Doctor of Business Administration, DBA at University of Lancashire

Programme overview

Doctor of Business Administration is a professional doctorate for experienced professionals at the Preston Campus (full-time or part-time, in person), combining four taught modules with a 50,000-word thesis on an applied organisational challenge. Research is supported by the Centre for SME, iROWE and Business Futures research centres.

Faculty: School of Business | Duration: 3-4 years | Intake: September 2026, January 2027, May 2027, September 2027, January 2028, May 2028 | Location: Preston, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Stage 1: Perspectives in Business and Management Research, Designing and Conducting Research, Reflexivity, and Bridging Theory and Practice. Stage 2: the DBA Thesis. Assessment is coursework-based in stage 1, building towards the thesis.

Career pathways

Career options include business consultant, director or senior executive, project or operations manager, innovation or change leader, policy advisor or research consultant, entrepreneur, and academic or practitioner-researcher.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

An approved master's degree in business, management or a subject relevant to the proposed research, or an equivalent professional qualification; significant relevant business, management or professional experience; potential to conduct doctoral research matched to School of Business supervisory expertise; strong oral communication and motivation; two satisfactory references; CV, evidence of qualifications and a 300-word outline research proposal. English: IELTS 6.5 overall (or equivalent), or evidence that the master's degree was taught entirely in English. Completion of the MRes Management gives advanced entry to Year 2.

Domestic applicants: GBP 10,000 a year (2026/27). Full-time Source

International applicants: GBP 19,250 a year (2026/27). Full-time Source

Intake: September, January or March

Duration: 3-4 years

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