Doctoral research for practising executives
Online only
The DBA is distinct from the PhD: it is designed for senior managers who want to investigate real problems in their own organisations and contribute practitioner-oriented knowledge to the field. You will complete advanced coursework in research design, then conduct a doctoral project that typically addresses a strategic challenge in your firm or sector. Cohort-based residencies (virtual) build a lifelong network of executive peers. Doctor of Business Administration is taught as one award, not a list of unrelated modules. The published length is 3–4 years, and the credit total is 54. Students move from Discovering Applied Doctoral Research through Discovering Applied Doctoral Research; Philosophy of Science & Knowledge Creation in Management; Organizational Strategy & Policy; Advanced Organizational Behaviour & Leadership; Global Management & International Business; Ethics in Business & Management, and finish on Doctoral Viva & Dissemination. Each course has a question, a method, and a submission. In this field, students diagnose one organisation and carry a decision through to a recommendation. Reading is a case, a short financial extract, and a stakeholder note. The artefact a marker expects is a consulting brief a manager could use. The award is built so that a graduate can do the following in practice: Apply doctoral-level research methods to live organisational problems Produce a publishable doctoral thesis with managerial implications Lead evidence-based transformation in complex institutions Teaching assumes the student can read a source, attempt a problem before the seminar, and revise after feedback. Attendance at live seminars is part of the design. The capstone or final course must use the methods of the earlier courses; a project that ignores them does not pass. The pages for each course name the topics that are examined. Those topics are the syllabus. A brochure line is not a substitute for them.
DBA candidates remain employed while researching — your organisation is often the site of investigation. Virtual residencies bring together global executive cohorts for peer critique and faculty coaching. Published practitioner articles are encouraged before final defence.
Faculty spotlight
Professor Sofia Ramirez, DBA, combines board service with research on family-enterprise governance; Dr. Hassan Al-Rashid mentors public-sector transformation projects.
Interactive modules, weekly readings, recorded and live seminars, and collaborative discussions with peers worldwide.
Module assignments, proctored examinations, and capstone projects designed to demonstrate mastery of the field.
Modules are assessed through a published mix of coursework, applied projects, and examinations. Exam windows are announced in advance so students in other time zones are not forced into overnight sittings. Alternative arrangements are available where documented.
The published duration is 3–4 years. Teaching language: English. Actual time-to-complete depends on mode and any recognised prior learning.
This is a fully online award. You study from your country. No student visa and no campus relocation are required.
Degree tuition for this award is published as £0 / tuition-free on the online pathway. Examination or administrative fees may apply at checkout — never an annual tuition invoice. Check the Fees page for any extras.
Requirements are grouped on this page (academic, English, documents). Equivalent qualifications are considered. English may be waived after prior English-medium study.
Assessment is typically a mix of coursework, projects, and examinations. Doctoral awards include a thesis or dissertation and an oral examination. Details sit in the programme specification and module outlines.
Recognition of the award for local employment, professional licence, or ministry attestation is decided by your employer or regulator. Durham University publishes verification pages for certificates. We do not claim automatic equivalence in every country.
Start an application on this website. Progress is saved from the first step. Admissions: admissions@durhm.co.uk.
Study online
Online tuition is free. Online examinations are free. There is no exam fee for online study. Collegiate campus tuition and campus examinations are charged separately.
Accreditation & recognition
