Kent Business School

Kent Business School

Kent Business School is an international Business School, with a global reputation for delivering research and teaching excellence. We are proud to be part of a selection of global business schools worldwide to hold double-accredited status (ACCSB and AMBA) and one of the leading Universities in the UK for academic research (in the REF2014 we ranked 17th for research intensity) and business engagement (gained the Small Business Charter Award in 2018). Our commitment to gender equality was recognised by our 2020 Athena SWAN bronze award.

As a dual-intensive Business School, our distinctiveness comes from a forward-thinking approach to business education. We place sustainable innovation at the heart of our educational outlook, underpinned by world-class research. We are interdisciplinary by nature, bringing innovative solutions to real world issues. We are integrated into the local business community as a hub for knowledge creation and exchange. We are proud that our industry collaborations and global partnerships benefit students, businesses and the community.

Our students are well equipped to drive positive change and thrive in a dynamic world by knowledge, confidence and resilience developed as part of our distinctive educational experience, and from their interaction with staff and industry.

We are an open and diverse place for discourse and debate where everyone is treated with respect and appreciation. We acknowledge difference, and our spaces allow for co-creation and interdisciplinarity to design innovative solutions to real world challenges.

We strive for excellence in all we do and work actively to create a supportive environment that empowers our students and staff to fulfil their potential. We are committed to make a real difference and contribute to the economy, environment and society locally, nationally and internationally.

Kent Business School is one of six academic Divisions within the University of Kent. The School has 2388 students and 137 staff. We offer a strong and growing portfolio of undergraduate, postgraduate taught and research programmes on our two campuses in Canterbury and Medway. The School also delivers part of its MBA programme in Brussels and Paris.

We are investing in our programmes, staff, and facilities. In Canterbury, Kent Business School moved into their new home ‘Sibson’ in early 2017. The state-of-the-art building with new teaching and learning rooms and modern social and breakout areas, encapsulate the School’s academic values and identity.

In Medway, Kent Business School re-located to the Historic Dockyard, occupying the ‘Sail and Colour Loft’. Here, modern learning facilities feature within an iconic historic building forming inspiring learning spaces.

Research

We are a forward–looking Business School with an international reputation for excellence in sustainable innovation delivering research that makes a difference to our wider communities, economy, culture and the world at large. We strive to create an inspirational and inclusive environment for knowledge creation and the pursuit of research and innovation excellence and impact.

The school has successfully build on the strong research-quality profile reflected by our REF2014 results with more than half of the School's research activity (67%) being classified as 'world leading/internationally excellent' (3* and 4*). Our researchers are recognised for their contributions to a range of fields. In Ioannidis’ 2020 Stanford University Report, seven KBS staff were ranked in the Top 2% of Scientists in the World.

Our strategic priority is to continue to develop the School’s research excellence and impact by appointing new, especially senior, staff and through developing the potential of our current staff. We expect our senior faculty to be enthusiastic and entrepreneurial research leaders who set an example for colleagues throughout the School. The academic governance structure and research centres support this development, in particular, the consolidation and extension of theme-based research and the parallel development of department-based research strategies.

The School academic structure consists of four Academic Departments:

  • Department of Accounting and Finance
  • Department of Analytics, Operations and Systems
  • Department of Leadership and Management.
  • Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship and International Business

We encourage collaboration across departments and welcome the contributions of new faculty members to take an active role in shaping the research agenda in their subjects as well as cross-cutting themes, such as sustainability, innovation and enterprise. We are keen to collaborate across disciplines and subject areas with a view to demonstrate impact. Where appropriate, we seek to complement our strengths by actively developing partnerships inside and outside the University. The School is also keen to increase its research and consultancy income – an area to which the new post holder is expected to make a contribution.

Learning and Teaching

At Kent Business School we see ourselves as a research-led school where teaching and research are interconnected and mutually enriching. We feel strongly about delivering an outstanding and distinctive student-centred educational and student experience and are looking to recruit likeminded scholars who feel passionate about teaching. The University and Kent Business School have repeatedly demonstrated excellence in learning and teaching. For example:

  • The University of Kent was awarded a gold rating, the highest, in the recent UK Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
  • In the 2021 Complete University Guide, Kent Business School was ranked 9th nationally and 2nd for Graduate Prospects for Marketing.
  • We are in the top 201-250 globally for Business and Economics in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings (2021).

The School has a strong portfolio of taught programmes that attracts a considerable number of highly qualified students. Currently, we offer a comprehensive set of undergraduate programmes covering Accounting and Finance, Business and Management, Finance & Investment, Management, Marketing as well as International Business. Most of our programmes are accredited by the relevant professional bodies. All our programmes have achieved high employability ratings, which is also the result of a highly successful Year in Industry scheme.

At postgraduate level the School offers an MBA programme in full-time and executive modes, Masters programmes in Management and International Business and Management as well as specialist MSc’s in Business Analytics, Digital Marketing and Analytics, HRM, International HRM, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and Marketing  The School also offers an MSc in Finance which offers pathways in; International Accounting, International Banking and Finance, Finance and Management, Finance, Investment and Risk and Financial Markets.  The School has also established successful dual award programmes with Hong Kong Baptist University.

We are seeking to develop further this strong portfolio and launch new, attractive programmes of study, working together with other Schools and international partners.

Business, Partnerships, Entrepreneurship and Employability

As one of the UK’s leading business schools, we form strong partnerships with individuals, companies and organisations to develop their performance. With an emphasis on enterprise and sustainability, we aim to offer solutions to business challenges and share expertise in the form of consultancy, executive education, research partnerships and networking opportunities.

KBS prides itself in its student talent and developing employable graduates is part of our mission and an area of considerable success for the School. At KBS there are a number of initiatives and activities to support student employability. Our Year in Industry student placement scheme has proved to be an important feature, driving significant student growth in recent years.

Our ASPIRE project (Accelerator Space for Innovation and Responsible Enterprise) provides essential resources for student entrepreneurs including start-up acceleration support informed by the latest research into innovation and enterprise and easy access to mentors and investors. This supports the University of Kent's entrepreneurial talent development and significantly contributes to a culture of entrepreneurship.

Further information on Kent Business School can be found on the School’s website: www.kent.ac.uk/kbs