Professional Doctorate in Business Administration, D.B.A.

About

The Professional Doctorate in Business Administration programme offered by the University of Portsmouth allows students to conduct applied, practice–oriented research on topics that are directly relevant to their employing organisations and provide benefits both for their own careers as well as for the employers.

DBAs are increasingly recognised as valuable alternatives to the traditional PhD doctoral research degree that is mostly much more theory-oriented and less applied to concrete organisational problems and needs. The DBA also includes an intensive taught phase that prepares students in considerable depth for the empirical research that they undertake – usually in the organisation where they are currently employed at a senior/executive level.

What you will experience?

The DBA offers students the opportunity to:

  • Experience a unique approach to intellectual inquiry emphasizing the integration of theory and practice
  • Conduct practice-oriented research
  • Contribute to applied management knowledge
  • Develop intellectually and personally as an individual, as an executive and as a contributor to the professional community
  • Gain a prestigious doctoral degree achieved through a rigorous, structured and comprehensive educational experience

Is it for me?

Designed for those who wish to conduct a programme of research pertaining to their current organisation, study occurs alongside professional practice, providing a framework for the demonstration and development of advanced professional knowledge and skills. Relevance to the professional environment is a pivotal feature and reflection on business and management practice is integral to the learning process.

Career

Your research will endeavour to make a significant original contribution to professional practice and theory relating to business and management. It will also challenge current assumptions and provide authoritative solutions, as well as influence and provide inspiration and leadership for others in the changing environment of professional practice.

Overall, the DBA is the highest level of professional and academic achievement inevitably leading to career growth in your current organisation and paving the way to further employment opportunities.

Detailed Programme Facts

  • Programme intensity Part-time
    • Average part-time duration 48 months
    • Intensity Flexible
    • Duration description

      4-7 years part time.

  • Languages
    • English
    Schedule IELTS
  • Delivery mode
    On Campus
  • More information Go to the programme website

Programme Structure

Modules include:

  • Professional Review and Development: This unit will enable you to conduct a critical self-evaluation and identify your own learning requirements in relation to your doctoral programme of study and your own continuous professional development (CPD).
  • Advanced Research Techniques: This unit is key to your research practice and will allow you to successfully employ appropriate research theory and methodology in your own doctoral study and professional practice.
  • Publication and Dissemination: This unit focuses on output – analysing and critiquing publication and dissemination routes/methods within the field of business and management. 
  • Proposal for Professional Research and Development: This unit will enable you to reflect upon and consolidate prior learning and will underpin the preparation of a costed, coherent, realistic, achievable and well-argued proposal for a programme of professional research and development. 

Audience

English Language Requirements

You need the following IELTS score:

  • Minimum required score:

    6.5

    The IELTS – or the International English Language Test System – tests your English-language abilities (writing, listening, speaking, and reading) on a scale of 1.00–9.00. The minimum IELTS score requirement refers to which Overall Band Score you received, which is your combined average score. Read more about IELTS.

    Schedule IELTS

    StudyPortals Tip: The UK government has confirmed new English-language testing requirements for visa and immigration purposes. Learn more

Academic Requirements

  • A postgraduate level qualification or equivalent in an appropriate management related subject. All applicants require a minimum of three years relevant business and management experience. Evidence of recent Continuing Professional Development or leadership experience in a relevant area of business and management/management science will also be considered. 
  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

Tuition Fee

For information regarding the tuition fee, please contact the University.
Visit Programme Website

Living costs for Portsmouth

  • 710 - 1100 GBP/month
    Living Costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

This course is eligible for the Government Doctoral Loan.

StudyPortals Tip: Students can search online for independent or external scholarships that can help fund their studies. Check the scholarships to see whether you are eligible to apply. Many scholarships are either merit-based or needs-based.

The Global Study Awards: get funded with up to £10,000 to study abroad

Together with the ISIC Association and British Council IELTS, StudyPortals offers you the chance to receive up to £10000 to expand your horizon and study abroad. We want to ultimately encourage you to study abroad in order to experience and explore new countries, cultures and languages.

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