Executive Doctor of Business Administration

A DBA is the same level of education as a PhD. Both are research-oriented degrees that confer the title of Doctor and both degrees require candidates to conduct original research and make a significant contribution to knowledge. The research context and typical candidate profiles however differ between the degrees.

The DBA is considered a professional doctorate geared towards executives and high-level managers. In a DBA, the focus is on using theory and research to design robust interventions that address real-world business issues. An impact on professional practice is thus achieved.

On the other hand, typically, a PhD focuses on more theoretical research seeking to identify new theories or extend existing ones. And PhD candidates are typically in the early stages of their academic careers. 

A Doctor of Business Administration is the next step past an MBA and the highest level of business administration degree. You can establish yourself as a thought leader through meaningful data-driven research founded on advanced academic theory and contemporary business research that impacts business practice. 

You can find more information here.

No. Einstein and Sir Isaac Newton created new theories – that level of academic endeavour isn’t required. In a doctoral thesis, you must contribute to knowledge both for practice and academia. Just like in natural and physical sciences, we have social science theories, and the opportunity for a DBA student is to apply these theories to a practical business problem in a way that creates new knowledge. DBA students have an edge over PhD students because they are closer to practice and can access data – which is always a big challenge for academics.

The programme is offered on a part-time basis. In accordance with University Regulations for part-time research students, the earliest date for completion of the doctoral programme (i.e., submission of thesis) is four years following registration. This may be extended to a maximum of six years.

Your research proposal is a critical component of your application. It offers an overview of your research agenda and provides the reader with (a) an understanding of the key research question(s), (b) the context, background, and relevance of these questions, (c) potential research methods that could address the questions in a timely manner (these can be broad), and (d) the anticipated contribution to current understanding in the field or professional practice. The proposal should also indicate the current state of knowledge in the research area (i.e., relevant theories and literature) and potential data sources to address the research question(s). Ideally, the proposal identifies the department(s) most closely aligned with the research.

In essence, the research proposal clearly communicates what is to be researched, motivates and justifies the proposed research, explains how the research will be undertaken, and provides an indication of the usefulness of the results it generates to the field or professional practice.

It is important to note that the research proposal is an outline of your intended research trajectory and will evolve as you become more familiar with the literature and theories surrounding your research area over the course of the program. Therefore, you are not expected to conduct a comprehensive review of the outstanding literature or research associated with your research area, nor confirm methodological approaches to resolving the research problem at this stage. However, you are expected to convey your current line of thought and knowledge about a given research issue or problem and potential approaches for analysing it.

Given that the proposal is a concise blueprint for the research to be undertaken, it should be between 1000-1400 words. Finally, the research proposal must have a succinct and meaningful title, which is excluded from the suggested word limit.

Click here for more information on our guidance notes on developing a research proposal.

Be prepared to discuss your research question in an academic context, specifically addressing why knowledge in this area is unique and how it can make a meaningful contribution.

If you don't meet one of the entry requirements, such as the minimum years of senior management experience, we may offer some flexibility on a case-by-case basis. However, you would need to demonstrate significant achievements, expertise, or relevant experience that could compensate for the shortfall and prove your capability to succeed in the online Executive Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme.