Clemens (Tsz Chun Clemens Yuen)

 Clemens graduated from the University of Leeds with an MSc in Sustainability and Business in 2023. Drawn to the UK by its volume of top universities, Clemens opted for Leeds due to its Russell Group status and because its Sustainability and Business MSc aligned with his career goals.

University of Leeds was a no-brainer once I have selected the programme that I wanted to enrol in.

 Clemens was also drawn to the university campus, “The university is one of the very few single-campus universities in the UK, which makes it such a joy to go on campus every day for lectures. Combine this with the amazing and diverse city of Leeds, University of Leeds was a no-brainer once I have selected the programme that I wanted to enrol in.”

 

 The Sustainability and Business MSc programme, offered by the School of Earth and Environment, is a sustainability course equipping students with the skills needed to innovate enterprises sustainably. Clemens was already working in the sustainability field before he came to Leeds but explains that “this degree provided me with yet another step up to further my professional knowledge and skill sets needed for this global challenge.

 “The programme served as an extension to my environmental management bachelor’s course I completed back in Hong Kong and provided me with an opportunity to apply my career experience back to academics. 

I got to apply what I learnt in class to projects and real-life experience, further preparing myself to re-enter the workplace after graduation.

 “The course drills deep into the latest sustainability theories and concepts, and improved my project management skills and techniques. The most engaging thing about it was that I got to apply what I learnt in class to projects and real-life experience, further preparing myself to re-enter the workplace after graduation.”

 As Clemens isn’t a UK national, he had no prior local knowledge of which UK companies were in the sustainability field or how job applications work over here. However, the university’s wide variety of workshops and webinars aided him through this process, which summarised FAQs and signposted him to answers for more specific questions. 

I cannot stress enough on the importance of the School Employment Officer who provided one-on-one advice on my career path.

 He relates “I also participated in a couple of career fairs organised by the university’s career service, allowing me to get a feel of the local company landscape and examine the options I have. Finally, I cannot stress enough on the importance of the School Employment Officer who provided one-on-one advice on my career path. I had several appointments with the officer on work advice relevant to a mature student such as myself and, given my career ambitions, where to look for potential opportunities.”

 

 Despite coming from another country, Clemens says the city and its people made him feel welcome and at ease.
“Being in the middle of the UK comes with its own advantages, you can travel to different UK cities easily, or to the European mainland using the close-by Leeds Bradford Airport. Not to mention catching international flights at the nearby Manchester International Airport as well. What I like the most is its balance in everything - it has the perfect level of busyness and quiet, city and nature, and it doesn’t come at a huge cost. For that, I think Leeds is the perfect city for students and for people coming abroad to feel what the UK has to offer.”

I think Leeds is the perfect city for students and for people coming abroad to feel what the UK has to offer.

 In terms of advice for students considering applying to the University of Leeds, especially if you’re an international student, Clemens advises to research thoroughly and ask as many questions as you need to. 
“This is where the University of Leeds’ community and its student ambassadors come in.” he says, “They can provide advice on how to select the best programme within the university for your career focus or interests, explain how various courses work and provide you with personal tips for when you finally decide to move to Leeds to begin your studies at the university.”

 He points out that the support doesn’t stop when you get here - the university’s student support teams and student union provide resources for you to make the most out of your Leeds experience, whether it be three years as an undergraduate or just one year as a Master’s student. 

 “It is always worth just to have someone who has gone through it all to give you their perspective and advice on local matters that you don’t understand.”