Business and Management - BSc (Hons)

This is an archived course for 2021 entry
2023 courses

What does a business need in order to thrive? How do you target your market, recruit the right people, deliver efficiently, and control cash flow? Studying Business and Management gives you an understanding of the modern business world, providing you with a solid skill set and excellent career prospects.

Overview

For entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders, a Business and Management degree is a popular choice. A diverse subject, BSc Business and Management will act as a stepping stone for you to work in any industry, anywhere in the world.

On this programme you gain the analytical, technical and interpersonal skills required to understand, analyse and address the challenges faced by today’s companies. You also have the opportunity to gain the Chartered Management Institute’s (CMI) Level 5 Professional Certificate in Management and Leadership alongside your degree, as well as becoming a Foundation Charted Manager.

Our BSc Business and Management degree programme

Studying Business and Management you learn about the fundamentals of how businesses operate, exploring topics such as management principles, marketing, accounting and the international business environment. As you progress through your degree you’ll be introduced to the advanced concepts of many management disciplines.

On our flexible programme, you take a broad range of compulsory modules as well as having the opportunity to select optional modules to tailor the course to suit your career aspirations and interests. You can choose to explore areas such as marketing, entrepreneurship, human resource management, retail and business law. You can even choose to deepen your knowledge on a specific business aspect thorough a research-led project.

Taught by leading experts from business and the professions, you have excellent opportunities to experience business and management in action through hands-on experience via in-class live case studies from our visiting industry experts, enterprise challenges and company visits. Previously we have welcomed guest speakers from KPMG, Microsoft and Greenpeace and visited Phase Eight headquarters in London and Bluewater in Kent. You also have an opportunity to gain entrepreneurial skills that will enable you to accelerate your innovative thinking into practice.

Experiential learning

Kent provides a variety of employability opportunities for students during their studies. These range from short-term company internship opportunities to, voluntary work with local charities and University Business Societies. The central Careers and Employability Service also offers an exciting Employability Points Scheme. In addition to this, the Kent Business School specialised team of Employability experts provides support to all our students in personalised 1:1 meetings as well as online support via the Employability blog. Unique to KBS, our Alumni have access to all employability support for three years after their graduation.

Gaining 1-year long professional experience: Year in Industry

You have the option to take this programme with a year of professional experience, in the UK or internationally. You will be supported by our dedicated in-house Employability and Placements team to identify, secure and enjoy your placement year.

For more details, see Business and Management with a Year in Industry.

You do not have to make a decision before you enrol at Kent but certain conditions will apply.

For more information, see Programme Structure and Career sections.

Gaining 1-year cross-cultural experience: Year Abroad

If you would like to enhance your employability skills by widening cross-cultural perspectives, developing a global mind-set or learn another language then you can spend a year studying at one of Kent’s global partner institutions, see Business and Management with a Year Abroad.

You do not have to make a decision before you enrol at Kent but certain conditions will apply.

For more information, see Programme Structure and Career sections.

Extra activities

In addition to your studies, our students can discover how to turn their ideas into a successful business at our ASPIRE centre, which provides practical advice and support to all entrepreneurially-minded students, and runs our Business Start-up Journey initiative.

Many of our students also get involved with societies including the Kent Business Society, which in previous years has organised:

  • Social events
  • Talks from industry leaders including top tech entrepreneur Tom Illube, Becky Sims (CEO, Reflect Digital) and Emmanuel Enemokwu (JehuCal founder).
  • Networking events
  • Workshops

An outstanding student experience

"Coming to the University of Kent has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have grown as an individual, met some great lecturers, studied some quality modules and made some lifetime friends."

Tofunmi, BA Business and Management

Kent Business School is dedicated to ensuring a positive experience for all our students, from induction to graduation, and beyond. As a Student Success school, we are committed to championing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, and warmly welcome students from all backgrounds. Your experience is central to what we do, so we will listen to you every step of the way, through our robust Student Voice processes and mechanisms.

Alongside a world-class teaching and educational experience, KBS delivers a wide-ranging package of support, designed to ensure that you can maximise your time with us:

  • Every student is allocated an Academic Adviser from our highly skilled academic staff team, who will meet with you individually to give you personalised guidance on your academic journey with KBS.
  • Our dedicated Student Support Team, led by the Senior Tutor, are on-hand throughout term time and during vacations to provide confidential, sensitive, pastoral support and guidance to our students.
  • Academic Peer Mentors, recruited from the School’s most experienced undergraduate students, are available to help you to navigate your course and the modules that they themselves have studied, giving you insider access to someone who knows what it’s like to succeed on the course.

About the School

Our School is proud to be in the top 1% of business schools globally to hold accreditations from three large business organisations:

Our programmes offer world-class business education enabling transformative learning experiences built around the School’s fundamental values of sustainable innovation and responsible management practice. Our students are at the heart of all considerations and through engaging teaching, world-class research, professional partnerships and an international community, we create an exciting atmosphere in which to learn and thrive.

All of our programmes at Kent Business School address the challenges of modern global business and we aim to meet industry demands of producing quality graduates by ensuring we unlock our students’ potential, expand their thinking and nurture their talent.

Featured video

Entry requirements

Please also see our general entry requirements.

  • medal-empty

    A level

    BBB-BBC

  • medal-empty GCSE

    Mathematics grade 4 / C and English grade 4 / C.

  • medal-empty Access to HE Diploma

    The University will not necessarily make conditional offers to all Access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. 

    If we make you an offer, you will need to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above.

  • medal-empty BTEC Nationals

    Distinction, Distinction, Merit in Business. Other subjects will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  • medal-empty International Baccalaureate

    34 points overall or 15 points at HL including Mathematics 4 at HL or SL

  • medal-empty International Foundation Programme

    Pass all components of the University of Kent International Foundation Programme with a 60% overall average (plus 50% in LZ013 Maths and Statistics if you do not hold GCSE Maths at 4/C or equivalent).

International students should visit our International Student website for further specific information. International fee-paying students who require a Student visa cannot study part-time due to visa restrictions.

English Language Requirements

Please see our English language entry requirements web page.

If you need to improve your English language standard as a condition of your offer, you can attend one of our pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes before starting your degree programme. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.

Course structure

Duration: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time

Our programmes require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules, typically taking four modules per term over two terms in each of the three stages of study. The course structure provides a sample of the modules available for this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

Stage 1

Your first year is a compulsory introductory year, designed to provide you with a solid foundation in the understanding of business practices and their related functions, such as marketing, human resource management, and accounting. The analysis of the fast-changing business environment and the development of software and employability skills complement the business-related content.

Compulsory modules currently include

This module will cover the key concepts of microeconomics and theories related to the individual, firm and industry in the short and long run, underpinned by existing evidence on past and current economic trends in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.

Indicative topics are:

Key microeconomic concepts such as opportunity cost and equity versus efficiency

Supply and demand; elasticity

Cost and revenues

Profit maximisation under different market structures

Input markets; labour and capital

Find out more about BUSN3650

Management Principles aims to provide an understanding of the challenges of managing people within complex work organisations. The experience of work and employment are being affected by rapid change as a result of a number of factors including new technology, the growth of global competition and the changing demographic profiles and values of the work force. These developments are considered within an historical context. An exploration of their implications for management practices and organisational forms will also be conducted.

Students will be introduced to the main concepts and theories through readings and discussions of the main authors in the field. Case studies will be used to show how these concepts can impact upon management decision making within work organisations.

Find out more about BUSN3660

The aim of this module is to give students a solid grounding in key statistical techniques required to analyse effectively business data and data relevant for business. Indicative content:

• Maths and statistical skills for business; revision of algebra and basic mathematical functions.

• Summarising data with histograms, bar charts, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion.

• Spreadsheets: features and functions of commonly-used spreadsheet software including: workbook, worksheet, rows, columns, cells, data, text, formulae, formatting, printing, , charts and graphs, data management facilities,

• Probability: The relationship between probability, proportion and percent, addition and multiplication rules in probability theory and Venn diagrams.

• Common Probability Density Functions.

• Sampling and its use in inference, and applications of sampling in business management.

• Regression and correlation: scatter plots; simple regression; interpreting computer output.

• Forecasting using spreadsheets.

• Hypothesis testing using z-scores and t-scores

• Simulations- random number generation

Find out more about BUSN3670

The module introduces to students the importance of marketing in competitive and dynamic environments. The key topics of the module are:

• The marketing concept

• The marketing environment

• Market segmentation & targeting

• Brand development and management

• Management of the marketing mix

• Marketing research and new product development

• The implications of internationalisation for marketing managers

• Ethical issues in marketing

Find out more about BUSN3710

The module will cover various aspects of the changing international business environment, and their impact upon business operations and strategy. It will give students an appreciation of the business difficulties faced; the variety of factors influencing the choices and compromises that have to be made in international businesses, and the implications of those for the future viability and effectiveness of the organisations concerned.

An list of topics is given below:

• Globalisation: Definition, Evolution, Implications for countries, firms and people

• The International Business Environment: World Institutions, Patterns of International Trade and FDI Activities

• The Triad: European Union, United States, Japan - Investment, Trade, Relations

• Developing and Emerging Economies: Opportunities and Challenges

• Cultural Frameworks for International Business

• Entry Modes: Theory and Practice

• Internationalisation Theories

• International Expansion Strategies

• International Stakeholders – Ethical Issues

Find out more about BUSN3840

This module will develop core understanding and skills of using Microsoft Excel, a market leading analytical tool and software package. It covers the way in which enterprises such as businesses, not-for-profit organisations and governments utilise quantitative data to obtain insights for decision-making. Techniques will be taught and delivered with case studies and simulated datasets.

Topics to be covered include:

• Microsoft Excel functions and formulae: Nested functions, filters, lookup functions, and logical functions

• Data visualisation: Graphic operations

• Data analysis and statistical analysis: conditional formatting, Solver, Add-ins and Trend analysis

• Excel Macros: defining, recording, assigning, running and storing, etc.

Find out more about BUSN3850

This module aims to give students a better understanding of the importance of accounting in the modern world and how accounts are produced and regulated to produce meaningful information for all internal and external stakeholders.

Find out more about BUSN3860

This module provides fundamental knowledge of a range of business organisations, business purpose, ownership types and stakeholder influence. It further introduces organisational structures, functional areas and the impact of the external environment on business. Furthermore, this module introduces the many factors that shape the nature of organisations operating in an increasingly complex business environment such as innovation, internationalisation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Module participants explore this dynamic nature of business and consider successful existence within modern organisations through studying and applying employability skills such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience.

Find out more about BUSN4010

Stage 2

Your second year allows you to tailor the programme to your aspirations and interests. There are a variety of module choices available, ranging from marketing analytics to retail and entrepreneurship. In the second year you will develop your understanding on key concepts and theories to enhance your intellectual agility and provide an opportunity to apply theory to practice.

Compulsory modules currently include

Managing People and Teams aims to provide an understanding of the key concepts within management theory. This core knowledge is applied to a range of organisational settings so that the influence of management theory on management practice is understood. The role played by specialist management functions within Human Resource Management (HRM) and Employment Relations is investigated.

Students will be introduced to the main concepts and theories through readings and discussions of the main authors in the field. Case studies will be used to show how these concepts can impact upon management thinking and decision making within work organisations.

Indicative topics are:

• Groups and teams

• Motivation in the workplace

• Communication theory and practice

• Power and control

• Job design

• Flexible working practices

• Diversity in the workplace

• Managing learning

• Managing change

Find out more about BUSN6970

This module aims to develop a critical understanding of project management to enable students to recognise the importance of the discipline in a variety of organisational and functional contexts. Students should develop a critical understanding of the concepts employed in project management at strategic, systems and operational levels, and an appreciation of the knowledge and skills required for successful project management in organisations. The module adopts the Project Management Institute (PMI) approach to delivering projects, and is structured as follows:

1. Introduction to Project Management

2. Scope Planning

3. Time Planning

4. Cost Planning

5. Risk Planning

6. Earned Value Management

7. Human Resources Management

8. Agile Project Management

9. Benefits Management

Find out more about BUSN7250

Information Systems (IS) are at the heart of every business and pervade almost every aspect of our lives (work, rest and play). Information Systems are treated in this module within the context of the social sciences, offering students a management and organisational perspective on the role of IS in business and how they are managed. This module is not technically orientated but designed to show how information systems are conceived, designed, implemented and managed in contemporary organisations.

The aim of this module is to provide students with the methods and approaches used by managers to exploit new digital opportunities and position their organisations to realise enhanced business value. By the end of this module, students will be equipped with the necessary tools to deal with current business issues including digital transformation through information systems and emerging business models via technological innovations.

Find out more about BUSN7561

This module will require students to develop the ability to use appropriate techniques of analysis and enquiry within the management of operations, and to learn how to evaluate alternatives and make recommendations.

Indicative topics of the module are:

• Strategic role of operations and operations strategy

• Design of processes and the implications for layout and flow

• People, jobs and organisation

• Capacity planning and scheduling

• Inventory control

• Supply chain management, lean systems and digital operations

• Quality planning and managing improvement

Find out more about BUSN7870

The module helps prepare students to acquire and develop the employability and transferable skills necessary to search and successfully apply for work experience and graduate opportunities in the commercial and public sector and postgraduate study.

The curriculum builds on employability support offered at Stage 1 providing intermediate level knowledge and exercises in application writing, CVs, careers advice, interview and assessment centre techniques, numeracy and competency tests, and psychometric evaluation.

Find out more about BUSN7910

Optional modules may include

This module begins by looking at the role of investments and finance in an organisational context. It then considers the role of financial markets and the links between investors and businesses. Students will learn different investment appraisal techniques used in capital budgeting decisions, such as NPV and IRR. The module also covers the basics of any investment decision, such as the relation between return and risk. In the second part of the module, student will learn about short and long term sources (i.e. capital structure) of finance available to businesses and how to determine the cost and value of each source of long-term finance.

Topics covered include:

- Short-term and long term investment appraisal and capital budgeting techniques

- Estimation of return and risk in the context of portfolio theory

- Short-term finance and working capital management

- Long-term finance and the cost of each source of finance

- Capital structure and weighted average cost of capital

- Interaction of investment and financing decisions

Find out more about BUSN3750

The law affects the commercial world in many ways. This module focuses on the importance of law in governing transactions between individuals and businesses; what is required for legally compliant contracts; what the law expects of organisations in terms of protecting the consumer, and how businesses manage and avoid disputes. By enabling students to become familiar with those parts of the law they are most likely to encounter in their careers and in business the module helps them better understand the obligations that parties have to each other in law.

Indicative topic areas are:

• The English Legal System

• The Legal Process and Dispute Resolution

• Law of Contract – including:

• Formation

• Contract terms

• Vitiating elements, such as misrepresentation and economic duress

• Performance and discharge of contract, including frustration

• Common law and equitable remedies, including damages

• Consumer Protection

Find out more about BUSN5009

This module will review contemporary approaches to marketing research design, data collection and analysis. A range of customer, market and competitor analysis techniques will be explored from conventional marketing research techniques as well as from ecommerce, geodemographic and new-media sources. Students will also develop an understanding of the importance of effective performance measurement (i.e., making marketing more accountable). Students will further develop their appreciation of market information and intelligence and acquire the specialised skills needed to plan, manage and report marketing research studies.

The indicative key topics of the module are:

• Marketing research planning and process

• Research design and data acquisition

• Qualitative and quantitative consumer research

• Data analysis

Find out more about BUSN5011

This module explores the ever-changing trends of retailers both in the UK and globally. It will explore the dynamics of multi-channel retailing following the development of on-line retailing. It will also consider the store design and visual merchandising techniques that influence the characteristics of the retail brand and environment, which encourage a satisfying retail experience. The learner will understand how to analyse and interpret how the location of products in line with store purchasing and marketing policies influences sales and profit. The complexities of store management will further be explored.

Indicative topics are:

The dynamics of retail management and the macro environment

Retail theories and strategic approaches

Store formats

Store location and international factors

E-Retail

Store design and visual merchandising

Store operational management

Customer service and the customer experience

Commercial management and selling skills

Case Studies of Food and Fashion retailing

Find out more about BUSN7170

A synopsis of the curriculum:

This module aims to enable students to understand the social and economic changes that have raised the status of enterprise, small business and entrepreneurial ventures in the global economy. It examines the diverse nature of entrepreneurs, their characteristics and motivations, as well as the barriers and issues facing entrepreneurs when planning and establishing a new venture.

The indicative topics of the module are:

• Factors that have influenced the growth of the enterprise culture in the UK.

• The role and relevance of SMEs in the UK economy; definitions of SMEs; statistical information; Government policies and initiatives, and support agencies.

• Whether entrepreneurs are born or made; whether enterprise skills can be taught or learned, and whether entrepreneurs differ from business owners and other managers.

• Enterprise and innovation development in organisations.

• Differences in attitudes, objectives, skill requirements and business strategies between small and large firms.

• Surviving the early stages of business development, including failure rates in new and small enterprises and barriers to growth and development.

• The planning process for starting a new venture – including risks and liabilities; problems and pitfalls, and potential profit and success.

• The protection of ideas and intellectual capital.

• Funding a new enterprise, including via 'friends, family and fools', business angels and venture capitalists.

• Enterprise in different contexts, including corporate enterprise, public sector enterprise and social enterprise.

Find out more about BUSN7290

This module will cover the core principles of macroeconomics; including the measurement of key macroeconomic variables and limitations to existing practices. Students will consider competing theories related to the macro economy in the short and long run and their overall consequences for the business environment. This will be underpinned by existing evidence on past and current levels of macroeconomic indicators in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. Indicative topics are:

• The Macro economy – as a system: the circular flow (including injections and withdrawals), national income measurement, economic growth and

international comparisons

• Macroeconomic variables: GDP, unemployment, inflation, money supply and balance of payments

• The open macro economy; including imports and exports; the role of exchange rates and trade theory.

• Macroeconomic theories: including the classical approach, the Keynesian demand management approach and monetarism

• Macroeconomic policies: demand versus supply side economic management

Find out more about BUSN7950

Stage 3

Your final year has a greater focus on developing your strategic thinking. In modules such as leadership and corporate strategy, strategic marketing and critical approaches to human resource management and organisational behaviour you will develop your critical and analytical thinking. The research project gives you the opportunity to develop your research skills and deepen your knowledge on a specific business aspect.

Compulsory modules currently include

This module is designed to expose students to contemporary business innovation management issues and the strategic and operational choices that businesses have to make when dealing with them. This module will explore the historical context, current perspective and emerging issues for contemporary businesses, including the challenges, opportunities and threats they face. External speakers will be invited to address the students on specific issues of relevance to their businesses. Indicative topics of the module are:

• Disruption

• The role of innovation in the creation of sustainable business models

• Open and User innovation

• Managing the risks of innovation

• Digital innovation

Find out more about BUSN7240

Leadership and Corporate Strategy aims to provide an understanding of strategic analysis, strategic decision-making and strategic processes within organisations. The module content comprises two complementary components. The first involves the understanding and learning of the main strategic management concepts and theories. The second implies its application in organisations.

These two core components of the course are then divided into four main sections:

1) Strategy development: comprising topics on how strategies are developed;

2) Strategic decision-making: introducing students to concepts and theories on strategic methods; evaluation (including risk assessment and management), and implementation and change;

3) Strategic context: introducing issues of leadership and their impact on strategy;

4) Strategic content: comprising topics on management issues such as resource management.

Topics on this module include:

1) Strategic leadership

2) Identification of strategic issues and options

3) Evaluation of strategic options

4) Implementation of strategic options

For each of these topics the students will be introduced to the main concepts and theories. Further to that, contemporary issues of businesses and case studies will be used to show how these concepts affect the strategic management of organisations.

Find out more about BUSN7260

The aims of this module are to develop an insight into the key concepts and theories of human resource management (HRM) and organisational behaviour (OB). It will develop in students an understanding of the links between HRM policies and practices and organisational performance, and the factors that influence the management of employees

Content will include:

1) An introduction to Human Resource Management (HRM) and Organisational Behaviour (OB)

2) Strategic HRM

3) Performance Management

4) Strategic Recruitment and Selection

5) Leadership

6) Power, Politics and Decision Making

7) Making the business case for diversity

8) Organisational Culture and International HRM

9) Pay, Performance and Reward

10) Managing Innovation and Change

11) HRM and Ethics

Find out more about BUSN7430

This module examines recent developments in marketing thinking and market strategy development. It focuses on the dynamic aspects of market strategy development, and current issues such as relationship and Internet marketing.

Indicative topics of the module are:

• Define Strategic Marketing: A First Principles Approach and assessment requirements

• Approaches and Framework for Managing Customer Heterogeneity: STP approach & Positioning Maps

• Approaches and Framework for Managing Customer Dynamics: Customer Mapping

• Managing Sustainable Competitive Advantage (SCA): Branding, Offering and Innovation, Relationship and digital marketing strategies

• Managing Resources Trade Off

• Building Strategic Marketing Analytics Capabilities

• Overview and Implementation of the 4 Strategic Marketing Principles

Find out more about BUSN7610

The module helps prepare students to acquire and develop the employability and transferable skills necessary to search and successfully apply for work experience and graduate opportunities in the commercial and public sector and postgraduate study.

The curriculum builds on knowledge and experience gained in related employability modules delivered at Stages 1 and 2, providing further guidance and more advanced practical exercises in application writing, CVs, careers advice, interview and assessment centre techniques, numeracy and competency tests, and psychometric evaluation. The aims here are to support students during their final year in applying for good graduate jobs and MSc degree programmes.

Find out more about BUSN7930

Optional modules may include

The law affects the commercial world in many ways. This module focuses on the importance of law in governing transactions between individuals and businesses; what is required for legally compliant contracts; what the law expects of organisations in terms of protecting the consumer, and how businesses manage and avoid disputes. By enabling students to become familiar with those parts of the law they are most likely to encounter in their careers and in business the module helps them better understand the obligations that parties have to each other in law.

Indicative topic areas are:

• The English Legal System

• The Legal Process and Dispute Resolution

• Law of Contract – including:

• Formation

• Contract terms

• Vitiating elements, such as misrepresentation and economic duress

• Performance and discharge of contract, including frustration

• Common law and equitable remedies, including damages

• Consumer Protection

Find out more about BUSN5009

Indicative areas to be covered are:

Introduction to Business/Management Projects

Research Methodologies

Literature search and Literature Review

Data collection and questionnaire

Structuring a Project Report

Data Analysis

Presentations

Find out more about BUSN5421

This module investigates the importance of having a dynamic buying function in retailing to meet the ever-changing needs of the consumer and maintain a profitable business. It explores both Fashion and Food retailing, and the differences between these industries. It considers how different strategic approaches influence new product design and purchasing, as well as the importance of economic, legal and financial issues. Students will acquire expertise in how to plan and develop a range of products; how to develop pricing strategies, and how to work with strategic suppliers and partners to get a product that exceeds consumer needs to market ahead of the competition.

The key elements of the curriculum are as follows:

• Organisational approaches to buying and the impact on the brand

• Process models of buying

• Competitor analysis

• Impact of trends and fashion on new product development

• Impact of innovation and technology on new product development

• Range planning

• Quality strategies and quality assurance

• Supplier selection and management

• Sustainability of product sourcing

Find out more about BUSN7160

The understanding and application of enterprise knowledge is seen as a transferable skill that can have cross-division application within the University, in that it has relevance to students from a broad range of academic disciplines who might be considering self-employment after graduation.

The curriculum is based on the Small Firms Enterprise Development Initiative (National Standards-setting body for small business) Standards for Business Start-up but has been expanded to include contemporary issues such as Intellectual Property and recent legislation.

Indicative areas of study are:

• Why firms become insolvent – economic financial and operational reasons for business failure; risks & liabilities; skills requirements for business ownership; self-development planning; sources of advice, and support for businesses.

• The new business planning process and format - developing and evaluating the business idea and producing a business plan for potential lenders.

• Financial aspects – budgetary planning and control; cash-flow and working capital; understanding financial accounting and key financial documents; break-even analysis; credit control, and debt recovery.

• Market research, competition and barriers to market entry - identifying customers; market segmentation; planning the sales and marketing processes; customer perceptions and customer care, and developing quality standards for the business

• Legal issues - reporting requirements; UK & EU law relevant to small businesses; business formats and trading status and their respective risks and liabilities; insurance; insolvency, and intellectual property rights such as patents and copyright.

• Planning and employing staff - planning and obtaining premises; physical and financial resources, and the phased implementation of the business plan.

• Commercial Presentation – prepare and facilitate a commercial business presentation on a newly created venture

• Financing of the venture- Understanding different sources of financing start-ups, understanding the benefits, shortcomings, and requirement of each method

Find out more about BUSN7420

The law affects the commercial world in many ways. This module focuses on how businesses fulfil their legal obligations to customers, suppliers and their workforce. As well as exploring how businesses are structured and the duties on directors and partners it also considers the legal obligations individuals and organisations have over those to whom they have a duty of care. The module further covers the main laws governing the employment of staff and contractors. By applying the law to real-world business situations students are able to fine-tune their problem solving skills and their ability to construct well-reasoned and persuasive arguments.

The module covers the following topic areas:

• The English Legal System, Legal Process and Dispute Resolution;

• Law of Negligence – including general principles and negligent mis-statement

• Law of Business Organisations - classification of business organisations; main principles applying to general and limited liability partnerships and registered companies, and directors' duties

• Employment Law - the general scope of the legal obligations owed by employers to employees, including the employment contract, discrimination and dismissal

Find out more about BUSN7600

Students will be expected to develop the ability to use appropriate techniques of analysis and enquiry within supply chain and service management, and to learn how to evaluate the alternatives and make recommendations. Topics include:

• The nature of services and service strategy

• Supply chain management

• Managing quality within supply chains

• Service development and technology

• Service quality and the service encounter

• Project/Event management and control

• Managing capacity and demand in services

Find out more about BUSN7840

The aim of the module is to develop an understanding of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability informed by ethical theory and stakeholder perspectives. Students will have the opportunity to familiarise with essential readings and cases in CSR to enable them to recognise key issues raised by stakeholder groups. such as shareholder activism; socially responsible investment; employee discrimination; working conditions; ethical issues in marketing; management; consumer protection; gifts/ bribes; accountability; collaboration with civil society organisations, and corruption of governmental actors. The module will therefore contribute in building an understanding of contemporary social issues in business by highlighting the importance of a collaborative approach with internal and external stakeholder groups.

Indicative topics are:

- Business Ethics

- Corporate Social Responsibility

- Sustainability

- Social responsibilities of sectors and industries

- Stakeholders of organisations, including:

Employees

Suppliers

Competitors

Shareholders

Civil society

Government

- Implementation of socially responsible and sustainable programmes and initiatives

Find out more about BUSN7960

This module examines the key factors that influence the digital consumer, including social networks and virtual communities. It identifies the importance of developing campaign content aimed at specific market segments and how campaigns can be measured.

Topics to be covered are likely to include:

• Introduction to consumer behaviour across cultures

• The digital marketplace and its impact on consumers

• Online consumer behaviour

• e-CRM and managing the customer experience

• Generational differences in digital responsiveness

• Global multichannel retailing

• Analysis of the causes of failure in international retail brand development

Find out more about BUSN7970

This module builds on previous sociological and criminological learning. It aims to enhance students' understanding of the 'third sector' and the criminal justice system, and how they operate in practice. It is designed to give students experience of working in the third sector and in the criminal justice system.

Students will undertake work as a volunteer with an organisation that works within the fields of social justice, the third sector or in the criminal justice system, as agreed by the module convenor (assistance is available to identify appropriate volunteering opportunities). Students will complete 100 hours of volunteering for this module by the end of the Spring term.

In addition to their volunteering, students attend lectures and seminars that cover topics such as: the history and development of voluntary action in the 'third sector' and in English criminal justice system; the relationship between volunteers and professionals in 'third sector' and in the criminal justice system; the management, organisation and funding of the principal criminal justice agencies in the public sector; the management and organisation of voluntary/third sector organisations, and the application of sociological and criminological theory to practice.

Find out more about SOCI6013

Fees

The 2021/22 annual tuition fees for this programme are:

  • Home full-time £9,250
  • EU full-time £12,600
  • International full-time £16,800
  • Home part-time £4,625
  • EU part-time £6,300
  • International part-time £8,400

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* 

Your fee status

The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.

Additional costs

General additional costs

Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.

Funding

We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.

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University funding

Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details. 

Government funding

You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.

Scholarships

General scholarships

Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.

The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence

At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. 

The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of A*AA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.

Teaching and assessment

Our enthusiastic team of international teaching staff are all experts in their field of study and are regularly published in leading journals worldwide. They guide and support your learning, bringing their subject to life and drawing you into the conversation.

Teaching

We use a variety of teaching methods, including;

  • lectures
  • small group seminars
  • group projects
  • presentations
  • computer-based simulations.

Classroom-based learning is supported by the latest online technologies and learning platforms.

Assessment

Your progress is assessed through coursework and exams. Coursework takes a variety of forms and includes;

  • reports
  • essays
  • group presentations
  • video podcasts
  • online tests and quizzes.

Exams are individual written assessments tested under time-controlled conditions.

As part of your studies it is also possible to take a foreign language module in stage 1 and for students going on a Year Abroad in year 1 and 2 subject to programme requirements. Alternatively, our university also offers language courses as part of extra-curricular activities.

To proceed to the next year you must achieve satisfactory results. Your final degree is based on marks gained in the second and third years (and Placement Year/Year Abroad if chosen) and credits which you build up throughout the whole programme.

Contact hours

Undergraduate students can expect around 8 contact hours per week, depending on year of study and optional module choices made. The remainder of the working week consists of self-guided study based on degree programme content and requirements of specific modules. For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours, which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Programme aims

For programme aims and learning outcomes please see the programme specification below:

BA Business and Management

Independent rankings

For graduate prospects, Business and Management Studies at Kent was ranked 22nd in The Complete University Guide 2021

Business and Management at Kent scored 93% overall in The Complete University Guide 2021.

Careers

For graduate prospects, Business and Management Studies at Kent was ranked 22nd in The Complete University Guide 2021.

Successful KBS graduates: graduate destinations

Our Business and Management graduates find work in public and private sector management both overseas and in the UK in a  wide range of companies and organisations, including:

  • Deloitte UK
  • Deutsche Bank
  • Hewlett-Packard
  • Tesco
  • Vodafone.

Many of our students also stay local and find job opportunities regionally in small and medium firms or even set-up their own businesses as well-equipped entrepreneurs.

Embedded employability: developing career-enhancing skills

The Backpack to Briefcase scheme provides bespoke career and skills development events and activities for all Kent Business School students. Available from the first year through to graduation, Backpack to Briefcase is designed to prepare you for a successful career after university.

To help you appeal to employers you will graduate with a solid grounding in core business management concepts, theories and skills in a global context but also key transferrable skills such as critical reflection, cultural awareness, creativity and innovation, effective time-management and productive teamwork as well as enhanced confidence, intellectual curiosity and resilience. As a KBS graduate you will be able to demonstrate to your employer how you have developed The Grad Goals.

You can also gain skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as adding much-sought-after analytical skills or computing skills to your degree via Kent’s Q-Step Centre.

Ongoing support: help finding a job

Kent Business School has an excellent international reputation and good links with businesses locally and globally. Our qualified careers practitioners provide support to all business undergraduate students for up to three years after graduation.

In addition, Careers and Employability Service at the University, can also provide advice on how to apply for jobs, write a good CV or perform well in interviews.

Professional recognition

This programme is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). As a student at Kent Business School, you have the opportunity to gain the Chartered Management Institute’s (CMI) Level 5 Professional Diploma in Management and Leadership alongside your degree as well as becoming a Foundation Charted Manager. CMI qualifications are highly sought after by employers. You will gain access to exclusive CMI networking events and resources, have the opportunity to attend lectures from top-level CMI industry-expert members and fast track into the next stage of training. CMI is the only chartered professional body in the UK dedicated to promoting the highest standards in management and leadership excellence. The CMI is the only organisation awarding Chartered Manager status, the hallmark of any professional manager, and encompasses a membership community more than 100,000.

Apply for Business and Management - BSc (Hons)

This course page is for the 2021/22 academic year. Please visit the current online prospectus for a list of undergraduate courses we offer.

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United Kingdom/EU enquiries

Enquire online for full-time study

Enquire online for part-time study

T: +44 (0)1227 768896

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International student enquiries

Enquire online

T: +44 (0)1227 823254
E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk

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School website

Kent Business School

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Discover Uni is designed to support prospective students in deciding whether, where and what to study. The site replaces Unistats from September 2019.

Discover Uni is jointly owned by the Office for Students, the Department for the Economy Northern Ireland, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and the Scottish Funding Council.

It includes:

  • Information and guidance about higher education
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Find out more about the Unistats dataset on the Higher Education Statistics Agency website.