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DBA - Doctor of Business Administration

Our Doctorate level programme has been designed for senior executives and professionals with a track record in management seeking to develop their insight and expertise. This programme is equivalent in stature to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), and provides learners with greater opportunities to undertake applied research that also contributes to the development of related theories and concepts.

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Course Overview

Choose your own independent research area in business, management and/or leadership which will enable you to strengthen and sustain your organisation and those who work in it, and to enhance engagement with other key stakeholders.

Develop your current knowledge of and skills in critical thinking, strategy-development and problem-solving and become part of a peer community of senior leaders sharing experience, gaining insight, and learning new business ideas, models, strategies and approaches ready to take back and action in the workplace.

On this course you will...

Design and implement a research project that explores a specific management, leadership, and/or collaboration question
Critically assess, select, and implement applied research methodologies and methods within complex organisational, leadership, collaboration contexts or more specific professional settings
Synthesise, interpret, and rigorously apply relevant theoretical frameworks and research findings in relation to complex business, management and leadership contexts and issues
Develop high-level analytical and conceptual skills, facilitating questioning and critical debate about established theoretical orthodoxy and challenges to such orthodoxy
Engage in and manage a process of high level critical reflective personal and professional development leading to the enhancement of your own professional practice within an organisational context or a specific domain

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Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationAmbleside
Institute Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership
Delivery StyleBlended Learning
Course Duration Part-time: 4-5 Years
Course Start PointSeptember
AwardDBA
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysAmbleside
All

Minimum entry requirements

Tuition fees

£5,400

UK | Per Year

10,550

International | Per Year

Tuition Fees Policy

Working with

Course Structure

What you will learn

Our Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme is based on a sustained, self-directed applied research project, supported by a collegial team of academic advisors, and reviewed and evaluated via seminars, workshops, and taught modules (encompassing formative and summative assessment), submission of a thesis and an oral defence.

Our DBA will be undertaken on a part-time basis and will typically take 4-5 years to complete.

Modules

Understanding Dynamic Business Contexts
Critical Thinking for Leadership & Collaboration
Developing an Applied Research Strategy
Advanced Research Methods
DBA Proposal and Plan
DBA Thesis

Overview

A 1st or 2:1 honours bachelors degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline from a recognised university in the UK or comparable university overseas. Candidates may also have a masters degree.

By exception, applicants will be considered with additional evidence of substantial relevant professional experience instead of relevant academic qualifications. This will include business or organisational management or leadership, or related organisational consultancy, appropriate to the proposed research. Applicants will typically have a minimum of five years’ experience; however each application will be considered individually.

How to Apply

Doctoral study offers rare time and space for broader, meaningful engagement with the more challenging issues from your experience, both personally and in organisational life. It provides opportunity for extended conversations with the academic team in a friendly and supportive environment that will allow your deeper thinking, often not yet fully formed, to be explored and brought into a research journey.

This is a process that is sometimes deeply personal, and drawn from your real-world experience in practice. Many say that this is a unique time for maturing intellectually, and opening up, and particularly valuable when undertaken with fellow doctoral students who are also engaging with deeper enquiry.

To apply, please click on the Apply Now button, which will take you to our online application form. Please email any questions about your application to Research Student Admissions at: rsa@cumbria.ac.uk. As part of the online application, you will need to submit a 2,000 word pre-interview essay. The essay is an important part of the application process for the DBA and we strongly advise you to ensure that at a minimum it covers the following points:

Your personal and professional motivations for applying
Your initial idea(s) for a question or specific professional issue to investigate
How the programme aligns with your previous qualification(s), and your professional experience (including any relevant wider community engagement work)
What benefits do you think will be realised by successfully completing the programme
Why we should offer you a place on the programme
Your reasons for choosing the University of Cumbria DBA

In support of your application, you will be asked to provide the names and contact details of two references (including email addresses). At least one (and ideally both) should be an academic referee, preferably your undergraduate and/or masters tutors, if applicable.

Language requirements

For candidates whose first language is not English, they should provide evidence that either they possess an overall IELTS score of at least 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the 4 elements (or an equivalent English language qualification recognised by the University) or evidence that their Master’s degree was conducted in English. English Language will be assessed throughout the Admissions process via a 2000 word pre-interview essay and interview.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2024 - 2025

£5,400 - UK
10,550 - International

2023 - 2024

£5,200* - UK

£10, 150* - International

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..

Student Finance

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change, course welcome information will provide you with an indicative list for the year.

Books and Journals

Most core text books are available via the University's library, however students may wish to buy copies of any texts used to support your learning on your course. This could cost between £50 - £100 per year.

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

Stay Focused. Go Far.

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UoC Ranked 5th in Overall Postgraduate Research Student Satisfaction.

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Location
Ambleside Campus
Nestled in the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Ambleside campus is the perfect place for world-savers, animal lovers, and adventurers. There is never a dull moment when surrounded by such natural beauty and opportunity.
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DBA - Doctor of Business Administration