Doctorate Business Administration (DBA)

Course overview:

The DBA is a professional doctorate equivalent to a PhD but with a strong focus on applied research. It enables you to make a significant contribution to the enhancement of professional practice through the application and development of theoretical frameworks and perspectives.

This programme gives you the opportunity to combine advanced study with professional experience. The structure allows you to gain knowledge and confidence in academic research at the beginning of the programme, followed by support from your supervisory team during the DBA Advanced Independent Work module. Examples of previous research include studies of commitment to personal development, changes in public sector organisation, and the impact of organisational culture on efficiency.

All DBA lecturers are research-active and able to supervise a wide range of academic and practical research topics. You are encouraged to develop your reflexivity, positioning yourself as a critically informed practitioner. There is a possibility to choose between two pathways (part-time or full-time) depending on personal and professional circumstances.

The programme allows you to build on previous learning in an area of business and/or management and expand skills and knowledge to undertake a doctoral-level study.

Career opportunities:

Typically graduates move into senior management and strategic leadership roles, internal consultant/project leadership roles or into external consultancy roles. DBA applicants are expected to be relatively senior business-based professionals at point of entry, so whilst the course will allow you to build on your existing work experience and skills, it will develop you as a research-informed business leader who is able to apply best practice within your organisational context and towards your own managerial practices.

Applicants should have a master's degree in a subject that has aspects that relate to business and/or management, together with a minimum of three years' managerial experience.