Postgraduate MSc
International Business and Management
Yasamin Talebi came to the UK from Iran to study International Business and Management, starting in January. Read Yasamin's story...
Yasamin Talebi came to the UK from Iran to study International Business and Management, starting in January. Read Yasamin's story...
Studying for your Master's at our triple-accredited business school will give your career ambitions an exceptional start.
There's still time to join us in January 2025 or you can choose to start in September. There are many benefits of January starts, including smaller class sizes which allow for more personalised attention from faculty and fostering closer connections with peers.
The course is also available with an Internationally Incorporated Master's (IIM), designed for international students.
The ‘Triple Crown’ involves awards by the three leading business school accreditation organisations – EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and The Association of MBAs (AMBA).
Our triple accreditation ensures you will benefit from the highest educational and research standards.
Quality Assurance: We meet rigorous international standards in education, faculty, research, and student support so you achieve the highest-quality education.
Global Recognition: Our degrees are respected worldwide so attract high-quality students and international academics with impeccable professional experience and research credentials which create a stimulating and innovative learning environment.
Employability: Your future employers will value the rigorous standards these schools and accreditation organisations uphold. Our focus on employability is reinforced through real-world experiences integrated into the curriculum.
Societal Impact: We teach responsible business practices, engaging with communities, and promoting thought leadership. This prepares your to contribute positively to business, communities and society.
You’ll also gain a L7 certification in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice automatically when you graduate, without any further assessments or fees! The CMI is the only chartered professional body in the UK dedicated to promoting the highest standards in management and leadership excellence.
8th December 2024: Your accommodation is guaranteed at one of our campuses when you apply by 8th December, 2024.
Already decided? Start your application and a new career path today.
January start courses are ideal if you want to take a career break and enhance your skills. Take your career further or jump lanes and break into a new field.
Our Triple Accreditation by EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA places us in the top 1% of Business Schools globally.
Employability is at our core. You'll receive dedicated support to kickstart your career through our teaching and careers support up to 3 years after graduation.
You’ll be part of a supportive, diverse community at our Canterbury campus, just under an hour from London. Expand your network and make global connections.
Our academics are industry experts who have hands on experience with everything they teach. Your course is informed by real world expertise.
In the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 80% of our research was deemed ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. The school’s environment was judged to be conducive to supporting the development of high calibre research.
A minimum of a second-class UK degree, or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification in a variety of areas will be considered for entry on this course.
All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.
Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, students who require a student visa to study cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.
This course requires a Good level of English language, equivalent to B2 on CEFR.
Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on our English Language requirements webpage.
Examples:
IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
PTE Academic 63 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test
A degree from a UK university
A degree from a Majority English Speaking Country
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
The following modules are offered to our current students. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
In Stage 1 you will take all 10 compulsory modules, 5 in the Spring term and 5 in the Summer term. These modules are designed to give you a deeper understanding of International Business and make rapid progress across each topic.
Accounting is often perceived as complex and obscure. But good accounting is exactly the opposite, it offers informative power that non-accountants can use to guide decision-making. Through a hands-on approach, you'll explore how accounting information is used by managers, investors and financial analysts in business. You’ll learn how real world businesses make decisions and will understand how these decisions affect their performance and sustainability. When you understand accounting as a tool for decision-making you will be able to interact meaningfully with stakeholders and critically evaluate the impact that decisions will have on the future of a company, which is crucial to kick-start your career in accounting.
This module provides an insight into the key concepts and theories of human resource management and organisational behaviour in an international context. You'll gain the skills and knowledge needed for an in-depth understanding of the links between HRM practices and organisational performance and the factors at play when managing employees globally.
In a rapidly changing and dynamic global economy, how can managers explore and take opportunities for international expansion? Through hands-on learning you'll discover and master the tools and skills needed to analyse different international markets and conduct business across borders. The strategies you learn will help you manage opportunities and risks. You'll make international firms successful and sustainable. By the time you start your career, you’ll be able to expand into global markets and drive growth for businesses, giving you a key advantage in a competitive landscape.
As the world adapts to social and environmental change, sustainability has become more important than ever, both to business and society. To be a future business leader, you need to provide better leadership, and redefine the role of the business in the fight for a sustainable tomorrow. Through exploring sustainable thinking, environmental awareness and ethical behaviour you will gain crucial context, and by developing your problem-solving skills in this context, you'll be equipped to tackle the biggest challenges we face in business, and beyond. So, you won't just be ready to be a leader in business, you’ll be prepared to lead society towards a sustainable future.
If you aspire to orchestrate change and drive success at the highest levels of organisational management, strategic agility and foresight are paramount. We introduce you to cutting-edge approaches in strategic programme management, including agile methodologies, systems thinking and scenario planning. This forward-thinking approach ensures that you're well-prepared to handle the challenges of tomorrow. We equip you with the skills to make informed, data-driven decisions by giving you knowledge of data analysis, interpretation and the use of analytics tools – essential for strategic planning and risk management.
You'll emerge not just as a strategic project manager, but as a strategic leader capable of shaping the future of organisations. You’ll be equipped with a deep understanding of the complexities of modern business and the strategic acumen to navigate these challenges effectively. This is more than an educational experience; it's a transformative journey that prepares students for the pinnacle of professional and personal achievement.
Traditional narratives on strategy no longer fulfil the needs of today's student and global marketplace. You'll move beyond the goal of profit maximisation and focus upon value, learning how to use an array of basic strategy tools and techniques that will make you market ready for a graduate managerial position and an exciting and successful career.
Understanding the Multinational Enterprise (MNE) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is a key issue in economic theory and business. Since the emergence of the contemporary MNE at the end of the 19th century, changes in the macroeconomic and microeconomic environment, forced multinationals to change as a response to the rise of new technologies and products, the wider international division of labour and of course the greater integration of production, services, and – financial and other – markets. This changing process became more intense after the 1960s when U.S. and Japanese MNEs emerged as basic players in the international chessboard. Accompanied by the traditional European MNEs formed a triad that still dominates FDI in the world.
The changing geography of international production and investment reflects the dynamic interaction of many economic, organizational and policy factors. While many of these factors have long been relevant, their combination today represents the new forces influencing MNEs' location decisions. A simplistic approach of FDI towards location would not be appropriate to allow us to understand the complexity of international investments decisions. What is needed is a multidisciplinary approach of the phenomenon. It is the aim of this module to offer this multidisciplinary approach to students.
Global Value Chains have transformed the nature of trade and foreign direct investment and continue to bring opportunities and challenges for business enterprises around the world. Learn about how you as a manager can develop optimal relationships with your value chain partners, adapt to changing business and industry supply chain circumstances, and make responsible decisions in the context of an uncertain global economy. Evaluate the governance, policy and power relationships that shape global value chains and learn how to manage risk and make your industry supply chains resilient to external shocks. Collaborate with other students on your course to analyse the value chains of real world multinational companies and report on them, developing communication skills that you will be able to boast about.
In a fast changing world, strategic marketing skills are increasingly important to anticipate new trends and stay ahead of the competition. You'll understand the core concepts of strategic marketing focusing on marketing analysis and strategy, and be able to critically analyse an organisation's position and recommend courses of action consistent with its strategy.
'Do your research' is a phrase we are all familiar with. But how can we trust the sources we draw on? In an information-rich environment, how can you ensure that the research you do stands out from other sources of knowledge and is seen as trustworthy and valuable?
You'll build understanding of who you are as a researcher and the type of research that is valued in both academic and professional settings. You'll gain the knowledge you need to build a research project from an idea into a mature investigation that can make a novel contribution to broader research debates. Study how to craft research questions, build a sample of respondents, work with databases, design data collection tools, perform quantitative and qualitative analyses of data and communicate your results to the wider world.
Learn how to use an array of research tools to create world-leading research and become known as an innovative and dynamic researcher driving growth and positive change.
In Stage 2 you will complete your Business Report. This is a fantastic example of your skills, knowledge and insight to show employers after you graduate.
This module will enable students to write a high quality Business Report on a management and/ or business related issue which both supports their immediate career objectives.
The module will typically include:
• The Literature Review
• Electronic Literature Searching and On-Line Sources
• Using Literature Effectively
• Research Design
• Writing a Business Report
• Communicating Findings to Different Audiences
Duration: 1 year full-time
Business is more connected than it has ever been. Successful business leaders need to understand international markets, and how nations do business in the global marketplace. With a greater focus on internationalisation, communication is key, knowing how to communicate clearly across cultures and borders is crucial in delivering better business. Our MSc International Business and Management course is based around these principles, and with a strong data-driven approach alongside a holistic view of business, putting sustainability at its core, our graduates are ready to become leaders in international business, delivering success and a sustainable tomorrow.
Our CMI and IOE&IT-accredited MSc International Business and Management course is amongst the most far-reaching of our postgraduate courses, you'll learn an overview of global strategy, global value chains, international accounting and organisational behaviour, managing the multinational enterprise, within human resource management in a global context and international accounting for decision making. Our academics are leading experts in international business and sustainability, so not only will you have the skills and confidence to make a difference in business, but you will also understand the context surrounding the pressing issues that matter most in the contemporary global economy. Ready to step into a leading, international career.
We use a variety of teaching methods, including:
Classroom-based learning is supported by the latest online technologies and learning platforms.
Your progress on this course is assessed through a variety of means, including:
For course aims and learning outcomes please see the course specification.
Our lively and active postgraduate community is brought about in part by our strong research culture and by the close community between our staff and students. Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books and embed their research in their teaching.
Students have regular contact with their course and module conveners with staff on hand to answer any questions and to provide helpful and constructive feedback on submitted work. Also, all students on our postgraduate courses take part in our ‘Ambition in Motion’ programme – a set of supportive workshops which ensure that students are progressing through their learning journeys smoothly.
You can also get involved with extra-curricular academic and social activities with guest lectures, talks and workshops organised by our academic staff, research centres and the ASPIRE team.
Our Canterbury campus provides a welcoming environment and a close-knit student community. Kent Business School is based within the Sibson Building which opened in 2017 and its impressive design won the RIBA Regional and National Award. It houses well-equipped lecture and seminar spaces, as well as breakout spaces for group work, computer labs, a dedicated MBA suite, and our ASPIRE Lab Space. There is also a cafe on site.
The School is conveniently located at the University of Kent’s campus, close to continental Europe and with easy access to London. World-famous Canterbury Cathedral is situated in the heart of the historic city centre, just a 25-minute walk or a short bus ride.
Kent Business School has close links with: Universität Innsbruck; Beijing Normal University - Bay Area International Business School; ESSEC Business School; Neoma Business School; Rennes Business School; EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht; Freie Universität Berlin; City University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Baptist University; University of Hong Kong; Institut Teknologi Bandung (The Bandung Institute of Technology); Università Carlo Cattaneo in Castellanza; Università degli Studi di Bologna; Università degli Studi di Firenze (University of Florence); IE Madrid; Stockholm University.
All students registered for a taught Master's programme are eligible to apply for a place on our Global Skills Award Programme. The programme is designed to broaden your understanding of global issues and current affairs as well as to develop personal skills which will enhance your employability.
Our world-class academics influence management strategies and practices world-wide through our outstanding research projects and direct involvements with industry. We address some of the biggest challenges of our time such as sustainability and responsible leadership to drive progress and create better business globally.
At its core, our research strategy is about delivering a sustainable tomorrow - a theme that Kent Business School embodies in all areas. We want to answer the big questions - How can innovation that enables sustainable long-term economic growth be created and supported? How can sustainable business practices improve environmental and social conditions? These are the problems we are here to solve.
We are global leaders advancing knowledge through constant collaboration and promotion of innovative research. We collaborate with local, national and international business, but we don't stop there. We have forged partnerships with other academic institutions and organisations such as the NHS. This wider focus allows us to advance towards our goal of a sustainable tomorrow.
Research Departments
Department of Accounting and Finance – The Department enjoys a significant international presence and reputation in several fields, including critical accounting, accounting history, sustainability accounting, corporate finance, banking and options pricing and performance.
Department for Analytics, Operations and Systems – The Department offers world class education and conducts internationally leading research in operational research, data analytics, operations management, information systems and sustainability.
Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship and International Business – The Department brings together experts in the areas of three key management disciplines promoting interdisciplinary teaching and research as well as cross interdisciplinary knowledge exchange.
Department of Leadership and Management – The Department is a cross-disciplinary community dedicated to tackling complex business and societal challenges. Our teaching and innovative research encompasses the economic, psychological, social, political, and technological contexts in which organisations operate worldwide.
Research Centres
The Centre for Logistics and Sustainability Analytics – The Centre helps companies to address a wide range of transport, logistics, and supply chain problems with sustainability considerations.
The Centre for Productivity and Workplace Performance – The Centre contributes to the evidence base for competitiveness, environmental growth, regional productivity, technology and innovation.
The Centre for Quantitative Finance – Providing quantitative analysis of issues in the financial markets for businesses and policymakers.
Dynamic Publishing
Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. Among others, they have recently contributed to: Journal of Corporate Finance, British Journal of Management, Organizations and Society, European Journal of Operational Research, Journal of Environmental Management, Financial Accountability & Management, Journal of Banking and Finance, Management Science, Transportation Science, International Journal of Operations and Production Management, British Journal of Management, Journal of Business Venturing, Entrepreneurship, Theory and Practice, British Journal of Management, Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of World Business, Research Policy, European Journal of Operational Research, European Journal of Marketing, International Journal of Research in Marketing, International Marketing Review.
Kent has a good reputation for diversity and inclusion, and the range of graduate opportunities it offers. And it’s a great location!
Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website.
From the moment you start with us, our efforts are focused on helping you gain the knowledge, skills and experience you need to thrive in an increasingly competitive workplace. As part of the course, you may wish to opt for an In-Company Scheme to work on a real business case study as part of your capstone Research project. Go on our Business Start-up Journey and transform your idea into a business through ASPIRE. Our qualified careers practitioners provide support for up to three years after graduation.
Our careers and employability support at Kent Business School is designed to make sure you are ready to hit the ground running when you graduate, when you study with us you can expect:
Additionally, the Postgraduate Employability Edge programme, available to postgraduate students at Kent Business School takes place from Welcome Week until the end of your studies and is designed to enhance your career prospects further.
This specialist programme prepares students for a variety of competitive and exciting roles in multinational enterprises, international organisations, governmental bodies or consultancies.
Students who studied similar courses at Kent Business School have gone on to work in a variety of companies including:
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.
This course is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute, it also allows you to study the CMI Level 7 certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership alongside your degree. CMI is the only chartered professional body in the UK dedicated to promoting the highest standards in management and leadership excellence.
The recent accreditation by the Institute of Export and International Trade (IOE&IT) is evidence of the quality and relevance to practice of our MSc International Business and Management programme. The IOE&IT is a professional membership body representing and supporting the interests of everyone in the domain of international trade.
UK: £12,100
International: £22,700
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance page.
We have a range of scholarships available to help support your studies and achieve your ambitions.
Future Student Scholarships - a range of scholarships available for international applicants for select countries up to £5000
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk.
You'll need regular access to a desktop computer/laptop with an internet connection to use the University of Kent’s online resources and systems. We've listed some guidelines for the technology and software you'll need for your studies.
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, as well as general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both:
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
You’ll be studying at our Canterbury campus in Kent, in the South East of the UK.
Next steps
Learn more about the application process or begin your application by clicking on a link below.
You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.
Supporting your success
Kent ranked top 40 in The Times Good University Guide 2025.
Fees and funding
Kent has risen 11 places in THE’s REF 2021 ranking, confirming us as a leading research university.
Accommodation
