What can you do with a DBA?

Running a business can inspire questions that aren’t answerable purely based on experience. The Executive Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at Aston University provides the space and structure to explore those questions through research. Candidates examine how systems, decisions, and behaviours shape outcomes and use what they discover to improve practice in real contexts.

A DBA is designed for experienced leaders who want to question how systems work and find better ways to lead, decide, and innovate.

DBA research often focuses on areas such as leadership, sustainability, technology, or global markets. Regardless of topic, the aim remains to use research to create practical solutions that strengthen organisations and add long-term value to industry practice.

The strategic role of the DBA

A DBA gives professionals a research framework to make confident decisions. It teaches them to test ideas, evaluate outcomes, and refine long-term strategies that can last through change.

At Aston University, DBA research often examines how business connects with broader social issues such as sustainability, digital ethics, healthcare systems, and inclusion. Our graduates use their findings to improve governance, shape strategy, and inform public policy.

Our DBA emphasises practice-based knowledge. Students explore questions drawn from their own professional settings, apply theory to real scenarios and then bring those findings back into the workplace. This creates a powerful feedback loop between research and practice, making sure that doctoral study delivers measurable organisational benefits.

Across industries, DBA graduates help companies think more critically about risk, innovation, and impact. They lead initiatives that strengthen accountability, promote responsible leadership, and provide decisions that are supported by evidence rather than assumptions.

Academic equivalence and professional distinction

When exploring the option of a DBA, many professionals also consider whether a PhD might be the right path. Both qualifications sit at the same academic level but serve different purposes and career goals.

Both are Level 8 qualifications within the UK education framework. The difference lies in approach. A PhD develops theory, while a DBA tests that theory in practice. It focuses on real organisations and produces results that leaders can act upon.

This balance of academic depth and professional impact gives DBA graduates credibility in both business and academia. Employers and universities worldwide recognise the DBA as a qualification that bridges research and leadership. For professionals with senior experience, it offers a structured path to deepen expertise while continuing to work, adding an academic element to professional insight.

What DBA graduates do

DBA graduates help organisations understand problems more clearly and make choices that lead to lasting improvement. Their sphere of influence is broad-ranging.

• In organisations: Many lead strategic initiatives, restructure teams, or assess emerging technologies. Their research enables organisations to adapt and grow sustainably, often influencing company-wide transformation and long-term planning.
• In consulting: DBA-qualified consultants combine experience with evidence. They use research methods to help clients identify challenges, test interventions, and measure success. Their credibility allows them to advise senior boards and international organisations with authority.
• In academia and policy: Some graduates teach, supervise research, and publish studies that connect theory with practice. Others advise governments or industry on innovation, sustainability, and leadership. Their work supports policy design and shapes debate in areas such as digital transformation, healthcare systems, and corporate responsibility.

Recent Aston DBA research has focused on digital transformation in manufacturing, leadership after the pandemic, and the social impact of sustainability reporting.

Career outcomes and directions

A DBA prepares professionals for senior leadership and research roles in the following areas:

Business consultant: Advise organisations on strategy and operations using evidence-based methods.

Typical UK salary: £60,000–£100,000

Director or executive lead: Apply research skills to guide organisational growth and manage complex change.

Typical UK salary: £90,000–£150,000+

Research director: Design and manage projects that drive innovation and operational improvement.

Typical UK salary: £80,000–£120,000

Chief executive officer (CEO): Lead with long-term vision informed by research and ethical insight.

Typical UK salary: £100,000–£200,000+

Academic or visiting professor: Teach, mentor postgraduate students, and publish practitioner-led research.

Typical UK salary: £55,000–£100,000

Economist or policy advisor: Evaluate markets, assess programmes, and guide evidence-based policy.

Typical UK salary: £70,000–£110,000

Some DBA graduates build flexible careers that combine consulting, teaching, and research. This approach allows them to share their expertise across industries and support the next generation of business leaders.

*Salary ranges are based on UK data from Hays, Glassdoor, and Prospects (2025). Figures may vary according to role, location, and time of publication.

How to earn a DBA at Aston University Online

Applicants need a master’s degree, relevant professional experience, and an initial research proposal of 1,000–1,500 words.

Want to begin crafting a strong research proposal? Here’s our guide with top expert tips from Programme Director Dr Geoff Parkes to get you started.

Once enrolled, students complete structured research under expert supervision. The final thesis ranges between 50,000 and 60,000 words and concludes with a viva (oral defence). Aston’s online format allows professionals to study flexibly while continuing their careers, supported by academic mentors and an international network of peers.

The value of a DBA in the UK today

Across the UK, organisations increasingly recognise the importance of evidence-based leadership. DBA graduates play a key role in this shift. Their research informs governance, policy design, and corporate accountability.

Recent data in our Aston University’s 2024 blog on the rising demand for DBAs shows that DBA graduates command significantly higher salaries than other business degree holders. Executive roles such as operations director average around £88,000, vice-president £92,800, and finance director £102,000. These figures highlight the growing value placed on advanced analytical and leadership capabilities developed through doctoral-level study.

The focus on innovation and impact-driven research positions DBA holders as valuable contributors across industries, adapting to technological, environmental, and social change. Their ability to evaluate complex systems and apply research to practice continues to strengthen the influence of DBA professionals in shaping policy, governance, and sustainable business growth.

Want to know more?

Our article featuring DBA student Siddharth Arora and Dr Geoff Parkes gives invaluable insider insight into the experience of studying a DBA through Aston Online.

A DBA allows professionals to engage thoroughly with business practice. It provides the structure and tools to transform ideas into applied research that delivers real results. The qualification empowers leaders to make decisions that are both strategic and evidence-driven. 

Speak with an enrolment advisor today to start your Executive Doctor of Business Administration DBA (Online) application.