Sustainable Development BA/BSc(Hons): What our students say

"I used to work as an insurance underwriter. But after working in the city for 11 years, I decided that I didn't want to be doing that job for the rest of my life.  However, I had left school at 17 and wasn't qualified for anything else. I wanted to be able to get a job that would allow me to work outdoors and outside London and so, after much consideration, I decided to study environmental science. 

"To save money I moved back to my parents' house for the duration of the degree. Kingston was convenient to their home and I also felt it catered well for mature students.

"I was apprehensive about going to university.  Many of my peers told me I was mad to consider it at my age. This led me to put off enrolling for three years. However, in hindsight, my only regret is actually that I didn't start the degree sooner. 

"I have really enjoyed learning about things I am interested in. Being here makes you realise your own capabilities. Higher educational is not unobtainable, it really is for everyone.       

"The field trips have been excellent. That's where Kingston excels.  It does the practical stuff extremely well. The Spanish trip was especially good. We made so many connections, talked to so many interesting people and saw so many things.

"I have also found Kingston extremely flexible. I decided to spend a year in Cape Town. It was a private arrangement, which has meant my degree has taken four years rather than three.  However, the course director was very helpful and sorted it all out for me. I am really grateful to her for that. 

"The only part of the course I have struggled with is chemistry, because I didn't have background knowledge in this area.  I have to say the chemistry lecturers were very helpful and really took the time to explain things so that I could keep up and understand.

"I feel that studying environmental science was an excellent decision for me. The way pensions are going, people are likely to have to work a lot longer.  I don't want to spend the next 40 years doing something I don't want to be doing. If you're not happy with what you do for a living, then you've got to do something about it."

"I had worked in banking for many years, but wanted to start a new career.  I decided to study environmental science here because I'm interested in the subject, plus Kingston University is close to my home and has a good reputation.  It's also very welcoming to the older student.

"I have enjoyed the choice of interesting modules the course offers. The teaching provides a mixture of practicals, applied and theory, so you get a really varied learning experience. As well as attending interesting classroom lectures, you could be giving presentations one day and going on a field trip to investigate flood management the next.

"The field trips have been a course highlight.  I visited the Sierra Nevada in Andalucia.  The purpose was to look at how the environment is managed in very different conditions to those we see in England. 

"I have found the lecturers sympathetic to needs of mature students and very helpful.  I struggled with chemistry at first, but now, thanks to the teachers and the practical sessions, I understand the basic principles. It's interesting to apply this knowledge to environmental problems.

"The tutors also helped me find a great work placement at Surrey County Council in the Sustainable Development department. I wanted to do this because I am committed to starting a career in this area. I have used my office skills and, in return, learnt about environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment at the Council. I am currently working on a European environmental problem and have been on trips to Hungary and Brussels.

"The course has definitely helped me to clarify my ambitions. Before starting, I did not realise how relevant an Environmental Science degree could be in all sorts of areas."