Executive Doctor of Business Administration
DBA (Online)
Study a flexible research-based postgraduate degree with a Triple Crown accredited (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) business school and experts in online learning.
At Aston Online, you benefit from an immersive online learning experience, dedicated support services, and a world-class Digital Campus. Embark on a transformational journey with an executive doctorate that empowers you to drive organisational change and be a catalyst for innovation and growth within your organisation.
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.
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: Aston University is ranked 21st in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2025.
Excellence in Teaching and Research: Aston University is rated 79% in the REF (2021) for world-leading or internationally excellent research. Aston University has an excellent reputation for research that shapes and improves lives.
A Global University: Aston University ranks in the top 10% of global universities (QS World Rankings 2025) and is known for its world-class teaching and strong industry connections.
Experts in Online Education: Aston Online offers flexible, academically rigorous programmes backed by expert online pedagogy, ensuring a rich and supportive learning experience.
Top 100 in Europe: Aston Business School is ranked 97th overall and 17th in the UK in The Annual Financial Times European Business Schools Ranking.
Climbing the Ranks: Aston Business School has strengthened its position in the 2024 Eduniversal Business School Rankings, climbing to joint 11th in the UK—two places higher than last year.
4th Palme of Excellence: Aston University is ranked in the 4th Palme of Excellence by Eduniversal, highlighting our substantial national and regional impact.
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.
Why Study Online With Aston University?
Studying online through Aston University offers various advantages, making it an appealing choice for prospective students globally. You'll receive the same qualifications and degree certificates as on-campus students. The degree certificate does not mention online delivery.
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).
The DBA doesn't just focus on theory, there's the element of putting things into practice.
I wanted to see 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 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.
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.
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.
*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.
Modules
Introduction to Business and Management Research
15 credits
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.
Applied Research Methods
15 credits
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.
Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
30 credits
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.
Professional Development and Research Impact
15 credits
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.
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
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.
Doctoral (level 7)
Achieved through taught modules that are expected to contain formal research training (including research strategies and methodologies) and appropriate study of the field:
- To give students the skills to design and deliver research that has an impact on them, their organisation, and the wider practice of management.
- To provide personal development opportunities to develop students as effective executives.
- To provide students with an excellent learning experience that draws on the research and consultancy of Aston academic staff.
- To meet and exceed the requirements for DBA research training as laid down by the Association of MBAs.
Doctoral (level 8)
- Doctoral level qualification for professionals working in the field of Business and Management, which aims to aid the dissemination, development and management of a range of professional practice and policy development.
- The research thesis or portfolio results in a substantial and original contribution to knowledge (either theoretical or applied to professional practice), shows a critical appreciation of existing knowledge in the field, and contains publishable elements.
Is This Programme Right for Me?
- 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.
Current DBA student and business owner Robin Morgenstern discusses the DBA at Aston University.
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.
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
Unpacking Paul Attwal's DBA experience with Dr Geoff Parkes.
FAQs
How long is your part-time Doctor of Business Admininstration (DBA) Online programme?
Our 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.
What is the structure of the interview, and how should I prepare for it?
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.
How does a DBA differ from a PhD?
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.
What is a research proposal?
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.
If I don't meet one of the entry requirements, such as the minimum number of years of senior management experience, is there any alternative criteria that could be considered?
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 Executive Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Online programme.
How will I be assessed?
You will engage in a variety of regular formative and timetabled summative assessment activities, where assessment modes and formats closely mirror relevant professional and industry contexts.
- Formative assessment set by the module content will include short tasks, quiz-format tests, and production of outcomes to check knowledge and competence.
- A combination of tutor-graded practical coursework assignments, projects, and automated assessment formats will be used to provide a structured summative assessment for each module.
- In all assessments, online students will benefit from detailed assessment rubrics provided from the beginning of the module to guide their effort and achievement.
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