dba

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

What is the Doctor of Business Administration?

The DBA Doctor of Business Administration is a 36 months program focused on applied research and prepares like the PhD for a doctoral degree at the highest European Qualification Framework level 8. The program is built on a total of 12 modules.

This program is unique as it will assist you right from the start with the identification and development of the central doctoral research and international publications in renowned international journals. During the program, you will work in small groups and you will get advice on your specific research topic on an individual basis. During the twelve program modules the students will be guided step for step through their doctoral research project. This allows you to publish various scientific articles and finalize your study within the set timeframe.

DBA students can write their dissertations about topics within their companies and industries, or subject areas like for example International Business, Finance, Accounting, Controlling, Human Resource Management, Marketing, (Information) Technology Management, Data Analytics, Consulting, Counseling / Training, Interim Management, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Management, Change Management, Leadership / Management, Health Care, Automotive, Tourism.

The learning method is based on an Oxbridge tutorial where you will work in small groups on weekly assignments that directly feed into their research work. Besides the tutorial sessions, each student will receive individualized advice and coaching. The professors guiding you on the program have extensive professional experience and a vast experience in lecturing and guiding doctoral programs and students at renowned Universities in the United States of America and Europe.

Who will benefit from it?

The DBA Doctor of Business Administration program is designed for executives and professionals who want  to take their career to a new level by enhancing their professional and  academic knowledge, skills and competences, and contribute to the expansion of academic and professional knowledge.

What are my career perspectives?

This program can lead directly to career advancement for executives, general managers, project managers, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers in all kinds of organizations.

After successful completion of the DBA Doctor of Business Administration, you may also continue your academic training with the PGCert in Academic Research and Publication and the PGCert in Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. DBAs and PhDs with both PGCerts will be recognized as Lecturers in Higher Education. This will allow you to teach and to do research at Higher Education Institutions.

Still unsure?

Just enrol in the first module “Introduction to Doctoral Research” to better understand how you can integrate your studies in your personal and professional life before you commit yourself to the full programme.

Fact sheet Doctor of Business Administration

Item Description
Completion time: Full time 36 months
Part time 72 months
Program structure:12 Modules
European Qualification Framework level: All modules are EQF level 8
Malta Qualification Framework level: All modules are MQF level 8

Language of instruction:English
Mode of delivery: Fully online
Where can I apply?admission@eim.education
How can I apply?Online via admission@eim.education
When can I start?At the beginning of each quarter
Requirement/HeadlineContent
Name of the Educational ProgrammeDoctor of Business Administration
Exit QualificationsDoctor of Business Administration, DBA
Accredited Status of the ProgrammeMFHEA
Approved Higher Education Programme by MFHEA
MQF / EQF level8
Type of ProgrammeQualification
Mode of DeliveryOnline Learning
Doctor of Business Administration
Total Contact Hours

792

Self-Study Hours

1944

Assessment Hours

264

Total Learning Hours

3000

Each Module

Total Contact Hours

66

Self-Study Hours

162

Assessment Hours

22

Total Learning Hours

250

Mode of AttendanceFull-Time and Part-Time
Programme Duration36 months (Full-Time) and 72 months (Part-Time)
Target GroupThe DBA program is designed for executives and professionals who want to take their career to a new level by enhancing their professional and academic knowledge, skills and competences, and contribute to the expansion of academic and professional knowledge.
Language of InstructionEnglish

To register for the DBA course you will need:

  • a Master’s degree with an overall merit or above (grade achieved or equivalent),
  • at least five years of professional experience,
  • sufficient English skills (e.g., IELTS 6.5 or above), and
  • sufficient digital competences to use Google’s online products and services (e.g., Gmail, Google docs),

or to be able to demonstrate the requisite level of proficiency.

Full-Time:

TermModule
Term 1Introduction to Doctoral Research
Term 2Advanced Research Methods
Term 3Development of Academic Studies
Term 4Proposal – Introduction of the Study
Term 5Proposal – Literature Review
Term 6Proposal – Research Methodology
Term 7Proposal – Defense
Term 8Final study – Data Collection
Term 9Final study – Data Analysis
Term 10Final study – Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendation
Term 11Final study – Defense
Term 12
Academic Publication

 

Part-Time:

TermModule
Term 1-2Introduction to Doctoral Research
Term 3-4Advanced Research Methods
Term 5-6Development of Academic Studies
Term 7-8Proposal – Introduction of the Study
Term 9-10Proposal – Literature Review
Term 11-12Proposal – Research Methodology
Term 13-14Proposal – Defense
Term 15-16Final study – Data Collection
Term 17-18Final study – Data Analysis
Term 19-20
Final study – Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendation
Term 21-22Final study – Defense
Term 23-24Academic Publication

 

QualificationDoctor of Business Administration
Knowledge1. Has a systematic understanding of a highly specialized field of study in business administration which builds upon specialized or multi disciplinary knowledge and understanding;

2. Extends, redefines, or makes an original contribution to existing knowledge and/or professional practice in business administration.
Skills1. Demonstrates mastery in skills such as the selection and analysis of research, writing, design, development and sustainability of the argument manifested in innovative scholarly research in the field of business administration;

2. Responds to technological, social and cultural issues and addresses the needs of a knowledge-based society in business administration;

3. Communicates expertise in business administration to a wide audience including peers and the general public using different methods including national and international publications and participates in specialist fora and conferences;

4. Demonstrates expertise in critical evaluations and analysis with incomplete or limited data to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments and produces original research in the field of business administration.
Competences1. Demonstrates authority in in the field of business administration and makes judgements involving a multitude of interacting factors and sources;

2. Promotes social, scientific and ethical advancement through actions in the field of business administration;

3. Has a sustained commitment in the development of new ideas in the field of business administration

A core feature of this course will be a varied mix of teaching and learning methods that allow learners with different learning styles, backgrounds, and abilities to successfully complete this course. Teaching and learning methods used in this course are among others: Andragogy, Understanding by Design, Oxbridge-Style Tutorials, Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle. All activities embedded within the content for each module are designed to provide feedback to learners on their progress towards the module and course learning outcomes. Summative assessment methods will be designed to facilitate critical engagement with participant’s own professional development. Summative assessment methods offer an appropriate mix of assessment procedures that are fit for purpose and allow learners with different learning styles, backgrounds, and abilities to successful completion of the course.

The grading system used in this course is “met” and “not met”.

Not available yet.

DBA students can write their dissertations about topics within their companies and industries, or subject areas like for example International Business, Finance, Accounting, Controlling, Human Resource Management, Marketing, (Information) Technology Management, Data Analytics, Consulting, Counseling / Training, Interim Management, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Management, Change Management, Leadership / Management, Health Care, Automotive, Tourism

This program can lead directly to career advancement for executives, general managers, project managers, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers in all kinds of organizations.

After successful completion of the Doctor of Business Administration, you may continue your academic training with the PGCert in Academic Research and Publication and the PGCert in Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. DBAs with both PGCerts will be recognized a Lecturers in Higher Education. This will allow you to teach and to do research at Higher Education Institutions.

The program fees below refer to the 2023/24 academic year unless otherwise stated. Program fees are calculated per credit taught. Program fees are subject to annual inflation so the total cost are shown here as a guide. EIM will apply the program fees at the time of the payment.

Admission Fees: EUR 5’000
Programme Fees per quarter: EUR 5’000
Expected Total Programme Fees: EUR 65’000 (for 12 quarters)

Pay your program fees:
You can choose to pay your program fees in full at the start of your first term or in instalments at the start of each term. Additional fees may apply for different payment terms, currencies, and methods.

Other fees:
The program fees cover the course delivery and the learning material. Other fees may apply for additional services (e.g., fees for RPL applications, resitting an assessment, repeating a module, or additional tutoring etc.).

Get funding for your program:
EIM offers support to get access to different funding options like for example scholarships.

Please note:
Program fees shown on our website are net of any local VAT, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or any other sales tax payable by the student in their country of residence. Where EIM is required to add VAT, GST or any other sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the fees shown during the payment process. For students resident in Malta, our program fees are exempt from VAT.