Business Administration DBA

at Teesside University

The DBA programme involves taught modules, which provide the theoretical and interdisciplinary foundations necessary for undertaking research at doctoral level. Outside the formal sessions, you are encouraged to participate in University and school-level events, such as research seminars and conferences.

You start by getting your bearings with research, then learn how to engage with academic literature at a doctoral level, before formally reviewing the literature relevant to your proposed study. You are then asked to design a study, which brings to the fore some complex philosophical issues about what we can know from the data we obtain. Next you analyse and present your data in a meaningful way. Finally, you write up your study and prepare to defend it at an oral (viva voce) examination.

Course structure
Core modules
Applying Management and Organisational Studies Research

This module is structured around three key interrelated themes:

1. internationalisation and globalisation
2. organisational practices
3. theory of management.

You develop a critical appreciation of contemporary issues in organisation behavior and development and apply research skills to produce a literature review signposting a preferred theoretical underpinning.

Due to the nature of this module and its focus on emerging management issues, the content may change year-on-year.

However, typical content is likely to include organisational development, change theory, comparative management theory, talent management and reflective practice.

DBA Advanced Independent Study

The module requires you to draw creatively and critically upon your academic studies to develop and apply a specific piece of research to the organisational and/or professional discipline setting. In addition to incorporating the usual doctorate-level critical literature and methodological review, this module examines, evaluates and makes recommendations relating to current and possible future professional practice, demonstrating a contribution to the development of new knowledge within the appropriate professional field.

Research Methods for Doctoral Students

This module provides a thorough introduction to management research and forms the basis for research training for doctoral students in business and management. You are introduced to a breadth of research philosophies and methodological approaches to give you a sufficient understanding to engage critically with the literature and make informed methodological choices in your own research projects, taking into account data analysis methods and any ethical issues and considerations. The aim is to achieve a balance between generic coverage of relevant material, and bespoke workshops which respond to your specific needs in terms of the research methods you propose to use in your study. This module also acts as bridging module between master’s and doctoral level.

The DBA is designed for people who have achieved or expect to achieve, senior organisational positions and/or who wish to enhance their analytical and research skills and knowledge.

A master's degree: applicants should have a master's degree in a subject that has aspects that relate to business and/or management.
+3 years' management experience: all applicants should have a minimum three years' managerial experience.
Research proposal. All applicants are required to complete a short research proposal. Please find our research proposal template. We recommend allowing one month to create your research proposal (prior to application). It's best to download the template now.
English language: applicants whose first language is not English will need to satisfy the English language requirements which are a minimum overall score of 6.5 IELTS, and 5.5 in each band.

All prospective students will be interviewed. Applicants must show they have recent and relevant study or practice in the field of business and/or management.
The interview will normally explore:
Reasons for your application
Work experience
Previous postgraduate qualifications
Research experience
Research areas of interest
All aspects of the research proposal e.g. proposed, project aim, identified research gap, literature review, research methodology and research contribution to knowledge
Anything else deemed appropriate by the tutor connected to the proposed research.

2022/23 entry

Fee for UK applicants
£9,875 a year

£19,750 in total

Fee for international applicants
£12,375 a year

Career opportunities

Typically graduates move into senior management and strategic leadership roles, internal consultant/project leadership roles or into external consultancy roles. DBA applicants are expected to be relatively senior business-based professionals at point of entry, so whilst the course will allow you to build on your existing work experience and skills, it will develop you as a research-informed business leader who is able to apply best practice within your organisational context and towards your own managerial practices.