An international student’s experience: Studying a Doctor of Business Administration DBA (Online) with Aston University

Balancing doctoral study with a full-time career takes commitment, but it’s achievable with the right structure and support. Aston University’s Doctor of Business Administration DBA (Online) is built to help you keep progressing at work while developing the research skills to grow as an industry leader and thinker.

New York–based financial services leader Siddharth Arora found that Aston Online’s flexible design made it possible to keep studying while building his international career.

“I wanted something intellectually challenging that would let me explore my field in depth and prepare me for the next phase of my career,” he says.

Now in his third year, Siddharth is completing his Doctor of Business Administration DBA (Online) with Aston Business School while lecturing as an Adjunct Professor at The College of Westchester in New York. His experience shows how an online DBA can bring together research and real-world practice.

Watch how international professional Siddharth Arora is balancing doctoral research, teaching and a global career while studying his Doctor of Business Administration DBA (Online) with Aston University.

What is a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)?

A Doctor of Business Administration DBA (Online) helps you apply research to real business challenges. It’s for professionals who want to lead through thoughtful and evidence-based decision-making.

At this level of study, professionals often consider two distinct doctoral paths: the PhD and the DBA. PhD study expands theory while DBA study turns that theory into tools you can use in your professional life. You’ll use academic frameworks to analyse and solve problems in your own field, creating practical solutions that drive progress.

This approach helps you become more analytical and strategic in your decision-making. It also gives you the confidence to lead with research-backed insight.

Our blog DBA versus PhD: an academic perspective explains how this applied approach differs from traditional doctoral study.

Why professionals choose our DBA

Experience changes how you see your work. Over time, you start asking what really drives outcomes and how that understanding could make your decisions stronger. A DBA gives you the structure to explore those questions and turn what you learn into practical insight.

Our online DBA appealed to Siddharth because it offered the space to explore ideas in depth. “After years in leadership, I wanted to go beyond management practice. I wanted to understand why certain strategies work, study them deeply and contribute something new to my profession,” he says.

That kind of curiosity is something Dr Geoff Parkes, Programme Director of the Executive DBA at Aston University, sees often. “Doctoral study gives professionals the opportunity to monetise academic endeavour in practice,” he explains.

A DBA helps you apply research in practical ways, from solving business problems to guiding long-term strategy. In How a DBA delivers real-world change, we highlight how graduates are using their research to make a measurable impact in their organisations and industries.

At Aston University, the Executive Doctor of Business Administration DBA (Online) is designed to let you keep working while expanding your expertise. You’ll build advanced skills in research, analysis and leadership and apply them directly to your role. This growing motivation to combine work and study reflects a wider trend explored in our blog The rising demand for DBAs.

From global business to doctoral research

Siddharth has spent more than two decades working in analytics, consulting and sales leadership across India, Singapore, Hong Kong and the United States. That global experience shaped his research interests and led him to study online with Aston University.

“When I discovered Aston, I realised the faculty expertise matched my interests exactly,” he says. “The seminars and research culture were engaging and relevant. It just felt like the right fit.”

Now in his third year, Siddharth’s thesis explores the role of sales coaching in service failure and recovery in B2B settings. His research combines psychology, management and customer experience—all disciplines that reflect the diversity of modern business.

“It’s a topic that connects to my career but also contributes something meaningful to the wider field. It examines how sales leaders can help teams recover from service challenges and build stronger client relationships.”

Learning to think differently

​​Our Executive Doctor of Business Administration DBA (Online) is designed to change how you approach problems. The early research training introduces new ways of analysing information, testing ideas and making evidence-based decisions.

Siddharth says this shift redefined how he worked. “The biggest change was learning to think like an academic. In business, you make decisions quickly. In research, you slow down, take in more perspectives and question what you know. It changes how you think about leadership and impact.”

At Aston University, your professional insight becomes the foundation of your research. A dedicated supervisory team guides you from proposal to thesis, offering expertise in academic leadership, your specialist field and research methods.

“Each supervisor brings something different,” Siddharth explains. “Together they make sure your work stays on track and aligned with your goals.”

Balancing work, study and life

One of the main advantages of our online DBA is flexibility. You can keep working while progressing through your research. 

Siddharth says the key to success is consistency. “Consistency matters more than hours. I study for one or two hours each day and more on weekends. Small, regular effort builds momentum.”

You can access recorded and live sessions, interactive modules and the full digital library through our online platform at any time. You’ll also be supported by the Student Success Team, who offer guidance in time management, study skills, and overall wellbeing.

“Even with the time difference, I’ve never felt disconnected,” he says “The support team and supervisors are always responsive. It really feels like being part of a global academic community.”

He’s already applied lessons from his coursework and research to his teaching, encouraging students to think more critically about evidence and problem-solving.

“It changes how you communicate ideas. You start thinking about the evidence behind every statement and help others see problems from a new perspective,” he continues.

For professionals considering this path, Siddharth encourages clarity of purpose. “You need to know your reasons for doing it. A DBA is demanding, but if you have curiosity and discipline, it can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.”

Why study your DBA with Aston University

Our Online Executive DBA brings together academic excellence, flexibility and personalised support. It’s delivered by Aston Business School, among the top 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS).

You’ll gain access to a research-led programme built for working professionals who want to study from anywhere while connecting with a global academic community.

Key features: 

• 100% online delivery with flexible scheduling and live academic support
• Personalised supervision and structured progression throughout your research
• Access to Aston’s global digital library, research tools and international faculty network
• Aston University is now ranked in the top 5% of global universities (top 5% evaluated institutions, QS World University Rankings)
• Ranked 21st in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2025)

“It’s rigorous and supportive,” Siddharth says. “You are constantly challenged to think deeply, but you always have help when you need it. For international students like me, that balance makes all the difference.”

What international students gain from Aston’s Online DBA

Our Executive Doctor of Business Administration DBA (Online) helps you apply research to real business challenges, broaden your global outlook and shape the future of business practice. It’s designed for professionals who want to make a lasting impact through evidence-based leadership.

As an international student, you’ll gain:

• The flexibility to study from anywhere through a research-driven online format
• Guidance from experts in a triple-accredited business school recognised worldwide
• Opportunities to apply doctoral research directly to your professional context
• Access to a global community of researchers, practitioners and business leaders
• Enhanced confidence, credibility and expertise to advance your international career

Turn your professional expertise into research that inspires

At Aston University Online, our Executive Doctor of Business Administration DBA (Online) gives you the structure, guidance and global credibility to turn experience into research that creates real change.

Hear from Siddharth Arora about how Aston Online's DBA helped him turn professional experience into research that makes a real impact.

Book a consultation with one of our Student Advisors to explore how this programme can help you take the next step in your professional and academic journey.