Kent Business School

Kent Business School (KBS) is the business school of the University of Kent, established in 1988. It operates across two campuses: the main University campus in Canterbury and the Medway campus at Chatham Historic Dockyard. In 2017, the Canterbury-based school relocated to the Sibson Building, named after former Vice-Chancellor Professor Robin Sibson.

KBS offers a broad range of undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA, and PhD programmes, including Accounting and Finance, Marketing, International Business, Management, and Digital Marketing. Many programmes offer options for a Year Abroad or Year in Industry. Entry to undergraduate courses is competitive, with students typically needing ABB–AAB at A-Level.

The school is globally connected through academic partnerships with institutions such as ESSEC Business School (France), IE Business School (Spain), Renmin University (China), and Hong Kong Baptist University. These links support research, student exchange, and international collaboration.

KBS has a strong research presence with multiple active groups and centres, including the Centre for Quantitative Finance and the Centre for Logistics and Heuristic Optimisation. Areas of focus include finance, marketing, management science, and organisational studies.

Kent Business School holds triple accreditation from EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA, placing it among the top 1% of business schools worldwide. It is also affiliated with CABS, EFMD, PRME, and holds the Small Business Charter. These recognitions reflect the school’s commitment to responsible management, sustainable business practices, and academic excellence.

Kent Business School (KBS) was established in 1988 as the official business school of the University of Kent. It is one of two UK business schools commonly referred to as "KBS", the other being King’s Business School, which predates Kent Business School by eight years. Since its foundation, Kent Business School has developed into a significant academic division within the university, offering a wide range of programmes across undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA and PhD levels.

The School operates on two campuses – the University of Kent's main campus in Canterbury and a secondary location at the Medway campus, situated within the Chatham Historic Dockyard. The presence at both sites allows the School to cater to different student needs. The Medway campus offers a smaller, community-oriented environment with proximity to London, while Canterbury provides a broader, more traditional university experience.

In March 2017, Kent Business School at the Canterbury campus relocated to the Sibson Building, a modern facility named after Professor Robin Sibson, the University of Kent’s third Vice-Chancellor. The building has since become the focal point of business education and research activities at the Canterbury site.

Over the years, the School has broadened its academic portfolio and is now home to multiple research groups and centres. These include the Centre for Quantitative Finance and the Centre for Logistics and Heuristic Optimisation, and focus areas such as Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management Science, People Management and Organisation, Strategy, and International Business. It regularly hosts seminars, conferences, and workshops, contributing to both academic and applied research output.

Kent Business School maintains academic partnerships and exchange agreements with institutions in Europe and Asia, including ESSEC Business School in France, Università degli Studi di Firenze in Italy, IE Business School in Spain, Renmin University in China, and Hong Kong Baptist University, among others. These collaborations have led to more than 200 co-authored international research papers and numerous academic exchanges.

In terms of quality recognition, the School has achieved several accreditations and memberships. It is accredited by EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA, which places it among the elite group of "Triple Crown" business schools globally. Additionally, it is a member of CABS and EFMD, and holds the SBC Charter for small business and entrepreneurship support. It is also a signatory of the UN’s Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), reflecting its commitment to sustainable and responsible business education.

Kent Business School offers a comprehensive portfolio of academic programmes across undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA, and doctoral levels. These courses are designed to provide students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in business, management, finance, and related fields.

At the undergraduate level, Kent Business School offers several degree programmes. These include BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance, BA (Hons) Business and Management, BA (Hons) Business (Top-up), BSc (Hons) Finance and Investment, BSc (Hons) International Business, BSc (Hons) Management, and BSc (Hons) Marketing. Most of these undergraduate degrees offer the opportunity to undertake either a Year Abroad or a Year in Industry, enhancing students' international exposure or work experience. Entry into undergraduate programmes is competitive, with typical offers ranging from ABB to AAB at A-Level.

At the postgraduate level, the school offers a wide range of MSc programmes. These include MSc Business Analytics, MSc Digital Marketing and Analytics, MSc Finance (Finance and Management), MSc Finance (Finance, Investment and Risk), MSc Finance (Financial Markets), MSc Finance (International Banking and Finance), MSc Healthcare Management, MSc Human Resource Management, MSc International Business and Management, MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management, MSc Management, MSc Marketing, and MSc Project Management. These courses are aimed at graduates seeking specialised knowledge and analytical tools in specific business areas.

The Kent MBA is a prominent postgraduate programme at the school. It is designed for professionals with managerial experience, aiming to enhance their strategic leadership and business skills. The MBA programme at Kent Business School benefits from AMBA accreditation, which ensures it meets international standards for quality in postgraduate business education.

At the doctoral level, KBS offers PhD programmes in the areas of Accounting, Finance, Management, Management Science, Marketing, Operational Research, and Organisational Relationships. These research-led programmes provide the opportunity for in-depth study and original research, contributing to the academic and practical understanding of business disciplines.

Kent Business School has been consistently recognised in national league tables for its performance in various subject areas.

It was ranked 31st in the United Kingdom for Business and Management Studies by The Complete University Guide 2021. The school achieved 26th position in the UK for Accounting and Finance in the same ranking. In the field of Marketing, Kent Business School was placed 9th in the UK, reflecting the strength of its undergraduate and postgraduate marketing programmes.

Kent Business School (KBS) demonstrates strong graduate employment outcomes, reflecting its emphasis on employability and industry engagement.

According to available data, the University of Kent reports an employability and career outcome rate of 95% for undergraduate students and 92% for postgraduate students. This indicates that a significant majority of KBS graduates secure employment or pursue further study within a year of graduation. 

KBS offers various initiatives to support students' career development, including industrial placements, in-company schemes, and the ASPIRE programme, which fosters entrepreneurship. These opportunities enable students to gain practical experience and enhance their employability.

The school's commitment to career readiness is further evidenced by its inclusion in the top 50 universities for work experience and placements in the 2024–2025 Rate My Placement Awards.

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