Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at University of the West of Scotland

Programme overview

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) research degree is a professional doctorate designed for experienced managers, executives, and organisational leaders seeking to develop advanced research capability alongside strategic leadership expertise. The programme combines rigorous doctoral-level research with practical business application, enabling candidates to investigate complex organisational challenges within real-world professional contexts.

Faculty: Business & Creative Industries | Duration: 3 years full-time (normal); 4 years full-time (maximum registration); Typically 6 years part-time | Study mode: full-time; part-time | Intake: Paisley: January | Location: Paisley, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

The DBA consists of 540 credits, including a 180-credit taught phase and a 360-credit doctoral research phase. The taught phase incorporates the MRes and develops advanced research capability in business and management contexts. Independent Business and Management Inquiry: Research(er) Perspectives and Practice – 40 credits Modules include: Research Methodologies and Philosophy of Research – 20 credits, Introduction to Qualitative Inquiry – 10 credits, Introduction to Quantitative Inquiry – 10 credits, Supervised Research Proposal and Design – 20 credits, Strategic Research Project – 60 credits, Advanced Qualitative Methods – 20 credits, Advanced Quantitative Methods – 20 credits.

Career pathways

Graduates of the DBA are likely to work in senior leadership, consultancy, policy, research, and executive management roles across private companies, public sector organisations, government agencies, charities, and third-sector bodies. Likely sectors include business consultancy, healthcare management, finance, education, digital enterprise, manufacturing, and strategic leadership roles within multinational organisations.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. IELTS score of 6.5 overall with no individual component below 6.0. Academic Requirements: Applicants must satisfy the general admissions requirements of the University of the West of Scotland together with programme-specific criteria. Normally possess a UK or recognised international Master’s degree in a business-related or cognate subject area. Applicants with Master’s degrees outside these areas may still be considered. Normally have at least 3 years’ management-level experience and 5 years’ senior-level professional experience. Evidence of managerial and leadership responsibility may be required at interview stage. Applications are considered individually and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL/APEL) is supported. Advanced entry to the research phase may be available to exceptional candidates with significant prior research expertise. Please note: The programme team retains discretion regarding admissions decisions following interview and application review.

Intake: Paisley: January

Duration: 3 years full-time (normal); 4 years full-time (maximum registration); Typically 6 years part-time

Apply through the official page: https://www.uws.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/postgraduate-course-search/doctor-of-business-administration

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