DBA Doctor of Business Administration at Heriot-Watt University

Programme overview

The DBA is a professional research degree for experienced practitioners, delivered as a part-time, online self-study programme by Edinburgh Business School. It has a course stage and a research stage and builds on an MBA or MSc.

Faculty: Edinburgh Business School | Duration: Average of five years, part-time, online self-study | Intake: Open enrolment; no fixed start date | Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

The course stage comprises Doctoral Business Research 1, 2 and 3 (Research Methods 1: An Introduction, 2: The Qualitative Researcher, and 3: The Quantitative Researcher), each assessed by a three-hour examination, and leads to a Postgraduate Certificate in Research Methods. In the research stage students develop a thesis with a supervisor, examined by oral defence (viva voce). Optional 4-day seminars run at the Edinburgh and Dubai campuses.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A masters degree in a relevant field from a recognised institution, equal in standard to a Heriot-Watt masters; a minimum of 5 years of relevant managerial-level work experience with a CV showing career progression; a brief research idea and a preferred School research centre on the application form; two references, preferably one academic and one professional, on official letterhead. If English is not the first language and it is over two years since studying the masters in English, IELTS 6.5 overall with no component below 6.0 in reading, writing, speaking and listening (taken within two years), or a letter from an employer HR department confirming English is the main workplace language. Meeting the minimum does not guarantee entry.

Intake: Open enrolment

Duration: Average of five years, part-time, online self-study

Apply through the official page: https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/how-to-apply/postgraduate-programmes

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