Become a forward thinking leader in international business. This programme creates data-driven leaders of tomorrow to deliver a sustainable future.
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 programme 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.
Students will receive CMI L7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice on completion of their degree, as well as a detailed report with the support of a dedicated expert supervisor. This is a fantastic example of your work, skills and knowledge to show employers after you graduate. Our graduates gain the transferable and desirable skills of cross-cultural management, problem solving, adaptability and decision making that they can apply to top-calibre management roles in a variety of business environments. Our graduates typically find work in consultancy or employed work both in the UK and globally, with companies such as Deloitte, JP Morgan & Chase, BP and Pace Capital as examples of businesses many of our graduates have worked in. Whatever your goals are in business, our MSc International Business and Management programme is a great first step to get there.
Kent Business School is among the top 1% of ‘triple crown’ business schools worldwide following its European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).
The ‘Triple Crown’ involves awards by the three leading business school accreditation organisations – EQUIS, The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and The Association of MBAs (AMBA).
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.
The University requires all non-native speakers of English to reach a minimum standard of proficiency in written and spoken English before beginning a postgraduate degree. Certain subjects require a higher level.
For detailed information see our English language requirements web pages.
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.
Duration: 1 year full-time
The January-entry version of this course consists of five compulsory modules in Stage 1 and five compulsory modules in Stage 2, finishing with a piece of research.
The September-entry version of this course consists of eight compulsory modules in Stage 1 and a choice of four optional modules in Stage 2, finishing with a piece of research. It is also available with an optional industrial placement, which will require you to complete the Industrial Placement Report.
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This list is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
Compulsory modules currently include
International Accounting for Decision Making (15 credits)
Organisational Behaviour and HRM: A Global Perspective (15 credits)
Business in an International Perspective (15 credits)
Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility (15 credits)
Project Management (15 credits)
Managing the Multinational Enterprise (15 credits)
Global Value Chains, Strategy and Development (15 credits)
Strategic Marketing (15 credits)
Research Methods and Consulting Skills (15 credits)
Compulsory modules currently include
Management the Multinational Enterprise (15 credits)
Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility (15 credits)
Global Value Chains, Strategy and Development (15 credits)
Research Methods and Consulting Skills (15 credits)
Strategic Marketing (15 credits)
Organisational Behaviour and HRM: A Global Perspective (15 credits)
Business in an International Perspective (15 credits)
International Accounting for Decision Making (15 credits)
Research Methods and Consulting Skills (15 credits)
Optional modules may include
Digital Marketing: Models and Analytics (15 credits)
Management Analytics (15 credits)
Project Management (15 credits)
Integrated and Digital Marketing Communications (15 credits)
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.
Business failures in the global financial sector, and the subsequent repercussions for a range of different groups, not just shareholders, have put the spotlight on the role of business and the behaviour of managers. Is business just responsible for maximising profit for its owners, or does it have responsibilities to other groups? This raises a number of difficult questions; which groups? responsible for what? And if so, how to discharge these responsibilities?
This module has three main aims:
• To develop critical thought, insight and debate regarding the changing role of business in today's society.
• To broaden your views on the role of business in society.
• To provide you with the tools, skills and knowledge to manage responsibly.
The nature of the topic is constantly changing and evolving; therefore the module will be subject to continual refinement according to developments in industry, government and academia.
Indicative topics are:
• Definitions of Corporate Responsibility
• The Role of Business and Society
• Theories of Corporate Responsibility
• Ethics Theory
• Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
• Areas of Corporate Responsibility
• Firm Level Responses
• Social Accounting
• Criticisms of Corporate Responsibility
• Social Entrepreneurship
• Sustainability
This module introduces students to the area of global value chain (GVC) and its implications for different types of business enterprises (multinational enterprises (MNEs), suppliers, small, large), with a special focus on key theoretical and empirical academic publications as well as available datasets. GVCs are transforming the nature of trade, and it has brought both opportunities and challenges for business enterprises around the world. Such an understanding of GVCs is vital for managers to develop optimal relationships with their value chains partners, adapt to changing business circumstances, and make responsible decisions.
Employers are in search for individuals who possess logical thinking, analytical capability, leadership, communication and the ability to work under pressure. This module develops the necessary research knowledge and skills for students to be able to successfully complete a piece of research in industry or consultancy contexts or academia.
Indicative topics are:
• Choosing the topic of interest and literature review
• Research process and Ethics in in business research
• Choosing your research design
• Preparing the research proposal
• Communicating the Research
Topics are:
- Marketing planning
- The market: understanding and analysing the marketing environment
- Segmentation, targeting and positioning
- Marketing research
- Understanding customers and buyer behaviour
- The organisation: marketing strategy and ethics
- The marketing mix (goods and services)
- New product development
- Marketing communications
- Pricing
- Marketing channels
- Contemporary issues in marketing
The Global Strategy module has two main learning components:
• Acquiring theory and concepts in global strategy and value creation in today's dynamic environment.
• Application of theory and concepts to the formulation, implementation and evaluation of global strategy.
The aim is to critically examine and provide insights into the practice and process of strategic management within a variety of private and public sector organisations globally.
This course is designed to allow students to develop their skills of strategic analysis and their ability to think about the selection and implementation of appropriate strategies in different industry and geographic contexts and in different types and styles of organisations, including non-profit and public sector organisations.
Indicative topics may include:
• What is Strategy, and Why is it Important?
• The Context of Global Strategy and Value Realisation
• Competitive Global Strategy and Strategic Choices
• Business models
• Digital Strategy
• Contemporary Issues in Strategic Management
This module provides an insight into the key concepts and theories of human resource management and organisational behaviour in an international context. It aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge for gaining an in-depth understanding of the links between HRM practices and organisational performance and the factors at play when managing employees globally.
Indicative topics are:
• Strategic management and International HRM
• Diversity and Equal Opportunity in the Workplace
• Gender in International Business and Management
• Managing a Global Workforce
• Organisational Culture Reward Management: International comparisons
• Expatriate Assignments and Adjustment Process
• Globalisation and HRM
• International Compensation
The aims of the module are to:
- Develop an appreciation of the complexity and diversity associated with doing business internationally.
- Provide an overview of the major theories and concepts which have been developed by academics and practitioners in order to understand the international business
arena.
- Offer some practical solutions to the problems faced by the international business community.
- Derive insights which will enable students to effectively play part in managing resources across national boundaries within their organisation, at present or in the
future.
Business in an International Perspective is an exploration of an area that is highly topical within the practice of management and scholarly research. The chances are high indeed that, at some time during their career, today's MSc graduates will work for an international organisation, an international market research company or a multinational enterprise. The notion of purely domestic organisation is becoming more and more difficult to substantiate. The module adopts an analytical and critical perspective to the somewhat prescriptive literature which is associated with this contentious problem area.
The topics addressed in this module will include:
- International business and international trade theory
- Cultural factors and their impact on business, including human resource management
- Risk analysis, country risk and the consequences for trade and investment
- Government-business relations and market regulation
- International organisations and international business: GATT/WTO and multilateral trade issues
- The world financial environment and the multinational finance function: foreign exchange markets, business implications of exchange rate changes
- Corporate social responsibility and the impact of international business on various stakeholders
The module provides a basic understanding of how accounting information can be used to interpret the financial position and performance of a business in an international scenario. It will also develop key skills in relation to how accounting information can inform planning and control decisions in multinational companies. The key principles and international standards upon which financial accounting is based and the form and content of the main financial statements prepared by different types of businesses, with a focus on public limited companies will be studied. The importance of corporate governance in modern businesses and the financial situation and performance of a global corporation by means of ratio analysis will be analysed as well as the importance of cost information for decision making purposes. This module covers the key internationally recognised management accounting techniques that modern businesses use for short-term and long-term decision making.
Indicative areas of the syllabus include:
• Concepts underpinning accounting systems and financial statements
• The construction of the primary financial statements and their interpretation and evaluation
• Classification and behaviour of costs and their use in short-term and long-term decision making
• Responsibility accounting systems and performance appraisal measures, including the balanced scorecard and budgeting
The module aims to equip students with advanced knowledge to lead and participate in the digital marketing efforts of organisations. It is based around the idea of digital business models and how they can be used to both attract and retain customers in an increasingly competitive environment. The module will also show how digital marketing analytics can enable organisations to make data driven decisions.
Indicative topics are:
The digital marketing environment;
Enabling technologies for digital marketing;
Digital business models
Social media;
Customers in the Internet age: knowing, reaching & retaining the customer;
Network effects and versioning
Loyalty, Customer Relationship Management and Data Mining;
Data protection, privacy and legal issues;
Digital marketing and globalisation
Awareness of some commonly used digital business applications and analytics models
The aim of this highly practical module is to give students an intensive grounding in analytics modelling and hands-on experience in using industry-standard spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel®) to structure, analyse and solve a variety of problems encountered in business and management.
Students will learn how to build practical analytics models using descriptive analytics techniques to visualise and interpret data; predictive analytics techniques to predict future outcomes and trends; and prescriptive analytics techniques, such as optimisation and decision analysis, to support decision making in complex situations.
Students will be exposed to a variety of case studies that will prepare them to be data-driven managers and executives capable of utilising analytics for business value creation. Practical demonstrations will include examples in finance (e.g., optimal investment strategies, portfolio optimisation), human resources (e.g., staff scheduling, workforce planning, employee performance management), marketing (e.g., product development, customer classification, marketing campaigns optimisation), supply chain management (e.g., optimal transport routing, production scheduling) and project management (e.g., task scheduling, resource planning, project completion time optimisation).
In today's competitive and global economy, companies are turning to project management to consistently deliver business results. Increased number of international and complex projects brings with it a growing demand for project management specialists, according to Project Management Institute (PMI). This module introduces the principles and practice of project management in a global context. The module aims to:
• Equip you with project management tools, techniques and management issues, focusing on key challenges that arise from managing complex projects, such as with regards to project time, quality and cost, resource constraints, stakeholder analysis, cultural diversity and teamwork.
• Analyse contemporary project management issues and employ a range of established and innovative methodologies for adequate project plan, execution and control;
• Critically analyse risks in projects, develop sustainable contingency plans and demonstrate ability to set reasonable and achievable deadlines and milestones across different project tasks with due consideration to economic, social, and environmental aspects surrounding a project.
The module examines the main methods of marketing communications. Strengths and weakness of marketing communications channels will be analysed as well as their suitability and effectiveness. The module systematically evaluates the principles, methods and strategies of marketing communications. The role of message content, format and source will be discussed as well as psychological processes involved in consumers' processing of and response to advertising. The module will discuss how different marketing communications platforms can be combined to reach specific objectives.
Indicative topics are:
• The communications process
• Advertising
• Strategy and media planning
• Image, brand management and packaging
• Direct marketing
• Digital and interactive media
• Sales promotion, merchandising and point of sale
• Public relations and corporate identity
• Exhibitions, trade shows, product placement and sponsorship
• Personal selling and sales management
• The implications of digital marketing communications are included in the above topics
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
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:
Industrial placements are the perfect way for you to enhance your career prospects and deepen your understanding of a specific area of expertise. This MSc programme is available with the option to take an in-company or self-employed industrial placement of up to 12 months (visa dependent), allowing you to gain work experience in the UK or overseas.
The fees for the 2024/25 year have not yet been set. As a guide, the tuition fees for postgraduate study in 2023/24 are shown below.
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.
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:
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
Search scholarships
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.
Kent Business School is a research-led business school. Our research strategy is developed around the core theme of sustainable innovation which cuts across the entire School. This theme can be seen as being divided into two sub-strands of research aimed at answering these main questions:
Kent Business School advances knowledge through constant promotion and support of innovative research. We have an impact on wider society through extensive collaborations with external partners which range from other academic institutions to a variety of local, national and international businesses as well as the NHS. Within this wider context, our main strategic aim has been geared towards establishing ourselves as a leading institution for research in sustainable innovation.
Kent Business School is a global leader in research and develops a wide portfolio of research related activities including workshops, conferences and research seminar series. This has led to a large number of international collaborations and to over 200 co-authored papers with international partners.
Our MSc International Business and Management programme is part of the department of marketing, entrepreneurship and international business. When studying with us you'll be joining a community that brings together experts in the areas of three key management disciplines promoting interdisciplinary teaching and research as well as cross interdisciplinary knowledge exchange.
This approach allows the department to offer a world class educational experience to our students preparing them to become the drivers of innovation, change and performance in an interconnected business environment advancing sustainable development and growth.Our expert academics are at the very forefront of this, meaning that when you graduate, you will be ready to take the knowledge, skills and crucial context you have learned into industry to kickstart your career.
Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. Among others, they have recently contributed to: Journal of Humanitarian Logistic, European, The International Journal of Project Management, International Journal of Human Resources Management, International Business Review, Journal of Business Research, Technology Forecasting, and Social Change.
Dr Maggie Zeng is the director of studies for our MSc International Business and Management programme. With a strong background in academia and research she brings strong real world experience to the course. As well as this, Dr Maggie has focused on business ecosystem and strategic management of digital platform by exploring the emergence, governance and dynamic interaction between platform ecosystem players, and strategy in changing environment. Her focus on contemporary, global issues means these interests are embedded into the teaching of this programme, ensuring our graduates are ready to go into the world and effect change. You can find out more and view her staff profile here.
Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website.
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.
You gain much more than an academic qualification when you graduate. We enhance your student experience and accelerate your career prospects to help you achieve your ambition.
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, undertake an Industrial Placement or opt for an In-Company Scheme to work on a real business case study. 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 PGT students at Kent Business School takes place from Welcome Week through to the end of the academic year and is designed to enhance your career prospects further.
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.
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.
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. You can catch up with our most recent Open for Business Seminar Series.
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 café 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: ifs (Institute of Financial Services); dunnhumby, who partners the Consumer Insight Service in the Centre for Value Chain Research; Hong Kong Baptist University, with whom we offer a joint Master’s programme in Operational Research and Finance Business Statistics; University of Castellanza (Italy); Audencia Nantes Business School (France); Aarhus School of Business and Social Sciences (Denmark); Universiti Teknologi Malaysia; University of Ingolstadt, Bayern (Germany); City University of Hong Kong; Renmin University of China, School of Business.
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.
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.
Telephone: +44 (0)1227 827726
Fax: +44 (0)1227 761187
Email: kbsadmissions@kent.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)1227 823254
E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk
