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MSc

International Business - January Start

Think globally. Lead across borders.

Apply now
Sibson building at University of Kent – MSc International Business Management students

Top 1% worldwide

Study at a triple-accredited business school, recognised by AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS – an achievement held by just 1% of business schools worldwide.

Lead in a global business world

Build the knowledge and judgement to navigate international markets, multinational organisations and complex global business environments.

Think across cultures

Develop the cultural awareness, leadership and communication skills to work effectively across different markets, perspectives and international teams.

Build experience into your Master’s

Choose the two-year Professional Practice & Placement pathway to gain substantial workplace experience – or, if you don't secure a placement, continue through the Professional Practice route, which includes a guaranteed virtual internship.

Key information

Start
January
Location
Canterbury
Study mode
1 year full-time
Fees (per year)
UK: £15,000
International: £20,700
Typical offer
2.2 or above
All entry requirements
Professionally Recognised

Overview

The world of business is connected. Your thinking should be too.

Business rarely happens within one market, one culture or one set of assumptions. At Kent, you’ll explore how organisations operate across borders, how global markets shape business decisions and how leaders respond to complexity and uncertainty.

You’ll develop a critical understanding of international markets, multinational organisations, global value chains, international marketing and global leadership. You’ll also explore the ethical, sustainable and technological issues reshaping international business, developing the ability to make strategic decisions in a changing global environment.

Your learning is designed to connect theory with professional practice. You’ll work with complex problems, engage with different perspectives and develop the analytical, leadership and communication skills to work confidently across cultures and contexts.

And with the Professional Practice & Placement pathway, you can take that learning further. Spend a second year gaining professional experience, or follow the Professional Practice route with industry activity, experiential learning and a guaranteed virtual internship.

By the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to think beyond borders, lead with greater confidence and contribute to organisations operating in an increasingly interconnected world.

The course

What you'll study

The following modules are what students will typically study, but this may change year to year in response to new developments and innovations.

Stage 1

Understand how business crosses borders – and learn to lead in the complexity that comes with it.

You’ll explore international markets, multinational strategy, global value chains, cross-cultural marketing and global leadership, alongside the ethical and sustainable challenges facing international business.

As you progress, you’ll bring these perspectives together to examine how organisations respond to uncertainty and change, developing the strategic thinking, judgement and confidence to make decisions in a global context.

Compulsory modules currently include the following

Get ready for captivating discussions on cutting-edge topics such as artificial intelligence, privacy, sustainability, cross-cultural communication and ethics. This module is an invitation to be at the forefront of challenges posed by operating in global markets. Join the module as we navigate the twists and turns of the international business landscape, where each challenge becomes an opportunity, and each question sparks innovation. Let the exploration begin.

How do multinational organisations make big-picture decisions about managing their global portfolios? How do they gain sustained advantage over their competitors? You will learn about how multinational enterprises design and manage their operations across borders, handling the tensions between their headquarters and their subsidiaries in order to get results on a global scale. Gain insight into strategic decision-making by looking at internationalisation strategies, managing strategic alliances and mergers and acquisitions, and also risk management, knowledge creation, divestment, and corporate social responsibility on a global scale. Round out your degree by understanding international business in a strategic way while mastering sought-after communication skills through the support provided for assessments on the module.

Global Value Chains have transformed the nature of trade and foreign direct investment and continue to bring opportunities and challenges for business enterprises and their operations 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!

Marketing managers increasingly operate in an interconnected and culturally diverse global marketplace. To capitalise on opportunities in both local and international markets, they must understand how culture influences consumer behaviour, marketing strategy, and business practice. This module develops students' knowledge of intercultural marketing concepts and frameworks, enabling them to critically evaluate cultural influences across international markets, address contemporary strategic challenges, and assess ethical and sustainable marketing practices in different cultural contexts.

In a world marked by perpetual transformation, how can emerging leaders adeptly navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that shape their decision-making through global perspectives? Through engaging and interactive sessions you will unravel the complexities inherent in leadership principles and strategic decision-making. This module emphasizes hands-on applications, ensuring that students not only gain theoretical knowledge but also develop the practical skills essential for effective leadership based on EDI principles in the contemporary business environment. You will leave the module with a knowledge of organisational behaviour and human resource management practice and understand how indispensable resources are utilised by organizations to navigate the intricate landscape of global strategic decision-making.

Explore the ethical and sustainability challenges facing organisations operating internationally. You’ll consider how businesses navigate competing responsibilities and expectations across global contexts, and examine the role of responsible decision-making in international business.

Explore the key ideas and challenges involved in doing business across borders. You’ll consider how international environments shape organisations, strategies and decision-making, building a foundation for understanding business in a global context.

Gain consultancy experience and pitch your solutions to existing organisational problems!  You will work with problem-based case studies and address the posed challenges to offer sustainable and targeted solutions. Get ready to polish your consultancy, team-working, leadership, self-reflection skills but also show-case your best analytical and critical thinking and more!

How you'll study

A Master’s should change how you think – and what you can do with what you know. You’ll engage with current research, challenge ideas and apply specialist knowledge to complex business problems. Through interactive teaching, independent study and practical projects, you’ll deepen your expertise while developing the judgement, confidence and professional perspective to use it.
Lectures
Seminars
Tutorials
Independent Study
Group Work
Workshops
Real-world Assessments

Understand the global landscape

Explore how political, economic and social forces shape decisions in international business.
Adewolu - graduated in 2009 with an MSc in International Business

Bringing it all back home

Learn how Adewolu became Head of Government Affairs & Public Policy (West Africa) at Google after studying at KBS.
Adewolu's story
Seminar session – MSc International Business Management students at Kent

Strategy across borders

Examine how multinational organisations enter markets, build competitive advantage and manage global value chains.
Martina - graduated in 2024 with an MSc in International Business and Management

Learn how Martina’s internship while still a student at KBS led to her full time role.

Martina's story

Lead across cultures

Develop the skills to work with different perspectives, lead responsibly and communicate effectively in international environments.

Entry requirements

2.2 or above

A minimum of a second-class UK degree, or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification in any subject area is needed for this course.

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and those without an honours degree may also be considered on the basis of work experience, professional qualifications and the relevance of the programme to their current professional role.

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.

Fees and funding

UK: £15,000

EU: £20,700

International: £20,700

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.

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.

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.

General additional costs

Find out more about student 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: 

Kent International Scholarship (KBS)

Unlock your potential with scholarships up to £3,000

Research

Kent is a leading research university, meaning that you will be informed about new discussions and developments by the people making them. This means your work will have real potential to make a difference.

Staff research interests

Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website.

Your future

Build a career without borders

International business is everywhere – from multinational companies and global supply chains to consulting, finance, marketing and international trade. This Master’s will help you develop the strategic thinking, cultural awareness and confidence to work across markets and make decisions in complex global environments.

Put your global perspective into practice

With the Professional Practice & Placement pathway, you can extend your Master’s to two years and take your learning into the workplace.

Secure a placement and gain substantial professional experience in a working environment, applying your knowledge in practice.

Or choose Professional Practice, where you’ll take part in experiential learning, professional development and industry-led activity, including a guaranteed virtual internship.

Where could it take you?

The course is designed to prepare you for careers across international organisations, multinational enterprises, government and consultancy.

International Business · Strategy · Consulting · Global Marketing · Business Development · International Trade · Supply Chain · Global Operations · Management

Build the skills global employers need

You’ll graduate able to analyse complex international business problems, work across different cultural perspectives and make informed decisions in uncertain environments. You’ll also develop the communication, leadership and professional skills to work effectively with people across borders.

Scale up your future

$33 trillion
Global trade reached a record high in 2024 UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

A degree can boost average lifetime earnings by over

£300,000
Graduate employment outcomes - Universities UK

Why study at Kent?

Top 1% worldwide

Study at a triple-accredited business school, placing Kent Business School among the top 1% of business schools worldwide.

Put your learning into practice

Work on real business challenges, applied projects and professional problems, connecting specialist knowledge with the world of work.

Learn from people in the know

Engage with employers, practitioners, entrepreneurs and alumni through guest sessions, masterclasses, mentoring, business challenges and networking.

Build experience, not just qualifications

Eligible two-year Master’s courses offer a Professional Practice & Placement pathway, giving you the opportunity to gain substantial workplace experience before completing a guaranteed eight-week global virtual internship.

Think beyond today

Explore the forces reshaping business – including AI, digital transformation, sustainability and responsible leadership – and develop the adaptability to keep pace with change.

Bring your ambition to life

Whether you want to progress, change direction or build something of your own, opportunities such as ASPIRE can help you develop your ideas and entrepreneurial skills.

Ready to apply?

January 2027 intake update

Due to high volumes of postgraduate taught applications from Pakistan, an earlier deadline of Monday 28 September 2026, 23:59 BST has been applied for the January 2027 intake.

Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.

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.

Apply now

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