University of Central Lancashire

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

At A Glance

Course Title

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Course Type

Full Degree

Course Level

Doctorate

Study Method

Block Delivery and Research

Start Date

September / January

Course Duration

4 – 7 years

Awarded & Delivered By

University of Central Lancashire
University Central Lancashire Logo

Course Description

Advance your career and study for the highest qualification available in business and management. The Doctor of Business Administration taught and awarded by University of Central Lancashire is a part-time degree designed for senior managers and consultants who want to study at an advanced level while working full-time. It can be completed over a maximum of seven years although you can choose to complete within four.

The DBA is regarded as being the same status as the more commonly known PhD and permits you to use the title of ‘Dr.’ upon satisfactory completion. Your learning journey will include lectures and guided reading; active group work; case studies, videos, reviews of current events and student presentations. You’ll develop applied research skills as you start to critically evaluate industry related problems.

If you are an experienced practitioner in business, industry and the professions, and are seeking to engage in a part-time research-orientated programme of postgraduate study leading to the award of a professional doctorate, then the UCLan DBA is for you.

Course Content

As a professional doctorate, the DBA consists of two Stages: Stage 1 is a taught programme taken on a part-time basis over a two-year period, followed by Stage 2, a research programme which you should aim to complete in a further two-year period of part-time study although the maximum period of study is seven years.

Stage 1 - Taught component

The module aims to develop and enhance the student’s skills in self-reflection and reflective activities to support their journey on becoming a critical reflexive practitioner. This module also provides support for understanding and projecting implications of knowledge generated by students in their role as researchers and practitioners.
This module aim to evaluate the theory and practice of management with a view to understanding the role that management plays in organizations and society. The module is designed to critically appraise management policy and its impact on other organizational stakeholders. Students will develop skills in critical writing and evaluation as a basis for understanding contemporary management.
Our module will provide you with a conceptual grounding with respect to the choice of methodology/design and build an understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of social science research as adopted by business and management researchers alike.
Let’s develop your qualitative research skills! Our module aims to introduce you to the nature and practice of qualitative research, giving you the capacity to make an informed judgement as to the value of qualitative approaches to your research.
Our module aims to introduce you to techniques for collecting, handling and analysing quantitative data and reporting subsequent outcomes. You will also take part in a range of workshops designed to develop your skills in survey methodology and questionnaire design.
This module encourages students to engage critically with one or more selected strands of management literature and its relationship(s) with management practice. Upon completion, students should be able to analyse and evaluate academic outputs of management research and produce a high-quality literature review to demonstrate their skills.

Stage 2 - Research component

The thesis forms the Stage 2 of the DBA Programme. It to develop the students ability to design and conduct an investigation into live business, management or professional issue the outcomes of which make a significant contribution to both appropriate theory and professional knowledge and practice.

Study Method

Research active staff will bring their experience and knowledge into their teaching as well as drawing on current research in their particular field. This doctorate from University of Central Lancashire is offered as a block teaching and research programme. The DBA will run at the Preston Campus of the University. You’ll have full access to the Library and information resources of the University throughout the DBA and in addition may use all social, cultural and sports facilities of the University.

Stage 1 - Taught component

The DBA Taught Programme consists of six taught modules, each being completed through a four-day intensive workshop plus a period of private study both before and after the workshop. During Stage 1 you will develop critical and reflective skills at doctoral level, through the requirement to think conceptually, apply critical thinking, and reasoning skills and to challenge orthodoxy relating to the body of knowledge and research relating to Management and Organisation. Action learning is incorporated within the study sessions and is an important and distinctive feature of our DBA. You will work in sets or small development groups with fellow participants throughout the programme and also develop your skills as a critical and reflective learner.

Stage 2 - Research component

The DBA Research Programme – as part of the development process of your DBA project, you will have worked with the DBA staff to agree a suitable supervisory team, including a Director of Studies. This team will work with you throughout Stage 2 helping you to design and implement your own particular DBA project. This will normally take two years working on a part-time basis although you may choose to work at a pace that requires more time and you may therefore take up to five years.

Course Fees

Please get in touch with us to get the most up-to-date course fee for this programme.

Entry Requirements

  • Applicants must hold an approved Masters degree in business, management or in a subject that is relevant.

  • The DBA is a professional doctorate, designed to generate an original contribution to professional practice, through a rigorous engagement with management theory, and a focussed programme of independent research into a specific ‘research problem’ in your professional practice.

  • If you do not meet the entry requirements, we can provide a pathway for you, after taking your existing educational qualifications and work experience in consideration. Please make an enquiry to learn more.

Enrol Now

This degree programme has intakes in September and January with limited seats. The minimum registration period is 48 months, the maximum is 72 months.
Click the Enrol Now button and share your information so that one of our Academic Advisors will get in touch with you promptly.

Related Courses

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MBA (Top-Up)

Apply Now Make An Enquiry On this page At A Glance Course Title Master of Business Administration Course Level Master’s Degree Course Credits 60 Credits

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