Doctor of Business Administration

Entry requirements

You will normally be expected to be an MBA graduate, professionally qualified, with at least five years’ experience as a director/senior manager, recognised as a high achiever in a non-academic environment.

International students: in addition to the above, overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) and no less than 5.5 in any individual component.

Months of entry

August

Course content

Contemporary employment requires high levels of intellectual sophistication, with employers specifically recruiting candidates with doctoral qualifications. The DBA enhances your professional and executive practice through the application of rigorous research to real and complex issues.

The programme will appeal to those wishing to gain the highest level of professional qualification available in business and management, by undertaking world-class doctoral study. It will be of interest to leaders and managers working in the private sector, health, local authorities and higher education, enhancing your professional and executive practice through the application of rigorous research to real and complex issues in business and management.

Full-time option

The taught DBA programme focuses on advanced strategic management modules and a research thesis.

Phase One lasts 12 months and involves four taught, compulsory core modules, each studied in an allocated three month learning period :

• Strategy into Action
• Strategic Thinking and Value Management
• Leadership and Professional Development
• Research Methodology and Proposal

Phase Two involves 24 months’ thesis work. You will have at least one academic supervisor who will provide guidance and encouragement.

NB Full-time and part-time students can exit with a Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Business Practice after completing the two core modules.

Part-time option

This offers two phases of learning experience and commitment for all students.

Phase One – Year 1: taught component (two core modules)

• Research Methodology and Proposal
• Strategic Thinking and Value Management

Students can then progress to Year 2 following successful completion of the above modules.

Phase One – Year 2: taught component (two core modules)

• Strategy into Action
• Leadership and Professional Development

On gaining the Postgraduate Diploma, students will have the option of moving to Phase Two of the DBA which involves the thesis stage (see above for details).

Candidates must have the ability and opportunity to conduct detailed research with one or more participating organisation(s). Access to and support from appropriate organisation(s) is essential for initial selection of candidates and during the programme.

Qualification and course duration

DBA by taught

Course contact details