MSc International Business and Management with Placement

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Kent

Program Overview

The MSc International Business and Management with Placement at Kent Business School is perfect if you want to combine academic learning with real-world experience. You’ll gain the skills to lead global teams, make strategic business decisions, and confidently navigate international markets.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll build a strong foundation in international business and management. International Economics and Business will help you understand how global trade works and why companies succeed across borders. With Financial and Management Accounting for Global Leaders, you’ll learn to read and use financial information to make smart business decisions. Contemporary Issues in International Business and Management will challenge you to think about topics like sustainability, ethics, and cross-cultural teamwork. And in Strategy of the Multinational Enterprise, you’ll explore how big companies plan, expand, and manage their operations globally.

At the end of Year 1, you can choose a practical capstone: a 12-month professional placement, a consultancy-style International Business & Management Challenge, or working with NGOs or international organisations to apply your skills in a real setting.

Year 2 (Placement Year)

Your second year is all about hands-on experience. You’ll spend up to a year working in a business, applying everything you learned in Year 1. Whether it’s in the UK or abroad, this placement helps you develop practical skills, build your professional network, and understand the day-to-day challenges of international business — making you highly employable once you graduate.

Focus Areas

Global strategy, cross-cultural leadership, international accounting, sustainability, global value chains, multinational enterprise management

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the program, you’ll be ready to make strategic decisions in international business, lead teams across cultures, use data to solve real-world problems, and bring sustainable, ethical thinking into every business decision.

Professional Alignment / Accreditation

Kent Business School is part of the elite 1% of business schools worldwide with Triple Crown accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA). Plus, you earn a CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management & Leadership Practice, giving you a professional edge that employers recognize.

Reputation & Employability

Kent is highly respected for research and teaching. Many graduates go on to work at top companies like Deloitte, J.P. Morgan, BP, and Pace Capital — thanks to both the practical experience from the placement and Kent’s strong career support.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Kent Business School, this MSc isn’t just about sitting in lectures — it’s designed so you truly do business. You’ll get hands-on experience using real-world tools like Bloomberg, work on practical projects in computer labs, and collaborate in teams on challenges that mirror the global business environment. The embedded 12-month professional placement, supported by the university’s Careers and Employability team, ensures you can apply your learning in a real organisation, building professional skills, cross-cultural adaptability, and leadership confidence.

Here’s how your practical experience comes to life:

Professional Placement / Internship: Spend a full year working in a company, putting your knowledge into practice and gaining real-world insight into business operations.
Group Projects & Consultancy Challenges: Modules like the International Business & Management Challenge let you work in teams to solve real organisational problems and pitch sustainable strategies.
Company Visits & Expert Speakers: Gain exposure to business practices through visits to companies and talks from industry professionals.
Computer-Based Workshops: State-of-the-art computer labs and online platforms allow you to use the same digital tools that global businesses rely on.
Bloomberg Suite: Access financial data used worldwide to understand markets and make strategic business decisions.
ASPIRE Lab Space: Dedicated facilities help you turn business ideas into real ventures and explore entrepreneurship.
Employability & Career Coaching: Get 1-to-1 guidance, recruitment preparation, and work experience support to help you secure internships and placements.
International Exposure: Opportunities to visit partner universities or work with NGOs provide a global perspective and practical experience across borders.

You’ll enjoy all of this in Kent’s modern facilities, including the Sibson Building with lecture halls, breakout rooms, computer labs, the ASPIRE Lab, and the Bloomberg Suite — everything you need to turn your learning into real-world skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this MSc often step straight into exciting global careers, such as management consultant, international business development manager, strategy analyst, or cross-border operations lead. With the combination of academic learning and a full-year professional placement, you’ll leave Kent ready to make an impact in multinational firms or even launch your own international ventures. Here’s how the university helps you turn your degree into real career success:

University Career Services: Kent Business School provides personalised career coaching, mentoring from alumni and industry professionals, workshops, and career fairs — and support continues for up to three years after graduation.
Employment Paths: Graduates have gone on to work at companies like Deloitte, J.P. Morgan & Chase, BP, and Pace Capital, showing how the programme opens doors to top employers.
University–Industry Partnerships: From live consultancy projects to your professional placement, you’ll work directly with real organisations, gaining practical experience and building a professional network.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: Kent Business School is triple-accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), meaning your degree is recognised and respected worldwide — a boost when applying for senior or international roles.
Graduate Outcomes: You’ll develop transferable skills like cross-cultural leadership, strategic decision-making, and adaptability — all highly valued by employers globally.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this MSc, you have several options to continue your studies:

Pursue a PhD or Doctorate in International Business, Management, or Strategy if you want to focus on research.
Consider a professional MBA later, building on your placement experience and practical business skills.
Explore specialist master’s courses in areas such as sustainability, global supply chain management, or leadership, using your Kent network to find the right path.