Doctorate in Business Administration

Entry requirements

• You will need a Master's degree or equivalent in a subject area relevant to the proposed research topic.
• A minimum of two years' post-qualification professional practice and ability to demonstrate professional competence of a high standard in the relevant research area.
• EU and international students need IELTS 6.5 overall (with a minimum of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in any other component) or equivalent.

Months of entry

January, April, June, September

Course content

With around 150 candidates working across 5 continents, the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) programme is one of the largest of its kind in Europe.

You’ll develop skills in business through an in-depth research project on a topic of your choice and the development of advanced academic skills. You’ll cover a wide range of research topics, from consumer behaviour to management accounting, or leadership to production control. The key is that you are able to develop doctoral work that has relevance to theory and practice.

Based in our purpose-built Business School at our Oxstalls Campus, Gloucester, you’ll develop professionally, build connections and enhance your knowledge and skills on our range of flexible courses, many of which are accredited by industry bodies. Our lecturers are current and active business professionals, experts and researchers who apply real-world industry experience to their teaching.

Study style

The DBA is a structured route to doctoral-level achievement. The initial pre-thesis modular element lasts 18 months, after which you present your formal research plan. You then enter the thesis phase, which lasts a minimum of a further 18 months. At its conclusion, you present and defend a thesis in a viva voce exam. DBA classes are limited to a maximum of 20 people who benefit from a collaborative learning environment.

Modules include: Reflective professional development, Systematic literature review, Methodological fundamentals and Research methods and analysis.

Fees and funding