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Kingston Business School

Kingston Business School offers a comprehensive range of business education programmes, combining academic excellence with practical experience to prepare students for successful careers in various business sectors.
Kingston Business School
Dean

Professor Sankar Sivarajah (Dean)

Academic staff
100 - 500
Students
4424
Locations
London, United Kingdom
Established
1970
Afiliations
AACSB, Association of MBAs, EFMD, Economic and Social Research Council
Address
Kingston Hill, Kingston upon Thames KT2 7JB, United Kingdom
Social Media
Summary

Kingston Business School is part of Kingston University, located at the Kingston Hill campus in Kingston upon Thames, London, close to the Surrey border. Established in the 1960s, the school is now a key component of the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes through its three academic departments: Accounting, Finance and Informatics; Management; and Strategy, Marketing & Innovation.

 

In 2012, the Business School moved into a modern, purpose-built facility on the Kingston Hill campus, providing students with updated learning environments and easy access to Richmond Park and Kingston town centre. The campus also features accommodation, sports facilities, study rooms, and social spaces, supporting a diverse student community.

 

Kingston Business School maintains partnerships with institutions in Germany and India to deliver degree programmes such as the MBA, International Business, and Human Resource Management. It holds notable accreditations, including AACSB and AMBA for its MBA courses, and EPAS accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Development for several programmes. Professional body accreditations include ACT, ACCA, CIM, CIMA, CIPD, and ICAEW, among others.

 

Research at the school is organised into five knowledge hubs focusing on topics such as entrepreneurship, sustainability, governance, customer insights, and the future of work. The school is a founding member of European doctoral associations EDAMBA and EUDOKMA, reflecting its commitment to advanced research.

 

Kingston Business School is recognised in global rankings, appearing in the QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education listings, with specific mention in Masters in Marketing, Finance, and Management categories. The school fosters an inclusive environment with a diverse student population and offers various facilities and activities that enhance student life.

History

Kingston Business School traces its origins to the 1960s, developing over time into a significant part of Kingston University in London, United Kingdom. The school is now incorporated within the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences at Kingston University, contributing to its academic and research activities.

 

Initially established as a business education provider, Kingston Business School has evolved to offer a broad range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes. Over the decades, it has expanded its academic portfolio and facilities, adapting to changing educational and professional demands.

 

In April 2012, the Business School relocated to a new, purpose-built building on the Kingston Hill campus, one of the four campuses of Kingston University. This move marked a key development in the school’s physical infrastructure, providing modern teaching and study environments. The Kingston Hill campus is situated in the London borough of Kingston upon Thames, near the border of Surrey, and is within walking distance of Richmond Park. A free student bus service operates during term time, connecting the campus with Kingston town centre and other university campuses.

 

Organisationally, Kingston Business School is divided into three academic departments: the Department of Accounting, Finance and Informatics; the Department of Management; and the Department of Strategy, Marketing & Innovation. These departments collectively oversee a wide range of degree programmes. The Business School also collaborates with academic institutions in Germany and India, delivering Kingston University degrees such as the Masters in Business Administration (MBA), International Business, International HR Management, and Business Administration.

 

The school has secured several accreditations over time. It holds accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA), specifically for its MBA programmes. Furthermore, the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) has awarded Kingston Business School EPAS accreditation for three sets of its programmes. The school’s offerings are also recognised by a number of professional bodies including ACT, ACCA, BPS, CIM, CIMA, CIPD, CIPR, CIPS, ICAEW, and RICS.

 

Kingston Business School has developed a strong research profile, organising its work into five knowledge hubs. These cover areas such as small business research, responsible innovation, sustainability and entrepreneurship; accountability, governance and the capital market; customer insights and value; foresight, creativity and decision-making; and the future of work and organisations. 

 

The school is a founding member of the European Doctoral Programmes Association in Management and Business Administration (EDAMBA) and the European Doctoral School on Knowledge and Management (EUDOKMA).

 

Regarding rankings, the school has been placed between 351 and 400 worldwide according to QS rankings and is rated with three Palmes by Eduniversal. The Times Higher Education rankings place it in the 301–400 range globally. Specifically, for its MBA programmes, QS Global MBA rankings place the school between 131 and 140 worldwide, and 40 in Europe.

 

Student life at Kingston Business School benefits from its location on the Kingston Hill campus, approximately three miles from Kingston town centre and close to Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common. The campus offers a variety of study facilities, including meeting pods, study rooms, computer labs, a Learning Café, and a Learning Resources Centre. 

 

The school also supports an ethnically diverse student body, reflecting the broader diversity of Kingston University. Accommodation is available on campus with halls of residence for 565 students. Other campus amenities include a music studio, café, restaurant, bar, and sports facilities such as football, table tennis, golf, and badminton. The Kingston University Student Union manages sports clubs and teams for students.

Courses

Kingston Business School offers a wide range of courses at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, designed to meet the needs of students seeking education in various fields of business and management. The school’s programmes are delivered through three academic departments: Accounting, Finance and Informatics; Management; and Strategy, Marketing & Innovation.

 

At the undergraduate level, students can study courses such as Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Marketing, International Business, and Human Resource Management. These programmes provide foundational knowledge and practical skills relevant to the business world. The courses often include opportunities for work placements and projects that connect students with industry practices.

 

Postgraduate courses include a variety of taught master's degrees and research programmes. Notable among these is the Master of Business Administration (MBA), which is offered in several formats, including full-time, part-time, and flexible options. The school also offers specialised master’s degrees in areas such as International Business, Marketing, Finance, Human Resource Management, and Business Administration. These programmes are designed to develop advanced expertise and leadership skills. Some courses are delivered in partnership with academic institutions in Germany and India, allowing international students access to Kingston University degrees.

 

The doctoral programmes support students pursuing research in business and management disciplines. Kingston Business School is a founding member of European doctoral networks such as EDAMBA and EUDOKMA, providing a structured environment for doctoral candidates.

 

Many of the courses hold professional body accreditations, including those from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), and others. These accreditations ensure that course content aligns with industry standards and may provide exemptions or direct routes to professional qualifications.

Global MBA rankings

Kingston Business School is recognised in several international rankings that reflect its standing in business education. According to the QS World University Rankings, the school is placed within the 351–400 band worldwide. The Eduniversal rankings award Kingston Business School three Palmes, indicating a strong international reputation.

 

In the Times Higher Education global rankings, the school is listed within the 301–400 range overall. More specifically, Kingston Business School features in subject-specific rankings for its master’s programmes. The QS Global MBA Rankings position the school between 131 and 140 worldwide, while in the European context, it ranks 40 for its MBA programmes.

 

For specialised master’s courses, the school holds notable positions in the World University Rankings. Its Masters in Marketing is ranked 51 and above, while the Masters in Management and Masters in Finance programmes both feature within the 101 and above category.

Job integration rate

Kingston Business School, part of Kingston University in London, has a strong record of graduate employability. Approximately 95% of Kingston University graduates are employed or engaged in further study within six months of completing their courses.

 

The university's Careers and Employability Service offers personalised support, including CV reviews, interview preparation, and access to job opportunities through platforms like Handshake. Additionally, Kingston University has strong links with various industries, providing students with valuable placement and internship opportunities.

General information

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Kingston Business School
Dean

Professor Sankar Sivarajah (Dean)

Academic staff
100 - 500
Students
4424
Locations
London, United Kingdom
Established
1970
Afiliations
AACSB, Association of MBAs, EFMD, Economic and Social Research Council
Address
Kingston Hill, Kingston upon Thames KT2 7JB, United Kingdom
Social Media