Executive Doctor of Business Administration

Executive Doctor of Business Administration

DBA (Online)

The DBA is more than the highest academic qualification—it’s a transformational journey for senior professionals aiming to drive organisational change, shape business strategy, and lead through innovation. Conduct high-impact research, receive personalised mentorship, and become part of a global network of industry leaders.

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Start date

May, September
Apply now for any date

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Study mode

Online, distance learning
24/7 access to study materials 

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Duration

Four to six years (part-time)
Flexible distance learning

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Total tuition fees

£39,000
Tuition fee loans available for eligible UK students

Why choose this programme

Aston University QS ranking

Expert academic support: Gain insights from leading business practitioners across accounting, law, marketing, strategy, economics, finance and entrepreneurship, ensuring your research is backed by real-world expertise. 

Tailor your learning experience: Customise your assignments and research projects to align with your career goals and industry interests, ensuring your learning delivers maximum professional impact. 

Personalised mentorship and training: Receive one-on-one supervision from expert faculty and access specialist training at Aston Graduate School, helping you develop advanced research, leadership, and strategic skills. 

Impact-driven research focus: Lead practically applied, high-impact research to enhance strategic decision-making and leadership in your organisation and industry. 

Collaborative research community: Connect with senior professionals and industry leaders worldwide, participate in research colloquia, and present your work to faculty and business experts for valuable insights. 

Elite Business School: Earn your DBA from a triple-accredited Business School (AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS), recognised among the world’s top 1%, giving you global credibility and career advancement. 

Flexibility: Study anytime, anywhere—with no compulsory live lectures or fixed schedules. Focus on one module and one assessment at a time, allowing for deep learning while balancing work and personal commitments.

Supportive community: Learn within a small cohort and receive personalised support at every stage of your journey. With a globally inclusive learning environment, you’ll never feel like you're studying alone.

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 like you, aiming to leverage your experience with cutting-edge, research-based skills that will enable you 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.

To further enhance your understanding of the business world, you will also gain access to subscriptions for The Financial Times and The Economist. These leading publications will provide you with in-depth knowledge of business and current economic affairs.

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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.

Flexible payment plans and funding options

Check your eligibility

Complete a quick questionnaire to check your eligibility before applying.

We are University of the Year for Student Success 2025

The Daily Mail University Guide 2025

It’s been an exciting time at Aston University, with amazing new achievements that highlight our teaching excellence, outstanding student outcomes, and strong performance in global and UK rankings. Here are just a few highlights:

  • Aston University has been named the University of the Year for Student Success 2025 in the new Daily Mail University Guide.
  • We are ranked 21st in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2025).
  • Aston University is 2nd in the country for Social Mobility (Higher Education Policy Institute).

And that’s just the beginning. Watch our video to discover more.

Find out more
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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.

Quintin Heath – Aston Online Business Graduate
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Quintin Heath - Business Graduate

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 often find success 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 and achieve strategic goals.

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, you will engage in advanced research, scholarship, and teaching.

Economist: Use your business knowledge to analyse economic data, forecast market trends, and develop strategies using economic theories and strong analytical skills to interpret complex data.

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. Each credit of study is equivalent to 10 learning hours. For example, 30 credits reflect 300 hours of learning.

Stage - taught
Stage - research
Programme aims

*We may update our programmes to reflect best practices and academic developments. If we do, we’ll let you know of any changes at the earliest opportunity by updating our programme webpages. If you have already received an offer, we’ll write to you directly to let you know of the changes.

Is this programme right for you?

  • You are a professional looking to develop the strategic thinking, research skills, and critical analysis needed to excel at the highest levels of business leadership.
  • You are ready to commit to a rigorous part-time programme that will equip you with the knowledge and expertise to drive innovation and lead complex organisations.
  • You are an ambitious leader seeking to expand your professional network and connect with a global cohort of peers.
  • You are a lifelong learner passionate about significantly impacting the business world.
  • You want to study at a triple-accredited business school with a strong reputation for excellence in teaching and research.
  • You are looking for a flexible online programme that can fit around your work and personal commitments.
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Aston has won several awards, and I like the university's motto: 'Aston means business'. The best part has been the interaction with my professors and supervisors, even though it's online.

Robin Morgenstern – DBA Student
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Robin Morgenstern - DBA Student

Entry requirements

You will need:

  • A UK masters degree or international equivalent in business or management (or a related subject).

  • A minimum of five years’ of senior management experience.

*Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an English language qualification.

*Click here for more information on equivalent international degrees recognised by Aston University, or contact our Admissions Team to check your eligibility: enquiries@astononline.ac.uk

English language requirements:

To be accepted onto our programmes, you must be able to satisfy the University's English language requirements. We aim to make your application process as easy as possible. However, in all cases we reserve the right to request an English language qualification and/or conduct an interview.

We accept a wide range of English language qualifications including:

IELTS Academic and IELTS Academic Online
IELTS One Skill Retake
TOEFL and TOEFL iBT
Oxford ELLT (Global and Digital)
Pearson Academic (PTE)
Password Test
Language Cert International ESOL SELT
Kaplan Test of English (KTE)
Cambridge Advanced Test (CAE)
Cambridge Proficiency Test (CPE)

Tests must be taken within the last two years from the start date of the programme you are applying to study at Aston University.

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, America, Australia, North East Asia, Europe, Middle East & North Africa, South Asia, South East Asia, and Western and Central Asia. Contact our Admissions Team for a consultation before applying: enquiries@astononline.ac.uk.


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

Contact Us
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I wanted to pursue something that not only supports my academic studies but also supports the organisation I work with.

Paul Attwal – DBA Student and Dr Geoff Parkes – Programme Director

FAQs

Download brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about the programme, careers, online learning, fees, and admissions.

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