Course details

    Online Global DBA

    Mode: 100% online (with optional face-to-face events)
    Guide fees:

    £7,200 per year*
    (funding options and instalments are available)
    *Excludes £350 acceptance fee.
    Length: 16 months taught, 3 years + for research**

    **The average student will take 5 years in total to complete their DBA.

    Structure  
    Year 1: Taught stage
    Year 2: Completion of taught stage and start of research stage
    Year 3 onwards:  Completion of research stage

    Course overview

    As organisations everywhere go global, it’s more important than ever to stand out in your field – whether you work in public or private sector management. Our Global Professional Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) course is a transformative programme designed to make you thrive as an accomplished international business leader.

    This course opens with an intensive taught phase, during which you’ll receive insights and feedback from our expert academics. The second phase is heavily research-based and involves delving into a topic of direct interest to you, with the support of a supervisory team.

    With a focus on applied research and practical insights, this DBA prepares you to influence business landscapes, cultivate global networks, and make impactful contributions to the evolving world of international business leadership.

    Key benefits of the Global DBA

    Networking
    An international network

    Connect with like-minded, ambitious minds across the globe and form a robust professional network.

    Innovation
    Innovative thinking

    Cultivate the forward-thinking, strategic mindset required to think outside the box.

    Leadership
    Strong leadership skills

    Develop the people-skills required to inspire and lead a talented workforce toward success.

    Prestige
    World-class prestige

    Acquire professional credentials that truly reflect the calibre of your business knowledge and acumen.

    What you’ll study

    This course will help you adopt a highly efficient approach to your practice by integrating both theory and application. You'll learn how to: 

    • Conduct ethical research on real business and managerial issues in a complex, multidisciplinary environment

    • Manage and make effective use of the appropriate physical, financial, and human resources within your organisation

    • Attain command of the latest knowledge and understanding appropriate to your area of professional practice 

    • Challenge current thinking and provide authoritative solutions to practical and research problems

    • Influence and provide inspiration and leadership for others in a changing environment of professional practice 

    All course materials are available on demand and can be accessed from wherever you are in the world. Find out more about how you'll learn with us. 

    How you'll learn

    What makes this course unique?

    Hear from Course Leader, Dr Myropi Garri as she discusses the finer details of the Global Doctorate in Business Administration including what makes it stand out, entry requirements, and the application process.

    Want to watch the full Q&A? Register to gain access.

    You can read the video transcript on this page.

    Modules

    This introductory module will enable you to conduct a critical self-evaluation and identify your own learning requirements in relation to your doctoral programme of study and your own continuous professional development (CPD). 

    The Advanced Research Techniques module is key to your research practice. In this module, you’ll learn how to successfully employ appropriate research theory and methodology in your own doctoral study and professional work. 

    This module focuses on analysing and critiquing publication and dissemination methods within the field. It will cover both academic and professional dissemination in journals, books, and conferences, as well as examine the need to communicate effectively with a range of professional groups. 

    During this module, you‘ll consolidate prior learning and begin preparation of a costed, achievable, and well-argued proposal for a programme of professional research and development. Your proposal will be reviewed and approved by the module coordinator alongside a second marker. 

    Once you have completed all four taught modules, you’ll progress to the research stage of the programme, which involves your DBA thesis. This is expected to take three years, with an allocated supervisory team to guide and support you. 

    How you're assessed

    All assessments for the course are based on coursework submitted online. Your performance is assessed through coursework such as: 

    • Written assignments 
    • A research and development project 

    Opportunities for formal and informal feedback will be provided so you can improve your work for the future. 

    Business administration student smiling
    John Smith

    Professor

    Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.

    early_years_initial_teacher_training_1200x400 Find out more
    John Smith

    Professor

    Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.

    early_years_initial_teacher_training_1200x400 Find out more
    John Smith

    Professor

    Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.

    early_years_initial_teacher_training_1200x400 Find out more
    John Smith

    Professor

    Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.

    early_years_initial_teacher_training_1200x400 Find out more
    John Smith

    Professor

    Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.

    early_years_initial_teacher_training_1200x400 Find out more
    John Smith

    Professor

    Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.

    early_years_initial_teacher_training_1200x400 Find out more

    Ready to start?

    Find out more about course costs, the payment plans and funding available to you, and the different ways that you can pay for your tuition.

    Fees and funding

    Entry requirements

    To join this course, you must have: 

    • A postgraduate level qualification or equivalent in an appropriate management related subject 
    • A minimum of three years’ relevant business and management experience 
    • Evidence of recent Continuing Professional Development or leadership experience in a relevant area of business and management/management science will also be considered 
    • English language proficiency at IELTS level 6.5 with no component score below 6.0 (or other acceptable proof), if English is not your first language 

    When applying, you will also be required to submit: 

    • Proof of a relevant postgraduate degree with at least 60 credits having been completed 
    • Details of two referees or two references on official headed paper, one of which should ideally be an academic reference 
    • Proof of your English language proficiency (if English is not your first language) 
    • An up-to-date copy of your CV 
    • Following a review of your application, you may be invited to attend an online interview. 

    Unsure about whether you’re eligible to apply? Speak to one of our course advisers on +44(0)23 9431 1545, or email info@study-online.port.ac.uk 

    How to write your research proposal

    Career prospects and opportunities

    Our rapidly changing world requires professionals who can offer expertise in specific areas rather than broad information in various topics. Your DBA will allow you to specialise in a chosen topic, further your professional body of knowledge, and advance your management career. 

    Upon graduation, you’ll be able to act as a bridge between the academic and business world – applying critical thinking and advanced research capabilities to address business issues and drive innovative solutions. 

    These skills, coupled with the support you can receive from our exceptional Careers and Employability Service, will help position you as a valuable hire to employers across the world. 

    To learn more about the paths of progression available to you after graduation, visit our Careers and opportunities page: 

    More on career options

    Teaching team

    Myropi Garri

    Dr Myropi Garri

    Course Leader

    I have taught thousands of undergraduate and postgraduate students, designed and coordinated strategy and research modules, and supervised research projects and PhDs.

    Yuksel Ekinci

    Yuksel Ekinci

    Module Leader

    With 20+ experience as an active researcher and international academic, my research interests revolve around how we can find solutions to applied marketing problems.

    View profile

    Shabbar Jaffry

    Prof Shabbar Jaffry

    Module Leader

    My research and consultancy projects have involved defence manpower, local and regional economies, banking efficiency, profitability and productivity, and more.

    View profile

    Adéle Bezuidenhout

    Adéle Bezuidenhout

    Module Leader

    My doctorate is in Industrial and Organisational Psychology with a focus on the experience of female academics in terms of burnout, work engagement and sense of coherence.

    View profile

    Karen Johnston

    Karen Johnston

    Module Leader

    My research interests are in the areas of public administration and management, public sector human resource management and gender studies.

    View profile

    Want to start in January 2025?

    Apply now
    Global DBA student smiling in library