Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at University of Stirling

Aimed at experienced professionals, our innovative Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) develops both your research and practitioner skills, allowing you to progress to senior roles in management and related business fields.

DBA graduates are able to work in universities as research-led academics or in industry as research-informed senior managers, consultants and business leaders. On this course you’ll develop research competency at PhD level combined with the in-depth and reflective knowledge of management theory and practice gained on a traditional DBA programme.

We provide a guided, stepped transition, allowing you to successfully become a doctoral-level researcher and practitioner, no matter what previous training you’ve had. Our DBA course will help you become a reflective, self-critical professional. You’ll learn skills, techniques and practices to conduct cutting-edge research, while building theoretical and practical knowledge at the forefront of business and management research. After successfully completing the course, you’ll be prepared to successfully manage the pressures and challenges of an increasingly dynamic business environment and to offer original and creative solutions to deal with emerging issues.

Our unique focus on teaching fundamental business and research skills also allows you time for academic research. You’ll develop a thorough understanding of management theory across core disciplines. With this higher level of understanding, you’ll be able to conduct pure applied research in your organisation with a greater ability, or work within academia, leaving two career paths open to you.

Course flexibility

This course is offered on a full-time and part-time basis. Full-time attendance is required during the semesters in Years 1 and 2. There’s greater flexibility of where to be based out of semester and during the whole of Year 3, with the possibility to stay overseas. Non-EU students on Tier 4 visas should seek advice on how this can be accommodated.

Learn from the experts

You'll learn from, and be supervised by, academic staff who are known worldwide, respected in their fields and have extensive research, business and consultancy experience.

The University of Stirling Management School

At the University of Stirling Management School, the principle of responsible business, policy and practice is central to everything we do. This vision helps us to equip our students effectively with the skills to act as global citizens, capable of addressing the needs of society.

As a member of the Chartered Association for Business Schools, we have strong links with industry and were recently awarded the Small Business Charter for engagement with local and regional enterprise.