Executive Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
Our Executive Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme combines academic knowledge and professional expertise, enabling you to initiate organisational change.
Study a flexible, affordable degree built for online learners. Aston University empowers you to enhance your employability and tackle real-world problems with a curriculum enriched by strong links to industry.
Programme Overview
The global business environment is constantly changing – be it in terms of technology, regulations or macroeconomic forces. With change comes new and complex challenges that must be skilfully navigated to ensure business prosperity. These challenges call for analytical thought leaders who understand industry needs and can provide solutions in practice.
This online, part-time DBA programme is designed for experienced business executives aiming to leverage their experience with cutting-edge, research-based skills that will enable them to tackle business challenges and impact the industry successfully. You will combine advanced theory and contemporary business research to develop a comprehensive data-driven research project, focusing on a discipline of your choice. Delivered by the triple-accredited Aston Business School, you will gain specialist knowledge and research support in accounting, law, marketing, strategy, economics, finance and entrepreneurship.
Triple Accreditation: Aston Business School is proud to be among 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS.
66th in the World: Aston University is ranked 66th in the world for business and management studies (QS World University Rankings By Subject 2024).
Top 25 UK University: Aston University is ranked 25th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide, 2024.
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What You Will Learn
- Deliver impactful research: You will learn to identify, analyse and solve problems through rigorous research, enhancing your strategic decision-making and organisational impact. Gain skills to design and deliver impactful research that benefits you, your organisation and the wider field of management practice.
- Build a professional network: The knowledge, credibility and skill set gained from this DBA programme will elevate your career and grow your network, opening paths in consultancy, academia or your current managerial role.
- Understand and practice evidence-based thinking: You will be equipped to provide innovative solutions, effectively tackling business problems and improving organisational performance.
- Develop professional practices and policy: The DBA programme will aid you in the dissemination, development and management of professional practices and policy.
- Demonstrate a critical appreciation of existing knowledge: You will contribute a substantial and original addition to knowledge through your research thesis or portfolio, demonstrating a critical appreciation of existing knowledge in the field and including elements suitable for publication.
Quintin Heath's story
I decided that a doctorate was going to give me the challenge that I needed. I wanted to do something that would sharpen my professional edge.
Why Study Online With Aston University?
Studying online through Aston University offers various advantages, making it an appealing choice for prospective students globally.
Flexibility and convenience: Fit your studies into your work-life balance.
Built for online: Interactive, engaging, and purpose-designed curriculum available 24/7.
Affordable: Spread the cost, pay monthly or in instalments, and earn as you learn.
Supported: Dedicated student support and online tutors.
Expert tutors: Staff with industry experience and experts in their fields.
Empowering creativity: Complimentary full access to Adobe Creative Cloud tools for developing dynamic multimedia content and presentations through video, graphics and audio.
Transparent pricing: Apply for free, with no hidden costs.
Ready for work and life: Rigorous academic standards and curriculum focusing on the skills sought by employers (for now and the future).
Theory applied in practice
The DBA doesn't just focus on theory, there's the element of putting things into practice
Recognised for quality
Aston Business School is proud to be among 1% of business schools worldwide with triple accreditation
Leading on innovation
I took a look at how far I can push my academic career.
Career Prospects
The specialist knowledge, credibility and skill set acquired by completing the DBA programme will make you an invaluable asset to employers across a wide array of organisations. The programme prepares you for a career in academia and consulting, or for applying your learnings to your current position. You will be equipped to tackle current issues and transform your organisation.
Graduates have become thought leaders and successful in the following roles:
Business Consultant: Work with businesses to problem-solve, identify and overcome the challenges that block companies from meeting their goals.
Business Lead: Generate leads to help companies sell their products or services.
Research Director: Manage and supervise research and development that oversees data collection and analysis, product design, and manufacturing.
Chief Executive Officer: The role of a CEO differs in every company, but overall responsibilities include expanding the company, driving profitability, and managing the overall operations of a company.
Academic Professor: As an expert in a respective field, engage in advanced research, scholarship, and teaching.
Assessment type
You will be assessed through a combination of written essays and critical reviews. As you develop your doctoral thesis, you will submit a qualifying report in Month 20 of the programme, which is assessed by an online viva voce examination with internal examiners. Following the successful completion of the qualifying report and viva, candidates will further develop and ultimately submit a thesis. This thesis is examined in an online viva voce examination with both internal and external examiners.
Programme Structure
Our Executive Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme, a milestone in personal development, combines academic knowledge and professional expertise, enabling you to initiate organisational change.
Introduction to Business and Management Research
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Unlock the secrets of business success by mastering the research process and tools to conduct powerful literature reviews, giving you the insights you need to make winning business decisions.
15 credits
Applied Research Methods
Explore the links between philosophical position, theory and methodology in the research process. You will develop an understanding of philosophy and how that underpins the choice of theory and ultimately the methods used to collect data in any research project. You will be introduced to a variety of philosophical positions in an attempt to reflect and identify those that are most congruent to their worldview.
Examine the theories most commonly used in management literature to develop knowledge of some key theories. Ultimately, you will establish the links between theory and research methods.
15 credits
Qualitied and Quantitative Research Methods
Gain the coveted research toolkit – qualitative and quantitative methods – used by top-tier doctorate programmes in business and management. Equip yourself with the cutting-edge qualitative and quantitative research techniques needed for doctorate-level business and management studies.
15 credits
Professional Development and Research Impact
Ignite your passion for research that drives impact. Master the art of turning insights into action, empowering you to solve critical business challenges and make strategic decisions that propel your career.
15 credits
Portfolio or Thesis
Upon completion of the online programme, based on your research topic/area, you will be partnered with academic supervisors. Your supervisors will guide and support you as you develop your doctoral thesis, which forms the capstone for the programme. Our faculty specialises in departments such as accounting, law, marketing and strategy, economics, finance, and entrepreneurship.
This stage of the programme requires significant drive, commitment and dedication to undertaking independent study.
Around Month 20 of the programme (determined from the point of programme registration), you will submit a qualifying report assessed by an online viva voce examination with internal and external examiners. Briefly, the report will deliver a detailed review of previous research findings relating to your research and a plan and design for research work going forward.
Progress on the programme is contingent on meeting the submission deadline for the qualifying report and passing the viva.
Following successful completion of the qualifying thesis and viva, candidates further develop and ultimately submit a thesis which is examined in an online viva voce examination with internal and external examiners.
15 credits
Programme Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
- Know the philosophy, principles and underlying concepts and practice of research
- Be able to apply principles, models and theories to a research problem – usually in your working environment
- Have developed a critical understanding of the key literature in a specific area of business and management you have chosen
- Understand how to design and deliver research that has an impact
Intellectual skills
- Demonstrate a high level of intellectual and analytical skills
- Critically review literature in a chosen area of study
- Design research firmly grounded in the relevant literature
- Demonstrate an advanced level of understanding of relevant research methodologies – statistical analyses and/or qualitative methodologies
- Design research that delivers impact
Professional skills
- Apply theoretical principles, models, and theories to real-life problems arising in the work environment
- Present recommendations for action underpinned by rigorous research
Transferable skills
- Critical analysis of data
- Rigorous design of data collection methodologies
- Report writing skills
- Communication skills – written and verbal
Entry Requirements
- A master's degree in business or management (or related subject)
- A minimum of five years senior management experience
Additional requirements
- Official academic transcript(s) and certificate(s) evidencing an MBA, MSc or MA degree in business or management
- Two references, one of which must be from your current employer
- A detailed CV
- A copy of your passport
- A research proposal
- A personal statement detailing your motivations for undertaking this programme and how your background, qualifications and experiences will help you meet its demands.
Alternative entry requirements
We take a holistic approach in evaluating applications. The information contained on this website details the typical entry requirements for this programme for the most commonly offered qualifications. Applicants with alternative qualifications may wish to enquire prior to application whether their qualifications are deemed acceptable. For less commonly encountered qualifications this will be judged on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic admissions tutor. The Admissions team will consider both prior accredited and experiential learning.
Please contact the Admissions team prior to making your application: enquiries@astononline.ac.uk
International students
Students from over 120 countries choose to study with us every year. You can check qualifications in your country here, including equivalent qualifications from Africa, Americas, Australia, North East Asia, Europe, Middle East & North Africa, South Asia, South East Asia, and Western and Central Asia.
Have a question about our international entry requirements for online programmes? Email us at: enquiries@astononline.ac.uk
English language requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.
Find Out If You Qualify
If you have any questions about your eligibility or the application process, please get in touch with the Aston Online Admissions Team:
Email: enquiries@astononline.ac.uk
Call: +44 (0) 121 824 6374
Our office is open Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00 GMT
What sets DBA graduates apart is their ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice
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