Business Administration DBA 12 months PHD Programme By University of Staffordshire |TopUniversities
Programme Duration

12 monthsProgramme duration

Tuitionfee

8,750 GBPTuition Fee/year

Application Deadline

10 Jul, 2026Application Deadline

Starting Month

SepStarting Month

Programme overview

Main Subject

Business and Management Studies

Degree

Other

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

Blended

The world of business and commerce demands highly competent professionals – individuals who are equipped with the ability to make key decisions and face strategic challenges head on. If you want to be able to support your judgement with evidence-based data and bring measurable change to your organisation, the Doctor of Business Administration course is ideal.

Similar to the PhD, the DBA is the highest qualification achievable in Higher Education (Level 8). It is a common choice for practicing managers and senior professional practitioners who wish to pursue their academic, personal and career development beyond a Masters degree (Level 7) through a rigorous and challenging programme of study and research. The DBA is aimed at those who want to make a difference to the way that management and professional practice in the fields of organisation and management will be developed in the future.

The DBA has been designed for senior executives and other professionals in strategic management positions from diverse industries and sectors of the economy. DBA candidates advance their respective fields by conducting original practice-based research and thus contributing to professional practice by developing existing theories and knowledge in the field.

It’s a doctoral research degree that investigates real businesses and managerial issues via the critical review and systematic application of appropriate theories and research to professional practice. Having an applied research perspective, the DBA differs from a traditional PhD in that it includes a substantial knowledge element, as well as the development of a research thesis. The informed element of the DBA focuses on both philosophy and methods of advanced qualitative and quantitative research. It places emphasis on the participative and action-oriented processes relevant to applied doctoral study of this nature.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: DBA Business Administration

Programme overview

Main Subject

Business and Management Studies

Degree

Other

Study Level

PHD

Study Mode

Blended

The world of business and commerce demands highly competent professionals – individuals who are equipped with the ability to make key decisions and face strategic challenges head on. If you want to be able to support your judgement with evidence-based data and bring measurable change to your organisation, the Doctor of Business Administration course is ideal.

Similar to the PhD, the DBA is the highest qualification achievable in Higher Education (Level 8). It is a common choice for practicing managers and senior professional practitioners who wish to pursue their academic, personal and career development beyond a Masters degree (Level 7) through a rigorous and challenging programme of study and research. The DBA is aimed at those who want to make a difference to the way that management and professional practice in the fields of organisation and management will be developed in the future.

The DBA has been designed for senior executives and other professionals in strategic management positions from diverse industries and sectors of the economy. DBA candidates advance their respective fields by conducting original practice-based research and thus contributing to professional practice by developing existing theories and knowledge in the field.

It’s a doctoral research degree that investigates real businesses and managerial issues via the critical review and systematic application of appropriate theories and research to professional practice. Having an applied research perspective, the DBA differs from a traditional PhD in that it includes a substantial knowledge element, as well as the development of a research thesis. The informed element of the DBA focuses on both philosophy and methods of advanced qualitative and quantitative research. It places emphasis on the participative and action-oriented processes relevant to applied doctoral study of this nature.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: DBA Business Administration

Admission Requirements

6.5+
To be considered for study for the Doctorate in Business Administration you must meet the following entry requirements:

All candidates
Candidates should be professionals with significant managerial experience at a senior level. Individual applicants with prior professional experience and a strong industry background may be considered for the programme (however this is subject to the individual having access to data which will inform the practice-based research project). Individual entrepreneurs may also be considered and will be provided advice and guidance by the Award Leader of the appropriateness of the course and how students may approach the modules and the research project.

Applicants will be expected to have attained at least one qualification at a L7 level with a 50% pass or equivalent (Masters/MBA/MRes/MPhil).

In exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not meet the above criteria but have an outstanding under-graduate degree along with significant professional experience will also be considered. 

Additional requirement for international candidates
An English language qualification of IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band or equivalent is required from international candidates.

Current (not more than 2 years old at the time of application) TOEFL/GMAT/GRE scores will also be considered.

All candidates will be interviewed to assess their suitability which will include the understanding of their broad research theme. The candidates will be provided with appropriate information, advice and guidance.

10 Jul 2026
1 Year
Sep

  • Candidates are required to submit an essay(s) for acceptance

Tuition fees

Domestic
6,500 GBP
International
8,750 GBP

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