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DBA Doctor of Business Administration

Heriot-Watt University is a research-led university in the UK. REF 2021 classed 86.8% of our research and 88.6% of our research outputs as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Edinburgh Business School

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The DBA is a professional research degree, designed to support you and give you the skills you need to deliver unique solutions in your sector or organisation, based on accurate and unbiased analysis of situations therein.

The programme is led by academics at the Edinburgh Business School and is suitable for professionals with a number of years of work experience who wish to explore advanced principles of business administration.

We have designed the DBA to fit around your working life as a self study, online programme.

Programme duration

The average time needed to complete the DBA is five years. There is no fixed start date, so you can begin at any time.

Entry requirements

• Fees and funding

The programme consists of two stages: the course stage and the research stage, and builds on the learning gathered on completion of an MBA or MSc programme. 

The course stage

The course stage will equip you with the knowledge and expertise needed to develop the topic of your thesis and your understanding of the research process. The stage comprises of three courses, Doctoral Business Research 1, 2 and 3. Each course is assessed by a three-hour examination.

Optional on-campus 4-day seminars are available at our Edinburgh and Dubai campuses for each of the RM courses. Download our research methods and teaching timetable 2022/23

On successful completion of the three courses, not only will you have you have the theory, knowledge, tools and techniques required to embark on a doctoral research programme, but you are also awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Research Methods, a significant University award in its own right.

Edinburgh Business School sits within the School of Social Sciences (SoSS) which has an integrated, research-driven community, delivering insight, knowledge and expertise across a range of disciplines. Our world-leading research is based around our research centres:

• The Centre for Applied Behavioural Sciences (CABS)
• The Centre for Logistics and Sustainability (CLS)
• The Centre for Networks and Enterprise Excellence (CNEE)
• The Centre for Employment, Work and the Professions (CREWs)
• The Centre for Social and Economic Data Analytics (CSEDA)

Research Methods 1: An Introduction

This course presents the first step in a basic review of the nature of research and methods for business and management doctoral students. It will provide students with the practical research tools and the theoretical background for critiquing and designing research on a variety of topics. It also serves as a useful guide as to the content required in a thesis, the nature of examination for a doctoral degree, and how to generate research questions and write in an appropriate ‘academic’ style.

Download Research Methods 1 course taster

Research Methods 2: The Qualitative Researcher

This course introduces qualitative research methods for business and management doctoral students. It will help students to assess the advantages and disadvantages of different qualitative methods and look at how they can combine with each other. Moreover, it provides a holistic understanding of the qualitative research process starting from outline of philosophical underpinnings to qualitative data collection, analysis and reporting.

Download Research Methods 2 course taster

Research Methods 3: The Quantitative Researcher

This course introduces quantitative research methods for business and management doctoral students. It will provide an understanding of the different techniques available from data collection through to analysis. The course is designed as an introduction to quantitative techniques, bridging into more advance ones with a comprehensive coverage of the most commonly used methods. The course will also train students on the use of SPSS statistical software to carry out analysis and apply the techniques covered within the course.

Download Research Methods 3 course taster

The research stage 

On completion of the three courses, you will be asked to finalise your research idea and discuss it with potential supervisor from within our Faculty.

Once a supervisor is in place, they will guide you throughout the development of your idea to the final thesis. Electronic communication takes place on a secure web board within your student portal and is supplemented using MS Teams meetings. Your final thesis will be examined by an oral defence (Viva Voce) of your research.

The DBA programme at Edinburgh Business School offers a unique opportunity to study a part-time, flexible doctorate. It couples first-class research methods training with senior academics to produce world-leading practitioners of research-based business solutions Dr Jesus Canduela, Head of DBA Programme

We welcome applications from suitably qualified applicants throughout the academic year and you can commence your studies once you are offered a place on the programme. To apply, please complete the application form and submit this along with the required supporting documents.

Please note that possession of the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee entry on to the programme. We will select the best candidates based on academic and professional credentials and those whose research interests are aligned with the School's Research Centres.

Work experience

Applicants are required to have a minimum of 5 years relevant, managerial-level work experience. A CV showing evidence of your career progression should be submitted along with your application form.

Qualifications

Entry on to the DBA programme requires a Masters degree in a relevant field from a recognised institution, equal in standard to one offered by Heriot-Watt University. Please submit a certified colour copy of your degree transcript and certificate or a copy sent directly from the awarding institution.

Research interests

The application form requires you to give a brief overview of your research idea. You should also specify which of the School's Research Centres you believe is most suited to your research interests. 

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language and it has been over two years since you studied your Masters degree in English, we will require proof of English proficiency. This can be either the results of an IELTS test with a minimum score of 6.5 with no score lower than 6.0 in reading, writing, speaking and listening (which needs to have been taken within the past two years). 

We can also accept a letter from your employers HR department confirming that English is the main language in your workplace.

We require two references, preferably one academic and one professional. These are to be written on an official letterhead. 

Fees for this course can be found on the tuition fees page.

Additional scholarship information

Find out more about Edinburgh Business School's scholarships and funding opportunities.

DBA Doctorate of Business Administration

Gain fresh insights into a real-world business problem on this DBA degree. Its strong emphasis on rigorous research will help you take your critical and analytical skills to a new level to enhance your professional credentials.

Introducing your degree

Advance your career by studying for a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) at Southampton Business School. This DBA, which is among the research-focused courses offered in the UK, will give you access to the latest ideas in your sector and enable you to apply them to a real-world problem within your organisation. As well as sharpening your critical and analytical skills, you will develop your managerial capabilities and apply your learning in the workplace. You’ll be supervised by leading academics with expertise in your area of research, who will share their knowledge and support you throughout your DBA journey. This part-time degree is designed for senior managers and consultants who want to study at an advanced level while working full time. It can be completed over a maximum of seven years although you can choose to complete within four. We offer the flexibility to pause your studies or extend the course duration to fit around your professional commitments.

Programme Overview

Make a step change in your career by studying for a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) at Southampton Business School. The DBA is equivalent to a PhD, but focuses on high-level strategic business problems rather than purely academic questions. Supervised by expert academics, you’ll apply the latest concepts and methodologies to a real-world issue within your organisation or business sector. You’ll also devise and follow a professional development plan, through which you will demonstrate the impact of your studies on your own practice and development. 

To ensure we maintain our reputation for academic excellence, this course has a small, select intake. Our students are senior managers or consultants who are looking to challenge themselves and who have approached us with a robust research idea.

We welcome applications from candidates with either an MBA or MSc (preferably in a management-related subject), or a professional business qualification. In addition, candidates must have at least seven years’ work experience, with a substantial part of this spent in a managerial or equivalent role. Applications from international students are welcome, but please note that this degree is not available on a full-time basis.

View the Doctoral Programme Profile for this course

To apply to the School's DBA programme:

• In the first instance, please complete the  DBA Research Proposal Form and email it to the DBA Director,  Professor Simon Wolfe , for consideration.
• Professor Wolfe may then ask you to complete a University of Southampton online application form, where you will need to submit your supporting documents online (see the red button 'Apply for this Course' above).
• Designed for senior executives and consultants who want to make a step change in their career or stand out from their competitors.
• This DBA concentrates on rigorous, independent research, unlike many other UK DBA degrees that include more taught or project-based elements.
• You’ll work with two research-active supervisors who will offer expert support and guidance throughout your studies.
• Students have up to a maximum of seven years but the programme can be completed over four years. There is the flexibility to pause your studies or extend the course duration to accommodate changing professional commitments.
• Degree awarded: Doctorate

Director of Programme

Professor Simon Wolfe BA, MSc, PhD

Professor Simon Wolfe is Director of the Centre for Digital Finance (CDF), and Director of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Programme within Southampton Business School at the University of Southampton.

Our students

Mark hollyoake.

Mark Hollyoake, a student on our Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) course talks about his study experience at Southampton Business School.

Eilis Collins

Eilis Collins is a Doctor of Business Administration student within Southampton Business School.

Hamid Reza Maleki

Hamid Reza Maleki is a Doctor of Business Administration student within Southampton Business School.

Belinda Nwosu

Belinda Nwosu is a Doctor of Business Administration student within Southampton Business School.

David J O’Connor

David J O’Connor is a Doctor of Business Administration student within Southampton Business School.

Alexander Culley

Alexander Culley is a Doctor of Business Administration Candidate within Southampton Business School.

Entry Requirements

Typical entry requirements.

Your application will be carefully considered by a specialist member of the academic staff who will weigh up many factors. These include your academic achievements, interests and aptitudes, as well as your motivation and your referee's confidential report.

Selection process

We make our decisions in most cases on the application form and supporting documents alone. Candidates who require special consideration, eg on grounds of age, disability or non-standard entry qualifications, may be interviewed.

This page contains specific entry requirements for this course. Find out about equivalent entry requirements and qualifications for your country.

Programme Structure

Typical course content.

The DBA is a part-time degree designed for professionals in full-time employment. It can be completed within four years, based on around 16 to 20 hours per week of study. However, we recognise that some people may take longer to qualify due to changing professional demands. The maximum time for completion of the course is seven years (84 months).

The degree has a two-part structure:

Part one covers the first two years of study. During this time you’ll attend a one-week induction module during the first semester,  which will introduce you to the nature of doctoral research, critical evaluation skills and the principles of academic writing. You’ll meet the supervisors who will guide you through the research process and agree how you can best work together. You’ll also be required to complete a five-day residential research module during the second semester and submit a number of assignments, including a literature review, thesis critique and your research proposal.

Part two (years three and four of the programme) is spent conducting independent research, analysing the results and writing them up for your thesis. 

In every year of study you’ll take part in at least one two-day doctoral workshop , known as a colloquium. This offers a chance to present your research proposals, discuss the development of your ideas and gain feedback from your fellow students and the academic team.

Expert supervision  

You’ll be supported by two leading published academic supervisors who are active researchers and therefore well placed to guide you through the degree. Our supervisors include experts in a range of areas including human resources management, business strategy, risk management, organisation behaviour, leadership, change management, accounting and marketing.

Through quarterly meetings, either online or face to face , they will support you throughout your DBA studies. Many of our supervisors are experienced management practitioners, so will be able to provide mentoring in relation to your professional development goals.

For example, Dr Mel Ashleigh : 

• was an HR specialist in industry and has a wealth of experience in people management and training
• is a fully qualified team trainer
• is a consultant and trainer in psychotherapy and coaching, for independent clients and counselling organisations
• ran training programmes for outside agencies for student recruitment, such as PwC
• advised on HR management and training issues as a school board governor for an independent school
• is in private practice as a counsellor and life coach
• is an active researcher whose interests include trust at individual, team and organisational levels, team training, career perspectives and trans active memory.

Make a real-life impact  

The DBA is an opportunity to explore a complex, real-world organisational or management issue, using the latest theories and research methods. For example, current students are:

• exploring the challenges of building trust-based business-to-business customer relationships
• finding out how to motivate and engage employees to reduce staff turnover in the fast food industry
• investigating the factors that contribute to effective purchaser-provider relationships, looking at this in the context of contract negotiation
• looking at ways to overcome resistance to change within an established sector
• Graduate development programs and the future world of work

View the programme specification for this course for 2018/19 entrants View the programme specification for this course for 2019/20 entrants

Fees & funding

Tuition fees.

Scholarships, bursaries, sponsorships or grants may be available to support you through your course. Funding opportunities available to you are linked to your subject area and/or your country of origin. These can be from the University of Southampton or other sources.

Learning & Teaching

Most of your DBA studies will involve independent research and study, with one taught module on research methods .

Before you start the course, you’ll be asked to assess yourself against a set of professional and research competence criteria, and to prepare an outline proposal for your research project. These will be discussed during your induction.

You’ll be assessed through a range of assignments and on your thesis.

During part one of the course you will be required to:

• complete a five-day residential research module and submit a 5,000-word essay for assessment
• present a 5,000-word literature review and your research proposal
• present a 3,000-word reflective document outlining how your studies have contributed to your professional development
• present a 5,000-word critique of a PhD thesis related to your area of research

Your final assessment will be in the form of:

• a 70,000-word thesis based on your original research
• a formal interview, known as a viva, at which you’ll defend your thesis
• a 5,000-word reflective report showing how the learning experience has contributed to your professional development and how you have been able apply your learning to your professional practice

Supporting your studies

This is a challenging degree so we ensure you have plenty of support to help you succeed. Your supervisors will offer support, guidance and constructive criticism throughout the course, and may be able to offer mentoring as part of your professional development plan. You’ll also have access to professional development courses and the University’s world-class library resources, both on campus and online.

Regular research colloquia provide an opportunity for peer review and support. If you are interested in developing your academic skills and networks further, you’ll be encouraged to prepare academic papers and present at conferences.

Career Opportunities

Whatever your sector or your motivation for studying, the research-based approach of the Southampton Business School DBA will help you to advance your career. Achieving a DBA qualification will:

• develop your analytic and critical skills, enabling you to approach business challenges in new ways
• build your credentials and differentiate you from other consultants or professionals in your field
• enable you to develop an evidence-based consulting model or management tool that will give you a competitive advantage
• help you to move towards a career in academia, or a portfolio career that includes academic aspects

Study locations

Business School - Highfield Campus, Building 2

Find out more

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Our DBA generates pioneering research, valuable knowledge and leading insights into the rapidly evolving world of modern business. Study a professional doctoral degree that enhances executive and professional practice.

At a glance

• One of only eleven programmes globally to have gained the prestigious AMBA accreditation
• Choose from a range of DBA research topics
• Take part in activities run by our Research Centres
• Develop your competency to undertake research
• Gain the advantage of engaging with supervisors right from the beginning and throughout every stage of the programme
• In-country support for South African students

The DBA programme contributes to the research excellence of Henley Business School and theses produced receive commendations from accrediting bodies and examiners alike. Candidates include prestigious competition winners and the quality of the research is regularly praised as being of the highest quality, by scholars with global reputations in their fields. DBA research students are members of our School structure and are encouraged to take part in the Business School’s research centre activities. By conducting original research in their specialist area, candidates are able to further their careers and build expertise to contribute towards growing competitive advantage and differentiating themselves in the marketplace.

What is a DBA?

The Henley DBA is a part-time professional doctoral degree with an international scope and reputation. The programme is designed to enhance executive and professional practice. This is through the application of sound theory and rigorous research into real and complex issues in business and management.

It enhances the capability to develop and apply knowledge and theory, and a key element of the DBA is a programme of Personal Development in the context of rigorous and relevant research.

The Henley DBA will enable you to:

• Develop a sound understanding of the conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of your chosen area of research into business and management.
• Have a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic and management enquiry.
• Create and interpret knowledge through original research. Enhance both your performance as a reflective practitioner and your professional practice.
• Develop personal competences to undertake rigorous research at an advanced level. Also, to contribute to theory and practice in business and management.

Who should consider a DBA?

The programme will be of particular benefit to experienced senior executives, consultants, management educators and business school academics.

A DBA from Henley will enhance professional capability and credibility. You will develop networks and provide a firm foundation for further career development, or a major career move. Employers benefit from supporting candidates for the DBA by attracting, developing and retaining key talent and building knowledge for competitive advantage.

DBA and PhDs: Equal but different

The DBA has both rigour and relevance as it contributes to theory and practice in business and management. The DBA typically focuses on research ‘in’ organisations rather than research ‘on’ organisations and is often cross-disciplinary.

Programme Structure Open

The Henley DBA has two distinct stages:

Stage 1 – completion of five compulsory modules:

• Introduction to Academic Research
• Introduction to Research Design and Methodology
• Introduction to Qualitative Techniques
• Introduction to Quantitative Techniques
• Completing your Research - Contribution and Impact
• Personal Development

The first five modules are to be completed within the first 18 months of the programme. Each module has mandatory workshops, normally held on campus in Henley-on-Thames, UK. Whilst the first workshop must be attended in-person, it may be possible to join the other workshops remotely, on request. Each module has a number of assessed assignments.

There are also additional optional modules available via the Graduate School, for example, Advanced Qualitative Methods, Understanding Management and Financial Research, International Business and International Human Resource Management and Long Run Development of International Business Theory. Please note that these modules are subject to change.

Confirmation of Registration – a formal milestone to be completed around Month 18-36 into the DBA.

• Further developing own research area
• Personal Action Research Project
• Doctoral thesis (including a viva voce examination).

Support and Supervision

Core support.

The overall academic content and quality of your programme will be led by the Director of the DBA Programme. The Doctoral Programme Team will support you throughout the process through to graduation.

In joining, you will gain access to the Henley Business School library which has extensive facilities for undertaking research. This includes journals, textbooks, newspapers and online resources, plus previous doctoral theses and research articles. In addition to the physical Libraries at the Greenlands and Whiteknights campuses, you will also be able to access the Online Library via the Business School website. You will have full-text access to thousands of journal articles, company financial data and market research reports.

Supervisors

Throughout the research process, you will have support and guidance from two supervisors. They will guide you through the research process to submission of the thesis for examination at the viva.

Research Topics Open

There are a number of DBA research topics across the various academic disciplines at Henley Business School. These have been organised by research areas. Only proposals that align with one of the categories below will be considered.

Research areas

• Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting
• Finance (ICMA Centre)
• Management (International Business and Strategy)
• Management (Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour)
• Management (Marketing and Reputation)
• Real Estate & Planning

When writing your research proposal, please indicate at the top of the proposal to which topic/faculty member (where applicable) your research outline corresponds, and include your name .

Fees & funding Open

2024/2025 dba fees.

*10% discount for University of Reading alumni for Year 1 and Year 2

**10% discount for applicants with full exemption from taught element (including Henley MSc Business and Management Research graduates) for Year 1 and Year 2.

Applicants may be eligible to apply for funding/student loans:

Doctoral loans – Doctoral and Researcher College (reading.ac.uk)

Student Finance GOV.UK (or please check information in your country of residence)

How to apply Open

Entry requirements.

If you are seeking to enter the DBA programme, you'll normally be expected to hold a Masters degree in the broad area of business or management, together with at least five years' relevant experience.

To apply for the Henley DBA please complete the online application form and provide the required documents. You will need to include one business reference and one academic reference. You will also need to provide a Research Proposal detailing your DBA research topic (2000-3000 words). You should consult the Research Proposal Notes document before writing the Research Proposal and must select a topic from one of the areas shown on the Academic Areas page, as these are the areas of expertise within the Business School.

Please indicate on your Research Proposal under which topic/faculty member (where applicable) your research falls (and include your name) . Topics not listed on the Academic Areas webpages will not be considered.

Alumni Talk Open

Please click on the DBA alumni clips below to further understand why undertaking a DBA at Henley Business School may be right for you and your career.

Dr Sharon Varney

Director of organisational consulting and research practice.

Dr Sharon Varney is a specialist in developing people and organisations. She works at a strategic level and engages at a very human level. Her doctoral research applied complexity theory to explore organisational change and its leadership. Sharon now uses that research to help leaders discover emerging organisational patterns in the midst of change.

Dr Kathryn Hall Newton

“As a branding strategist, I now have a unique point of difference in the marketplace. I am able to add value to branding strategy and marketing research because I have gained leading edge academic insight and rigour through the DBA program which I can combine with my traditional brand management work experience.”

Dr Ben Van Den Assem

Consultant and researcher.

“The DBA has opened up different avenues to explore given my theoretical and practical experience…which positions me well for my next consultancy piece.”

If you have any questions, please contact us by email or by phone.

Visit the South African support office website for Henley's UK DBA.

For the South African support office, please contact Professor Danie Petzer by email.

“My Henley experience has been such an incredible one, right through from the admission process to my current DBA stage. The learning curve has been smooth due to the awesome learning support. ”

“Pursuing a DBA with Henley Business School is one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has provided me with invaluable knowledge, skills, and connections, supported by an in-depth personal development journey. ”

“My DBA experience was extraordinary, in terms of the learning whilst opening up my world to vast opportunities that allowed me to have a real impact in my career while aligning my passion with purpose.”

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Management (marketing & reputation) phd opportunities.

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Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) DBA

Course detail, entry requirements.

• Study & career progression

If you are a middle or senior manager our Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) course is designed so that you can study part-time while you work and carry out research project based on your professional practice settings.

On this course you will carry out advanced research into a key aspect of business administration, underpinned by a series of taught modules. The aim of the DBA is to produce independent researchers who can make an original contribution to knowledge in Business Administration.

QAA (2016), Status of the Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) in the UK states that “The Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) sits on the highest level of The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree Awarding Bodies (level 8 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and level 12 in Scotland).

The DBA is an award which meets the qualification descriptor for this level in full. All UK doctorates, regardless of their form, require the main focus of the candidate's work to demonstrate an original contribution to knowledge in their subject, field or profession, through original research or the original application of existing knowledge or understanding.”

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with us?

What our students say…

Studying for a doctorate alongside work can be very challenging and I am grateful for all the positive support I received throughout my studies. Knowing that your supervisor is there for you makes such a difference.

Course structure

Part One (years 1 and 2) consists of six modules that offer participants guided study in key areas of Entrepreneurship and Leadership, Professionalism in Social context and research methods.  Each of the taught modules will result in a written assessment ( Pass mark is 60% ).

Part Two (Years 3 to year 5) – After passing ALL Part One modules, students will present a formal research proposal (which has been developing throughout Year 1 and Year 2 of your studies) to the Supervisors Panel. The Panel will make recommendation whether the students can proceed to the DBA Thesis stage. At DBA Thesis stage, students carry out an original and independent research under the supervision team of at least two members of staff and produce a DBA Thesis (45,000 to 50,000 words), to be submitted between the ends of year 4 and year 5, which will be assessed by Viva by a Panel of Examiners.

Taught Modules Delivery

Each taught module lasts for one academic semester. One of the six Part One modules will be available in each semester. Each taught module’s teaching is carried out through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops (in a block of 3 days) and online support where the emphasis is on discussion. Most of the time, however, are for the students work on the assessed assignments which is research-based (at Level 8).

• Year 1 & 2
• Year 3 to Year 5

Compulsory modules

Executive leadership: critical reflection & perspectives, professionalism in social context, methods of professional enquiry and research, strategic entrepreneurship: theory and practice, connecting research and practice, evaluating data in the professions.

You will carry out an original piece of research and present your work as a 45,000 to 50,000 words thesis. You will work independently with the supervision of your principal and secondary supervisor.

• Requirements: International

You will normally need:

• an IELTS score (International English Language Testing System) of minimum 6.5 (with no element under 6.0) for international applicants. Visit our English language requirements page  for information on other English language tests we accept. Applicants with a previous degree obtained in the UK are exempt from this requirement.
• a Master’s Degree with Merit or Distinction or equivalent in the relevant field of study.
• a minimum of two years' full-time work experience in supervisory/managerial roles that are relevant to the subject you wish to study.
• to be currently employed in a professional capacity in a field related to Business Management. 

You should be researching and developing professional practice in an area that falls within the Claude Littner Business School's current research activities, to enable us to appoint suitable supervisors.

Along with your application,  you will normally need:

• a copy of your Master’s Degree  transcript and Master's dissertation
• a copy of your CV
• a research proposal (1,500 to 2,000 words)  (pdf, 87kb)

For applicants successfully progressing from the initial stage of assessment based on the documents submitted, you will be invited to attend an interview.

Please ensure you meet the minimum entry requirements before submitting an application, and submit all required documents.

Study & career progression

Studying for a doctorate will help you to develop research skills and evidence-based practice within your professional area. 

A doctorate qualification can help you to develop your role in your current career, secure a promotion or facilitate a career change.

Completion of a professional doctorate will also allow you to progress into a postdoctoral research role.

How to apply

• How to apply: UK
• How to apply: International

You can apply online at any time by following the link below.

Our application form will ask you for some information about:

• what you want to study
• your previous qualifications or experience
• your references 
• how we can contact you.

Want to ask us a question first? We would love to hear from you. Contact us free on:

• 0800 036 8888
• [email protected]

Apply for this course

Next steps after making your application.

We aim to make a decision on your application as quickly as we can. If we need any more information about your qualifications, we will be in touch.

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Any questions about a course or studying at UWL? We're here to help - call us on 0800 036 8888 (option 2, Monday – Friday 10am-4pm) or email us on [email protected].

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* Modern universities  - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

** The National Student Survey 2022 and 2023 -   Based on an average of all 27 questions. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

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Study Postgraduate

Doctor of business administration (dba) (2024 entry).

Course code

October 2024

Minimum 4 years, up to 7 years (average 4-5 years) part-time

Qualification

Warwick Business School

University of Warwick/The Shard, London

Find out more about our Doctor of Business Administration course.

Do you have a desire to change the way your business functions, and impact the world of business with new ideas and big picture thinking? Make your mark on the world of business research and practice with a Doctorate in Business Administration.

Course overview

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is designed to provide business leaders, executives and professionals an opportunity to pursue the next step beyond their MBA or equivalent qualification.

It is equivalent in stature to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, but distinct in that you will pursue applied research rather than theoretical knowledge. The goal of the DBA is to design organisational interventions which help address real-world challenges in your business, and then to rigorously evaluate, assess and test the effectiveness of those interventions, and to communicate the findings so that both the world of practice and the world of research can benefit from your work. In this way, DBA candidates generate new knowledge – the ultimate criterion for the award of a Doctoral degree.

Our DBA is designed to produce scholar-practitioners who can enhance their organisation’s performance through evidence-based practice. The programme addresses three core areas:

• Developing a clear understanding of the nature of the problem(s) or challenges to be addressed
• Understanding the relevant bodies of knowledge across management, innovation and strategy that may inform an intervention
• Designing a research and data strategy to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.

In pursuing these goals, the DBA brings together our inspirational faculty, a unique degree programme designed to impart critical skills at the highest level, and organisational leaders and entrepreneurs with the desire and ability to make change in their organisations. Does that sound like you?

Teaching and learning

Your research training will include a series of in-person workshops delivered by leading WBS faculty at The Shard and at our University of Warwick campus. Workshops integrate content, theory, design and research methods, through a review of relevant literature. Workshops will be supplemented by readings, and online tools and resources such as short video lectures.

Year 1: four 3-day workshops and supervision, including a programme induction

Year 2: three 3-day workshops and supervision

Year 3: one 3-day workshop and supervision

Year 4: one 3-day workshop and supervision

In addition to workshops, there will be a 2-day DBA Conference each year. This conference usually takes place in January/February each year, immediately following a planned workshop, so 3 days of teaching, plus a 2-day conference). This event will allow you the opportunity to network across DBA cohorts and will provide executive-level perspectives on how to address complex business problems by becoming a scholar-practitioner.

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements.

2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) plus a good MBA or other Master’s degree. A minimum of 7 years’ senior management experience.

Please note these are minimum entry requirements and, as there are a limited number of places available on the programme, we will select the candidates with the best academic and professional credentials and whose research interests are aligned with the available expertise in WBS.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirements Link opens in a new window . This course requires the following:

• IELTS overall score of 7.0 with maximum of two components at 6.0+.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page Link opens in a new window .

Additional requirements

Find out more about how to apply for the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) .

Our research

Research for the Doctor of Business Administration is based on specific challenges facing individuals within their organisations, for which they will design and create an intervention, with the guidance of an experienced supervisor from the WBS faculty.

You will be assigned a supervisor with the relevant expertise to support you in shaping your research. Typically, they will be a research active academic Link opens in a new window who will provide expert advice and guidance on content and research methods.

In addition you will have access to a board of practitioners, individually known as WBS Professors of Practice Link opens in a new window (experienced executives who are also scholar practitioners) who can provide support and guidance on process and development of the portfolio.

Browse our specialisms. Link opens in a new window

Tuition fees

Visit our Warwick Business School web pages to learn more about funding your studies.

Course Fees  

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our  Module Catalogue  (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

If you’re interested in the bigger picture, comfortable challenging assumptions and want a degree that will open doors, then WBS is the place for you. We will give you the foundation for change and prepare you for your future career. Are you ready to make your mark in the world of business?

Find out more about us on our website.

The vision of WBS is to be Europe’s leading University-based Business School, developing transformational ideas and people that shape how we do business. We recognise that rankings are one way to profile our progress towards fulfilling this vision, and are proud to participate in the major global business education rankings.

MSc Finance

• 4 th in the UK and 16 th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Finance Pre-experience Ranking 2023
• 6 th in the UK and 19 th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Management

• 1 st in the UK and 18 th in the world - Economist/WhichMBA - 2021 Masters in Management biennial ranking
• 2 nd in the UK and 28 th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking 2023
• 3 rd in the UK and 18 th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Marketing & Strategy

• 2 nd in the UK and 9 th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Business Analytics

• 2 nd in the UK and 14 th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

Msc courses.

• Accounting and Finance (MSc)
• Business Analytics (MSc)
• Business and Finance (MSc)
• Business with Marketing (MSc)
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• Finance and Economics (MSc)
• Global Central Banking and Financial Regulation (MSc)
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• Management (MSc)
• Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation (MSc)
• Marketing and Strategy (MSc)
• Mathematical Finance (MSc)
• MBA (Accelerator)
• MBA (Executive)
• MBA (Global Online)
• MBA (Full-time)

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• Advanced Management (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Behavioural Science (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Digital Leadership (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Marketing Leadership (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Strategic Leadership & Change (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)
• Strategy & Innovation (PGA/PGCert/PGDip)

Our Postgraduate Research courses

• Business and Management (MRes/PhD)
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Finance and Economics (MRes/PhD)

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

For research courses that start in September and October 2024 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2024. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

DBA Doctor of Business Administration

Read about how to apply to our Doctor of Business Administration.

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Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.

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Join a live chat with our staff and students, who are here to answer your questions and help you learn more about postgraduate life at Warwick. You can join our general drop-in sessions or talk to your prospective department and student services.

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Doctorate of Business Administration (Fast Track)

Business Management and Leadership

This Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) is a Fast Track Programme to provide an excellent opportunity for applicants to enhance their career prospects. The degree of Doctorate of Business Administration abbreviated DBA, has the equivalent standing to a PhD in Business Administration, which is a research doctorate in business administration. DBA candidates can specialise in areas such as management, business strategy, technology, health or social care, organisational behaviour, coaching, mentoring, economics, accounting, finance or any suitable other practical fields. This qualification includes two stages; the first stage requires students to study and complete 8 modules at the postgraduate research level to develop their strategic management and leadership capabilities. Students will achieve an internationally recognised UK Regulated Qualification in Strategic Management and Leadership (Level 8 which is an equivalent to Professional Doctorates and PhD in the United Kingdom). After successful completion of Stage 1, students will progress to Stage 2; this requires the presentation of a thesis to complete the DBA.

During the programme, learners will be able to:-

• Develop critical self-reflection and self-awareness to enhance personal and professional development at the senior management level.
• Develop research skills for the senior level of management.
• Analyse effective methods, procedures, and systems for defining, planning and scheduling, controlling and organising project activities.
• Assess organisational performance through strategic analysis to strategic formulations and to prepare the participant of this course to take the responsibility and managerial roles in areas of strategic planning, decision making and organisational change.
• Determine and apply appropriate research methods to business management problems.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts involved business and management related problems to make appropriate decisions based on sound reasoning and analysis to create an organisational solution.
• Conduct, evaluate and apply research designed to explain, forecast and to improve the performance of the management system of the organisation.
• Develop skills, capabilities and understanding in managing and organising research project in line with professional and ethical principles.
• Evaluate and synthesize scholarly literature to general research that will significantly contribute knowledge in business management.
• Produce a research report.

In this course, you will complete two stages

Stage 1 - Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership

Stage 2 - Thesis 

Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) provides a variety of careers and encourages learners to gain the skills, knowledge and understanding that will help them achieve their goals and aspirations. Graduates can seek Director or Senior Manager Role in the area of HR, Supply Chain, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Sales, Finance, Manufacturing, Technology, Retail, Banking, and Health Service. They can also perform teachings anywhere in the world in their specialised field.

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Related Courses

Level 3 Diploma in Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship

6 Lessons

Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership

9 Lessons

Certificate in Management and Leadership

10 Lessons

As a PhD candidate you will have the opportunity to pursue original research and make a significant contribution to your chosen field.

Why choose a PhD at the University of Edinburgh Business School?

Listen to staff and students at the Business School discuss the doctoral programme

Our doctoral programmes

As part of a world-renowned University, triple accredited ( AMBA , AACSB , and EQUIS ) and ranked 5 th in the UK for research power ( Times Higher Education , 2022) within Business and Management, our Business School provides a highly dynamic and supportive research environment for our large and diverse graduate community.

Our world-class research programmes offer:

• Supervision from acclaimed academic faculty within a wider range of subject areas
• Courses designed to expand your knowledge base and develop your research strategies
• Dedicated, modern facilities with state-of-the-art databases and specialist resources
• A peer network of students and inspiring alumni from across the globe
• A vibrant research environment with regular seminars, masterclasses, and events allowing you to connect and learn from experts across the business world

PhD with Integrated Study in Accounting

Research an accounting topic such as the applications of accounting in society, or historical methods and strategies used by those practising in the profession.

PhD in Business Economics

Research a business economics topic by using quantitative methodologies and modelling techniques to solve problems relating to economics or finance.

PhD with Integrated Study in Finance

Research a financial topic such as behavioural finance, corporate finance and governance, or aspects affecting financial markets and institutions.

PhD in Financial Technology

Undertake a fully funded research opportunity in collaboration with one of our leading industry partners.

PhD with Integrated Study in Management

Research full time, or maintain your current role while studying part-time with our Professional Pathway option.

PhD in Management Science & Analytics

Research a management science and analytics topic. This highly analytical programme, integrates management science, decision analysis, business modelling, and data analytics.

PhD entry requirements

Learn more about the entry requirements for our PhD programmes.

Scholarships and funding

Discover scholarships and funded projects available for new students beginning their PhD programme.

Find a supervisor and subject group

Review staff profiles as prospective supervisors for research and browse our academic subject groups.

Our researchers

More than 130 student researchers from around the world are currently enrolled in our research programmes.

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Discover more about postgraduate research

PhD Business and Management / Overview

Year of entry: 2024

• View full page
• Bachelor's (Honours) degree at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent); and
• Master's degree in a relevant cognate subject - with an overall average of 65% or above (or overseas equivalent)
• Professional qualifications other than a Bachelors Degree and/or relevant and appropriate experience may be taken into account for entry to a PhD programme.

Full entry requirements

Apply online

Please ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered.

Application Deadlines

The current deadline for consideration in internal funding competitions is 15 March 2024.

If you are applying for or have secured external funding (for example, from an employer or government) or are self-funding, you must submit your application before the below deadline to be considered. You will not be able to apply after this date has passed.

• For September 2024 entry: 30 June 2024

Programme options

Programme overview.

• Join one of the world's most innovative and ambitious doctoral research schools.
• Work alongside a range of specialists conducting cutting-edge research in business, marketing management and strategy.
• Ranked 3rd in the UK for research power 'Business and Management Studies' in the REF2021.

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We will be conducting our Humanities PGR virtual open week in October 2024. Find our about future events and postgraduate research sessions by signing up our email alerts.

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2024, the tuition fees are as follows:

• PhD (full-time) UK students (per annum): £4,786 International, including EU, students (per annum): £21,000
• PhD (part-time) UK students (per annum): £2,393 International, including EU, students (per annum): £10,500

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Scholarships/sponsorships

To apply University of Manchester funding, you must indicate in your application the competitions for which you wish to be considered. The current deadline for most internal competitions, including Alliance Manchester Business School studentships is 15 March 2024.

All external funding competitions have a specified deadline for submitting your funding application and a separate (earlier) deadline for submitting the online programme application form, both of which will be stated in the funding competition details below.

For more information about funding, visit our funding page to browse for scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

• ESRC North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) PhD Studentships - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• Alliance Manchester Business School PhD Studentships 2024 Entry - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (High Income Countries)
• Humanities Doctoral Academy Humanitarian Scholarship 2024 Entry
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (Least Developed Countries and Fragile States)
• RADMA Doctoral Studies Funding 2024 Entry - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry
• PhD Scholarship for Research into Productivity
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Doctoral Training Partnership Studentship (EPSRC DTP)
• President's Doctoral Scholar (PDS) Awards - Competition Closed for 2024 Entry

Contact details

Programmes in related subject areas.

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

• Business and Management
• Accounting and Finance
• Science, Technology and Innovation Policy

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website .

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

DBA thesis structure | Doctor of Business Administration

• Doctor of Business Administration (Thesis only via Qualifi Level 8 Diploma)
• Assessments:
• Via submission of assignments - No exams
• Delivery mode:
• Blended, Online
• Fully Accredited
• This qualification is UK accredited

CMI Level 3 – First Line Management

The first year is the best year to study a variety of subjects. As students must specialise in at least one science subject, they are advised to take courses which enable them to advance, and even major, in more than one subect area.

DBA program (Doctor of Business Administration) has been created for managers, more broadly, for upper-level professional employees, and guides you to embark on careers as applied researchers, consultants, and senior corporate roles. The Doctor of Business Administration / DBA fast-track programme provides an excellent opportunity for applicants with the Qualifi level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership qualification to gain a further higher university Qualification to enhance their career prospects. This program acknowledges as an equivalent to a PhD in Business Administration . DBA candidates may specialise in areas such as management science, technology management, organisational behaviour, coaching/mentoring, economics, or finance or other practical fields. DBA is a program that can show compatibility with requirements of the modern business world. At this level, students equipped with the full knowledge can cope with new theory themselves, manage a big team and teach young professionals on how to better their tasks. This method of study educates the candidates business against a background of cultural differences as manifested in the world business industry.

Upon completing the Qualifi- Level 8 Diploma, students will be transferred to Cambridge Management and Leadership School for the DBA Top Up enrolment where students will be provided supervision for the thesis.

About Awarding Body

After completion of the Thesis, students will receive a Doctor of Business Administration jointly awarded by:

• Open University of Switzerland
• University of DąbrowaGórnicza
• Taras National University

The Open University of Switzerland is recognised and accredited by European Council for Leading Business Schools (ECLBS), Certified by the Swiss EduQua-the Swiss national quality label for education, European Council for Distance Learning (EUCDL) and Premier Accredited University by Accreditation Service for International Colleges & Universities ASIC UK.

The University of DąbrowaGórnicza’ is a state recognized University, located in DąbrowaGórniczain, Poland. University excels in the ranking of the best universities for several years.

Taras Shevchenko University is a State University. Officially recognised and located in the capital of Ukraine. KNU is ranked within top 500 Universities in the world founded in 1834.

QUALIFI, recognised by Ofqual awarding organisation has assembled a reputation for maintaining significant skills in a wide range of job roles and industries which comprises Leadership, Hospitality & Catering, Health and Social Care, Enterprise and Management, Process Outsourcing and Public Services.They are liable for awarding organisations and thereby ensuring quality assurance in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Key Benefits

• Develop and practice innovative research methods.
• Earn the highest quality of education.
• Achieve the expertise to publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Become a successful doctoral researcher and educator.
• Prepare to make an impact in policy and practice.
• Learn strategies to facilitate more effective and, adaptable organizations creating positive changes.
• Become a more innovative leader in your field.

Entry Requirements

The following Qualifications are allowed to get direct entry onto the Thesis Level:

• Qualifi Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership (601/5362/3).

Application Procedure

For students who have already completed a Qualifi Level 8 Diploma at an accredited Qualifi centre, the centre will assist with the application. Students can apply also through their accredited centre direct to Qualifi.

Qualification Structure

Applicants are allowed to complete the DBA within 1 year of registration. The Fast Track Scheme comprises of undertaking a Thesis within the rules and regulations set by the University accreditation requirements.

• Time-constrained scenario-based assignments
• No examinations

Thesis Layout

During this process the student will be acquainted with the theoretical and practical bases of academic research by formulating hypotheses, research questions and their analyses and implementation, expanding business theory and terminology, as well as increasing communication skills and understanding ethical standards for scientific research. The theoretical and practical knowledge gathered in the course of the research process enhanced by the acquisition of core courses learning outcomes will add a high value to professional work performance and academic-related skills and abilities that guarantees the ability to handle business-related issues scientifically.

The word count required for single Doctorate has to be between 5000 and 8000 words for every 10 credits (for 120 Credits means the thesis should be 60,000 – 96,000 words). However, if students (up to three) want to make a shared project, then the word count should be from 7000 to 11000 words. The standard followed for the thesis will be identical to the referencing style of Harvard. There are numerous documents for the supervisor/students to study is provided to them, e.g. (Thesis Module Structure, Ethical Issues, How to write doctorate thesis, Thesis regulations, Informed Consent Form, Thesis Review Form, Harvard Referencing System etc.).

Student Support System

Learners will be assigned to a personal tutor for the Thesis who will offer support throughout the process.

Invitation to University Graduation

Yes, this is an option, but at the student’s expense.

Fees & Funding

To know about the course fee, please get in touch with us at [email protected]

• Starts Every Month
• Duration Contact us

To know about the course fee, please get in touch with us at [email protected]

What are you looking for?

Doctor of Business Administration DBA

• Courses by subject

Postgraduate PG

Part Time: 4 Years

UK Fees 24/25

Year 1 and Year 2: £7,000 per year Year 3 and Year 4: £4,000 per year

International Fees 24/25

Year 1 and Year 2: £9,500 per year Year 3 and Year 4: £5,500 per year

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK/EU Students enquiries

[email protected] 0300 303 2772

International Students enquiries

[email protected] +44 (0)1604 893981

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a professional doctorate with the same status as a PhD. It is the highest qualification available in business and management, designed for senior professionals who wish to advance their careers by developing their academic research and critical thinking skills.

It may be possible for international students to attend some modules or workshops in Northampton using a Visitor Visa. Please contact the programme leader Nadeem Aftab: [email protected] to discuss this option.

Updated 23/05/2024

• Further enhance your opportunities in senior management and/or consultancy roles.
• Part time study to fit around you.

Course Content

The DBA provides the opportunity for you to cultivate the skills needed to find better solutions for intractable problems and develop new paradigms for the increasingly complex, turbulent and interconnected business environment. It does this by:

• honing your critical thinking and analytical skills to identify the core or ‘real’ issues
• refining your capability to evaluate evidence on which to base decisions
• developing your ability to produce robust and reliable research
• improving the clarity with which you present and support arguments
• providing the understanding for you to question ideas and options appropriately

The Northampton DBA is a part-time programme that typically runs over four years. The first two years are structured around facilitated modules that provide the foundations for the research project, the main element of the DBA. This research project needs to make a significant contribution to professional practice by developing existing theories and knowledge.

Through undertaking rigorous research into a meaningful and complex issue within your own organisation, you will make a direct contribution to your executive or professional practice.

In this way, the Northampton DBA will enable you to differentiate yourself, not just in terms of having the qualification, but also in the way you work and think.

Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 24/25. The modules relating to the academic year 25/26 will be available from June 2025.

Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme

The Doctor of Business Administration programme is part of the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELCS) . The ELCS is an opportunity for members of the Armed Forces to further or expand on their education. The scheme offers support financially in a maximum of three separate financial years for higher level learning of a nationally recognised qualification at a Level three or above.

Applicants will need to meet all of the following criteria

• hold a Masters degree in a business-related subject, normally completed within the last ten years.
• have a minimum of five years’ relevant work experience, at an appropriate level.
• be employed in a senior leadership/management role capable of supporting the achievement of the programme learning outcomes, including the professional research project.

Please visit the Additional documents page for further information and download the Research Topic Form.   For more information on how to apply, please visit the ‘how to apply for research degrees’ page.

English Language Requirements

All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

• Minimum standard – IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in categories (or equivalent) for study at postgraduate level.

For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

2024/25 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

• UK Part Time: £7,000 in Year One, £7,000 in Year Two, £4,000 in Year Three and £4,000 in Year Four
• International Distance: £9,500 in Year One, £9,500 in Year Two, £5,500 in Year Three and £5,500 in Year Four

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2024. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

2023/24 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

• UK Part Time: £8,000 in Year One, £8,000 in Year Two, £4,000 in Year Three and £4,000 in Year Four
• International Distance Learning: £8,000 in Year One, £8,000 in Year Two, £4,000 in Year Three and £4,000 in Year Four.

Application Form

It may seem obvious, but please fill out your application in full. Missing information can cause delays in processing your application. It’s really important that you include a current email address that is personal to you and one that monitor regularly, as we use email to arrange interviews and to get back to you with any additional information that we may need for your application. It’s also important to include a current mobile telephone number (with the country code). This is just in case we need to contact you urgently about your application. Our first form of contact will be email but there are occasional situations when we may need to call you so make sure to include your contact number.

Submit an up-to-date CV

Remember that one of the entry requirements for the DBA is that you are in a senior management/leadership position. Those reviewing your CV may not be from your industry and so you will need to include the roles and responsibilities associated with your job title – we need the key points.

It may be that you are involved with another organisation outside of work, such as a professional body or charity. Remember to include it so it can be taken into consideration.

Another entry requirement is five years experience at an appropriate level. Does your CV show how you meet this requirement?

Qualifications and other management training or development that supports your application

Make sure you give all your qualifications from your Bachelor’s degree onwards. Please include professional qualifications as well as academic qualifications, if you have them.

If you were awarded your Masters 10 or more years ago we will need to understand how you might have kept up to date with developments in management and your functional area since then. One way of doing this may be through training and development, so make sure that you include it. Even if you have recently completed your Masters it is still important to include this because it strengthens your CV and application.

Make sure you give information about who provided the training/development, what it was, when and whether or not it was certificated. If you have written or delivered conference pages include that information also.

Personal Statement

This should be about one side of a4 and cover all of the following:.

• What is your motivation for undertaking a doctoral level qualification?
• Why have you chosen to apply for a DBA rather than a PhD?
• What has attracted you to the University of Northampton’s DBA?
• If you MBA was completed 10 or more years ago, how have you kept up to date with developments in your field and generally in business and management? You may want to refer to your CV for this.
• How you meet the requirements for 5 years of relevant experience and currently in a management/leadership position? You may want to refer to your CV for this.
• What is your thinking on how you will find the time to undertake the DBA alongside, work, family and other commitments?

For all the areas you do not have to write a lot but what you do write must be specific to your situation – avoid general statements.

How many references do you need?

You need submit two references with your application. If you do not do this your application may be delayed.

Who do the references need to be?

Ideally, one of your references should come from your current manager and another from an academic from your Masters programme.

If a reference from your manager is difficult, try to get someone who is not your manager but knows you and is senior to you. It is very helpful if the reference can show that the organisation will support you in undertaking the DBA by being flexible so you can attend workshops and giving you access to information to complete assignments based on your workplace.

Getting an academic reference may be harder if it is a while since you did your Masters and we do understand that. Make sure that the reference is for a DBA and not a PhD. Please do not use a reference written for another course or University.

If it is not possible to get one or both  if the above, then we will accept other references. If the referee wants to submit the reference directly to the University please contact [email protected] for advice on doing this.

Make sure your references are recent, they should not be more than 4 months old when submitted.

Qualifications Certificates/Passport

Please make sure you provide a scanned copy of all your degree certificates (together with their transcripts), any professional qualifications and your passport. Your application cannot be processed without them.

Language Capability

If you are not a native English speaker, for Doctoral level of study, you will be required to demonstrate language capability equivalent to IELTS 7.

Normally those with Masters from the UK will meet this requirement.

If you are successful in being offered a place, and the place is conditional on language capability, you will need to take IELTS or an equivalent recognised language test.

Research Topic Form

We’ve put together a document for Research Topic form guidance , which provides all the details you’ll need for filling out the form. We have also completed an example form so you can see how it should look.

When will I know about the interview?

If your application form and research topic form pass the initial review you will be invited for an interview. The interview is a vital element of the selection process of the DBA.

What will the interview cover?

The interview will cover all aspects of your application, so you should be prepared to discuss and expand on anything you submitted. Typically, most time is spent discussing the Research Topic Form. This means that you need to be very familiar with what you have written and the sources you have used. You will need to be prepared not only to explain and defend your thinking but to consider alternative ideas and approaches that the interview panel may wish to discuss.

What are the arrangements for the interview?

All interviews are conducted by a panel of at least two people. Once a suitable panel has been formed, with a time and date that all members of the panel can make, you will receive a calendar invitation with a Go-to-Meeting link. You must accept this invitation as soon as possible.

If you are unable to make the time and date of the interview again let us know as soon as possible and we will look to rearrange the interview. Please note it may take a week to find a new time and date and the new interview maybe two to three weeks after the original date.

If we have not heard from you within 5 days of sending out an interview invitation, the interview will be cancelled, and the application rejected.

It is important that you undertake the interview on a laptop or desktop (not a smartphone or tablet) and that you have checked out the internet connection as well as your camera (yes we do need to see you!), microphone and speakers. We often find that bandwidth can be an issue so it is important that you arrange to be somewhere with a strong internet connection for your interview.

Interviews normally last 35 – 45 minutes and need to start within 5 minutes of the time given. If you are not there then the interview will be cancelled.

Student Story: Dr Shaun Hallam and Dr Briony Fox

After becoming the first recipients in the University’s history, our DBA graduates are ready to put their learnings into practice in their high-flying careers.

Nadeem Aftab

Senior Lecturer in Banking & Finance

Faculty of Business and Law

George Kapaya

Senior Lecturer in Accounting

Tatiana Gherman

Associate Professor of AI for Business & Strategy

Ade Otukoya

Head of HRM & Organisational Behaviour

Ngozi Ibeji

Maged Zakher

Senior Lecturer in Cross-Cultural Management

Simon Sneddon

Associate Professor in Learning & Teaching

Rebecca Fakoussa

Senior Lecturer in Business Entrepreneurship

Marcella Daye

Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management

Nick Naumov

Senior Lecturer in Hospitality & Tourism Management

Jean Egbegi

Lecturer in Human Resource Management

Ouarda Dsouli

Student story: shaun.

“I chose the DBA route instead of a PhD because it allows you to apply theory in your workplace. Academic research is one thing, but it is the ‘so what’ factor that is important to me.”

Campus Facilities

By choosing the University of Northampton to study your Doctor of Business Administation DBA, you will have access to our on-campus study areas, facilities, and services.

Learning Hub

The Learning Hub is at the heart of the campus and home to the student information desk.

Senate Building

The main reception for the University and additional teaching spaces.

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Doctor of Business Administration DBA

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The DBA is designed to raise the level of professional capabilities of practising senior managers and executives

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Entry requirements, fees and funding, why study the dba doctor of business administration at middlesex university.

The DBA develops critical reflective practice skills, by developing advanced research skills applicable in leading-edge areas of business, and by providing the opportunity to develop a rigorous doctoral research project focussed on your role as industry leader and change-maker.

Our DBA is designed for active senior managers and executives in any organisation - public, private, third sector or consultancies who want to gain new insights and perspectives into organisational and industry leadership and management based on critical exploration of their own evolving professional practice. A key role is played by the capstone research project, which enables you to bring about evidence-based changes and to introduce new perspectives to your professional practice, or to your organisation or sector.

Course highlights

• It is the professional equivalent of the academic PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), but designed specifically to support participants in undertaking practice-based research into their organisation and industry. While the knowledge gained from this research is equally rigorous to the PhD, it is distinctive in that the participant is placed at the centre of their research investigation, and their findings tend to be highly applicable within their organisation, sector and within their community of professional practice.
• The DBA focuses on developing participants' individual capabilities as reflective practitioners, and through this enhancing their capability for undertaking high-level, practice-based research within their own workplace.
• Participants' study projects are tailored to meet their individual needs and interests, and those of their organisations and sectors.
• The final output of the DBA can be a thesis, which reports on the research undertaken, or an artefact (for instance, a product or a service, a training course, or an app), accompanied by a critical commentary that explains the doctoral-level research behind it.

Course content

What will you study on the dba doctor of business administration.

The course is divided into three main stages: the first and second last for a minimum of 9 month each, and the third continues for a minimum of 30 months.

In the first stage you will be engaging in dialogue with supervisors, in a process of critical reflection of your professional practice and of your context, both of your organisation and of your industry. In a parallel way, you will be introduced to research design, methodologies and theories, which you will continue to hone in stage two.

Stage One Review 

(9 months) you will discuss with a panel a 5000-word critical reflection of your practice and your context that engages with relevant literature and theories.

In the second stage, you will gain a more advanced understanding of the methodologies that you can bring to study your professional practice and context and you will design a research proposal, solidly grounded in the academic, professional and methodological literature.

Stage Two Review 

(18 months) you will discuss with a panel your 10,000 words research proposal, which will include a process of collection of empirical data or a cycle of product development.

(Note: you can exit the programme with an MProf,  a research award at Master’s level, by undertaking review stage 1 at 9 months and review stage 2 at 12 months)

Third stage of the programme of study

You undertake a major research project that is current to your organisation or your sector and that has identifiable practical applications and impact. Your final thesis will be 65-80,000 words long. If you present an artefact, the critical commentary for it will be 35-40,000 words long.

This stage with the submission of your doctoral project and with a viva examination with a panel that will include examiners external to the University. This panel will decide on the awarding of the doctorate.

Throughout the course, which is studied part-time, your focus will be on your professional activity in an organisational or industry context. The DBA provides a structured framework for critically understanding your professional activity, and equips you to operate as a reflective professional practitioner. The research project provides an opportunity for you to critically evaluate the learning you achieve while leading significant change in the workplace, and to express this in writing in a systematic way that is both informed by and informs relevant theory.

The Middlesex DBA recognises that professional practice is grounded in real organisations, in which the context is often interdisciplinary, and that practitioners taking the course will often belong to specific professional bodies. In order to recognise and harness the subject- and profession-specific nature of practitioners' individual practice, those taking the DBA will be encouraged to build learning relationships with other candidates working in similar spheres of activity.

Specialist subject and professional advice will be available from expert and highly experienced staff within the Business School, especially in the following areas:

• Organisational Development & Culture
• Change Management
• Sustainable Business
• Leadership Development
• Entrepreneurship
• Human resource management and development
• Management and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Executive coaching

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You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.

How we'll teach you

The course requires attendance in person once a term, three times per year, for residential sessions or tutorials (depending on whether you are part of a cohort or undertaking it individually). Aside from the on-campus sessions, access to the supervisory team can be online. You will have access to the University Researcher Development Programme and the full stack of library digital and physical resources. The final viva would usually take place in person. Overall, the mode of delivery of the programme can be described as hybrid. This means that there is no need for overseas students to acquire a student visa, because a full-time residence in the UK is not required for study on the programme, but ability to travel to campus for the quarterly sessions (three per academic year) is essential.

In addition to being able to draw on the expertise of tutors, a possible specialist consultant, and other participants in your cohort, you will also have the support of a dedicated academic advisor throughout your period of study with us.

North London campus

Our north London campus is 23 minutes away by underground train, travelling from London Kings Cross.

Our Sheppard Library provides a wide range of resources and support to help you to succeed in your studies.

Over 1,000 study spaces including rooms for group study and over 500 computers available.

We have one of London's biggest and best university campuses with everything you need in one place.

Student support.

We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.

Additional needs

We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team .

Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.

Work while you study

Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.

• International entry
• How to apply

Qualifications

We normally require a masters degree or above.

You should also have a minimum of five years managerial or professional experience in a full-time senior position.

We accept the equivalent of the below qualifications from a recognised overseas qualification:

• We normally require a masters degree or above
• You should also have a minimum of five years managerial or professional experience in a full-time senior position
• You should have role responsibility and relevant authority to specify and implement significant change initiatives within your organisation.

To find out more about the qualifications we accept from your country please visit the relevant Support in your country page. If you are unsure about the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest Regional office for support.

Visas 

You will not need a visa to study in the UK if you are a citizen of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. If you are a national of any other country you may need a visa to study in the UK. Please see our visas page for further information.

International students who require a Student route (formerly tier 4) visa to progress on a course at Middlesex University must apply for study on a full-time basis. However, this course is offered part-time so you are eligible to apply on a part-time basis.

Part-time study

International applicants can apply for Student route (formerly tier 4) visas for part-time postgraduate study (courses leading to a qualification at RQF level 7 or SCQF level 11 and above).

Student route visa students studying part-time are subject to certain restrictions:

• no work (paid or unpaid)
• no work placements as part of the programme
• no dependants
• no extending under Student route visa in the UK. This includes Student route visa applications to work as a Students' Union Sabbatical Officer or for the Foundation Programme for postgraduate doctors and dentists
• not eligible for the Student route visa Doctorate Extension Scheme

*Please note that, if the course of your choice involves work experience, unpaid work, placements or internships, we will be unable to sponsor you to study a part- time course under the Student route (formerly tier 4) visa.

English language

You must have competence in English language to study with us. The most commonly accepted evidence of English language ability is IELTS 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in all components). We also normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification.

If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer an intensive pre-sessional English course .

Applicants should download an application form and a letter of application for the DBA programme from our research applications page.

The two application documents will be downloaded in a single Word file. Please complete them and email to them to us with the following supporting documents:

• An up-to-date CV (resume)
• Copy of passport / EEA National ID card / photo card driving license (UK only)
• Copy of qualification documents and transcripts
• English language qualifications, if applicable. 

You will be required to interview for this course. 

The fees below are for the 2023/24 academic year.

UK students 1  

Part-time: £6,300 per year

International students 2

Part-time: £8,900 per year

Additional costs

The following course-related costs are included in the fees:

• All printing and copying required for your study
• Self-service laptops available for loan for a maximum of 24 hours
• Audio-visual equipment available for loan, including digital stills cameras, digital video recorders, digital audio recorders

Fees disclaimers

1. UK Fees: The university reserves the right to increase undergraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International Students. Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

For more information and to answer your frequently asked questions, please visit our postgraduate funding page .

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We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

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Choose start date: Start date: September 2024 Duration: Five to six years Deadline: Applications are now closed Fee: Fully funded Location: London, UK Admissions Funding and scholarships

A fully-funded PhD for aspiring scholars seeking an academic career 

We believe that rigorous academic analysis can provide practical solutions to complex problems in society. Our fully-funded PhD programme provides students with the opportunity to conduct their own research in a world-leading university, finding solutions to key challenges in modern business. As a Business School, we rank first in the UK for research environment and second for management and business students, while Imperial College London ranks first in the UK overall for research (REF 2021). 

Starting with a one or two-year Master’s in Research (MRes), depending on your chosen research area, you will gain a strong theoretical grounding and thorough research training to prepare you for the PhD. As a doctoral student you will have the benefit of supervision from leading world scholars. You will develop the expertise and research skills necessary to pursue a career in academia with previous Imperial doctoral graduates finding success in other leading universities such as Copenhagen Business School, Tsinghua University, University of Amsterdam, University College London, and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

97% world-leading or internationally excellent research (REF 2021) #1 in the UK for research (Imperial College London, REF 2021) 1% top one per cent of business schools worldwide to have achieved triple accreditation 6 research areas Explore the programme

Advance your academic success at a world class research institution

2nd in the world (Imperial College London, QS World University Rankings 2025)

3rd in Europe (Imperial College London, Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024)

#1 city for students (London, QS Best Student City Rankings 2024)

Build your career with our global reputation

With particular expertise in finance, entrepreneurship, health, and sustainable business, the Business School is recognised as leading the field. Benefit from strong industry partnerships and a diverse alumni network. 

A fully-funded programme

Every student on our Doctoral programme is offered full funding, including a full tuition fee waiver (Home/EU or Overseas fees) plus a living stipend for up to five years. Funding for a 6th year can be considered on a case-by-case basis, with the potential to undertake a teaching or research assistant studentship with one of the Business Schools research centres.  

World-class faculty

Our internationally admired faculty are leaders in their respective fields, bringing a wealth of experience and academic distinction. They are deeply invested in developing the research interests of our PhD students, fostering an environment of intellectual growth and innovation. 

Impact on industry

Working closely with businesses and governments, we drive policy and practice through inspiring collaboration and research excellence, giving you the opportunity to observe the impact of research on business and society. 

Inspiring intellectual community

Engage with a diverse cohort of fellow PhD students and researchers, creating an inspiring and collaborative environment that encourages intellectual development and professional connections. 

Programme content

The Business School Master’s in Research (MRes) is an integral part of the PhD, introducing theory and research methods in Finance, Economics and Management, providing you with a solid foundation for your doctoral studies. Depending on the research area you choose to specialise in, you will embark on a one or two-year MRes programme as shown below. 

*Please note programme content is subject to change. The modules mentioned below are just a sample of what is available in the programme.

Data Analysis Tools

This course provides students with a basic foundation in mathematics and statistics required to undertake further quantitative research methods courses. This course consists of two parts, statistics and mathematics. Topics covered include: matrix algebra; optimization; differential equations; random variables and probability distributions; moments of a random variable; probability distributions; joint, marginal and conditional distributions; functions and transformation of a random variable; hypothesis testing; univariate regression.

Systematic Reviews

When starting new research, the first step is usually a literature review: scanning what is already known about a given topic and figuring out where the gaps are. However, novice researchers tend to be anything but systematic in their literature review: they have no method for scanning the literature, and they usually have little idea of what is relevant and what is not. The Systematic Review method opens a way to create research syntheses that add real value and novel insight – in a way that is potentially publishable in its own right.

Specialist Modules

Optimisation

Stochastic Processes - This module introduces you to basic tools for modelling stochastic phenomena. The focus of the module is the theory of stochastic processes, but applications will be drawn from operations research, analytics / ML, and finance to illustrate the usage of the models for studying real-world business problems

Machine Learning for Analytics - This module gives you an overview of machine learning methods for analytics. Applications in the module will be drawn from various sources including medical applications (e.g. patient discharge from hospitals), recommender systems and the Netflix prize, advertising and marketing, estimating scofflaw rates, reputations systems and Google's PageRank algorithm, filtering, text mining, sports analytics etc.

Decision Making Under Uncertainty - This module gives you an overview of different paradigms of decision making in dynamic uncertain environments, including dynamic programming, stochastic optimisation and robust optimisation. Along with theory, applications in operations management and analytics will be introduced, with the aim of preparing you for research in these areas.

Industrial Organisation

Sustainable Behaviour - This module aims to provide you with an in-depth exposure to the emerging academic field of sustainable behaviour. You will be presented with the main methodological tool used in behavioural research (lab and field experiments) as well with the multiple articles and journals which have published cutting-edge experimental research on sustainable behaviour across a wide variety of contexts.

Consumer Behaviour - This module aims to give you a robust foundation in consumer behaviour and how it relates to marketing. The module covers topics such as how consumers process marketing communications, how consumer involvement affects decision making, and how external factors impact consumer behaviour.

Microeconomics 1

Microeconomics 2

Research methods modules

Applied Microeconometrics

Applied Microeconometrics 2

Econometrics 1

Econometrics 2

Qualitative Methods 1

Qualitative Methods 2

Quantitative Methods 2

Other elective modules

You can choose from a range of elective modules relevant to your pathway.

Asset Pricing Theory 

Corporate Finance

Consumer Behaviour

Empirical Asset Pricing

Entrepreneurship 

Financial Economics of Climate Sustainability

Machine Learning for Analytics

Machine Learning for Economic Analysis

Macroeconomics

Macro-Finance

Micro Development Economics

Organisational Behaviour

Organisation Theory 

Topics in Empirical Banking 

Topics in Environmental Resource Economics 

Topics in Health Economics

Topics in Household Finance 

Business Models and Intellectual Property*

Contemporary Topics in Health Policy*

Digital Marketing Analytics*

Healthcare and Medical Analytics*

Logistics and Supply Chain Analytics*

Optimisation and Decision Models*

Retail and Marketing Analysis*

Workforce Analytics*

*These modules are available subject to capacity and timetabling constraints in other faculties and are differently weighted to the MRes Business electives

Year one compulsory modules for Economics and Public Policy pathway

Applied Microeconometrics I  - This module will provide an introduction to the practice of applied microeconometrics. Students will learn the standard empirical methods in current use by applied researchers and be exposed to a handful of frontier approaches. The focus will be on implementation beyond simply estimating a parameter of interest: getting the standard errors right, validation and conducting appropriate robustness exercises, and adapting methods to fit new contexts.

Applied Microeconometrics II  - This module will be an introduction to some of the most important themes for students wishing to conduct their own research in Empirical Corporate Finance. For other students, this module will help students gain a better understanding of research related to your own field. Topics covered include: regression refresher, causality and randomized experiments, instrumental variables, difference-in-difference, regression discontinuity, standard errors, event studies, discrete response models, matching methods, and non-parametric methods

Econometrics I  - The module has the objective to provide the students with econometric tools necessary to conduct their empirical research and discuss fundamentals of econometric theory behind them. Students will learn how to conduct - and how to critique - empirical studies in finance, economics and related fields.

Macroeconomics II  - This course covers research issues that arise in the intersection of macroeconomics and finance. Topics include portfolio choice, general equilibrium models with heterogeneous agents and dynamic asset pricing models.

Microeconomics I  - The module covers the main tools of microeconomic theory and focuses on preferences, consumer theory, choice under uncertainty, producer theory, and game theory. Time permitting, it introduces general equilibrium in competitive markets. The emphasis is on economic intuition as well as techniques. The fundamental concepts of microeconomic theory are discussed.

Microeconomics II  -   This module covers competitive equilibrium, markets with imperfect, competition and asymmetric information, general equilibrium, Social choice and mechanism design

Research Experience  – This module is intended to give students practical experience of research preparation for their dissertation the following year.  They will undertake research tasks under the supervision of a faculty member on a topic chosen by the faculty member.  Students can select those projects that fit their research interests.

Year one compulsory modules for Finance pathway

Econometrics II    - This module will be an introduction to some of the most important themes for students wishing to conduct their own research in Empirical Corporate Finance. For other students, this module will help students gain a better understanding of research related to your own field. Topics covered include: regression refresher, causality and randomized experiments, instrumental variables, difference-in-difference, regression discontinuity, standard errors, event studies, discrete response models, matching methods, and non-parametric methods. 

Econometrics I  - The module has the objective to provide the students with econometric tools necessary to conduct their empirical research and discuss fundamentals of econometric theory behind them. Students will learn how to conduct - and how to critique - empirical studies in finance, economics and related fields.

Macroeconomics   II  - This course covers research issues that arise in the intersection of macroeconomics and finance. Topics include portfolio choice, general equilibrium models with heterogeneous agents and dynamic asset pricing models.

Microeconomics I  - The module covers the main tools of microeconomic theory and focuses on preferences, consumer theory, choice under uncertainty, producer theory, and game theory. Time permitting, it introduces general equilibrium in competitive markets. The emphasis is on economic intuition as well as techniques. The fundamental concepts of microeconomic theory are discussed.

Corporate Finance  - This module is taught in two parts, starting with a historical background, and then considering the theory of investment decisions, capital structure, financial innovation, and corporate governance.

Asset Pricing Theory  - The first part of this module deals with representative investors, portfolio choice and dynamic securities markets in discrete time before covering portfolio choice in continuous time and option pricing. The second part starts from the asset pricing implications of a general equilibrium Lucas-tree economy. Then, it discusses the main asset pricing puzzles implied by these economies. Finally, we will explore optimal portfolio choice, multiple trees economies and some of the latest attempts in the asset pricing literature to solve some of these puzzles.

Research Experience  - This module is intended to give students practical experience of research preparation for their dissertation the following year.  They will undertake research tasks under the supervision of a faculty member on a topic chosen by the faculty member.  Students can select those projects that fit their research interests.

Year one compulsory modules for Innovation and Entrepreneurship pathway

Introduction to the Practice of Research  - This module will introduce you to the craft of research. You will develop the skills and knowledge you need to effectively produce research questions and hypotheses, ensuring consistency between theory, research design, methods and measures, and developing a clear and compelling argument.

Qualitative Methods I  - This module covers research methods required in qualitative research. You will develop skills in all aspects of the research process, including research design, data collection, data analysis, theory building, writing up as well as reviewing papers and responding to referees. The module is essential for those who wish to author qualitative research but will also be useful for quantitative researchers.

Quantitative Methods I  - This module provides an overview of the primary quantitative methods employed in management research. It will enable you to develop the ability to interpret the results of your own research as well as to critically assess the findings presented in other studies. The emphasis will be on the practical application of different estimation models using STATA rather than on the econometrics and mathematical specification.

Organisational Behaviour  - In this module you will be introduced to a selection of most seminal papers in organisational behaviour with a particular focus on classic and contemporary theories, ongoing controversies, and ground-breaking empirical studies. The emphasis is on providing a foundational overview of the field.

Organisational Theory  - This module will expose you to the major theoretical perspectives and issues studied in organisation theory research. You will also be exposed to a set of approaches to understanding how and why organisations form, survive and grow.

Strategy  - In this module you will develop the fundamentals of strategy including the theories of competitive advantage, industry analysis, understanding of resource based view/knowledge based view, and corporate strategy.

Innovation Management  - This module will offer a thorough theoretical understanding of the key themes of innovation research, combined with practical insights into the challenges of innovation management in organisations. You will address topics ranging from technological change, creativity, the role of networks in innovation, and appropriability/value capture from innovation.

Entrepreneurship  - This module introduces students to the major theoretical threads and debates in the field of entrepreneurship. Students will learn to make connections between theory and empirical research, practice critiquing and identifying insight in research, engage with fundamental debates in the field and formulate directions how the field may be further advanced.

Year one compulsory modules for Strategy and Organisational Behaviour pathway

Elective modules for economics and public policy pathway.

Asset Pricing Theory

Decision Making Under Certainty

Econometrics I

Econometrics II 

Financial Economics of Climate and Sustainability

Machine Learning for Economics Analysis

Macroeconomics 

Microeconomics I

Microeconomics II 

Sustainable Behaviour

Topics in Empirical Banking

Topics in Environmental Resource Economics

Topics in Household Finance

Elective modules for Finance pathway

Advanced Financial Statistics

Asset Allocation and Investment Strategies

Big Data in Finance I

Big Data in Finance II

Decision Making Under Uncertainty

Econometrics II

Financial Economics for Climate Sustainability

Microeconomics II

Elective modules for Innovation and Entrepreneurship pathway

Advanced Topics in Organisational Behaviour

Corporate Sustainability

Interdisciplinary Research

Qualitative Methods II

Readings in Digital Business

Readings in Social Networks/Social Capital

Social Network Analysis

Social Data Science

Special Topics in Organisational Theory/Strategy

Elective modules for Strategy and Organisational behaviour pathway

Advanced Topics in Organisational Behaviour 

Social Network Analysis 

Research Project

During the second year, students work on their MRes project which is formally assessed and counts towards the overall MRes mark. Students are expected to approach potential supervisors from within the department’s academic staff. Students submit their proposed research project title and a brief outline by the end of September of Year two. Students submit a Progress Report in February, outlining their progress to date with the thesis. During the Summer Term, students will submit their MRes dissertation. This will be followed by an oral exam

Research plan 

When you progress from the MRes to the PhD, you will work with your supervisors, chosen based on your research interests. Your supervisors will help you develop your research question, identify research and teaching opportunities and support you through your studies and the academic job application process.  

Seminars and conferences

Being part of the School’s inspirational research community is a crucial aspect of the doctoral experience – as is gaining familiarity with cutting edge research from world-leading academics. Each department runs seminars where internal and external academics discuss their latest work.  

As well as providing insight into yet-to-be-published research, the seminars offer networking opportunities and visiting academics often lead special topic workshops for research students. The Doctoral programme also supports the participation of research students in international conferences where you can present your own research and participate in doctoral consortia. 

Early Stage Assessment 

The Early Stage Assessment (ESA) takes place in the summer of year one of the PhD and is assessed by a panel of faculty. The ESA outlines the research question, the work you have done to date and the future research activities to be carried out to complete the project. 

It consists of a written report and presentation to which all PhD students and research department faculty are invited. The purpose of the ESA is not only to assess your personal progress but it also gives you the opportunity to discuss your work at its early stages and get feedback and ideas from faculty to improve your research. 

Armed with feedback from the Early Stage Assessment, you will work intensely on your thesis, focusing on the collection and analysis of empirical data and developing theoretical frameworks. Under the guidance of your supervisors, the thesis gives you the opportunity to conduct a substantial piece of original research. 

Late stage review

The Late Stage Review (LSR) takes place in the summer of year two of the PhD and follows the same principle as the Early Stage Assessment, in that its purpose is to assess your progress and provide you with feedback and advice on the direction and scope of your research. 

Our research areas

What our students say

“The programme structure is different from many other business schools because during the first year at Imperial we study the Master’s of Research (MRes), which is focused on developing strong foundations before continuing to the PhD programme. This also gives us additional time to discover opportunities and find the right paths for our research.”

Class profile 2022

20 new students per year

51% female students

20 nationalities represented

Funding and scholarships

Request a brochure, career impact.

In recent years, our PhD students have joined leading universities, research centres and institutions such as Tsinghua University, University College London, Copenhagen Business School, the Bank of England, the University of Bath, King’s College London, National Chengchi University, the University of Sussex and Renmin University in China. Others have sought top positions in industry or founded successful start-ups.

The doctoral programme has been re-structured in recent years to focus more on academic development and it is anticipated that over the coming years placements will focus more on academia than industry.

Find out more about career outcomes

Meet your faculty

Our PhD programme provides close collaboration between leading Analytics & Operations faculty and doctoral students, developing your research interests and providing continuous support and guidance throughout the programme.  

Alexander Michaelides

Kalyan Talluri

Wolfram Wiesemann

Edward Anderson

Martin Haugh

Xiaocheng Li

Reza Skandari

Jiankun Sun

Carol Propper

Franco Sassi

Jonathan Haskel

Marisa Miraldo

Richard Green

Pedro Rosa Dias

Esther Bøler

Franklin Allen

Patrick Bolton

Ramana Nanda

Lara Cathcart

Enrico Biffis

Christopher Hansman

Clara Martinez-Toledano

Alan Hughes

Celia Moore

Markus Perkmann

Christopher Tucci

James Barlow

Ileana Stigliani

Mark Kennedy

James Eteen

Eduardo B. Andrade

Andreas Eisingerich

Rajesh Bhargave

Sven Mikolon

Michelle Rogan

Frequently asked questions, how long does it take to complete the doctoral programme.

The Doctoral programme is structured to take between four to six years full-time. In the first year, all students undertake a one or two year MRes programme depending on their chosen research area specialism. Subject to satisfactory academic progress, students then progress to the PhD which takes between 3-4 years.

When does the academic year start?

The Doctoral programme has one intake each year in September and is spread over four to six years.

Do you offer any distance learning or part-time research programmes?

It is not possible to enrol on the Doctoral programme on a part-time or distance learning basis. Students must be in attendance throughout the full period of study.

Can I transfer from my current Doctoral programme to Imperial College Business School's Doctoral programme?

It is not usually possible to transfer onto the Doctoral programme as it is unlikely that previous studies would perfectly overlap with the School’s expertise.

Can I come to Imperial College Business School as a visiting student?

Please visit Imperial College London's visiting students page .

Can I have a part-time job whilst enrolled in the programme?

The Doctoral programme is full time. Students are able to undertake part-time work if this does not break any relevant visa and/or scholarship conditions, however the programme offers a living stipend to support students during their studies.

How many students do you accept onto the Doctoral programme every year?

Admission onto the Doctoral programme is highly competitive as we accept around 15 students each year, from a total of approximately 200 applications.

Is there a workspace assigned to Doctoral students?

There is a designated workspace which includes a computer and relevant software assigned to all enrolled Doctoral students. You will share working space with other PhD students in your cohort.

How do I apply and what documents do I need to submit with my application?

All applications to the Doctoral programme are made via our online platform. You will either need to select 'Business (MRes 1YFT)' or 'Business (MRes 2YFT)' based on your research area of interest. Further information can be found on our  Doctoral programme page.

Please refer to the  How to apply page  to see application deadlines, what documents you are required to submit with your application and to view the selection process.

When is the application deadline?

To find out more about application deadlines for our Doctoral programme please  visit the How to apply page .

What do I need to include in my statement of purpose?

One of the most important parts of our application form is the ‘statement of purpose’ section. It should be no more than one or two A4 pages and should cover the following points:

Your motivation for undertaking the programme

A discussion of possible research areas that you might pursue and how these are a good fit for Imperial College Business School

What interests you most about your chosen field of study

Relevant past study, industry, or research projects

Long-term career goals

I haven't decided what area I want to specialise in for my PhD, what should I do?

You should browse the description of the different research groups in the Business School and the webpages of faculty members. This will give an overview of their research interests and current projects. The MRes gives you an opportunity to pursue potential interests through courses and a project prior to committing to the PhD

Do I need a willing supervisor prior to application?

No, although in your application you should list a member of  faculty  you have identified as a potential supervisor. You can demonstrate in your statement of purpose how your research interests are aligned to a potential supervisor and the Business School.

Checking the research profiles of faculty members and Business School projects will give you an indication of whether the Business School is a good fit for you. If no faculty are working in your area of interest it is unlikely that you would be shortlisted, as we may not be able to provide supervisory support during your PhD.

During the MRes year, you will become part of the research community at Imperial College Business School and interact with faculty and other PhD students during taught courses and at seminars, which we hope will influence and help shape your research ideas for the PhD.

Are all applicants interviewed?

Not all applications progress to the interview stage of the selection process, however we interview all shortlisted candidates before making an offer. In the case of overseas candidates we will arrange an interview by telephone or via Skype.

Is GMAT/GRE a compulsory requirement?

Yes. A GMAT/GRE score must be submitted before we will consider an application. Any applications submitted without a GMAT/GRE score will be considered incomplete until we receive a score. Please note that we do not make offers on the condition that a candidate achieves a satisfactory GMAT/GRE score. To see the GMAT/GRE scores we look for, please refer to the  Entry Requirements page .

Do you offer Doctoral funding and stipend?

We offer a fully funded Doctoral programme at Imperial College Business School – this includes a tuition fee waiver and a stipend for up to five years. The 2024-25 rate of the Graduate Teaching Assistant scholarship stipend is £25,000. Rates are reviewed annually and are expected to increase for 2025-26 in line with Research Council UK rates. Stipends are tax-free and the continuation of the stipend will depend on your satisfactory progress on the programme.

What living costs should I allow for in London?

Living costs vary considerably depending on the area of London you choose to live in and your choice of accommodation.

Read more about  estimated London living costs  and  accommodation for postgraduates .

Do you offer Doctoral scholarships?

Within Imperial, we also have funding opportunities from various external studentships, including EPSRC, ESRC, and the Imperial College President’s PhD Scholarships .

Students who are eligible for other PhD  funding opportunities  that may be available to them are expected to apply for them.

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Wherever you are in the world, our Recruitment team holds events where you can meet staff and students, and get your questions answered. 

Start your journey

Study your doctoral programme at a global top 10 university offering world-class faculty, leadership coaching, global business experience, industry connections, specialist careers support and an exciting London location. 

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PhD/ MPhil/ MSc Management (Research)

• Visit an Open Day
• Request a prospectus
• Course details
• Entry Requirements
• Teaching and assessment
• Employability

Our PhD in Management comprises a short taught component followed by a longer research phase. The programme will allow you to broaden and deepen your knowledge of research methods whilst undertaking your own research and developing a set of transferable professional skills.

The PhD programme in Management will facilitate the creation and interpretation of new knowledge by the research student, demonstrated through the thesis. The taught component is designed to ensure that doctoral researchers understand the breath of techniques used in modern social science research.

Doctoral researchers will be capable of analysing a range of data using a range of qualitative and quantitative techniques. They will be able to explain theories underlying different approaches to social science research. Doctoral researchers are expected to participate to the fullest possible extent in the life of the Business School. This means attending seminars organised by the Business School thereby helping expose doctoral researchers to new ideas emanating from outside their own area of specialisation. It also requires actively participating in PhD workshops and conferences organised by the Business School and Graduate School as well as institutions outside the University of Birmingham.

Ultimately all doctoral researchers will have the ability to characterise and solve business and management problems using advanced research tools. They should be able to derive policy implications from their research and communicate these to policy makers, practitioners and other academics in a manner which is comprehensible. They will also be able to peer review others’ research and offer constructive criticism; and to extend the frontiers of the discipline through their own innovative research.

Doctoral researchers may choose to become academics, work in Government, businesses, supranational organisations or in the research arms of major financial institutions. They are expected to achieve a substantial understanding of contemporaneous management and business issues enabling them to take a lead in ongoing debates within society. They will be aware of and understand the function of related institutions at both a national and international level.

Fees 2024 - 2025

• Code 8169 - £4,778 (UK) PhD Full time
• Code 8171 - £2,389 (UK) PhD Part time
• Code 8169 - £23,520 (International) PhD Full time
• Code 698B - £2,389 (UK) Distance Learning 8 Years Part time
• Code 8165 - £4,778 (UK) MPhil Full time
• Code 8168 - £2,389 (UK) MPhil Part time
• Code 8165 - £23,520 (International) MPhil Full time
• Code 8176 - £4,778 (UK) MSc (Research) Full time
• Code 8179 - £2,389 (UK) MSc (Research) Part time
• Code 8176 - £23,520 (International) MSc (Research) Full time

Learn more about fees and funding

Scholarships and studentships

Scholarships may be available. International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.

The Business School and the University provide some scholarships and bursaries for postgraduate research students.For details of these, please contact the Business School's Research Office at [email protected] . For further information contact the School directly or email [email protected] .

How To Apply

• How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page . Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Our Standard Requirements

The Business School's entry requirement is a good honours degree (first or upper second class honours) awarded by a recognised University in an appropriate subject, and a merit in a relevant Master’s degree. We usually ask students for an average of 65 in the taught component of their Masters. All international students also need to show that they have adequate knowledge of written and spoken English. Learn more about entry requirement

Writing your Research Proposal

Your research proposal should illustrate your ability to plan an independent research study and the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of Birmingham Business School.You need to demonstrate that you understand the field that you plan to research, identify an interesting and original research question, and develop a tentative plan of study. It's critical that your research proposal is written to the guidelines specified below.

Guidelines for the Research Proposal

International requirements.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 14/20 from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Argentinian university, with a promedio of at least 7.5, may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent

Applicants who hold a Masters degree will be considered for admission to PhD study.

Holders of a good four-year Diplomstudium/Magister or a Masters degree from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5 will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a good 5-year Specialist Diploma or 4-year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan, with a minimum GPA of 4/5 or 80% will be considered for entry to postgraduate taught programmes at the University of Birmingham.

For postgraduate research programmes applicants should have a good 5-year Specialist Diploma (completed after 1991), with a minimum grade point average of 4/5 or 80%, from a recognised higher education institution or a Masters or “Magistr Diplomu” or “Kandidat Nauk” from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0-3.3/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold a Masters degree from the University of Botswana with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (70%/B/'very good') will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Please note 4-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a Diploma of Higher Education. 5-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a British Bachelor (Ordinary) degree.

Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

A Licenciatura or Bacharelado degree from a recognised Brazilian university:

• A grade of 7.5/10 for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement
• A grade of 6.5/10for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement

Holders of a good Bachelors degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good post-2001 Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a minimum average of 14 out of 20 (or 70%) on a 4-year Licence, Bachelor degree or Diplôme d'Etudes Superieures de Commerce (DESC) or Diplôme d'Ingénieur or a Maîtrise will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Holders of a bachelor degree with honours from a recognised Canadian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A GPA of 3.0/4, 7.0/9 or 75% is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1.

Holders of the Licenciado or equivalent Professional Title from a recognised Chilean university will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD study will preferably hold a Magister degree or equivalent.

Students with a bachelor’s degree (4 years minimum) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. However please note that we will only consider students who meet the entry guidance below.  Please note: for the subject areas below we use the Shanghai Ranking 2022 (full table)  ,  Shanghai Ranking 2023 (full table) , and Shanghai Ranking of Chinese Art Universities 2023 .

需要具备学士学位（4年制）的申请人可申请研究生课程。请根据所申请的课程查看相应的入学要求。 请注意，中国院校名单参考 软科中国大学排名2022（总榜） ，  软科中国大学排名2023（总榜） ，以及 软科中国艺术类高校名单2023 。  

Business School    - MSc programmes (excluding MBA)  

商学院硕士课程（MBA除外）入学要求

School of Computer Science – all MSc programmes 计算机学院硕士课程入学要求

College of Social Sciences – courses listed below 社会科学 学院部分硕士课程入学要求 MA Education  (including all pathways) MSc TESOL Education MSc Public Management MA Global Public Policy MA Social Policy MA Sociology Department of Political Science and International Studies  全部硕士课程 International Development Department  全部硕士课程

  All other programmes (including MBA)   所有其他 硕士课程（包括 MBA）入学要求

Please note:

• Borderline cases: We may consider students with lower average score (within 5%) on a case-by-case basis if you have a relevant degree and very excellent grades in relevant subjects and/or relevant work experience. 如申请人均分低于相应录取要求（5%以内），但具有出色学术背景，优异的专业成绩，以及（或）相关的工作经验，部分课程将有可能单独酌情考虑。
• Please contact the China Recruitment Team for any questions on the above entry requirements. 如果您对录取要求有疑问，请联系伯明翰大学中国办公室   [email protected]

Holders of the Licenciado/Professional Title from a recognised Colombian university will be considered for our Postgraduate Diploma and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent.

Holders of a good bachelor degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Bacclaureus (Bachelors) from a recognised Croatian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 4.0 out of 5.0, vrlo dobar ‘very good’, or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelors degree(from the University of the West Indies or the University of Technology) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A Class II Upper Division degree is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1. For further details on particular institutions please refer to the list below.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Masters degree or Mphil from the University of the West Indies.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, or a GPA of 3 out of 4, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalár from a recognised Czech Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, velmi dobre ‘very good’ (post-2004) or 2, velmi dobre ‘good’ (pre-2004), or a good post-2002 Magistr (Masters), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 7-10 out of 12 (or 8 out of 13) or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters/ Magisterkonfereus/Magister Artium degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Ecuadorian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 70% or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Magister/Masterado or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Licenciado with excellent grades can be considered.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalaurusekraad from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 4/5 or B, or a good one- or two-year Magistrikraad from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with very good grades (grade B, 3.5/4 GPA or 85%) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

Holders of a good Kandidaatti / Kandidat (old system), a professional title such as Ekonomi, Diplomi-insinööri, Arkkitehti, Lisensiaatti (in Medicine, Dentistry and Vetinary Medicine), or a Maisteri / Magister (new system), Lisensiaatti / Licenciat, Oikeustieteen Kandidaatti / Juris Kandidat (new system) or Proviisori / Provisor from a recognised Finnish Higher Education institution, with a minimum overall grade of 2/3 or 4/5, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters/Maîtrise with a minimum overall grade of 13 out of 20, or a Magistère / Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures Specialisées / Mastère Specialis, from a recognised French university or Grande École to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Magister Artium, a Diplom or an Erstes Staatsexamen from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5, or a good two-year Lizentiat / Aufbaustudium / Zweites Staatsexamen or a Masters degree from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good four-year Ptychio (Bachelor degree) with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, from a recognised Greek university (AEI), and will usually be required to have completed a good Metaptychiako Diploma Eidikefsis (Masters degree) from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

4-year Licenciado is deemed equivalent to a UK bachelors degree. A score of 75 or higher from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC) can be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 60 is comparable to a UK 2.2.  Private universities have a higher pass mark, so 80 or higher should be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 70 is comparable to a UK 2.2

The Hong Kong Bachelor degree is considered comparable to British Bachelor degree standard. Students with bachelor degrees awarded by universities in Hong Kong may be considered for entry to one of our postgraduate degree programmes.

Students with Masters degrees may be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Alapfokozat / Alapképzés or Egyetemi Oklevel from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 3.5, or a good Mesterfokozat (Masters degree) or Egyetemi Doktor (university doctorate), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a 60% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the 4 year Sarjana (S1) from a recognised Indonesian institution will be considered for postgraduate study. Entry requirements vary with a minimum requirement of a GPA of 2.8.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution, with 100 out of 110 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold the Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Students with a Bachelor degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for entry to a postgraduate Masters degree provided they achieve a sufficiently high overall score in their first (Bachelor) degree. A GPA of 3.0/4.0 or a B average from a good Japanese university is usually considered equivalent to a UK 2:1.

Students with a Masters degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for PhD study. A high overall grade will be necessary to be considered.

Students who have completed their Specialist Diploma Мамаң дипломы/Диплом специалиста) or "Magistr" (Магистр дипломы/Диплом магистра) degree (completed after 1991) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate Masters degrees and, occasionally, directly for PhD degrees.  Holders of a Bachelor "Bakalavr" degree (Бакалавр дипломы/Диплом бакалавра) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of  2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, may also be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/50

Holders of a good Postgraduate Diploma (professional programme) from a recognised university or institution of Higher Education, with a minimum overall grade of 7.5 out of 10, or a post-2000 Magistrs, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 16/20 or 80% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in Libya will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of a Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved score of 70% for 2:1 equivalency or 65% for 2:2 equivalency. Alternatively students will require a minimum of 3.0/4.0 or BB to be considered.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magistras from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, or a good post-2001 Magistras, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, or a Diplôme d'Études Supérieures Spécialisées (comparable to a UK PGDip) or Masters degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (70-74% or A or Marginal Distinction from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 60-69% or B or Bare Distinction/Credit is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Malaysian institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum of 3.0) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from the University of Malta with a minimum grade of 2:1 (Hons), and/or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (Honours) from a recognised institution (including the University of Mauritius) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2:1).

Students who hold the Licenciado/Professional Titulo from a recognised Mexican university with a promedio of at least 8 will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Students who have completed a Maestria from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree, licence or Maîtrise and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students with a good four year honours degree from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. PhD applications will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Doctoraal from a recognised Dutch university with a minimum overall grade of 7 out of 10, and/or a good Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (minimum 4 years and/or level 400) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of B/Very Good or 1.6-2.5 for a 2.1 equivalency, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters, Mastergrad, Magister. Artium, Sivilingeniør, Candidatus realium or Candidatus philologiae degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0/4 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in the Palestinian Territories will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3/4 or 80% for 2:1 equivalency or a GPA of 2.5/4 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.    

Holders of the Título de Licenciado /Título de (4-6 years) or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Paraguayan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 4/5 or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  The Título Intermedio is a 2-3 year degree and is equivalent to a HNC, it is not suitable for postgraduate entry but holders of this award could be considered for second year undergraduate entry or pre-Masters.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría / Magister or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Título/Grado de Licenciado/a with excellent grades can be considered.

Holders of the Licenciado, with at least 13/20 may be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent. The Grado de Bachiller is equivalent to an ordinary degree, so grades of 15+/20 are required.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría or equivalent qualification.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4 out of 5, dobry ‘good’, and/or a good Swiadectwo Ukonczenia Studiów Podyplomowych (Certificate of Postgraduate Study) or post-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4.5/4+ out of 5, dobry plus 'better than good', will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Licenciado from a recognised university, or a Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados (DESE) from a recognised Polytechnic Institution, with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, and/or a good Mestrado / Mestre (Masters) from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Romanian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree/Diploma de Master/Diploma de Studii Academice Postuniversitare (Postgraduate Diploma - Academic Studies) or Diploma de Studii Postuniversitare de Specializare (Postgraduate Diploma - Specialised Studies) to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma) or Диплом Магистра (Magistr) degree from recognised universities in Russia (minimum GPA of 4.0) will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes/PhD study.

Students who hold a 4-year Bachelor degree with at least 16/20 or 70% will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies,Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. A score of 14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2

Students who hold a Bachelor (Honours) degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (or a score of 60-69% or B+) from a well ranked institution will be considered for most our Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees with a 2:1 requirement.

Students holding a good Bachelors Honours degree will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good three-year Bakalár or pre-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, Vel’mi dobrý ‘very good’, and/or a good Inžinier or a post-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Diploma o pridobljeni univerzitetni izobrazbi (Bachelors degree), Diplomant (Professionally oriented first degree), Univerzitetni diplomant (Academically oriented first degree) or Visoko Obrazovanja (until 1999) from a recognised Slovenian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8.0 out of 10, and/or a good Diploma specializacija (Postgraduate Diploma) or Magister (Masters) will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor Honours degree (also known as Baccalaureus Honores / Baccalaureus Cum Honoribus) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (70%) or a distinction (75%).

Holders of a Masters degree will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelor degree from a recognised South Korean institution (usually with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/4.5) will be considered for Masters programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 7 out of 10 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or a CGPA 3.30/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Kandidatexamen (Bachelors degree) or Yrkesexamen (Professional Bachelors degree) from a recognised Swedish Higher Education institution with the majority of subjects with a grade of VG (Val godkänd), and/or a good Magisterexamen (Masters degree), International Masters degree or Licentiatexamen (comparable to a UK Mphil), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good "PostGraduate Certificate" or "PostGraduate Diploma" or a Masters degree from a recognised Swiss higher education institution (with a minimum GPA of 5/6 or 8/10 or 2/5 (gut-bien-bene/good) for a 2.1 equivalence) may be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0, 3.5/5 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bachelor degree (from 75% to 85% depending upon the university in Taiwan) from a recognised institution will be considered for postgraduate Masters study. Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for entry to our postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree or Mphil from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a Bachelors degree from the following universities may be considered for entry to postgraduate programmes:

• Ateneo de Manila University - Quezon City
• De La Salle University - Manila
• University of Santo Tomas
• University of the Philippines - Diliman

Students from all other institutions with a Bachelors and a Masters degree or relevant work experience may be considered for postgraduate programmes.

Grading Schemes

1-5 where 1 is the highest 2.1 = 1.75 2.2 = 2.25 

Out of 4.0 where 4 is the highest 2.1 = 3.0 2.2 = 2.5

Letter grades and percentages 2.1 = B / 3.00 / 83% 2.2 = C+ / 2.5 / 77%

Holders of a postdoctoral qualification from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.  Students may be considered for PhD study if they have a Masters from one of the above listed universities.

Holders of a Lisans Diplomasi with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a Yuksek Diplomasi from a recognised university will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (2.1) or GPA of 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree / Диплом бакалавра (Dyplom Bakalavra), Диплом спеціаліста (Specialist Diploma) or a Dyplom Magistra from a recognised Ukrainian higher education institution with a minimum GPA of 4.0/5.0, 3.5/4, 8/12 or 80% or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

The University will consider students who hold an Honours degree from a recognised institution in the USA with a GPA of:

• 2.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement 
• 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement 

Please note that some subjects which are studied at postgraduate level in the USA, eg. Medicine and Law, are traditionally studied at undergraduate level in the UK.

Holders of the Magistr Diplomi (Master's degree) or Diplomi (Specialist Diploma), awarded by prestigious universities, who have attained high grades in their studies will be considered for postgraduate study.  Holders of the Fanlari Nomzodi (Candidate of Science), where appropriate, will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of the Licenciatura/Título or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Venezuelan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Scales of 1-5, 1-10 and 1-20 are used, an overall score of 70% or equivalent can be considered equivalent to a UK 2.1.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Maestria or equivalent qualification

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Vietnamese institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum GPA of 7.0 and above) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.  Holders of a Masters degree (thac si) will be considered for entry to PhD programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5/5.0 or a mark of 2.0/2.5 (A) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a good Bachelor Honours degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

International Students

English requirement - IELTS 7 with no less than 6.5 in any band or equivalent.

The diversity of our research strengths at Birmingham Business School means we cover a wide range of management specialisms and if your application is successful you would join one of the five departments that collectively contribute to the PhD programme in Management.

Business and Labour Economics  - Research interests include labour markets, employment regulation and incentives, international trade, piracy and production and global value chains.

Entrepreneurship & Local Economy  - Research interests include leadership, local and regional economic development and entrepreneurship.

Organisation, Work and Employment  - Research interests include work and employment in contemporary organisations in the public and private sectors, human resource management and employment relations.

Procurement and Operations Management  - Research interests include organisational buying behaviour, supplier relationship management, public sector contracting, project management, small firm operations and high value engineering management.

Strategy and International Business  - Research interests include corporate social responsibility and sustainability, internationalisation and China, knowledge and innovation and also resilience and extreme events.

>Doctoral researchers in Management are registered for a full time 3-year PhD or a part-time 6-year PhD. In the first year of the programme (first two years for those registered part-time) students are required to take 60 credits of core Research Methods modules from the MA Social Research programme. They are also recommended to take Advanced Training Modules from the MA Social Research Programme as appropriate to their research and training needs.

Depending on their needs and accredited prior learning and subject to supervisory approval doctoral researchers can substitute 20 credits of the introductory MA Social research modules for Advanced Training Modules. By the end of their first year doctoral students will have completed an 8,000 word research proposal that they will present at the first annual review.  This forms the basis for supervised research over the remaining two years of the programme and the production of an 80,000 word thesis.

If I gain a postgraduate research degree from Birmingham Business School, what are my career prospects?

Birmingham’s Business graduates are sought after by a wide range of financial, commercial and public sector employers. They can typically offer a wide range of skills including analytical & research, numeracy, communication, team working and political & commercial awareness.

For those entering employment after graduating, traditionally popular areas include banking, accountancy/professional services and financial services. Many of our programmes involve studying towards a professional qualification. Outside of these areas, options include teaching abroad and retail management. Many PhD graduates also go on to forge successful academic careers of their own in teaching and academic research.

What type of career assistance is available to doctoral researchers in Birmingham Business School?

The University of Birmingham has invested heavily in careers and employability support.  The Careers Team have been praised for enhanced developments within their team and for adopting a model of integrated employability and internship support; something that has been rolled out and implemented across all Schools and Colleges at the University.

Doctoral researchers at Birmingham Business School will benefit from this additional investment; the school  now has its own well qualified dedicated Careers Team to support students with employment opportunities, work placements, internships and how to succeed at interview. In addition, a range of career management, personal development and employer events are run each year by the Careers in Business Team to help you make the most of the opportunities available. 

The University also has dedicated careers advisors for International students who run workshops and networking opportunities with potential employers. These are especially popular with International postgraduate researchers.

• Online chat events

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PhD Management and Business

This programme has a dual-focus on subject-specific knowledge and methods training, which will give you the intellectual foundation to ask cutting-edge questions and then conduct high-quality research to address those questions under close expert supervision.

Key course information

October 2024 - full-time, october 2024 - part-time, january 2025 - full-time, january 2025 - part-time, why choose this programme.

• As a PhD student you will receive rigorous instruction and training in research philosophy and methods, together with outstanding supervision. 
• You also benefit from choosing between either writing a traditional dissertation monograph or following the PhD by publication format route. This way, you decide your preferred pathway to present your research so that it suits your interests.  
• Here at Surrey, you’ll join a cosmopolitan, multicultural and diverse community of students and scholars. We consider doctoral students to be junior academics or researchers, and an integral part of the School. 
• Our researchers often work closely with industry and collaborate with staff across the School, leading to innovative new thinking.   
• Surrey Business School is internationally recognised for interdisciplinary, international and applied research. Surrey Business School is a member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and is accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA).  
• In the UK government’s 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), the School is in the top 10 for the outputs and top 20 for real-world impact of our business research. Overall, the University is ranked 33rd for overall research quality by REF. 

Programme details Open

What you will study.

Our PhD in Management and Business will train you in critical and analytical skills, research methods, and in discipline-specific knowledge that will give you the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for a career in academia, or as a researcher in a wide variety of settings. 

We offer a three-year, full-time (and, in exceptional cases, part-time) programme. 

You’ll receive an induction by the University of Surrey’s Doctoral College, as well as a bespoke induction programme from the Business School. This induction will introduce you to the School as well as the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences in which the School is based. The induction will outline the relationship between you and your supervisor. 

Your supervisor will serve as a mentor as you progress through your PhD. 

In your first year, you will receive instruction in subject-specific knowledge and instruction and training in research philosophy and methods. As a full- time student you will complete four taught modules in your first year:

• Philosophy of Social Science Research
• Quantitative Methods 1
• Qualitative Methodology 1
• Either Quantitative Methods 2 or Qualitative Methodology 2.

At the same time, you will be working on your research (part-time students take the modules over two years). This will form the foundation of your doctoral research.

Once you’ve got the foundation for your doctoral research and passed your confirmation exam, your second year will be spent conducting doctoral research. Students conducting primary research tend to spend the year away doing field research.

Your third year will then be devoted entirely to data analysis, writing up and submitting your dissertation. You’ll have frequent interactions with your supervisor. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend professional development workshops in preparation for the academic job market. There is a four-year maximum period of study on the PhD programme for full-time students.

Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.

Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught. 

Research areas Open

Research themes.

We have key research themes in:

• Business analytics and operations
• Digital economy
• Finance and accounting
• Marketing and retail management
• People and organisations
• Strategy and entrepreneurship.

Discover more about our management and business research .

Research centres

• Centre for Business Analytics in Practice
• ​​​​​​​Centre for Social Innovation Management
• ​​​​​​​Centre of Digital Economy
• Future of Work Research Centre
• ​​​​​​​Surrey Academy for Blockchain and Metaverse Applications
• Sustainable and Explainable Fintech Centre
• University of Surrey Business and Economics Experiments Laboratory

Academic staff Open

See a full list of all our  academic staff  within the Surrey Business School.

Support and facilities Open

Research support.

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College , which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.

Hear from our students Open

Mohamed Mohamed

Student - Management and Business PhD

"The University of Surrey is renowned for its research-focused approach. I knew that studying there would allow me to work with esteemed professors and fellow students in a stimulating environment that fosters the development of critical thinking skills."

Hannah Gooding

"All these extra-curricular developments show that if you work hard, Surrey will support you into becoming the person you want to be."

Entry requirements Open

Country-specific qualifications, international students in the united kingdom.

Applicants are expected to hold a minimum of an upper second-class (2:1) UK degree and a masters degree (minimum merit) in a relevant subject from an internationally recognised university.

English language requirements

IELTS Academic:  6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category.

These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept. 

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses , designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Selection process

Selection is based on applicants:

• Meeting the expected entry requirements
• Being shortlisted through the application screening process
• Completing a successful interview
• Providing suitable references.

Fees and funding Open

Fees per year.

Explore  UKCISA’s website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the  list of fees for all postgraduate research courses.

• Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100 (subject to legal requirements).
• Any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).

Additional costs

There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey.

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

Application process

Applicants are advised to contact potential supervisors before they submit an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our  application guidance .

After registration

Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.

Apply online

To apply online first select the course you'd like to apply for then log in.

Select your course

Choose the course option you wish to apply for.

Create an account and sign into our application portal.

Management and Business PhD

Full-time, October 2024

Part-time, October 2024

Full-time, January 2025

Part-time, January 2025

About the University of Surrey

Accommodation

We have a range of housing to suit all requirements and budgets. There are more than 6,000 rooms available (en-suite, single-sex, studio flat, shared or single).

Student life

At Surrey we offer a friendly university campus set in beautiful countryside, with the convenience and social life of bustling Guildford on your doorstep.

Need more information?

Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.

Code of practice for research degrees

Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.

Download the code of practice for research degrees (PDF) .

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to follow our policies and procedures , student regulations , and terms and conditions .

We provide these terms and conditions in two stages:

• First when we make an offer.
• Second when students accept their offer and register to study with us (registration terms and conditions will vary depending on your course and academic year).

View our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2023/24 academic year, as a guide on what to expect.

This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.

Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate, some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.

It is important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer .

50 Best Online PhD in Business Administration Programs [2024 Guide]

Are you looking for online PhD in Business Administration programs for 2024? Here you can compare schools and programs and get the info you need.

With a healthy job market and the potential to earn an average salary of between $63,000 and $184,000 (Bureau of Labor Statistics), earning your doctoral business degree can be a smart choice.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

You can choose to teach the topics you’re interested in or continue thriving in your business career.

List of Schools Offering Online PhD in Business Administration Programs (and related)

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

1. Alliant International University

With its main campus in San Diego, Alliant International University is a private, benefit corporation with other campuses in California and Mexico.

It was founded in 2001 by combining two institutions: the United States International University (USIU) and the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP).

• Doctor of Business Administration

Alliant International University  is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

2. Baker College

Founded in 1911, Baker College is a not-for-profit, private college headquartered in Michigan with campuses in 8 other locations in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.

The university is a member of the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars & Admissions Officers (MACRAO) Transfer Agreement, which facilitates the transfer of up to 30 credit hours to meet general education requirements.

Baker College  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

3. Bellevue University

Situated in Bellevue, Nebraska, Bellevue University is a non-profit, private university. It started operation in 1966 and was named Bellevue College. In 1977, Bellevue gained full accreditation and, in 1994, became Bellevue University.

The Bellevue University teams are nicknamed the Bruins and are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

• Online PhD in Business

Bellevue University  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

4. California Baptist University

Located in Riverside, California, California Baptist University (Cal Baptist or CBU) is a Christian, private, liberal arts university. It was founded in 1950 and is affiliated with the California Southern Baptist Convention.

It is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level and competes in the Western Athletic Conference in almost all sports.

California Baptist University  is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

5. California Southern University

Located in Costa Mesa, California, California Southern University is a private university that was founded in 1978 as a correspondence school and received its first approval to provide degrees from the California Department of Education.

It is also a part of the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools.

California Southern University  is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

6. Capella University

Capella University is an online university based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was originally called the Graduate School of America. In 2007, the university was one of the institutions to receive the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAEIAE). This was valid until 2012.

• DBA in Accounting
• DBA in Information Technology Management
• DBA in Business Intelligence
• DBA in Leadership
• DBA in Global Operations and Supply Chain Management
• DBA in Project Management
• DBA in Human Resource Management
• DBA in Strategy and Innovation

Capella University  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

7. Capitol Technology University

Founded in 1927, Capitol Technology University is a private university located in South Laurel, Maryland.

U.S. News & World Report acknowledged Capitol for having one of the top online engineering degree programs and for a top graduate engineering program in “Student Services and Technology.”

Capital Technology University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

8. Chicago School of Professional Psychology

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (The Chicago School) is a private college. Its main campus is in Chicago, Illinois. It has other campuses in Richardson, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Irvine, CA, Washington, DC, and San Diego, CA.

It was established in the year 1979 by educators and psychologists.

• PhD in Business Psychology

The Chicago School  is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

9. City University of New York – Baruch College

Located in New York City, Baruch College (officially the Bernard M. Baruch College) is a public constituent college of the City University of New York system. Its roots go back to 1847 to the founding of the Free Academy, which was the first institution of free public higher education in the United States.

Baruch College team athletes are nicknamed Bearcats and participate as members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division III.

• Executive Doctorate in Business

Baruch College  is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

10. Cambridge College

Boston, Massachusetts, has been home to the prestigious Cambridge College, a private academy, since 1971. With four other campuses around the country, Cambridge has expounded upon its distance learning programs to award students with undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral programs.

Cambridge College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education

11. City University of Seattle

Located in Seattle, Washington, City University of Seattle (formally called City College) is a private university that was established in 1973. It has campuses all around the world in Canada, China, Czech Republic, Mexico, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Vietnam.

U.S. News & World Report ranked City University of Seattle as having one of the best online bachelor’s degree programs for six years in a row.

City University of Seattle  is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

12. Colorado Technical University

Founded in 1965, Colorado Technical University (CTU) is a university located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with another campus in Denver.

Military Times ranked the school number 1 in its “Best for Vets” category for online and non-traditional universities.

• Doctor of Management – Criminal Justice
• Doctor of Management – Environmental and Social Sustainability
• Doctor of Management – Global Leadership
• Doctor of Management – Healthcare Management and Leadership
• Doctor of Management – Higher Education Teaching and Learning
• Doctor of Management – Homeland Security
• Doctor of Management – Executive Leadership
• Doctor of Management – Non-Profit Leadership
• Doctor of Management – Organizational Development and Change
• Doctor of Management – Higher Education Leadership
• Doctor of Management – Project Management
• Doctor of Management – Technology Management

Colorado Technical University  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

13. Concordia University Chicago

Located in River Forest, Illinois. Concordia University Chicago is a private liberal arts university that was founded in 1864. It is affiliated with the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.

Concordia University Chicago’s sports teams are part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division III. Concordia Chicago has also been a member of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) since 2006.

Concordia University Chicago  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

14. Drexel University

With its headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel University is a private research university founded in 1891.

The university’s athletes, known as the Drexel Dragons, participate in the NCAA’s Division I as members of the Colonial Athletic Association. The university also has 33 club teams, including water polo, lacrosse, triathlon, squash, and cycling.

• Doctor of Management – Organizational Leadership
• Doctor of Management – Information Systems

Drexel University  is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

15. Felician University

Felician University is a Roman Catholic, private university located in New Jersey with affiliation to the Catholic Felician Sisters. It was founded in 1942.

Felician athletes participate as members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division II. The athletes are nicknamed the Golden Falcons and are members of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC).

Felician University  is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

16. Franklin University

Franklin University is located in Downtown Columbus Ohio, founded in 1902. The programs are designed to help students to find success while earning their degree and earn the #1 online college in Ohio award and consistently rank as a top Military Friendly school.

Franklin University  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

17. George Fox University

George Fox University (GFU) is a Christian university located in Newberg, Oregon. It was founded in 1891 as a school for Quakers. It is affiliated with the Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends.

George Fox University was ranked a first-tier regional university in the West by U.S. News & World Report. George Fox was also rated as one of the four best Christian colleges by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine.

• DBA in Management
• DBA in Marketing

George Fox University  is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

18. Grand Canyon University

Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private, Christian university that was founded in 1949. It is affiliated with the Evangelical Christian Church.

Grand Canyon University athletes are nicknamed the Antelopes and are currently members of the NCAA Division I participating in the Western Athletic Conference.

• Doctor in Business Administration

Grand Canyon University  has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968.

19. Hampton University

With its main campus in Hampton, Virginia, Hampton University is a private, historically black university (HBCU) that was founded in 1868.

Hampton’s athletes are nicknamed the Pirates, and its sports teams participate in NCAA Division I (FCS for football). In 2016, Hampton was also the first HBCU to field a Division I men’s lacrosse team.  It is the only HBCU with a competitive sailing team.

• PhD in Business Administration

Hampton University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

20. Humboldt International University

Humboldt International University is a public university located in Arcata, California, that was established in 1913. The Princeton Review has named HIU as one of the Best Western Colleges.

Humboldt was ranked one of the best public schools and one of the best schools for veterans by U.S. News & World Report.

Humboldt International University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

21. Indiana Wesleyan University

Located in Marion, Indiana, Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is one of the largest Christian, private universities in Indiana. It was founded in 1920 and has an affiliation with the Wesleyan church.

Its athletes are nicknamed the Wildcats, and the university sponsors 18 varsity teams that participate in NAIA Division II in men’s and women’s basketball and NCAA Division I in all other sports.

Indiana Wesleyan University  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

22. Jacksonville University

Jacksonville University first opened as a private junior college in 1934 and began offering higher degrees in 1956. Today, Jacksonville University serves students across the US and in 45 other countries. There are over 100 different majors offered at JU, and students are able to earn bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees.

Jacksonville University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

23. Johnson & Wales University

With its main campus in Providence, Rhode Island, Johnson & Wales University (JWU) is a career-oriented, private university that was founded in 1914. It also has campuses in Charlotte, NC, Miami, FL, and Denver, CO.

The athletic teams of Johnson & Wales University have been nicknamed the Wildcats, and Willie T. Wildcat is their mascot.

Johnson & Wales University  is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

24. Kansas State University

Headquartered in Manhattan, Kansas, Kansas State University is a public research university with its roots going back to 1863.

The school’s athletic teams are nicknamed the Wildcats, and they participate in the NCAA Division I and the Big 12 Conference.

In 1999, the KSU adopted an honor code: “On my honor, as a student, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this academic work.”

• Doctorate in Financial Planning

Kansas State University  has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

25. Keiser University

As one of Florida’s largest private universities, Keiser University has grown significantly since opening its doors in 1977.

Offering degrees at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, Keiser University offers global educational experiences on any of its 21 Florida campuses and its many off-campus sites around the world.

They also offer most programs via distance learning to help more students succeed. Keiser has a vast array of programs, including those in marketing, business, technology, and more.

Keiser University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

26. Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State University is split between two primary campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta. KSU’s annual enrollment passes 35,000, making it one of the 50 largest universities in the United States. The school offers more than 80 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree options. Kennesaw State was founded in 1963.

Kennesaw State University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

27. Liberty University

Liberty University (LU) is an evangelical Christian, private university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. Consisting of 17 colleges, it is one of the largest non-profit private universities.

Liberty sports teams compete in Division I of the NCAA and are nicknamed the Liberty Flames. The college football team is an NCAA Division I FBS Independent, and most of the other sports teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

• Doctor of Strategic Leadership

Liberty University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

28. LIGS University

Founded in 2006, LIGS University opened its first campus in Europe. In 2012, it opened another campus in Honolulu, Hawaii. The school is a non-accredited degree-granting university that follows the laws of the State of Hawaii.

• DBA in Strategic Management
• DBA in Team Management
• DBA in Financial Management
• DBA in Risk Management
• DBA in Global Marketing
• DBA in Marketing Communication
• DBA in HR Management
• DBA in Planning and Development of Human Resources

LIGS University is accredited by the Accreditation Service for International Schools.

29. Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University offers hundreds of options for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across its seven colleges. OSU’s main campus is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The university is designated as a school with high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation.

• PhD in Business for Executives

Oklahoma State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

30. Regent University

Founded in 1977, Regent University is a private, Christian university located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It was first established as Christian Broadcasting Network University and changed its name in 1990. It is affiliated with the Interdenominational Evangelical Church.

Its athletes are nicknamed the Royals. Regent University was ranked as having one of the best online undergraduate programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

• Doctor of Strategic Leadership – Individualized Studies
• Doctor of Strategic Leadership – Leadership Coaching
• Doctor of Strategic Leadership – Servant Leadership
• Doctor of Strategic Leadership – Strategic Foresight

Regent University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

31. Saint Leo University

A Roman Catholic, liberal arts university, Saint Leo University was established in 1889 with its campus in St. Leo, Florida. The school is affiliated with the Holy Name Monastery and Saint Leo Abbey.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked Saint Leo as one of the best regional universities in the south and one of the best value universities in the south.

Saint Leo University  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

32. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University aims to prepare students interested in business or academia for success through its PhD in International Business. Graduates are expected to leave with the skills needed to further their careers in applied business or to pursue teaching professions at colleges or universities.

Since the degree is offered as a cohort program, students can choose either a campus option or an executive, low-residency option that features online and campus components.

• PhD in International Business (Hybrid)

Southern New Hampshire University  is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

33. Temple University

Temple University is a public research university in Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1884 by Russell Conwell, a Baptist minister. It has six campuses across Pennsylvania, with its main campus in North Philadelphia. It also has foreign campuses in Japan and Rome.

The University’s sports teams are nicknamed the Owls, named after the university’s early days in which it was a night school.

• PhD in Accounting
• PhD in Finance
• PhD in Human Resource Management
• PhD in International Business
• PhD in Management Information Systems
• PhD in Marketing
• PhD in Risk Management and Insurance
• PhD in Strategic Management

Temple University  is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

34. Trident University

Founded in 1998, Trident University International (Trident) is a private, online university located in California. The university is research-based, and its students consist mostly of active service members and veterans.

Trident University is the first fully online university to be regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

35. University of Charleston

With its main campus in Charleston, West Virginia, the University of Charleston (UC) is a private university with campuses in Beckley, West Virginia, and Martinsburg, West Virginia, as well. The Barboursville Seminary of the Southern Methodist Church founded the school in 1888.

UC’s athletes, nicknamed the Golden Eagles, compete in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) in NCAA Division II.

• PhD in Business

The University of Charleston is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

36. University of Dallas

The University of Dallas, located in Irving, Texas, is a private Catholic university that was established in 1956. The Princeton Review ranked the university as one of the best western colleges. The Washington Monthly ranked the school among the best master’s universities.

The school’s athletes are nicknamed the Crusaders and compete in the NCAA Division III – SCAC.

The University of Dallas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

37. University of Maryland

The University of Maryland is located in College Park, Maryland, and is a public research university that was founded in 1856. It is an institution under the University System of Maryland.

U.S. News and World Report ranked the University of Maryland as one of the best public universities. Business Insider ranked the university in its list of the “Smartest Public Colleges in America” for two consecutive years.

The University of Maryland  is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

38. University of Missouri

The flagship of the University of Missouri System, the University of Missouri is one of Missouri’s largest public research universities. It was founded in 1839.

Its athletic teams, nicknamed the Missouri Tigers, are members of the NCAA Division I and participate in the Southeastern Conference.

The University of Missouri  has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1915.

39. University of North Carolina – Greensboro

The PhD in Business Administration program from the University of North Carolina—Greensboro is designed to help students gain the skills needed to take on academic careers at institutions of higher learning.

The program focuses on positioning students for success in academic careers through a heightened understanding of different conceptual and empirical research methodologies as well as a strong grasp of scholarly literature in the field.

All courses are delivered in an online format—with students only required to go to campus for orientation, exams, and dissertation defense.

The  University of North Carolina at Greensboro  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

40. University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix (UOPX) was founded in 1976. Its main campus is in Phoenix, Arizona. The school is one of the biggest recipients of GI Bill tuition benefits.

The University of Phoenix  is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

41. University of South Florida

Located in Tampa, Florida, the University of South Florida (USF) is a public research university that was founded in 1956. It is home to 14 colleges.

Its athletes are nicknamed the Bulls and compete in the NCAA Division I and the American Athletic Conference.

• Doctorate in Business Administration

The University of South Florida  is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

42. University of the Cumberlands

The University of the Cumberlands is located in Williamsburg, Kentucky. It is a private, Christian university that was founded in 1888 by Baptist ministers.

The school’s athletic teams are nicknamed the Patriots. They’re members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and primarily compete in the Mid-South Conference.

The University of the Cumberlands is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

43. University of the Incarnate Word

The University of the Incarnate Word’s DBA builds on the knowledge and skills of students in business and business-related disciplines. Students may choose to attend in an online-only format.

The University of the Incarnate Word is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

44. University of the Southwest

The University of the Southwest, located in Hobbs, New Mexico, is a private, Christian university that was founded in 1962. It is affiliated with the non-denominational Christian church.

The school’s athletes are nicknamed the Mustangs and compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). They’re also members of the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC).

The University of the Southwest  is an accredited member of the Higher Learning Commission.

45. University of Wisconsin

Founded in 1848, the University of Wisconsin is a public university and the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It ranked as one of the best universities in the US in the Academic Ranking of World Universities.

Its athletes are nicknamed the Badgers and participate in NCAA’s Division I-A. The university’s athletes also compete in the Big Ten Conference.

The University of Wisconsin  has been continuously accredited since 1913 by the Higher Learning Commission.

46. Walden University

Walden University is an online university and Public Benefit Corporation located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was established in 1970. Walden University is a member of a global network of universities managed by Laureate Education, Inc.

• DBA in Energy management
• DBA in Entrepreneurship
• DBA in Finance
• DBA in Global Supply Chain Management
• DBA in Healthcare management
• DBA in Information System Management
• DBA in International Business
• DBA in Social Impact Management
• DBA in Technology Entrepreneurship

Walden University  is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

48. West Virginia University

Founded in 1867, West Virginia University has a long and rich history as a land-grant university. The school has more than 210,000 alumni from around the world and has been providing distance education for over 50 years. Its online program offers worldwide access to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs.

• Doctorate of Business Administration

West Virginia University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

49. Westcliff University

Located in Irvine, California, Westcliff University is a private institution. The school’s athletes are named the Warriors, and the school offers four men’s and women’s sports but is not affiliated with the NCAA or NAIA.

Westcliff University  is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

50. Wilmington University

Located in New Castle, Delaware, Wilmington University is a non-profit, private, doctoral research institution that was founded in 1968. It also has another campus in New Jersey.

The school’s athletic teams are nicknamed the Wildcats and compete in NCAA Division II and the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.

Wilmington University  is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Online Business PhD Program Concentrations

By delving into business degree specializations, you can differentiate yourself from other online degree in business recipients once you’re ready to enter the professional world. Click on the area of study that most interests you to jump to that section of the guide.

• Business Administration – General

Healthcare Management

Human resources, information systems, nonprofit management, public administration, supply chain and logistics.

Each of these specializations is in high demand in the workforce.

Although most entry-level positions in accounting require only a bachelor’s degree, a PhD in Accounting can help enhance the qualifications of candidates for more advanced positions.

Individuals with a PhD in Accounting often qualify for higher-level positions in organizations. such as chief financial officers or financial managers who oversee the design and execution of financial strategies. They may also serve as heads of accounting departments or organizations.

Individuals with a PhD in Accounting may end up in academia working as accounting professors as well. They may also work as accounting consultants who advise firms on the most effective ways to boost their profits as well as other matters like investments, taxes, and payroll.

Business Administration

A PhD in Business Administration can help graduates enter the workforce with the training and qualifications needed to assume senior leadership positions in government agencies, corporations, and non-profit organizations.

Graduates may become high-level executives who oversee the operations of an organization. They may design, manage, and execute policies and strategies to ensure that their firms meet their different business objectives.

They may also work as economists who conduct research, perform data analysis, and monitor economic trends. Other job opportunities for individuals with a PhD in Business Administration are positions as market analysts, management analysts, and professors.

A PhD in Finance can help students develop advanced knowledge and a deeper understanding of economics and finance and make them qualified to pursue high-level management positions in corporations.

This degree can help students develop the skills, training, and qualifications to become chief financial officers.

Chief financial officers keep track of all the financial dealings of an organization. They oversee critical departments, such as accounting and finance, and compile, analyze, and present financial transactions of a firm to its upper-level executives.

Those with a PhD in Finance may also work as financial managers who are tasked to oversee all actions performed by employees assigned to budgeting and financial reporting. They may also end up as budget analysts or compensation and benefits managers, among others.

Graduates of PhD in Healthcare Administration programs are generally rewarded for their years of study with opportunities to pursue financially rewarding careers in clinical settings. Moreover, they can help benefit their communities through the provision and delivery of responsive healthcare services.

Graduates may eventually become hospital administrators who supervise the delivery of healthcare services. Hospital administrators oversee finances, develop budgets, design policies and procedures, and evaluate and manage personnel.

They may also become healthcare administrators, generalists, or health information managers. Other graduates pursue careers as university professors, researchers, or healthcare consultants or take on executive positions at healthcare companies.

Individuals pursuing a PhD in Human Resources have opportunities to earn the skills and knowledge required to fill leadership roles in businesses and organizations. They may work as human resource managers who plan, direct, and coordinate the administrative functions of a company.

HR managers are tasked with overseeing the recruitment of new staff, work with top-level management on strategic planning, and serve as a link between management and employees.

People with a PhD in Human Resources may also work as HR consultants who specialize in fields like employee recruitment, employee incentives and rewards, retirement, and mergers and acquisitions.

They may also become human resources professors who not only develop lesson plans and teach students but also spend a lot of time performing research.

Earning a PhD in Information Systems can help students obtain the qualifications needed to pursue management positions in tech-related organizations.

They may work as information systems managers who oversee the technological activities of companies or organizations. They may also ascend to senior-level positions, such as chief technology officer or chief information officer.

Individuals with a PhD in Information Systems may work as information research scientists who design and test new approaches to computing technology.

They may start successful careers as computer hardware engineers who build computers and related equipment. They may also work as computer network architects who design the layouts for data communication structures.

A PhD in Management can help students qualify to pursue high-level positions in many businesses and organizations. A doctorate in management can give graduates the flexibility to enter a variety of fields and industries.

They may take up C-level positions in business organizations. They may also be tapped to develop and implement the strategic plans of a company or tasked to supervise various departments in an organization.

Others work as management consultants who collaborate with organizations in identifying and developing business solutions. Doctorate degree holders in management may also work as change managers who help organizations in improving their business processes.

It is also typical for individuals with a PhD in Management to work in academia, teaching students in their areas of expertise and performing independent research.

A doctorate in marketing can help students develop a deeper understanding of consumer behavior, enabling them to design and implement methods to improve the optimal use of marketing resources.

Graduates may work as financial managers who research market trends and formulate and design plans for company expansion. Eventually, they may climb the corporate ladder and occupy top-level positions, such as chief marketing officers in major corporations.

Other graduates work as marketing professors. It is also common for PhD holders in marketing to flourish in research, particularly for government agencies and nonprofit businesses.

Earning a doctoral degree in nonprofit management can help provide individuals with opportunities to advance in their careers in nonprofit organizations, government agencies, foundations, and more.

Individuals with a PhD in Nonprofit Management may end up in the public sector as government program managers tasked to evaluate and manage programs. They may also work as consultants specializing in various fields and capable of assisting nonprofit organizations in meeting specific goals.

Others work as directors of nonprofit programs. Tasks for this position range from managing budgets and overseeing fundraising efforts to supervising staff and volunteers and managing publicity.

Eventually, individuals with a doctorate degree in nonprofit management often take on leadership positions, such as executive director or CEO, in nonprofits.

PhD holders in public administration enjoy a vast range of career options. They may work in areas such as healthcare policy, social policy, finance, or budgeting. They may also work as professors, consultants, or researchers.

Individuals with a PhD in Public Administration may work as urban or regional planners. These professionals help build communities by creating and overseeing land use plans and programs.

They may also work as HR managers in government agencies tasked to coordinate and direct the various administrative functions of organizations.

A doctorate in supply chain and logistics can help students fast track their careers in corporations or pursue careers in academia and research.

They may work as logisticians who oversee and coordinate supply chains. This can help prepare them for more senior-level positions, such as chief operating officer. Chief operating officers oversee all aspects of a company’s operations, including the distribution of goods and services.

Those with a PhD in Supply Chain and Logistics may also remain in academia and work as postsecondary business teachers tasked to mentor students, design curricula, and even oversee certain administrative functions.

Online PhD in Business Curriculum

Earning a PhD requires covering a wide variety of topics and subjects that span virtually every discipline of the business world.

A curriculum similar to the following is likely:

• Business Analysis
• Econometrics
• Global Strategic Management
• Managerial Computing
• Organizational Development
• Theory of Corporate Finance

Most doctoral programs require a dissertation, but a growing number of accredited universities offer doctoral programs without a dissertation requirement. Instead, you may complete a capstone project.

What Does a Doctor of Business Administration Do?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some career paths a doctoral degree holder might pursue in the business field include:

Your specific salary will depend largely on your industry, location, and company.

Online PhD in Business Program Admission Requirements

Copies of your undergraduate and master’s degree transcripts, as well as an up-to-date resume or curriculum vitae (CV), usually get the ball rolling.

From here, earning your university’s minimum required score on either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) may come next.

In some cases, you might also need to present professional references or letters of recommendation from supporting faculty members to successfully join an inbound PhD cohort.

Accreditation for Online PhD Programs in Business

Accreditation for a PhD program can come from a regional accreditor (accredits the university as a whole) or a business-specific accreditor, such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB ) or the Accreditation Council for Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) .

Program-specific accreditation is not necessary, though it can add more prestige to your degree.

Regional accreditation is needed for many forms of financial aid, including federal aid, and many schools require transfer credits to come from regionally accredited schools.

Regional accreditation is done by the following boards:

• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)

Many employers look more favorably upon degrees from regionally accredited schools as well.

Financial Aid for Doctoral Business Students

Just like earning one of the various types of business degrees as an undergrad, typically the best place to start is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) . Feeling out this application will allow you to see which federal grants and loans you qualify for.

Other potential sources of financial aid include:

• State funding
• University scholarships or fellowships
• Private organization scholarships
• Employer tuition-assistance programs

A smart business person looks for investors to help them grow their company. In the same vein, it’s important not to pass by any potential sources of funding as you develop your expertise.

Can You Get a Doctorate Degree in Business?

Yes, you can pursue a doctorate degree in business.

You can also choose from numerous specializations, including the major areas of accounting, business administration, finance, management, and marketing.

What Is the Difference between a PhD and DBA?

When comparing and contrasting PhD and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programs, it’s important to understand the end goals of those who pursue these business degrees .

PhD candidates traditionally work within academia as professors and department adjudicators, while DBA graduates usually enter or remain in professional work as administrative executives and managerial supervisors. This also applies to graduates of MBA online programs .

After completing an online DBA program , you may still pursue a professorship.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), business professors earn an average salary of $94,360 annually.

Those with a PhD may have higher than average earnings as business professors. The BLS states that the highest-earning professors can earn up to $198,240 a year.

What Is a PhD in Business Administration?

Becoming a PhD in Business Administration recipient is all about meeting the demands of both the academic and the practical sides of cutting-edge business theory.

Members of this community usually aim to push the boundaries of business- and management-related research.

Generally, demonstrating this kind of expertise requires the completion of 60 credit hours for those who already lay claim to a master’s degree in business .It usually requires the completion of 90 credit hours for students coming straight out of an undergraduate program.

Traditionally, earning a PhD sets up the recipient for a job in academia, with serving as a full-time professor standing as the overarching goal of this process.

How Do You Get a PhD in Business Administration?

Earning a PhD in Business Administration is all about figuring out the path that suits your needs and daily demands. Some students stick to the traditional campus-based route—complete with multiple class meetings a day and standard length semesters.

If that kind of learning experience doesn’t sound too agreeable with your current professional and personal schedule, you can always stick to an online PhD program.

This approach can allow you to work on your DBA coursework and dissertation at your own pace, all while giving you the flexibility needed to balance this experiential learning with all of the other rigors that come with daily life.

How Much Can You Make with a PhD in Business?

According to the BLS, the career outlook for postsecondary teachers is brighter than it has been in a long time. Specifically, this occupational field is expected to have an above-average growth rate of 12% over the next several years.

This means that not only can serving as a business professor potentially provide you with ample compensation—often between $94,360 and $198,240 annually (Bureau of Labor Statistics)—you’ll also be entering one of the more open and accepting job markets available.

Is a PhD in Business Administration Worth It?

Yes, a PhD in Business Administration is worth it for many students.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting 8% job growth in business and financial occupations over the next 10 years. Common careers in this field include market research analysts, chief operating officers, and investment bankers.

Deciding upon the pursuit of a PhD requires going beyond your projected salary, though. Is this decision part of a greater employee enrichment program offered up by your current employer? Perhaps you simply want to test your skills and reach the highest academic echelons? Is it worth it ?

Figuring out what truly motivates you now can help ensure that you make the right call when the time comes to submit your application and get to work on your PhD in Business Administration.

You may also be interested in:

• Online DBA Without Dissertation

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