Join Kent Business School’s inclusive community. Receive high-quality teaching with real-world relevance and benefit from our commitment to sustainable innovation and strong links to business. We’ll help you to make your mark.
Are you looking to fast-track your career and become an inspirational leader recognised for cutting-edge innovative, sustainable, entrepreneurship-minded thinking? If so, Kent Business School is the place for you to realise your ambition.
The CMI and AMBA-accredited Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a prestigious and internationally recognised degree of the highest status. Studying the MBA, you learn about organisations and the context in which they operate, re-interpret these organisational frameworks and apply this acquired knowledge, practically. MBA students frequently springboard into high-calibre roles. MBA Alumni/graduates often become entrepreneurs and launch their own ventures, or take their sought-after skills to public bodies, such as the NHS.
The MBA at Kent Business School is delivered by academics and business leaders at the highest level of their expertise. You will be encouraged to think deeply, question everything and find solutions to some of the most critical and convoluted issues facing business of tomorrow’s world.
Your expertise, business acumen and ability to think on your feet will be tested on our exciting and demanding MBA Challenge module/experience which covers four areas vital to success in business. Throughout this course you will apply your learnings via industry visits, workshops, and our MBA Study Tour.
If you are interested in studying an MBA, or have already applied and want to find out more, then Kent Business School’s MBA online briefings offer a unique insight into the criteria and learnings of the course – if you want to get a head start on securing your place, registration is essential.
Not only will you hear directly from MBA Director, Debbie Kemp, who will run through the programme in detail, but also you will get the chance to ask current or past MBA students questions.
Briefings generally take place on Wednesdays, from 13:00 to 14:00 (UK time). Check out the upcoming dates and secure your place.
You’ll be gaining a broad overview of knowledge required to be an exemplary business leader, including global strategy and economics, strategic marketing, people management and leadership, innovation, business analytics and corporate responsibility and sustainability. You will end your Master's with a series of four challenges including personal development, a consultancy project, an international business challenge, a business start-up task and write an independent research project under the supervision of a expert supervisor.
Below, you will find information on application procedure and entry requirements for the MBA course at Kent Business School.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a second class UK degree or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification in a variety of subject areas and a minimum of three years' appropriate and relevant leadership work experience.
Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis for senior managers with more than ten years’ managerial work experience who don’t have an honours degree.
An individual online interview will form part of the selection process, if you meet our general entry criteria.
Our professional community
Between 2020-2023, 20% of our students on the MBA have between 3-5 years of leadership work experience, with 40% having between 6-10 years, 19% having between 11-15 years and the remaining 21% having 15+ years of leaderships or managerial work experience.
Application Deadlines
As places are limited, we advise applicants to submit their application early to guarantee consideration of an offer. Applications for the MBA received after 31 July will be considered on a case-by-case basis, if places are available. The course starts in mid-September.
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 Very Good level of English language, equivalent to a high B2 on CEFR.
Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on our English Language requirements webpage.
Examples:
IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
PTE Academic 67 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test
A degree from the UK
A degree from a Majority English Speaking Country
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 gain a broad overview of knowledge and understanding required to be an exemplary business leader including strategy, strategic marketing, people management and corporate responsibility and sustainability.
What is entrepreneurship and what is its role in innovation and economic growth? You'll learn all about the theory of the firm, exploring how businesses operate and make decisions to maximise profits. You’ll also gain a thorough understanding of the issues and problems surrounding market structure and strategy, entrepreneurial growth and finance, and market innovation and expansion. Gain the skills and understand the practices needed for a firm to thrive in a fast-changing environment while dealing with economic uncertainty and complexity.
How do you transform business and deliver success? In a volatile and uncertain world, you need the skills to deliver real change in adaptable ways. We'll help you develop these skills, discover and understand what you believe in as a business leader and give you the confidence to influence and negotiate with others. You'll embark on a personal journey that ensures you can deliver positive and effective change as a business leader of tomorrow.
Explore the significance of aligning right and wrong with the evolving societal understanding of social issues. By studying socially responsible management you'll make sense of societal changes and what it means for you and your future in business. Learn how to apply key concepts, theories and frameworks related to social responsibility in different contexts. You’ll study in-depth case studies and ethical dilemmas and learn to critically assess the suitability of business responses to the environmental, social and economic challenges of sustainable development. Individual and group reflection, collaborative assessment, in-class discussions and group presentations improve your ability to become reflective practitioners and enhance your contribution to society.
Making decisions is one of the most important things any manager or organisation must do. Making smart decisions, however, can be challenging when dealing with unstructured data, multiple options, uncertainty, and other complexities.
You'll gain an intensive grounding in applied business modelling and hands-on experience in using industry-standard spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel) to structure, analyse, and solve a variety of decision problems commonly encountered in business and management. By the end of the module, you'll be equipped to carry out sophisticated modelling and support evidence-based decision-making to deliver results to businesses.
Delivering Innovation is an exploration of the conception, creation and diffusion of new products and services within modern economies. It examines the many challenges faced by firms and others in the process and the solutions and management practices that have been developed to deal with potential innovation barriers. The module also explores the evolving nature of innovation itself and outlines how firms and others can benefit from new and different forms of emerging opportunity.
The module will introduce various tools for conducting financial analyses that will support management decision-making. There will be emphasis on the relevance of each tool in the context of decision-making and assumed objectives. There will be emphasis given to discussions on the interpretations of outcomes, the complex interrelationships involved and the implications of an uncertain decision-making environment.
Although further development of numerical competency is likely to be one outcome of this module it is not a key focus. The module has been designed to capture the financial perspective of Strategic thinking that underlies management decision-making.
The module will include macro and micro focuses for decision-making, as well as considering the necessary adjustments for the risky environments in which mangers operate.
Global strategy is dynamic; it is faced with constant inputs and disruptions from all stakeholders and contexts. You'll learn how to thrive in this fast-moving environment, mastering a range of traditional and modern approaches to managerial change. You'll also explore contemporary frameworks around sustainability, with reference to the UN sustainable development goals, this context is in increasing demand from employers as businesses adapt to the need to deliver sustainable business for a sustainable tomorrow.
Through the chance to deploy a series of strategy action steps, you will be ready to bring your skills and experience to the workplace from day one, and throughout your whole career to deliver results for business.
The module will serve to provide students with an overview of the scope and expectations of a Research project for the MBA students. It will examine the ethical challenges of doing empirical research in the 21st century and prepare students for carrying out an independent piece of research within a given timeframe. If the research project requires ethical research approval, an application will be submitted to the School research ethics committee.
All successful organisations recognise the importance of employees in their success. You'll learn how to promote this with effectively designed and implemented people strategies. It's important to think systematically and strategically about aspects of managing the organisation's human assets, and what needs to be done to implement these policies and to achieve competitive advantage through people. You'll learn how to be this type of thinker, and to develop the skills and abilities that are crucial in the vast majority of senior management roles. This module will challenge you to think strategically and ethically about how to manage, retain and develop people resources in organisations more effectively.
How do organisations design, run and manage efficient and effective operations and improve performance across service, manufacturing, public and private sectors? You'll master the fundamentals of operations and supply chain management and their importance in the success of any organisation. You'll learn to deal with challenges and disruptions in operations, supply chains and logistics and to make processes in production and manufacturing more efficient and sustainable, acknowledging the significant impact of digitalisation. This module gives you competencies and practical skills to manage operations and supply chains for efficiency. You’ll have the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge and experience to assume various operations/supply chain management, general and senior management roles in a variety of organisations and industries.
The curriculum aims at providing the students with the latest thinking and practice in strategic marketing and communications, with a particular twist on marketing of innovation, and growth and sustainable performance of firms. Topics will typically include:
• Company marketing analysis and planning
• Segmentation, targeting, positioning and marketing mix
• Product/services, branding and product packaging decisions
• Brand/product and market portfolios and positioning of individual brands/products
• Rejuvenating the Product/Brand Portfolio, new product development /elimination decisions
• Distribution issues
• Market research methods/approaches. Deciding on innovation/new product attributes
• Consumer behaviour theories and relevant topics including CSR and responsible management
• Strategic Communications - Integrated communications strategy and particularly digital marketing communications and applications
• Risk and marketing communications: Transparency, trust, risk/ hazards, crises and their management
• Stakeholders and stakeholder management and Critical Systems Heuristics
Stage 2 consists of the MBA Challenge – a series of four challenges that include personal development, a consultancy project involving a real business, an international business challenge, a business start up task and a 10,000 report.
This module is a unique capstone module which provides students the opportunity to apply and explore key areas of learning relating to the MBA priorities of developing transformational leadership through sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship.
This is achieved with four MBA Challenges and a final MBA Report:
1. Personal Development Challenge
This challenge runs throughout the student's time on the MBA. It allows students to step back from their busy lives and self-reflect on their current skills, learning preferences and leadership styles and to support their MBA learning journey with the following activities:
• Induction leadership workshop
• One to One Executive Coaching
• Knowledge transfer & Networking opportunities by engaging with the MBA Lecture series and Business Summit events
• Academic mentorship
2. Consultancy Challenge
A week’s programme developing consultancy skills and applying these to a live company brief. The students work in a team to provide a solution to the business issue and present recommendations to the organisation. The involvement and commitment of the students adds value to local business owners and students benefit from the opportunity to apply academic and practical skills to real-world situations.
3. Business Start Up Challenge
A week’s programme working with our Aspire team and external entrepreneurs to explore and develop a Business plan for a new business/new business development within a current role/industry.
4. International Challenge
This is the opportunity to work with our European Business connections to explore the practicalities of doing business in Europe and working with International organisations. The week involves workshops and seminars, cultural visits and an international consultancy project to develop consultancy skills further
5. MBA Report
This final report provides the opportunity for students to diagnose and investigate a complex issue related to their interests or their career aspirations after completing their MBA. The applied nature of the report requires a critical evaluative approach, academic investigation to locate the work within the body of contemporary knowledge, to collect and analyse data, to derive supportable conclusions and to make practical and actionable recommendations. It requires reflection on the implications for business from an ethical, professional and continuous professional development standpoint, including an account of what has been learned during the project and how this can be applied in the future.
There are three options for the MBA report:
1. Consultancy report
This report identifies a specific company challenge or opportunity which you will research and provide a recommended solution to impact change.
2. Analyst report
This report identifies a specific challenge or opportunity in a sector or a community which you will research and provide a recommended solution to impact change.
3. Entrepreneur’s report (business plan).
This report explores a new business idea which you will research and provide a Business Plan for implementation.
We use a variety of teaching methods, including:
Classroom-based learning is supported by the latest online technologies and learning platforms.
The MBA course builds on 3 pillars:
Your progress on this course is assessed by a variety of means, including:
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.
We introduce you to our business partners, giving you the opportunity to work on projects with leading organisations. Our long-standing relationships include:
Meeting with other professionals and discussing the challenges faced by business helps to further your understanding of contemporary business. We give you lots of opportunities to build your network.
This annual event is organised in partnership with the Institute of Directors, Federation of Small Businesses and Locate in Kent.
Our MBA students receive an exclusive invitation to attend the event each year.
The conference is attended by local and national businesspeople, as well as people working in local and regional government. It promotes collaboration between Kent business, local government and academics in ensuring sustainable economic growth for the county.
In 2023, our Summit provided the ideal forum to debate topics such as productivity, sustainability, place-making and skills. The Summit took place in Kent Business School, allowing participants the chance to take part in interactive workshops, put their views to local business leaders and listen to keynote speakers at this important time for the region.
At these informal networking events Kent Business School academics pair up with external experts to present their views on business topics to an audience of students, alumni and regional stakeholders.
We also invite businesspeople, external academics and Kent Business School alumni to share their experiences in business or their latest research. Their insights add another dimension to your studies and give you the chance to extend your contacts across a range of fields.
Kent’s MBA graduates play a key role in Kent Business School’s thriving alumni network, which facilitates social, business and networking opportunities. With over 23,000 graduates, it keeps alumni in touch with each other, with the school, with current students and with the latest developments in business.
Our MBA graduates also become part of the Association of MBAs Alumni Network, an international, professionally diverse network of more than 45,000 members.
Your fellow students will become part of your network, giving you insights into their cultures and countries; some will become lifelong friends. Events such as our Business Start-Up week and MBA challenges give you opportunities to learn from and support each other, while making progress together. The focus on team unity and collaboration ensures you gain skills that will be valuable whether your ambition is to progress in your current company or start your own.
Wherever you’re from, we’ll introduce you to your local MBA community, who we hope will inspire you to join them as one of our country ambassadors and continue to promote the values of the MBA programme.
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, Bloomberg suite, 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 Business School is within the top 1% of business schools globally to receive the 'triple crown' accreditation.
We introduce you to our business partners, giving you the opportunity to work on projects with leading organisations such as IBM, Barclays and AstraZeneca.
Hear testimonials from Kent MBA students and from our MBA Director, Debbie Kemp.
Our MBA course is double accredited by AMBA and the CMI. This is the hallmark of quality that helps you make rapid progress in your career.
Study our MBA on your timeline. You can complete the course in 1 year full-time or in 2-3 years part-time to fit around your professional schedule.
Breaking the Bias
I use my business to empower women. Many women that I have met along my life in Pakistan had qualifications and skills, but they are not actively encouraged to get jobs.
Driving change
The MBA opened my eyes to the business case for systems change for disability inclusion. Worldwide, there are 1.85 billion disabled people, and the purple pound is valued at £13 trillion globally.
Building a better tomorrow
Decent pay and working conditions are key to addressing issues like trafficking, and the West has a big part to play in this, as we customers and corporations alike are the buyers of these goods.
Whatever your ambitions, an MBA from Kent Business School equips you with an impressive portfolio of skills, specialist knowledge and practical experience to help you progress in a competitive job market.
In today’s business climate employers are increasingly demanding more from new employees, we are therefore proud that they continually target our graduates for their organisations across the globe. Employers respect our robust teaching and reputation for delivering international business expertise, leading global research and an outstanding international learning experience.
From the outset, we work with you to identify the soft skills you need to focus on alongside your main academic studies. We provide an extensive skills development programme.
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. Our qualified careers practitioners provide support for up to three years after graduation.
Our MBA graduates become senior managers in a variety of industry sectors or go on to launch their own successful business start-ups. They also find work as entrepreneurs in the public and private sectors or for charities.
Graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
The MBA programme is accredited by The Association of MBAs (AMBA), the international impartial authority on postgraduate business education. An accreditation with AMBA is a global standard for MBA programmes worldwide.
In addition, the MBA is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), giving you the opportunity to gain, alongside your MBA, the CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership on the successful completion of your studies. The CMI is committed to excellence in management and leadership and the CMI qualification is highly sought after by employers.
The 2024/25 annual tuition fees for this course are:
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.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk.
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.
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.*
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.
Find out more about 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:
This programme attracts many applications from Chevening scholars. Chevening is the UK Government’s international awards scheme aimed at developing global leaders, and Kent is a Chevening partner.
For details of the funding available, see our Chevening Scholarships page.
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
