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Professional Doctorate in Business Administration

About the course

In the current business climate, it is increasingly important for business managers and leaders to update and advance their business knowledge and skills. The Doctor of Business Administration offers the opportunity for those with an enthusiasm for learning to gain a professional doctorate, the highest level of professional qualification available in business and management. Drawing on the work of international experts in our Business School you will learn about the latest management techniques and research methods. Whatever your subsequent career, the skills and knowledge you gain will be an asset to you and help you to improve the effectiveness of your organisation and those who work in it.

The DBA is undertaken on a part-time basis and typically takes five years to complete. It is organised around four 2-day learning workshops a year, facilitated by internationally renowned practitioners and researchers who offer contrasting perspectives on management philosophy, organisation development and methodology in management research. These structured workshops both underpin the individual programme of research that participants undertake as a key part of their studies whilst also allowing for continuous peer review and engagement.

The study route is part-time. There is no taught element to the DBA, however, the programme of study is organised around four weekend (Friday and Saturday) facilitated learning workshops per year which students are expected to attend.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), please contact the programme director, Dr B S Sadhawalia at b.s.sandhawalia@herts.ac.uk

Please also include an outline of your research proposal with your application. Members of academic staff will advise on the length and scope of the proposal.

Download an application form

Applications should be returned to doctoralcollegeadmissions@herts.ac.uk

Teaching methods

There are no taught modules on this programme, however, there are four 2-day facilitated learning weekends (Friday and Saturday) a year. In these workshops you will have the opportunity to engage with senior academics in order to consider differing perspectives on management philosophy, organisation development and methodology in management research. The workshops help underpin your individual programme of research and your final doctoral thesis and also allow for continuous peer review, engagement and support.

You are supported throughout your studies by a Doctoral supervisory team who will advise you from the time you enrol on the programme until you complete your Doctorate.

You will undergo two intermediate progression assessments on the programme to monitor and advise on the development of your research and a final assessment for the Doctorate.

The final submission for your DBA must contain a written document of up to 80,000 words that presents and defends a thesis. A thesis is an intellectual position capable of being maintained by argument. A submission may also contain other works on which the thesis and its defence are based.

Course experts

Birinder Sandhawalia

What’s next for my career?

• Gain a professional doctorate, the highest professional qualification in business management
• Benefit from the knowledge of our international experts and renowned practitioners and researchers
• Develop an in-depth knowledge within your area of professional expertise
• Business and Management Studies ranked in the top 25% of UK universities for research impact (Research Excellence Framework, 2021). 

Course fees

• Research degree fees for UK and EU students
• Research degree fees for international students