Kingston Business School achieves prestigious EFMD international accreditation for two highly commended courses

Kingston Business School has successfully secured reaccreditation of its prestigious EFMD Programme Accreditation for its International Business BSc and International Business Management MSc programmes. This reinforces its position in an elite group of just 12 business schools in the UK that hold this distinguished recognition.

The accreditation, awarded by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), places the Business School, based at Kingston University’s Kingston Hill campus, among only 149 accredited programmes from 117 institutions across 42 countries worldwide.

The EFMD Peer Review Team identified two outstanding Areas of Excellence at Kingston Business School, with the University’s Future Skills strategy and the international faculty attracting particular praise in feedback.

Head of Kingston Business School Professor Sankar Sivarajah said the accreditation provided institutional assurance that the quality of higher education at the Business School is outstanding. "It gives students reassurance that they are obtaining fit-for-purpose business education, delivered by staff who are researching and working with the right businesses," he said. 

Professor Sivarajah emphasised the benefits for students, highlighting the rigorous industry relevance of curriculum design, opportunities for internationalised experience and the research excellence woven into the programme which is combined with connections to the world of practice and businesses.

“The accreditation demonstrates Kingston's commitment to a human-centric, enterprising, and future-proofed business school," he commented. "We have a responsibility to deliver foundation knowledge - but beyond that, there's significance given to human-centric skills. These are life skills organisations need – curiosity, creative thinking, the ability to think outside the box when resource poor.  Our programmes are designed to develop crucial life skills that cannot be learned from textbooks alone.”

The University's innovative Future Skills initiative was praised for its strong integration of employability into the curriculum. It was described as "highly commendable and extremely appreciated by students." The student-centred approach ensures graduates enter the working world equipped with the practical capabilities demanded by modern employers.

The International Faculty delivering the International Business Management MSc programme also received special recognition. The review highlighted their international expertise, diversity, commitment, and enthusiasm, particularly noting their contribution to strengthening Kingston's global connections through a collaborative, culturally diverse approach.

EFMD accreditation involves an extensive evaluation process. The Business School submitted a comprehensive 100-page Self-Assessment Report, followed by a two-and-a-half-day visit from four international peer reviewers representing leading business schools from around the world alongside a practice-based consultant.

Reviewers examined every aspect of the programmes, from curriculum design and student quality to research output and international partnerships. They interviewed senior management, staff, students, alumni, and support teams to verify the School's commitment to excellence.

EFMD Programme Accreditation is globally recognised for emphasising academic rigour, practical relevance, internationalisation, and sustainability. As one of only 12 UK business schools holding this distinction, Kingston Business School's achievement underscores its dedication to delivering innovative, impactful business education that prepares students for success in an increasingly complex global marketplace.

Looking to the future, Professor Sivarajah emphasised that the achievement represented an ongoing commitment rather than a final destination. "This accreditation is not just a badge of honour – it's a commitment that we will continue to be at the forefront of business education. Kingston Business School is constantly evolving to ensure our programmes remain relevant, internationally-minded, and connected to the real world of practice."

• Find out more about Kingston Business School.
• Apply to study International Business BSc or International Business Management MSc.