DBA Doctor of Business Administration (2023 Entry)
Find out more about our Doctor of Business Administration course.
Do you have a desire to change the way your business functions, and impact the world of business with new ideas and big picture thinking? Make your mark on the world of business research and practice with a Doctorate in Business Administration.
Course overview
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is designed to provide business leaders, executives and professionals an opportunity to pursue the next step beyond their MBA or equivalent qualification.
It is equivalent in stature to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, but distinct in that you will pursue applied research rather than theoretical knowledge. The goal of the DBA is to design organisational interventions which help address real-world challenges in your business, and then to rigorously evaluate, assess and test the effectiveness of those interventions, and to communicate the findings so that both the world of practice and the world of research can benefit from your work. In this way, DBA candidates generate new knowledge – the ultimate criterion for the award of a Doctoral degree.
Benefits
Our DBA is designed to produce scholar-practitioners who can enhance their organisation’s performance through evidence-based practice. The programme addresses three core areas:
- Developing a clear understanding of the nature of the problem(s) or challenges to be addressed
- Understanding the relevant bodies of knowledge across management, innovation and strategy that may inform an intervention
- Designing a research and data strategy to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.
In pursuing these goals, the DBA brings together our inspirational faculty, a unique degree programme designed to impart critical skills at the highest level, and organisational leaders and entrepreneurs with the desire and ability to make change in their organisations. Does that sound like you?
Teaching and learning
The DBA is made up of eight 3-day workshops at The Shard, with two 3-day workshops and two 1.5 day workshops at our University of Warwick campus, teaching you design and research methods, academic theory, and reviewing relevant literature on key business research themes. You will be required to attend review panels in order to progress in your studies.
The DBA will culminate in a portfolio of work, showing how you have analysed, researched and designed a solution and implementation plan for your business challenge.
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
2:i undergraduate degree (or equivalent) plus a good MBA or other Master’s degree. A minimum of 7 years’ senior management experience.
Please note these are minimum entry requirements and, as there are a limited number of places available on the programme, we will select the candidates with the best academic and professional credentials and whose research interests are aligned with the available expertise in WBS.
English language requirements
You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:
- Band B
- IELTS overall score of 7.0 with maximum of two components at 6.0+
International qualifications
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.
For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.
Additional requirements
Find out more about how to apply for the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).
Our research
Research for the Doctor of Business Administration is based on specific challenges facing individuals within their organisations, for which they will design and create an intervention, with the guidance of an experienced supervisor from the WBS faculty.
Find a supervisor
Find your supervisor using the link below and discuss with them the area you'd like to research.
You will be assigned a supervisor with the relevant expertise to support you in shaping your research. Typically, they will be a research active academic who will provide expert advice and guidance on content and research methods.
In addition you will have access to a board of practitioners, individually known as WBS Professors of Practice (experienced executives who are also scholar practitioners) who can provide support and guidance on process and development of the portfolio.
Tuition fees
Visit our Warwick Business School web pages to learn more about funding your studies.
Fee Status Guidance
The University carries out an initial fee status assessment based on information provided in the application and according to the guidance published by UKCISA. Students are classified as either Home or Overseas Fee status and this can determine the tuition fee and eligibility of certain scholarships and financial support.
If you receive an offer, your fee status will be stated with the tuition fee information. If you believe your fee status has been incorrectly classified you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire (follow the instructions in your offer) and provide the required documentation for this to be reassessed.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides guidance to UK universities on fees status criteria, you can find the latest guidance on the impact of Brexit on fees and student support on the UKCISA website.
Additional course costs
Please contact your academic department for information about department specific costs, which should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below, such as:
- Core text books
- Printer credits
- Dissertation binding
- Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Scholarships and bursaries
Scholarships and financial support
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Warwick Business School
If you’re interested in the bigger picture, comfortable challenging assumptions and want a degree that will open doors, then WBS is the place for you. We will give you the foundation for change and prepare you for your future career. Are you ready to make your mark in the world of business?
Find out more about us on our website.Link opens in a new window
The vision of WBS is to be Europe’s leading University-based Business School, developing transformational ideas and people that shape how we do business. We recognise that rankings are one way to profile our progress towards fulfilling this vision, and are proud to participate in the major global business education rankings.
QS Business Master's Rankings 2022
- Master's in Business Analytics – 12th in the world, 3rd in the UK
- Master's in Marketing – 7th in the world, 2nd in the UK
- Master's in Management – 19th in the world, 4th in the UK
- Master's in Finance – 20th in the world, 6th in the UK
Financial Times Master's in Management Ranking 2021
- 15th in the world, 3rd in the UK
Financial Times Master's in Finance Ranking 2022
- 12th in the world, 3rd in the UK
Financial Times’ Online MBA ranking 2022
- 1st in the world for our Distance Learning MBA
Economist/Which? MBA 2022
- 1st in the UK for our Full-time MBA
Our Postgraduate Taught courses
MSc courses
- Accounting and Finance (MSc)
- Business Analytics (MSc)
- Business and Finance (MSc)
- Business with Marketing (MSc)
- Business with Operations Management (MSc)
- Finance (MSc)
- Finance and Economics (MSc)
- Global Central Banking and Financial Regulation (MSc)
- International Business (MSc)
- Management (MSc)
- Management of Information Systems and Digital Innovation (MSc)
- Marketing and Strategy (MSc)
- Mathematical Finance (MSc)
MBA
- Business Administration (Global Online) (MBA)
- Business Administration (Executive) (MBA)
- Business Administration (Full-time) (MBA)
Executive Diplomas
- Behavioural Science (PGDip)
- Digital Leadership (PGDip)
- Marketing Leadership (PGDip)
- Organisational Change (PGDip)
- Strategic Leadership (PGDip)
- Strategy and Innovation (PGDip)
Our Postgraduate Research courses
DBA Doctor of Business Administration
Read about how to apply to our Doctor of Business Administration.
Research course applications
Here is our checklist on how to apply for research postgraduate degrees at the University of Warwick.
After you’ve applied
Find out how we process your application.
Applicant Portal
Track your application and update your details.
Admissions statement
See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.
Join a live chat
Ask questions and engage with Warwick.
Postgraduate Open Day
Our Postgraduate Virtual Open Day will help you find out more about your course of interest, as well as general topics like applying to Warwick, accommodation, careers and funding.Postgraduate fairs
Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in the UK. These events give you the chance to learn about our Master's and PhD study routes, and the wider context of postgraduate study.
Live chats
Every week, you can connect directly with representatives from Warwick, who will be answering your questions on applying to and studying postgraduate studies at Warwick.
Departmental events
Some academic departments hold events for specific postgraduate programmes, these are fantastic opportunities to learn more about Warwick and your chosen department and course.
Connect with us
Want to hear more about postgraduate study at Warwick? Register your interest and find out more.