Can you tell us a bit about your background and why you are returning to study?
Hello, my name is Rebecca Bull and I am currently studying the ‘Sustainability and Environmental Management’ MSc course at the University of Derby. I am a driven professional with a diverse career background. I graduated from ‘Plymouth University’ in 2013 with a BSc. Hons in Marine Biology and contracted my first job abroad working as a Scuba Diving Instructor and Marine Biologist shortly afterwards. Since then, I have worked all over the world and have had the pleasure of working alongside people of many different nationalities and becoming involved in a host of different environmental projects.
During 2015, I was a part of the management team of an island resort in the Maldives that worked together to manage the 250 or so staff members employed there and to ensure that daily operations ran smoothly. Whilst in role as ‘Corporate Responsibility Manager’, I formed, led and consulted with the ‘Green Team’ whose volunteer members came from various different departments within the resort.
I hosted the ‘Green Team’ monthly where we met to discuss the sustainable economic development of the resort. This was measured by an external auditing company (‘Earthcheck’) for which I was the resort’s ambassador. In line with their benchmarking, I ensured compliance with environmental regulations and reduced water and electricity wastage by implementing new policies for the resort and coming up with eco-friendly initiatives. I created and implemented new projects such as an improved waste management scheme and a coral nursery. I also planned events such as tree planting, reef cleaning activities and educational workshops for customers and staff. I was responsible for training, briefing and leading volunteers for all events.
These projects were a huge success and it was this experience that initially sparked my continued interested in sustainability management.
During the 2020 pandemic, I was approached to return to The Maldives to initiate and oversee sustainability-related projects for ‘Park Hyatt Resort’. My duties included scuba diving to conduct coral reef surveys and collecting data from permanent marine data loggers which were in place to monitor sea water temperatures, warning the Maldives government of potential mass bleaching events. Additionally, I wrote reports, training and policies to comply with ISO14001 audits and conducted internal audits to increase efficiency and energy-saving initiatives. I also began providing educational presentations to guests about different marine and terrestrial animals found on the island and hosted various activities such as nature walks, interactive workshops and snorkelling sessions. A major project I successfully created was a new program whereby waste food generated at the resort restaurants was composted in an industrial composter. The resulting compost was used to grow food at local farms, which then supplied the resort restaurants with fresh, locally produced food creating a closed system of 0 food waste. It was during this role that I decided I wanted to return to education to further my knowledge in order to move permanently into the broad field of sustainability management.
It is my ambition upon obtaining a master’s degree in sustainability and environmental management to become someone able to facilitate meaningful change for the UK towards a sustainable future. I will achieve this by synthesising my previous experience with new skills that I will gain from studying a masters course in this topic. Coming from a scientific background, I am particularly driven to further my knowledge on the social and financial aspects of sustainability management to add them to my portfolio. I am confident that studying with ‘The University of Derby’ will help me to accomplish my goals and begin contributing to this crucial and growing field.
How are you finding online study so far?
Studying online with the ‘University of Derby’ has been an incredibly positive experience. For me, the biggest advantage of online study is the flexibility it offers. The university’s portal allows me to access all my course materials at any time, from virtually anywhere, and on multiple devices. It’s reassuring to know that, no matter where I am or what time of day it is, I can find a quiet spot, open my modules, and dive into my studies—whether I’m at home or travelling! Everything I need is organised in one place, from the university library to course content and interactive chat rooms where I can connect with other students. This level of accessibility is invaluable, especially as I balance my part-time studies with a full-time job.
How did you research and decide on the course?
I spent a lot of time researching, using various course comparison websites such as ‘UKStudyOnline’ to find a program that was the right fit for me. My main priority was finding a fully online course that would not only deepen my knowledge but also provide opportunities to connect with the industry, helping me build contacts for future job prospects. With these criteria in mind, I was able to narrow down my options to a few universities. From there, I carefully reviewed the course content before ultimately selecting the one that checked all the boxes.
I was particularly drawn to study with the ‘University of Derby’ because of the breadth and depth of the course content, as well as the opportunity to study through a comprehensive online learning platform. Balancing a full-time job while funding my studies myself, I truly value the flexibility this program offers.
Another major draw for me was the university’s affiliation with IEMA and the student membership it provides. I’m looking forward to making the most of these resources and the support available to enhance my learning. Moreover, the benefits of learning under someone possessing a combination of academic and industrial knowledge, such as programme leader Dr. Uchechukwu Okere, cannot be overstated.
Is this your first experience with online learning? How are you managing your time and fitting study in?
I have some previous experience with online learning. I’ve completed several short courses through my workplace, covering topics like management skills and human behaviour change, which typically took just a few hours or days. I’ve also pursued longer courses out of personal interest, such as an NVQ in counselling skills to enhance my professional portfolio, as well as a certificate in garden design to deepen my knowledge of one of my favourite hobbies. While I’m familiar with online study, this is my first time taking on a course of this scale and depth. I spent several months carefully considering whether to commit to the programme.
To manage my time effectively, I’ve dedicated each evening to studying, and I also make use of lunch breaks and weekends. I’ve found listening to my study materials in audiobook form especially efficient, as it allows me to use otherwise unproductive moments—like commutes or standing in line—for learning.
From your experience so far of researching, selecting and starting online study, what advice would you give to someone at the start of the process?
My advice to anyone starting the process would be to take some time to really consider what you want to achieve from the course and how much time you can realistically commit to studying. Start by making a list of your “non-negotiables” – the must-haves for your ideal course. Online programs can vary greatly in terms of structure: some are full-time, others part-time, and many offer full flexibility.
I came across several courses that claimed to be fully flexible, but upon closer inspection, I found they required attendance at live lectures at specific times. While that might work for some, it was a deal-breaker for me, as I couldn’t commit to set times alongside my full-time job.
Once you have a clearer idea of what you’re looking for, use online search tools to help narrow your options down to a top 5 or so. For me, ‘UK Study Online’ was a great resource during the initial research phase, helping me identify universities that offered the type of flexible learning I needed. When I finally found a course that met all of my criteria, I knew it was the right fit.