• Research

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) DBA

Overview

Overview

If you are a middle or senior manager our Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) course is designed so that you can study part-time while you work and carry out a research project based on your professional practice settings.

On this course you will carry out advanced research into a key aspect of business administration, underpinned by a series of taught modules. The aim of the DBA is to produce independent researchers who can make an original contribution to knowledge in Business Administration.

QAA (2016), Status of the Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) in the UK states that “The Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) sits on the highest level of The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree Awarding Bodies (level 8 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and level 12 in Scotland).

The DBA is an award which meets the qualification descriptor for this level in full. All UK doctorates, regardless of their form, require the main focus of the candidate's work to demonstrate an original contribution to knowledge in their subject, field or profession, through original research or the original application of existing knowledge or understanding.”

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Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with us?

Why study Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with us?

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What our students say…

Studying for a doctorate alongside work can be very challenging and I am grateful for all the positive support I received throughout my studies. Knowing that your supervisor is there for you makes such a difference.

Danny Hagan, PhD in Music
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Course detail

Course detail

Course structure

Part One (years 1 and 2) consists of six modules that offer participants guided study in key areas of Entrepreneurship and Leadership, Professionalism in Social context and research methods.  Each of the taught modules will result in a written assessment (Pass mark is 60%).

Part Two (Year 3 to Year 5) – After passing ALL Part One modules, students will present a formal research proposal (which has been developing throughout Year 1 and Year 2 of your studies) to the Supervisors Panel. The Panel will make a recommendation whether the students can proceed to the DBA Thesis stage. At DBA Thesis stage, students carry out original and independent research under the supervision team of at least two members of staff and produce a DBA Thesis (45,000 to 50,000 words), to be submitted between the ends of year 4 and year 5, which will be assessed by Viva by a Panel of Examiners.

Taught Modules Delivery

Each taught module lasts for one academic semester. One of the six Part One modules will be available in each semester. Each taught module’s teaching is carried out through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops (in a block of 3 days) and online support where the emphasis is on discussion. Most of the time, however, are for the students work on the assessed assignments which is research-based (at Level 8).

Compulsory modules

  • Executive Leadership: Critical Reflection & Perspectives

    This module takes students through a leadership journey that challenges current practice to review personal and organisational leadership performance. The starting point of this module is that all leaders, including the exceptional ones, benefit from self-awareness and emotional intelligence so they can lead in a more effective and inspiring manner. This module explores this topic in the context of specific business environments and the contributing variables of ambiguity and uncertainty. This module starts with advanced underlying principles but progresses into a self or organisational reflective approach based on empirical data and current trends for local, national and global leadership approaches.

  • Professionalism in Social Context

    This module will help the students to develop the skills and knowledge for contemporary practice in their chosen professional field. They will identify the capabilities, attributes and authority they bring to the programme and what makes them the professional they are with their own unique practice developed with time and experience. The module will develop this knowledge by investigating the development of the professional in the wider social context and how this has affected the particular area of study.

  • Methods of Professional Enquiry and Research

    The aim of this module is to enable you to develop your theoretical, methodological and research skills to enhance your ability to conduct rigorous research and reach sound analytical conclusions, which can form the basis for the development of effective service delivery in professional organisations. You will develop a thorough understanding of the principles, theory and epistemology of research and links with the data analysis methods which will be discussed and developed in the ‘Evaluating Data in the Professions’ module. Equal emphasis is given to the teaching of qualitative and quantitative research and study designs.

  • Strategic Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice

    This module covers strategy formation, entrepreneurial manifestation of the strategy and the mitigation of risks by integrating conceptual, empirical and case methods in order to ensure that these perspectives are simultaneously considered. This is achieved using lectures, tutorials, interactive exercises, case studies and readings in a participatory and interactive manner. The prior experience of students and their local business or employment setting will act as a basis for the further development and growth of each student. The module assumes prior knowledge of these concepts based on previous experience.

  • Connecting Research and Practice

    The aim of this module is to introduce the students to the operational and strategic issues that they are likely to face when conducting and implementing research in professional practice. They will learn how to clearly differentiate between the professional researcher and professional practitioner roles and will explore the challenges of undertaking research in a professional setting. They will critically discuss the ethical and consent issues pertaining to research in professional practice and will be introduced to research governance procedures and protocols.

  • Evaluating Data in the Professions

    The module introduces the evaluation of data to those with some experience of academic research but little experience with qualitative and quantitative methods in a professional context. This module aims to develop the skills of the student to select and understand the application of different research methods rather than focus on the specialised application of each method.

You will carry out an original piece of research and present your work as a 45,000 to 50,000 words thesis. You will work independently with the supervision of your principal and secondary supervisor.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

You will normally need:

  • an IELTS score (International English Language Testing System) of minimum 6.5 (with no element under 6.0) for international applicants. Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept. Applicants with a previous degree obtained in the UK are exempt from this requirement.
  • a Master’s Degree with Merit or Distinction or equivalent in the relevant field of study.
  • a minimum of two years' full-time work experience in supervisory/managerial roles that are relevant to the subject you wish to study.
  • to be currently employed in a professional capacity in a field related to Business Management. 

You should be researching and developing professional practice in an area that falls within the Claude Littner Business School's current research activities, to enable us to appoint suitable supervisors.

Along with your application,  you will normally need:

For applicants successfully progressing from the initial stage of assessment based on the documents submitted, you will be invited to attend an interview.

Please ensure you meet the minimum entry requirements before submitting an application, and submit all required documents.

Supervisors

Supervisors

Javad Izadi Z. D.

Professor Javad Izadi

Professor Javad Izadi (BA, MSc, VTC, PhD, FHEA) is a Professor of Accounting and Finance and course leader for the Doctor of Business Studies (DBA), MSc Finance and Accounting, and BSc Finance and Management at the Claude Littner Business School (CLBS), University of West London. He is a member of the University Research Degrees Sub-Committee and serves as the Critical Reader for the School.

Javad previously worked in the accounting profession as an auditor and financial manager. He also served as a lecturer at Azad University for several years before completing his PhD at the University of Sussex, United Kingdom. He began working at the School of Business, Management and Economics at the University of Sussex in October 2010.

In 2011, Javad was awarded a visiting scholarship by the University of Sydney. In 2013, he became a visiting lecturer at Aberystwyth University, and he was a Senior Teaching Associate in Accounting and Finance at the University of Lancaster before joining the University of West London in 2015. He joined CLBS as a lecturer in August 2015, and became a senior lecturer and Associate Professor.

His work experience ranges from accountancy to management in the financial sector, and his academic experience covers lecturing on a wide range of accounting and finance courses. Javad has been delivering lectures to undergraduate and postgraduate students for over twenty years at esteemed UK universities and leading institutions in Iran. He has also supervised over fifty postgraduate research students in various fields of accounting, finance and business.

Javad's current research interests cover all aspects of accounting and finance. He has co-authored several peer-reviewed journal papers, conference papers and technical reports, which you can find below.

Professor Javad Izadi (BA, MSc, VTC, PhD, FHEA) is a Professor of Accounting and Finance and course leader for the Doctor of Business Studies (DBA), MSc Finance and Accounting, and BSc Finance and Management at the Claude Littner Business School (CLBS), University of West London. He is a member of the University Research Degrees Sub-Committee and serves as the Critical Reader for the School.

Javad previously worked in the accounting profession as an auditor and financial manager. He also served as a lecturer at Azad University for several years before completing his PhD at the University of Sussex, United Kingdom. He began working at the School of Business, Management and Economics at the University of Sussex in October 2010.

In 2011, Javad was awarded a visiting scholarship by the University of Sydney. In 2013, he became a visiting lecturer at Aberystwyth University, and he was a Senior Teaching Associate in Accounting and Finance at the University of Lancaster before joining the University of West London in 2015. He joined CLBS as a lecturer in August 2015, and became a senior lecturer and Associate Professor.

His work experience ranges from accountancy to management in the financial sector, and his academic experience covers lecturing on a wide range of accounting and finance courses. Javad has been delivering lectures to undergraduate and postgraduate students for over twenty years at esteemed UK universities and leading institutions in Iran. He has also supervised over fifty postgraduate research students in various fields of accounting, finance and business.

Javad's current research interests cover all aspects of accounting and finance. He has co-authored several peer-reviewed journal papers, conference papers and technical reports, which you can find below.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

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Studying for a doctorate will help you to develop research skills and evidence-based practice within your professional area. 

A doctorate qualification can help you to develop your role in your current career, secure a promotion or facilitate a career change.

Completion of a professional doctorate will also allow you to progress into a postdoctoral research role.

How to apply

How to apply

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Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2023 and 2024 - Average of answers to all questions by registered student population. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.