What can I do with a degree in Business and Management

What can I do with a degree in Business & Management?

The University of Kent's Business Management degrees provide a robust foundation in management principles, leadership, marketing and data-driven decision-making to effectively lead businesses, innovatively. Students can gain practical experience through industry placements and projects, enhancing their employability in a competitive job market. Get ideas and inspiration here before booking a one-to-one appointment with a careers adviser.

Careers in Business & Management

The following roles are examples of the types of job opportunities available to graduates of Business Management programmes, drawing on skills in leadership, strategic thinking, communication, and organisational analysis.

Business Analyst- Evaluate business processes and provide data-driven recommendations for improvement.

Project Manager- Oversee projects to ensure timely and budget-compliant completion. Project managers are prevalent in a wide range of industries from construction to IT and Healthcare enabling graduates to link management expertise to other interests.

Marketing Executive- Develop strategies to promote products or services and engage customers through traditional and digital marketing.

Operations (Production) Manager- Manage daily operations and processes to enhance business efficiency, productivity and outcomes.

Data Analyst- Interpretation of complex data sets to provide insights and support for evidence-based decision making in public, private, or non-profit sectors.

Management Consultant- Using business and finance acumen to assist organisations to improve business performance by cutting costs, increasing productivity, creating value and maximising growth.

Human Resources Officer- Conduct recruitment processes, employee relations, and organisational development and act as a liaison between managers and employees.

Supply Chain Manager- Optimise supply chain processes at all stages of the process from purchasing raw materials to delivery of the final products using data analytics, forecasting to inventory management.

Alternative career paths

Civil Service Fast Stream- Offers accelerated career development in government, with opportunities in areas like policy, finance, and digital services.

Recruitment Consultant- Match candidates to roles within client organisations, using business insight and people skills to support hiring strategies.

Business Development Executive/Manager-Identify growth opportunities, build client relationships, and support strategic sales and partnerships.

Event Manager- Plan and deliver business or public events, managing budgets, logistics, and stakeholder coordination to meet client needs.

Law Conversion (e.g. SQE)- A conversion route for non-law graduates to qualify as solicitors through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).

Finance- Apply business and project management skills in the finance sector.

Where do University of Kent graduates work?

This is a selection of organisations that have employed University of Kent graduates in the past. There are many more possible employers in these and other industries.

  • Large Corporations: Unilever, Amazon, BT, HSBC, Barclays, Procter & Gamble
  • Consultancy Firms: Deloitte, Accenture, PwC, KPMG, Grant Thornton, BDO
  • Technology and Digital: Huawei, Reflect Digital, various startups and fintech companies
  • Public Sector and Non-Profits: NHS, Civil Service, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce
  • Retail and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods: ASOS, Caterpillar, Tesco

Graduates can pursue careers unrelated to their degree by combining transferable skills, like communication, problem-solving, and analytical thinking, with their interests and experiences. Book an appointment with a Careers Advisor to explore your options.  

Find a job

The Careers and Employability Service provides information and advice on job searching to University of Kent students and recent graduates. This includes Uni Kent Careers Hub, advertising a range of graduate jobs, placement year and vacation work/internships.  

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Business & Management recruitment platforms

Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Jobs Management and leadership-focused positions.

CIPD Jobs For HR and people management roles.

Institute of Marketing Jobs (CIM) Marketing-related roles and career advice.

Association of Project Management (APM) Project management-specific opportunities.

Efinancialcareers For business analysts, finance, and tech.

DataJobs UK  Data analysis and insight roles.

briefcase

General graduate job search platforms

Gradcracker

Prospects

TargetJobs

LinkedIn Jobs

Tips to stand out

  • Gain real-world experience: Engage in internships, placements, or part time roles to build industry experience and client-facing skills.
  • Develop digital skills: Proficiency in tools like Microsoft Excel and Access, Tableau, Power BI and SQL management systems are highly valued.
  • Develop commercial awareness: Regularly read business news or listen to business podcasts to maintain commercial awareness.
  • Prepare for assessments: Practise numerical and situational judgement tests using Kent’s access to Graduates First to boost your confidence for graduate scheme applications.
  • Network with alumni and mentors: Use LinkedIn and Kent’s Career Mentoring scheme to build connections with alumni and professionals and attend university events to gain insights into your target roles and industries.
  • Engage in Extracurricular Activities: Participate in societies such as The Kent Business Society and UKC Women in Business, and engage in leadership programmes and initiatives like ASPIRE at Kent Business School to develop transferable skills.

Year in industry

A  year in industry can have a big impact on your employability. By gaining real-world experience and learning key skills in the workplace, and pairing these with the knowledge you gain on your degree, you can become a highly employable candidate in the labour market. The year can be based in the UK or abroad, including your home country if you're an international student, and contribute to your final degree. At The University of Kent, many courses include an optional year in industry between your second and final year, where you undertake graduate-level work related to your studies.     

Further study  

Graduates may choose to pursue postgraduate qualifications to specialise further or transition into research roles, or they may decide to enhance their career prospects with professional certifications such as Chartered Management Institute (CMI), PRINCE2 or CIPD.

Postgraduate Courses at Kent

Prospects – Postgraduate Study

Find a Masters

What is an MBA? | Prospects.ac.uk