Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is designed for top executives who want to consolidate their knowledge, experience, and learning in a terminal qualification. The focus of the DBA is on leadership.

Candidates should possess at least a Masteral qualification (preferably in business studies) and five (5) years' managerial work experience. All candidates are considered on individual merits.

There are three ways of obtaining a DBA from Warnborough College, which may be undertaken by distance learning or through onsite classes: by research, instruction, or projects.

OPTION ONE : BY RESEARCH

Candidates must research an area of choice according to a proposal submitted to and approved by the Research Committee. Candidates may work with a self-appointed or Warnborough-allocated mentor throughout the entire process. The intended research outcome should demonstrate competence in the subject area at an advanced level and/or contribute towards new or existing knowledge. A dissertation of at least 70,000 words must be submitted for examination on completion. Dissertations are examined externally.

This option should only be chosen if candidates have good research skills and academic writing ability.

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OPTION TWO: BY INSTRUCTION

This option is split into four parts: a primer module in research; 6 core modules; 2 specialisation electives; and a final dissertation. This option is for a group of students attending classes, for students who did not do an MBA, or for those who wish to update their knowledge in the core business areas. Individualised modules/projects can be substituted by agreement for any student who wishes to follow a specifically designed DBA program. The program can be undertaken by Distance Learning.

A. Primer Module (3 credits)
RES150 Research Methodology

B. Core Modules (5 credits each)

DBA700 Managing Organisations
DBA710 Marketing Management
DBA720 Financial Management
DBA730 People Management
DBA740 Operations Management
DBA750 Strategic Management

C. Specialisations (10 credits each)
DBA880 Doctoral Project 1: Elective 1
DBA890 Doctoral Project 2: Elective 2
Students are required to conduct a general survey into each subject area with basic guidance from supervisors, followed by a case study or project within the subject.

D. Dissertation (30 credits)
Students are required to generate a research proposal for a larger scale project of their choice. Upon approval, they will conduct a substantive investigation into the area of specialisation. Results should be written up in the form of a dissertation of not less than 20,000 words.

OPTION THREE: INDIVIDUALISED PROJECTS

This option allows the individual student to undertake four agreed research topics relating to their area of specialisation plus attendance at the two residential workshops. Click here for more information.

Program Duration

The time frame to complete a DBA degree will vary according to the candidate's academic background, subject knowledge, research skills, writing expertise, and the time available to focus on the assignments and projects. Module exemptions and advanced placement may also reduce the overall time frame. Generally, a candidate can expect to complete the DBA within 2 to 3 years from matriculation (official entry to the program).

Successful completion of 120 credits enables candidates to graduate with a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree.

Program's Where and How

This program is conducted via distance learning and at various Warnborough College and University Alliance learning centres. For distance learning, there are online study materials available for each module. Candidates have access to a personal tutor for each individual module.

Some textbooks are recommended but suitable alternatives may be used. All candidates should access to the Internet.

visit our Tution Fees page.

Note: All fees listed here refer to tuition only. It does not include ancillary expenses such as required materials (see above), textbooks, internet connections, postage, telephone calls, insurance and printing.

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The program is run by the Faculty of Business and Management with a core of experienced and highly-qualified mentors. Each Learning Centre has its own staff who are vetted by Warnborough College, with quality assurance checks carried out annually.

Please contact admissions@warnborough.edu