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Doctor of Business Administration DBA

Key Facts

  • Level

    PostgraduatePG DBA

  • Duration

    Full Time: 3-5 years
    Part Time: 4-6 Years

  • Starting

    September

    SEP

Updated 15/05/2025

Open Days

Updated 15/05/2025

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

international@northampton.ac.uk
44 (0)1604 892134

Overview


The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a prestigious professional doctorate that is equivalent in academic standing to a PhD. As one of the longstanding courses within the Faculty of Business and Law, the DBA features a distinguished alumni network, with graduates holding senior leadership positions around the globe.

Recently revalidated, the DBA programme strongly emphasises impact-oriented research and the professional development of its participants. The DBA at Northampton is designed to support executive development by enhancing professional practice through rigorous, applied research. Participants will gain contemporary research intelligence, develop evidence-based decision-making abilities, and cultivate responsible leadership alongside advanced critical thinking and analytical skills.

The programme empowers professionals to conduct high-impact research within their organisations/ industries, driving innovation and meaningful strategic change. The DBA is offered both part-time and full-time – with the full time route open to home and international students. Our Doctor of Business Administration programme adopts an active-blended learning model, combining flexible learning with close, one-to-one supervision and promoting a collaborative environment through valuable networking opportunities.

The closing date for applications is 30 June.

For more information, contact:
Programme Leader: divya.shukla@northampton.ac.uk 
Or email: dbaenquiries@northampton.ac.uk

Highlights


  • This DBA is aligned with QAA guidance and standards of Level 8 study
  • Contributes to professional practice through impactful, real-world research
  • Develops responsible leadership and executive effectiveness
  • Provides contemporary research intelligence and competence development
  • Facilitates consistent pastoral care from the start of the programme.
  • Full-time route open to both Home and International students.

Entry Requirements


Applicants must generally meet the following criteria:

1.  Academic Qualifications: Applicants must be able to Accredit Prior Certified Learning (APCL) of 180 credits at Level 7, typically a Master’s degree in a relevant subject completed within the last 10 years prior to enrolment.

2.  Professional Experience: Significant leadership experience and potential currency in recent roles.

3.  Employment Role:  Experience in a leadership or managerial position that can support achieving the course learning outcomes.

  • Additional Considerations:

    4.  Master’s Degree Older than 10 Years: Applicants whose Master’s degree was completed more than 10 years prior to enrolment must demonstrate that they have updated their knowledge and skills to the equivalent of Level 7 within the past 10 years during the application and interview process.

    5.  Exceptional Cases: Applicants who do not meet the specified experiential requirements may still be considered if they can provide evidence of their professional standing, qualifications, and training, demonstrating their readiness to register for and benefit from the course.

    Admission Procedure:

    We encourage diversity in all forms, welcoming individuals from varied experiences and especially encouraging the application from underrepresented groups. The Admissions process for this course is as follows:

    • Application Screening: The admissions and course teams conduct the screening.
    • Interview: The selected candidate is then invited for an online interview to defend their submitted proposal and gauge their motivation for the DBA, as well as their ability to manage multiple demands, respective funding resources, etc.
    • Decision and Offer: The panels convey the collective decision to the admissions team, which shares the results with the candidate. The admissions team will process the offer and enrol if it is successful.

    The application and selection process are the same for home and international students. The document checks and English language requirements follow the standard UON process.

    Please visit the Additional documents page for further information and download the Research Topic Form. 

    For more information on how to apply, please visit the how to apply for research degrees page.

  • All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

    • Minimum standard – IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in categories (or equivalent)
      for study at postgraduate level.

    For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

Course Content


  • The DBA provides the opportunity for you to cultivate the skills needed to find better solutions for intractable problems and develop new paradigms for the increasingly complex, turbulent and interconnected business environment by:

    • honing your critical thinking and analytical skills to identify the core or real-world business issues
    • delivering the opportunity to be a reflective practitioner and develop as a responsible leader
    • providing you with contemporary research skills to deliver impact-oriented research
    • refining your capability to evaluate evidence on which to base decisions
    • developing your ability to produce robust and impactful research to contribute to professional practice
    • strategising dissemination plans and creating potential opportunities to influence policy/area of practice
    Course Opportunities

    Students benefit from a range of academic and research development opportunities through events organised by the University of Northampton Research team and the Graduate School, both in terms of participation and engagement. They are encouraged to contribute to the University’s research culture and develop their identity as researchers.

    Content:

    • Participation in the University-wide PGR Support Network
    • In-house conferences and events
    • Webinars, research conferences, and workshop participation
    • Research Centre’s events participation.
    Course Delivery Options

    Part-time – minimum 4 years to maximum 6 years – (open to Home students only):

    The Northampton part-time DBA course typically runs over four years. The first two years are structured around facilitated modules that provide the foundations for the research project, the main element of the DBA. After that, the research phase begins.

    Full time – minimum 3 years to maximum 5 years – (open to Home and International students):

    The full-time DBA course covers the modules taught in the first year, and then you enter the research project phase. This research project must significantly contribute to professional practice by developing existing theories and knowledge.

    Modules

    Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 24/25. The modules relating to the academic year 25/26 will be available from June 2025.

    Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme

    The Doctor of Business Administration programme is part of the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELCS). The ELCS is an opportunity for members of the Armed Forces to further or expand on their education. The scheme offers support financially in a maximum of three separate financial years for higher level learning of a nationally recognised qualification at a Level three or above.

  • Application Form

    It may seem obvious, but please fill out your application in full. Missing information can cause delays in processing your application. It’s really important that you include a current email address that is personal to you and one that monitor regularly, as we use email to arrange interviews and to get back to you with any additional information that we may need for your application. It’s also important to include a current mobile telephone number (with the country code). This is just in case we need to contact you urgently about your application. Our first form of contact will be email but there are occasional situations when we may need to call you so make sure to include your contact number.

    CV
    Submit an up-to-date CV

    Remember that one of the entry requirements for the DBA is that you are in a senior management/leadership position. Those reviewing your CV may not be from your industry and so you will need to include the roles and responsibilities associated with your job title – we need the key points.

    It may be that you are involved with another organisation outside of work, such as a professional body or charity. Remember to include it so it can be taken into consideration.

    Another entry requirement is five years experience at an appropriate level. Does your CV show how you meet this requirement?

    Qualifications and other management training or development that supports your application

    Make sure you give all your qualifications from your Bachelor’s degree onwards. Please include professional qualifications as well as academic qualifications, if you have them.

    If you were awarded your Masters 10 or more years ago we will need to understand how you might have kept up to date with developments in management and your functional area since then. One way of doing this may be through training and development, so make sure that you include it. Even if you have recently completed your Masters it is still important to include this because it strengthens your CV and application.

    Make sure you give information about who provided the training/development, what it was, when and whether or not it was certificated. If you have written or delivered conference pages include that information also.

    Personal Statement
    This should be about one side of A4 and cover all of the following:
    • What is your motivation for undertaking a doctoral level qualification?
    • Why have you chosen to apply for a DBA rather than a PhD?
    • What has attracted you to the University of Northampton’s DBA?
    • If you MBA was completed 10 or more years ago, how have you kept up to date with developments in your field and generally in business and management? You may want to refer to your CV for this.
    • How you meet the requirements for 5 years of relevant experience and currently in a management/leadership position? You may want to refer to your CV for this.
    • What is your thinking on how you will find the time to undertake the DBA alongside, work, family and other commitments?

    For all the areas you do not have to write a lot but what you do write must be specific to your situation – avoid general statements.

    References
    How many references do you need?

    You need submit two references with your application. If you do not do this your application may be delayed.

    Who do the references need to be?

    Ideally, one of your references should come from your current manager and another from an academic from your Masters programme.

    If a reference from your manager is difficult, try to get someone who is not your manager but knows you and is senior to you. It is very helpful if the reference can show that the organisation will support you in undertaking the DBA by being flexible so you can attend workshops and giving you access to information to complete assignments based on your workplace.

    Getting an academic reference may be harder if it is a while since you did your Masters and we do understand that. Make sure that the reference is for a DBA and not a PhD. Please do not use a reference written for another course or University.

    If it is not possible to get one or both  if the above, then we will accept other references. If the referee wants to submit the reference directly to the University please contact pgradmissions@northampton.ac.uk for advice on doing this.

    Make sure your references are recent, they should not be more than 4 months old when submitted.

    Qualifications Certificates/Passport

    Please make sure you provide a scanned copy of all your degree certificates (together with their transcripts), any professional qualifications and your passport. Your application cannot be processed without them.

    Language Capability

    If you are not a native English speaker, for Doctoral level of study, you will be required to demonstrate language capability equivalent to IELTS 7.

    Normally those with Masters from the UK will meet this requirement.

    If you are successful in being offered a place, and the place is conditional on language capability, you will need to take IELTS or an equivalent recognised language test.

    Research Topic Form

    We’ve put together a document for Research Topic form guidance, which provides all the details you’ll need for filling out the form. We have also completed an example form so you can see how it should look.

    Interview
    When will I know about the interview?

    If your application form and research topic form pass the initial review you will be invited for an interview. The interview is a vital element of the selection process of the DBA.

    What will the interview cover?

    The interview will cover all aspects of your application, so you should be prepared to discuss and expand on anything you submitted. Typically, most time is spent discussing the Research Topic Form. This means that you need to be very familiar with what you have written and the sources you have used. You will need to be prepared not only to explain and defend your thinking but to consider alternative ideas and approaches that the interview panel may wish to discuss.

    What are the arrangements for the interview?

    All interviews are conducted by a panel of at least two people. Once a suitable panel has been formed, with a time and date that all members of the panel can make, you will receive a calendar invitation with a Go-to-Meeting link. You must accept this invitation as soon as possible.

    If you are unable to make the time and date of the interview again let us know as soon as possible and we will look to rearrange the interview. Please note it may take a week to find a new time and date and the new interview maybe two to three weeks after the original date.

    If we have not heard from you within 5 days of sending out an interview invitation, the interview will be cancelled, and the application rejected.

    It is important that you undertake the interview on a laptop or desktop (not a smartphone or tablet) and that you have checked out the internet connection as well as your camera (yes we do need to see you!), microphone and speakers. We often find that bandwidth can be an issue so it is important that you arrange to be somewhere with a strong internet connection for your interview.

    Interviews normally last 35 – 45 minutes and need to start within 5 minutes of the time given. If you are not there then the interview will be cancelled.

  • Is the GRE or GMAT score required for admission?

    DBA does not require the GRE/GMAT score, but strong academic performance and research readiness are evaluated during application.

    Can I apply without a Master degree?

    A master’s degree is mandatory to pursue the DBA degree. However, if this is availed more than 10 years ago, an applicant must demonstrate considerable learning evidence showcasing their persistent learning craving.

    Is there any application deadline?

    Yes, application deadlines vary every year. For example, this year, the deadline is 30 June 2025.

    Can I study the DBA in an online mode of delivery?

    The learning in DBA is mostly hybrid, with fixed contact hours, face-to-face, online and independent study hours. You will have a few modules delivered online and a few with face-to-face settings. Currently, there is not fully online or distance learning provision.

    What kind of support will I receive during the research journey?

    You will have consistent pastoral support. In the first two years, you will be given a personal academic tutor; from the third year onwards, you will have your supervision team. In addition, you can take advantage of all the PGR development support events and learning resources.

    Is the research project work-related or academic? Do I have to develop a theory?

    The DBA research is usually work-based or practice-oriented, focusing on issues relevant to your organisation, industry, or leadership practice. You must apply the appropriate theory to your research problem for DBA and create new knowledge that informs practice and academia.

    Can I move from the Part-time to the Full-time course mode?

    There is no provision for delivery mode transfer; hence, you must decide well in advance for the mode you would like to go as this is level 8 degrees and thus demands significant time and effort.

    What is a research problem, and how can I develop one?

    Your research problem is critical for the selection of a DBA course. It should be evidenced in your proposal that your addressing contemporary research issues in your practice area. This should clearly outline a core research problem with stipulated research questions and highlight the background, context and possible research beneficiaries. This should demonstrate the seminal literature discussion, and the theoretical underpinnings required, highlighting possible research approaches and ways to collect the needed data. This should present a strong expected timeline for the completion of the study.

    Importantly, this should highlight what and how the proposed research is being conducted, as well as the target audience and beneficiaries. In addition, this should highlight the potential of the contribution of results to practice and academia. You may find more information on how to prepare a research plan on our Additional documents and interview information page.

    What is the interview structure, and how should I prepare for this?

    The interview structure will be given at the time of the interview invitation. Ideally, it lasts 45 minutes to an hour, where you must demonstrate your passion and ability to complete the proposed research with potential contributions. Be prepared to discuss your research questions in both practical and academic contexts. Be informed about the theoretical and seminal work in your field and present an evidence-based defence. Please explore the research centres and information on the UON webpage and be informed about the DBA well in advance.

    Do I need to produce the language proficiency evidence at the time of application.

    Yes, you need to demonstrate the English language proficiency as the university’ regulations of level 8 entry requirements (please see the entry criteria).

Fees and Funding


2025/26 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK Full Time:
    • Years 1-3 £8,200
  • UK Part Time:
    • Year 1-4: £6,000 per year
  • International Full Time:
    • Years 1-3: £11,200
  • International Distance:
    • Years 1-4: £7,500 per year

Please note: If you’re granted an extension for your thesis submission, you may be subject to additional fees, which vary depending on your university’s policies.

  • There are no additional costs for this course for students beginning their studies in September 2024. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  • For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding and Scholarships pages.

  • Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK Part Time: £7,000 in Year One, £7,000 in Year Two, £4,000 in Year Three and £4,000 in Year Four
    • International Distance: £9,500 in Year One, £9,500 in Year Two, £5,500 in Year Three and £5,500 in Year Four

Staff


Nadeem Aftab, Senior Lecturer in Banking & Finance

Senior Lecturer in Banking & Finance
Faculty of Business and Law

Nadeem Aftab
George Kapaya, Senior Lecturer in Accounting

Senior Lecturer in Accounting
Faculty of Business and Law

George Kapaya
Tatiana Gherman, Associate Professor of AI for Business & Strategy

Associate Professor of AI for Business & Strategy
Faculty of Business and Law

Tatiana Gherman
Ade Otukoya, Head of HRM & Organisational Behaviour

Head of HRM & Organisational Behaviour
Faculty of Business and Law

Ade Otukoya
Maged Zakher, Senior Lecturer in Cross-Cultural Management

Senior Lecturer in Cross-Cultural Management
Faculty of Business and Law

Maged Zakher
Placeholder image for Rebecca Fakoussa, Senior Lecturer in Business Entrepreneurship

Senior Lecturer in Business Entrepreneurship
Faculty of Business and Law

Rebecca Fakoussa
Placeholder image for Marcella Daye, Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management

Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management
Faculty of Business and Law

Marcella Daye
Nick Naumov, Senior Lecturer in Hospitality & Tourism Management

Senior Lecturer in Hospitality & Tourism Management
Faculty of Business and Law

Nick Naumov
Placeholder image for Ouarda Dsouli, Senior Lecturer in Accounting

Senior Lecturer in Accounting
Faculty of Business and Law

Ouarda Dsouli
Divya Shukla, Senior Lecturer in Leadership & Organisational Behaviour

Senior Lecturer in Leadership & Organisational Behaviour
Faculty of Business and Law

Divya Shukla
Rahul Mor, Senior Lecturer in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Senior Lecturer in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Faculty of Business and Law

Rahul Mor
Ade Ige-Olaobaju, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Mgmt

Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Mgmt
Faculty of Business and Law

Ade Ige-Olaobaju
Placeholder image for Al-Amin Dabo, Senior Lecturer in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Senior Lecturer in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Doctor of Business Administration DBA

Al-Amin Dabo
Placeholder image for Chijioke Uba, Senior Lecturer in International Business

Senior Lecturer in International Business
Faculty of Business and Law

Chijioke Uba
Placeholder image for Emmanuel Vanger, Senior Lecturer in Project Management

Senior Lecturer in Project Management
Doctor of Business Administration DBA

Emmanuel Vanger
Placeholder image for Ngozi Ibeji, Senior Lecturer in Banking & Finance

Senior Lecturer in Banking & Finance
Faculty of Business and Law

Ngozi Ibeji
Placeholder image for Muhammad Khan,


Doctor of Business Administration DBA

Muhammad Khan
Joyce Ayeni, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Mgmt & OB

Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Mgmt & OB
Faculty of Business and Law

Joyce Ayeni

Careers and Employability


DBA facilitates the expertise in your respective area of research and permits you to be established as a credible individual in your organization. The program prepares you to enhance your career opportunities in your existing career or allows you to transition to academia as well. It will permit you to be an effective executive with joining possibilities of multiple professionals such as management consultants, research executives and chief executive officers, practice-oriented professors, etc.

Campus Facilities


By choosing the University of Northampton to study your Doctor of Business Administration DBA, you will have access to our on-campus study areas, facilities, and services.

The Learning Hub is at the heart of the campus and home to the student information desk.

Learning Hub

The main reception for the University and additional teaching spaces.

Senate Building

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