MSc Sustainable Business student Niharika shares her journey to Alliance Manchester Business School and why Manchester was the perfect choice for sustainability-focused education.
In this article, Niharika reflects on how her personal values, academic ambitions, and everyday sustainability practices led her to choose Manchester for her postgraduate journey.
Brewing change: Why Manchester was the only choice for me
If you catch me walking around the Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) campus, you will almost certainly see me with a coffee in hand. I admit it- I love coffee. But since starting my master's this September, my morning ritual has taken on a new meaning. I am a proud user of the University of Manchester’s reusable cup scheme “Bee Cup”, a brilliant campus-wide initiative designed to slash our carbon footprint. It is a small, tangible habit I practice every day, but it symbolises exactly why I am here, to learn how to make sustainability an effortless part of daily life and business strategy.
From observation to action
My journey to Manchester started thousands of miles away. Growing up in Assam, a resource-rich region, I witnessed firsthand the delicate balance between economic growth and ecological preservation. While my early career involved teaching Geology and working on grassroots CSR projects in India, I realized that understanding the science of the Earth wasn't enough. I needed to understand the business of the Earth. I wanted to move from observing problems to designing systemic solutions, which led me to search for a university that didn't just teach sustainability but lived it.
Why AMBS?
Choosing where to study was about finding a place that acts as a champion for sustainability, and the University of Manchester fits that description perfectly. Manchester is a city with a history of radical thinking, and the University is at the forefront of the global sustainability conversation. When I was looking for a university, I wasn't just looking for a degree; I was looking for a place that shared my values. Seeing the culture here now, it is no surprise to me that the University ranks first in the UK for positive social and environmental impact. It’s a place that actually "walks the walk."
A warm welcome
I admit, moving to a new country to start a master’s can be nerve-wracking, but the settling-in process here was genuinely amazing. I still smile thinking about Welcome Week. We didn’t just sit in lecture halls; we were sent out on a team treasure hunt across the campus!
It was such a fun, hands-on way to bond with my new classmates while figuring out where everything was. The professors were incredible, too, helping us settle in with educational games that broke the ice immediately. It was fun, but it was also educational, setting the tone for exactly how we learn here.
In the classroom
Now that classes are in full swing, the MSc Sustainable Business is pushing me exactly the way I hoped it would. I didn't want a surface-level overview; I wanted deep, technical expertise. I have been thoroughly engaged by modules like "Navigating System Transitions" and "International Dimensions of Sustainable Development." These classes are challenging me to look at global problems through a complex lens, understanding how nations and industries can pivot toward greener futures.
Furthermore, the module on "Accounting, Finance and the ESG Agenda" is bridging the exact gap I identified in my previous work: aligning corporate strategy with environmental goals. It is fascinating to see how financial frameworks can be the most powerful tools we have for driving ecological change.
Beyond the classroom
“Leading Real Change” - one of the goals I set for myself in my statement of purpose was to join 180 Degrees Consulting. I am thrilled to share that not only did I join, but I am now serving as a Project Leader.
In this role, I am currently helping businesses strategize their entry into the UK market. It is an incredible opportunity to apply the theories I learn in class directly to the real world, ensuring that these businesses grow in a way that is socially and environmentally responsible. It confirms my belief that data-driven research and strategic consulting are the keys to systemic impact.
If you are looking for a program that mixes high-level strategy with on-the-ground action, AMBS is the place to be. Whether I am analysing ESG agendas in a lecture hall, leading a consulting team, or just grabbing a sustainable coffee on the way to the library, I know I am in the right place to build a greener future.
Still curious about student life on the course? Reach out to Niharika on LinkedIn.
