TOP management skills in the county are set for a boost after Kent Business School won a prized seal of approval for its new Master of Business Administration programme.

The school, based at the University of Kent in Canterbury, joins an elite group of 98 business schools worldwide given accreditation by the Association of MBAs (AMBA).

It will give high-fliers with Kent-based organisations the chance to study management challenges on their doorstep.

AMBA’s International Accreditation Advisory Board approved the school’s full-time and executive MBA programmes after a team of experts assessed the courses and spent a day with staff, students past and present, and the school’s advisory board of business people.

Martyn Jones, school director, was delighted that one of his main aims since taking over the job 18 months ago had been achieved.

The accolade showed that the school was a key player in business education, he said.

"This is an important milestone in the history of Kent Business School and we look forward to building on this success with our students, alumni and the rest of the business community."

Chris Bristow, the schoool’s director of postgraduate management programmes, said the decision gave the school "a kitemark of quality".

It would mean attracting more applicants from inside the county and beyond, including overseas, he said.

The school has close links with France and French students are expected to join the courses, along with those from other parts of mainland Europe.

"We have been very parochial, very Kent focused which we will continue to be but we want to reach out to a bigger community."

The part-time courses will feature four one-week modules in each of two years.

They would spotlight real business problems, Mr Bristow added, and meet employers’ need for flexibility.

Part-time students will share half the teaching with full-time students.

"We really believe this is an opportunity for individuals to add balue to the organisations they come from," said Mr Bristow.

It will cost £9,800 for a candidate on the part-time programme over two years.