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Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) (2024 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

Your research training will include a series of in-person workshops delivered by leading WBS faculty at The Shard and at our University of Warwick campus. Workshops integrate content, theory, design and research methods, through a review of relevant literature. Workshops will be supplemented by readings, and online tools and resources such as short video lectures.

Year 1: four 3-day workshops and supervision, including a programme induction

Year 2: three 3-day workshops and supervision

Year 3: one 3-day workshop and supervision

Year 4: one 3-day workshop and supervision

In addition to workshops, there will be a 2-day DBA Conference each year. This conference usually takes place in January/February each year, immediately following a planned workshop, so 3 days of teaching, plus a 2-day conference). This event will allow you the opportunity to network across DBA cohorts and will provide executive-level perspectives on how to address complex business problems by becoming a scholar-practitioner.


General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:1 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.

You will be assigned a supervisor with the relevant expertise to support you in shaping your research. Typically, they will be a research active academicLink opens in a new window 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 PracticeLink opens in a new window (experienced executives who are also scholar practitioners) who can provide support and guidance on process and development of the portfolio.

Browse our specialisms.Link opens in a new window

Tuition fees

Visit our Warwick Business School web pages to learn more about funding your studies.

Course Fees  


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.

Department content block about careers

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.

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.

MSc Finance

  • 4th in the UK and 16th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Finance Pre-experience Ranking 2023
  • 6th in the UK and 19th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Management

  • 1st in the UK and 18th in the world - Economist/WhichMBA - 2021 Masters in Management biennial ranking
  • 2nd in the UK and 28th in the world - Financial Times Masters in Management Ranking 2023
  • 3rd in the UK and 18th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Marketing & Strategy

  • 2nd in the UK and 9th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

MSc Business Analytics

  • 2nd in the UK and 14th in the world - QS Business Masters Rankings 2024

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

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MBA

Executive Diplomas

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How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

For research courses that start in September and October 2024 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2024. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

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.

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