Doctor of Business Administration

Course Overview

This programme is available to Home and International applicants.

The programme has two parts and is composed of taught modules and a doctoral-level work-based research project. The element of reflection on professional practice distinguishes the professional doctorate from the award of a PhD.

Full-time

Typically, the programme duration is three years. Part I is completed over one calendar year, followed by Part II over a further two years. The maximum period of study is four years. 

Part-time

Typically, the programme duration is six years. Part I is completed over two calendar years, followed by Part II over a further four years. The maximum period of study is eight years.

Modules

Part One consists of 6 compulsory taught modules, which prepare candidates for the independent practice-based research project of Part Two. During the first year the taught modules are delivered at the rate of two modules each term.

Part 1

• Research Principles and Philosophy (30 credits)
  Upon the successful completion of this module, the student should be able to:
  • develop a comprehensive understanding of research design and methods in business, administration and management studies; as well as developing an advanced and critical understanding of the current literature;
  • critically assess the philosophical presumptions that underpin research into business, administration and management studies and identify the philosophical and epistemological presumptions that underpin how the DBA candidates approach their research project;
  • design a research project with clear and specific research objectives and questions to critically examine contemporary business and management challenges and locate this in a specific philosophical or epistemological framework;
  • develop a systematic and advanced philosophical understanding of the approaches used in research as well as the debates at the forefront of the discipline.

• Visions for the Future – Theoretical Perspectives on Management  (30 credits)
  Upon the successful completion of this module, the student should be able to:
  • critically analyse the philosophical underpinnings of contemporary management practice and the different contexts, perspectives and paradigms on management;
  • critically examine and evaluate and the views of major academic and management theorists;
  • critically apply underpinning management theory to current and emerging debates in management practice.

• Critical Literature Review for Doctoral Research (30 credits)
  Upon the successful completion of this module, the student should be able to:
  • undertake an advanced and systematic search and review of literature on a specific topic in business, administration and management studies;
  • engage in comprehensive critiques and understanding of trends in the analysis of literature related to your research;
  • critically engage in current debates relates to business, administration and management theory;
  • synthesise extant literature to form conclusions about the current state of knowledge and research in a field; Identifying gaps in knowledge and using this to generate and hone your own research aims and objectives.

• Converting Research into Practice (30 credits)
  Upon the successful completion of this module, the student should be able to:
  • create and interpret new knowledge through original research and advanced scholarship; to extend the forefront of business and management studies;
  • demonstrate a systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of business and management studies and organisational/management practice;
  • conceptualise, design and implement a research project for the generation of new knowledge and understanding at the forefront of business and management studies and communicate the findings and contributions to academic practitioner audiences;
  • conduct a pilot study, gather and analyse original empirical data and develop the findings to write a paper in the format of an academic journal article;
  • write a research-based academic paper making that makes informed judgements on complex issues and makes a clear contribution to both business and management theory and organisational/management practice.

• Quantitative Research Methods (30 credits) 
  Upon the successful completion of this module, the student should be able to:
  • critically assess the appropriate contexts for using quantitative research techniques, the philosophical underpinnings, strengths and limitations of quantitative research;
  • develop a detained understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry;
  • select from, and implement, a range of quantitative analysis techniques in order to address a particular research question;
  • understand and critically evaluate quantitative research papers in the student’s subject area of interest;
  • assess the contexts for quantitative / qualitative empirical evidence and give a meaning to the data in / with an epistemological perspective;
  • explore ways to further analyse data through mechanical / abstraction / coding with further analytical aids and the use of software to facilitate data analysis.

• Advancing to Doctoral Research Stage  (30 credits)
  Upon the successful completion of this module, the student should be able to:
  • develop the systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of business and management studies and organisational/management practice;
  • conceptualise, design and undertake a research project for the generation of new knowledge and understanding at the forefront of business and management studies;
  • write and defend a detailed research proposal that will generate original empirical research and new knowledge to advance business and management studies and organisational/management practice;
  • frame the creation and interpretation of new knowledge through original research and advanced scholarship; to extend the forefront of business and management studies.

Part 2

• Research Dissertation (360 credits)

Key Features

It is widely recognised as the pinnacle of qualifications in the world of business and management. This DBA programme is designed to meet the needs of professionals working in Business Administration and Management related areas in the UK and overseas.

Assessment

Formative assessments and Summative assessments. 

Written assignments and presentations that are designed in line with the indicative contents, as well as module outcomes, will assess our students’ knowledge and understanding of the modules.  The students will benefit from tutor-led feedback within the seminars and workshops as part of small group discussions which support their learning in the taught part.  The use of varied methods to assess learning in Part I ensures that our students will develop the skills that prepare them for the research part of the DBA (Part II).

Entry Criteria

This programme is available to Home and International applicants.

The normal minimum entrance requirement for applicants for candidature for professional doctorates is a master’s degree with a Merit classification or an overall mark of a minimum of 60% in an area relevant to the doctoral programme, awarded by the UK or other recognised University or higher education institution, or by the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA). English Language requirement for international students applying to complete the DBA programme in London on a 4-year basis.

Proficiency in English of candidates whose first language is not English is at or exceeding an average IELTS score (or equivalent in any other approved test) of 6.0 with no lower than 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Tuition Fees and Scholarships

Visit our Fees section for more information.

For International Students:

Scholarship
£500 (reduction of the first-year fees) for applicants with 70% or above marks in the qualifying award.

Early bird offer
10 bursaries of £500 each per intake are available to applicants who have submitted complete applications and who have been issued with an unconditional offer letter at least two months before the registration week for their chosen programme. the £500 reduction only applies to the first year’s fee.

Additional Costs

There will be no mandatory additional costs to study beyond the payment of tuition. Students should be prepared to incur the basic costs associated with study such as transport and may wish to purchase coffees, snacks or other sundry items on campus.

However, students are expected to carry the costs of optional day trips or fieldwork which would depend on their research topic and may relate to whether any fieldwork is required and where it is located. Travel and accommodation costs associated with attendance at events would also be borne by the student. In Part II there may also be costs associated with attending conferences. Whilst this will vary from student to student this may incur a minimum of £500 per annum. Students are able to select their research project topics themselves in close liaison with their supervisory team.

Many students also choose to invest in study support tools such as laptops over the course of their study, though this is not a programme requirement. Any activities related to study or student life which bear a cost beyond tuition will be optional, and the expense shall be clearly communicated to students at the time of registration.

Career Opportunities and Employability

The DBA programme remains a highly relevant offering and reflects the realities and needs of the local as well as the international marketplace. The programme seeks to combine the latest in management theory with the practical and professional skills that modern employers are looking for. During the course of the DBA programme, students will develop a wide variety of employability skills that will enhance their future career prospects.

At the end of this programme, it would be expected that students will become leaders in their field having made a genuinely new contribution to knowledge and practice, which is demonstrative of higher-order problem-solving skills. To make this contribution to knowledge and practice they will need to demonstrate awareness of cutting-edge research and thought leadership within their field.

The process of developing and writing the thesis will necessarily require the student to have demonstrated high levels of adaptability, creativity and resourcefulness. The DBA programme will prepare students for any field or discipline within management and business giving them the critical thinking skills, analytical capabilities, and enhanced cognitive abilities to be able to succeed in these areas. Also, it will train these students to be robust and proficient researchers should they choose to enter a career directly in academia.

Questions?

For any questions related to the academic content of the course, please contact the programme manager Dr Amare Desta.

For all other enquiries, please call us on 0207 127 7404 or email the London Admissions team at londonadmissions@uwtsd.ac.uk.