What’s the difference between an MBA and DBA?

Furthering your education can open up a wider range of career opportunities. If you’re considering postgraduate study, one of the first things you’ll discover is just how many different qualifications there are to choose from – and that’s before you start comparing course content. 

 Here’s our guide to two of the most popular choices – the DBA and MBA. 

‘What’s the difference between a master of business administration (MBA) and a doctorate of business administration (DBA)?’ is one of the most common questions our course advisors are asked.

Below, we break down and compare each of these postgraduate qualifications in more detail. For more information, try also reading our blog on PhDs and doctorates. 

Level of study 

All forms of education involve progression of study, right from early years to adult. Each level of study is intended to build up knowledge and skills in a logical order, so the natural progression from undergraduate study (your Bachelor’s degree) is postgraduate study. In much the same way, there are four main levels of postgraduate qualifications which typically build on each other:

• Postgraduate certificates (PgCert) 

• Postgraduate diplomas (PgDip) 

• Master’s degrees (MA, MSc) or specialist master’s (e.g., MBA, MEd) 

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or professional doctorate (e.g., DBA, DEd)  

Doctorates are considered to be a higher level of qualification than a master’s degree and they are certainly the highest educational qualification that can be awarded. However, you don’t always need a master’s to gain entry on a doctorate programme.

On our Global Professional Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), for example, we require a postgraduate level qualification or equivalent in an appropriate management related subject. 

Length of study 

The biggest difference between a DBA and an MBA is the length of time it takes to complete each qualification. An MBA can be studied full-time in one year and part-time in two years, whereas a DBA is studied for at least three years full-time and the average student around five years to complete studying part-time.  

On both an MBA and a DBA, you’ll be learning new skills and knowledge: the considerable difference in the duration of these courses is therefore a reflection of the volume of content being covered.  

Type of study 

While both courses involve applied practice, putting the knowledge and theory you learn into practice through research and investigation, one of the key differences between an MBA and a DBA is the greater focus given to developing research skills as part of your doctorate. 

An MBA is a general management degree which places greater emphasis on the existing application of advanced business concepts, referring to past case studies and best practice within the contemporary business world. MBA students will typically focus their research or consultancy on one major project/subject area and will receive sufficient training in research to enable them to conduct this piece of research.  

On a professional doctorate, however, the aim is to equip you with the advanced research techniques, tools and knowledge – for both future academic study and professional work. You’ll be given multiple opportunities to design scientifically sound research to approach different themes or real-world management issues.  

You’ll graduate with the specialist expertise, ability and confidence to handle complex business issues, choosing the most appropriate research theory and methodology depending on need and circumstance to facilitate change and improvement a strategic level. 

A key benefit to studying our Global DBA part-time and online, while you continue to work full-time, is that this allows you to solve actual business problems and identify improvements to operations or practices within your own workplace. 

Are you looking to develop and apply your professional knowledge to solve business challenges? Find out more about our part-time, online Global Professional Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA).