Business is global; to be successful you need to understand international cultures and markets and adapt your business to their needs. As an International Business student at Kent, you develop the essential business skills to lead any business anywhere.

The International Business programme is taught in Kent Business School (KBS) in a brand-new building, providing modern study facilities. We provide a friendly, student-focused environment, which helps you to make the most of your studies.

You benefit from our global links and the international make-up of our staff and students. You are taught by lecturers with experience in a range of management disciplines, as well as by leading experts currently in business.

As a student at Kent Business School, you also have the opportunity to gain the Chartered Management Institute’s (CMI) Level 5 Professional Award in Management and Leadership alongside your degree.

Our degree programme

In your first year, you are introduced to all aspects of business including accounting, financial reporting, business modelling and the global business environment.

In your second and final years, you cover international business strategy, business ethics, operations management, innovation, strategy analysis and interactive decision modelling. You can also focus on areas you are particularly interested in, such as new product marketing, international entrepreneurship and enterprise.

Year abroad

Students on a four-year degree programme spend a year between Stages 2 and 3 at one of our partner universities in Europe or Asia.  For a full list, please see Go Abroad. Places are subject to availability, language and degree programme.

You are expected to adhere to any academic progression requirements in Stages 1 and 2 to proceed to the Year Abroad.  If the requirement is not met, you will be transferred to the equivalent three-year programme. The Year Abroad is assessed on a pass/fail basis and will not count towards your final degree classification.

You don’t have to make a decision before you enrol at Kent but certain conditions apply.

Year in industry

You have the option to take our International Business programme with a year in industry. For more details, see International Business with a Year in Industry.

You don’t have to make a decision before you enrol at Kent but certain conditions apply.

Alternatively, you can take our three-year International Business degree, without a year abroad or a year in industry. For details, see International Business.

Exchange partners

Kent Business School has excellent links with business schools globally, including in China, USA, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden and Italy. Our wide array of exchange partners give you the opportunity to gain international experience. Our partners are committed to enhancing their international outlook while providing excellent teaching. You will gain invaluable work experience, develop your understanding of a new culture and improve your language skills.

Our exchange partners include these top ranked institutions amongst others:

• University of Technology, Sydney
• Renmin University of China, School of Business
• University of Hong Kong
• ESSEC
• Neoma Business School
• Freie Universitat Berlin
• University of Florence
• IE Madrid University
• Stockholm Business School
• Georgetown University.

Extra activities

Alongside your studies, you can discover how to turn your idea into a successful business at our ASPIRE centre, which provides practical advice and support, and runs our Business Start-up Journey initiative.

You can also get involved with the student-run Kent Business and Kent Enterprise societies, which in previous years have organised regular events with guest speakers from industry and supported budding entrepreneurs with their ventures.

Kent Business School gives you many opportunities to interact directly with the business community. Special events and schemes have previously included:

• workshops and seminars
• business challenges
• enterprise initiatives, including the Business Start-Up Journey
• networking events.

Professional network

Kent Business School has long-established links with business schools in China, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Finland. We also have excellent links with local, national and international businesses.

About the School

Kent Business School is accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). We are committed to excellence by providing world-class, thought-provoking programmes. We champion sustainable innovation through high-quality research and education, impacting business and society and are committed to developing employable, ethical graduates who can make a positive difference.

All of our programmes at Kent Business School address the challenges of modern global business and we aim to meet industry demands of producing quality graduates by ensuring we unlock our students’ potential, expand their thinking and nurture their talent.