DBA Doctor of Business Administration

Content

The structure of the DBA course incorporates two complimentary stages, parts 1 and 2.

Part 1 consists of creating a doctoral development plan and two 30 credit modules:

• Research Principles and Practice in Business Management
• Ways of knowing.

In the following year the modules will be:

• Discovery: Research Methods
• C-Suite.

Part 2 includes revising of the doctoral development plan, followed by seeking RD1 approval which would signify that the student is on course to develop the project further.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we will inform you

Learning and Teaching

The face-to-face element of this course is made up of four modules taught at UWE Bristol and supported by online resources and materials. Learners will be supervised from the start of their studies, with an allocated Director of Studies as their first point of contact throughout the course.

The Director of Studies provides formative feedback on module work, and supports the student to develop their Doctoral Development Plan, which captures their learning journey and will be part of their final submission. They will also offer guidance on capturing the data that will be used as a benchmark for evidence of research impact.

Where students are based overseas, a geographically local second supervisor will normally be appointed as part of the supervisory team.

The UWE Bristol DBA emphasises original thought, empirical research and leading-edge teaching. It is unique in its distinctive approach to professional development, which is an integral component of the course.

The course incorporates three strands:

Methodology

Explore the processes through which new knowledge is created and disseminated in business. You'll develop thorough research training and high-level transferrable skills through the study of professional research practice, research methods, primary and secondary data collection, intervention, epistemology, conceptualisation, theorisation and argumentation.

Professional Development

Improve your business, management and professional skills and carry out research-based organisational initiatives.

Business and Management Knowledge

Develop extensive subject-specific knowledge through engagement with long-standing and current debates, theoretical reflection, argumentation and evaluating evidence. Explore literature and undertake fieldwork, taking you to the edge of knowledge in your chosen specialisms.

Study time

Part 1 of the course is made up of two years of study, with two 30-credit modules to be completed each year.

Each module equates to 300 hours of learning, and includes one week of face-to-face teaching. The remaining study will be done in the student's own time.

The four 30-credit modules develop individuals' skills and capabilities in preparation for their personal research, and must be completed before the student can continue to Part 2.

Learners will write a self-reflective learning document and a doctoral development plan, as well as working to collect any required background data to evidence impact in Part 2.

Part 2 consists of a supervised research project, usually within the learner's own organisation. This may take between two and four years to complete.

Assessment

Learners will be assessed on a 60,000 word thesis outlining the development and impact of their research project.  

Before beginning the research project, they must also pass a progression examination, which includes a written report and viva.

At the end of each year, learners will complete a review of progress, which they must pass in order to register on the next stage of the course.

Final examination arrangements and final thesis title must be submitted three months before the final viva.