Applicants to the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program are expected to hold:

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised higher‑education institution, preferably in business, management, or a related discipline.

Candidates with a master’s degree in another field may be considered where their academic background is relevant to the applied and interdisciplinary nature of the DBA.

Professional Experience

In addition, applicants should normally have:

• Significant professional experience, typically at least 5 years, in management, leadership, executive, entrepreneurial, or senior professional roles.

This experience should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to engage with complex organisational challenges and to undertake doctoral‑level applied research informed by professional practice.

Applicant should submit:

1. Curriculum Vitae: The applicant’s CV should summarize all of the applicant’s work history, academic qualifications, honors, accomplishments, and professional interests.
2. Transcripts: Complete official transcripts of all colleges and universities the applicant has attended for one or more academic terms. 
3. A GMAT or GRE test score, no more than 5 years old and submitted directly from the testing agency.
4. Non-native English speakers who have not previously completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in an English-language program should submit scores from the internet-based test (ibt) of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The minimum scores for admission are a TOEFL score of 90 (ibt) or a score of 7.0 on the IELTS.  Test scores are official only when received directly from the testing vendor.
5. Personal statement: A brief essay detailing the following subjects:

• Personal motivation for pursuing a research degree in business
• Past work experiences that have prepared the applicant for the program
• Potential ideas for research the applicant might pursue
• A detailed description of any research projects the applicant has previously completed with faculty or under faculty supervision
• Any additional information the applicant would like to provide to the admissions committee relevant to how the applicant’s admission will contribute to the diversity of perspectives within the program

1. Three letters of reference: 

• Letters from academics are highly preferred.
• Applicants should choose individuals who can provide an overall evaluation of readiness and potential to succeed as a doctoral student and ultimately as a researcher and professor. 

Program length:

4 years (max up to 8 years)

Credits needed to earn the degree:

224 ECTS / 112 credits US

Degree level:

MQF Level 8

• Develop advanced knowledge in contemporary business theory, research, and practice at a doctoral level.

• Foster critical, evidence-based decision-making and leadership skills in complex organizational contexts.

• Cultivate the ability to identify, analyze, and address global business challenges using interdisciplinary approaches.

• Strengthen competencies in applied research methodologies relevant to business and management.

• Encourage ethical awareness, corporate responsibility, and sustainable management practices.

• Prepare graduates to contribute to academic scholarship, executive leadership, and public policy dialogue.

• Support personal and professional growth as reflective practitioners and thought leaders.

• Knowledge & Scholarship: Demonstrate mastery of advanced business concepts, theories, and frameworks across multiple disciplines.

• Research Proficiency: Design and conduct original, high-quality research that contributes to both academic literature and practical business solutions.

• Analytical Thinking: Apply rigorous analytical and critical thinking skills to solve complex and ambiguous business problems.

• Leadership & Strategy: Formulate and implement innovative strategies that drive organizational growth and transformation.

• Communication: Articulate complex ideas effectively in academic, professional, and public settings through written, oral, and digital platforms.

• Global Perspective: Evaluate business issues within an international, multicultural, and interdisciplinary context.

• Ethics & Responsibility: Integrate ethical reasoning and social responsibility into decision-making at organizational and policy levels.

• Teaching & Mentorship: Engage in teaching, mentoring, and knowledge transfer within academic, professional, or community environments.

• Impact & Application: Translate research insights into actionable recommendations that influence practice, policy, and innovation.

Executive & Strategic Leadership

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Chief Operating Officer (COO)
• Chief Strategy Officer (CSO)
• Corporate Director of Business Development
• Executive Director of Operations

Consulting & Advisory

• Senior Business Consultant
• Strategy Consultant Organizational
• Development Advisor Independent Management Consultant
• Innovation and Change Management Specialist

Academic & Research

• University Professor / Lecturer in Business or Management
• Academic Researcher in Business and Economics
• Director of Doctoral Programs
• Visiting Fellow / Research Associate at Think Tanks

Policy & Institutional Roles

• Government Policy Advisor (Economic Development, Trade)
• International Organization Specialist (e.g., UN, World Bank)
• Director of Business Research Institutions
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategist