exciting and engaging module to be involved in.

Are you a member of any sports clubs or societies? How has being a member of a society or club benefited you?

Outside of university I am a current member of the British Senior Tumbling (Gymnastics) Squad, training and competing at an elite international level. I have been a Warwick Sport Performance Sport Scholar since I began studying my undergraduate degree in 2016. Having the support from Warwick Sport has been hugely beneficial to me throughout my time at Warwick, including gym memberships, strength and conditioning coaching, mentoring and more.

What do you aim to do once you graduate?

My aim after university is to get into the sports industry, ideally within a sports marketing role. Having been involved in sport from a young age and from my studies of marketing whilst at Warwick, I believe that a sports marketing role will be perfect for me.

What are your tips for getting the most out of an MSc for those starting in September?

Obviously, studying this year has been a little different to normal, having a lot of online lectures and virtual learning, but I think the main tip for getting the best out of your MSc is to stay on top of your workload by creating a schedule for studying. For example, in between your weekly lectures and seminars, allocating a specified time each week in order to complete the additional study materials and tasks, will really help to keep you on track.