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The DBA Programme, or Professional Doctorate, is part of a portfolio of doctoral programmes within Northumbria University. The three year part-time programme (the full-time programme takes two years) is designed to build on previous Masters level study and/or significant experience of business and management practice.

The programme will enhance managers’ theoretical understanding, critical ability and research skills, enabling you to carry out a substantial piece of practice-based research that makes an independent and original contribution to your field of practice.

Over the course of your studies, you will:

  • Acquire and develop advanced research skills through a programme of in-depth study, and personal and research development.
  • Develop your skills in understanding, evaluating and creating new knowledge within your profession.
  • Produce a thesis or portfolio based on high quality original research of publishable standard of approximately 60,000 words (suitable for dissemination to your profession), demonstrating critical evaluation and synthesis in relation to current literature and professional practice.

You will be expected to pass through milestone targets in each year of study, giving clear structure to the DBA programme. For both full and part-time programmes, these milestones include Project Approval and Annual Progression.

You will study in a block release mode, supported by daily use of our eLearning Portal.

"[My DBA supervisor] was always accessible to me and I enjoyed regular contact and access to her – by phone, email, Skype and in person. Her relentless encouragement for my research studies, personal well-being and development, have been invaluable." Dr Helen Shiels

Course Information

Level of Study
Research

Mode of Study
3 year part-time

Department
Newcastle Business School

Location
City Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
October 2024

Fee Information

Module Information

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Entry Requirements 2024/25

Standard Entry

Applicants should normally have

A minimum of a 2.1 honours degree; or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.

A 1000 word research proposal, outlining your area of research; please note that even if you are applying for a specific research vacancy with a pre-defined research proposal, you are still required to write a proposal expanding on the provided description of the project. For guidance on writing your research proposal, please see here. Applied Sciences studentships do not require submission of a proposal, please refer to the studentship advert for further information. 

If you are applying for a course within Newcastle Business School or Northumbria Law School you will need to use the PGR Research Proposal Template

International qualifications:

If you have studied a non UK qualification, you can see how your qualifications compare to the standard entry criteria, by selecting the country that you received the qualification in, from our country pages. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English Language requirements:

International applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with component 6.0 in each component (or approved equivalent*). Applications to the Faculty of Business and Law also require a writing component score of 6.5.

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS.  You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language section. Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

Fees and Funding 2024/25 Entry

UK Fee in Year 1: £8,305

EU Fee in Year 1: £10,670

International Fee in Year 1: £10,670

Please note, the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme is not eligible for the Doctoral Loan.  Further information can be found on the Government website.


Click here for UK, EU and International scholarship, fees, and funding information..




ADDITIONAL COSTS

There are no Additional Costs

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Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

NX0439 -

Advanced Business Research (Core,30 Credits)

This module builds on participants' previous research skills and knowledge of research techniques to further enhance understanding of methodologies, methods and advanced techniques that are central to developing a coherent and well-argued research proposal. The underlying research philosophies are critically explored to enable business and management research to be contextualized and executed at the appropriate level, supported by exposure to advanced techniques of data collection and analysis. Throughout, development of doctoral level research skills is emphasized allowing participants to produce a research proposal commensurate with the level of study and in the context of their professional practice.
Within this module, a variety of vehicles are used to deliver material and support learning. In the taught blocks of this module, a combination of online lectures, online seminars and online workshops form the principal platform for delivery. This principal platform of delivery is supported by online media based around the eLearning portal. The taught blocks of this module can also be attended face-to-face. This is optional and the availability of these face-to-face sessions depends on the number of participants.
In addition, all students are also allocated a supervisor. For both full- and part-time study, participants will have online contact with their supervisor, to develop their 4000-word assignment (research proposal). We also offer students to attend face-to-face meetings with their supervisors.

Discussion of ethical considerations relating to the proposed research must accompany the proposal. (Throughout, emphasis is placed on encouraging participants to develop a critical and reflective approach to their work when developing this proposal.)

More information

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

NX0439 -

Advanced Business Research (Core,30 Credits)

This module builds on participants' previous research skills and knowledge of research techniques to further enhance understanding of methodologies, methods and advanced techniques that are central to developing a coherent and well-argued research proposal. The underlying research philosophies are critically explored to enable business and management research to be contextualized and executed at the appropriate level, supported by exposure to advanced techniques of data collection and analysis. Throughout, development of doctoral level research skills is emphasized allowing participants to produce a research proposal commensurate with the level of study and in the context of their professional practice.
Within this module, a variety of vehicles are used to deliver material and support learning. In the taught blocks of this module, a combination of online lectures, online seminars and online workshops form the principal platform for delivery. This principal platform of delivery is supported by online media based around the eLearning portal. The taught blocks of this module can also be attended face-to-face. This is optional and the availability of these face-to-face sessions depends on the number of participants.
In addition, all students are also allocated a supervisor. For both full- and part-time study, participants will have online contact with their supervisor, to develop their 4000-word assignment (research proposal). We also offer students to attend face-to-face meetings with their supervisors.

Discussion of ethical considerations relating to the proposed research must accompany the proposal. (Throughout, emphasis is placed on encouraging participants to develop a critical and reflective approach to their work when developing this proposal.)

More information

To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Part-Time

START MONTH
YEAR

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.



Accessibility and Student Inclusion

Northumbria University is committed to developing an inclusive, diverse and accessible campus and wider University community and are determined to ensure that opportunities we provide are open to all.

We are proud to work in partnership with AccessAble to provide Detailed Access Guides to our buildings and facilities across our City, Coach Lane and London Campuses. A Detailed Access Guide lets you know what access will be like when you visit somewhere. It looks at the route you will use getting in and what is available inside. All guides have Accessibility Symbols that give you a quick overview of what is available, and photographs to show you what to expect. The guides are produced by trained surveyors who visit our campuses annually to ensure you have trusted and accurate information.

You can use Northumbria’s AccessAble Guides anytime to check the accessibility of a building or facility and to plan your routes and journeys. Search by location, building or accessibility feature to find the information you need. 

We are dedicated to helping students who may require additional support during their student journey and offer 1-1 advice and guidance appropriate to individual requirements. If you feel you may need additional support you can find out more about what we offer here where you can also contact us with any questions you may have:

Accessibility support

Student Inclusion support




All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

Your Learning Experience

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms

Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees

Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints


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* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

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