Who Can Apply
The Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) is ideally suited for a select group of individuals with a unique blend of ambition, experience, and a thirst for academic and professional advancement.
This program is tailored for:
- Experienced Professionals:
Those with significant experience in business and management, often at the senior executive or managerial level, are eager to further refine their expertise and credentials.
- Aspiring Thought Leaders:
Individuals who aspire to become thought leaders and visionaries within their respective industries, with a desire to contribute new knowledge and innovative solutions to the field.
- Change Agents:
Professionals who are driven by a commitment to bring about positive change in their organizations and industries through research-driven insights and strategies.
- Lifelong Learners:
Those with an insatiable appetite for learning wish to continually push the boundaries of their knowledge and capabilities.
The DBA program is designed for individuals who see themselves as catalysts for progress, seeking to make a lasting impact in business and management through rigorous academic study and research.
- Future Academics:
Aspiring academics who aim to bridge the gap between practical business expertise and academic research, potentially transitioning into roles as university professors or researchers.
The DBA program is designed for individuals who see themselves as catalysts for progress, seeking to make a lasting impact in business and management through rigorous academic study and research.
Programme structure
The DBA program, encompassing both the direct entry option for MBA holders and the standard four-year track for those with a postgraduate qualification in business or a related area, is structured to progress through two distinct phases.
In the initial phase, which applies to all participants regardless of their chosen pathway, students must complete an 'upgrade viva' within 12 months of their registration in the DBA program. During this upgrade viva, students must present and defend their research proposal. This critical milestone ensures that each student has a robust and viable research plan for their doctoral journey.
The coursework for the first two years, delivered through bi-weekly online supervision meetings and a virtual learning environment, is designed to support this process. During this period, students delve into mandatory advanced topics such as research methodologies, quantitative and statistical analysis, qualitative analysis, and optional topics such as strategic management, organisational theory, and the use of AI for education. Alongside this, students engage in preparatory work for their doctoral dissertation under the guidance of their academic advisors. This preparation includes two essential elements: a comprehensive literature review in their chosen research area, due by the end of the first academic year, and a preliminary thesis proposal, due by the end of the second year.
The second phase of the DBA program culminates in the final viva, where students defend their doctoral thesis. This event should occur between 1 and 6 years following the successful completion of the upgrade viva. The timing of this final defence is flexible to accommodate the diverse pace and intensity of research work students undertake, depending on whether they are on the accelerated direct entry pathway or the standard four-year track.
