DBA (Doctor of Business Administration)
Facts about DBA
| Qualification | DBA |
|---|---|
| Duration | Part time: 4 years minimum, 8 years maximum |
| Attendance | Ten weekends in Year 1; five weekends in Year 2; three weekends each in Years 3 and 4 |
| Assessment | 50,000 word thesis; portfolio; oral exam |
| Course structure | |
Choose Kingston's DBA (Doctor of Business Administration)
The Kingston DBA is one of the first three DBA programmes globally to receive accreditation from the Association of MBAs. It offers those at senior management level the opportunity to build upon their MBA or business-related masters qualification and develop professional excellence through a programme of study that is both academically challenging and professionally relevant.
What will you study?
Our aim is to provide you with a supportive educational environment within which you can obtain a doctorate-level qualification that is directly relevant to your chosen profession.
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This course is based at Kingston Business School, part of the Faculty of Business and Law. Find out more...
Course director:
Research is an essential part of the day-to-day life of Kingston Business School and is embedded in its intellectual activities and development. As a Doctoral student you will be actively contributing to the research community and research profile of the Business School.

"The Kingston DBA course structure suited me with weekend lectures rather than mid-week commitments that I would never be able to keep." Dr Claire Ferguson

"I can honestly say that my enthusiasm for the DBA grew over the whole four years. It was stimulating to meet people from different backgrounds all striving to achieve the same goal, but with very different interests and research areas." Dr Michael Collins
Course structure
Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules.
Year 1 structure
- Research Design and Data Collection
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Research Design and Data Collection
This module looks at different research techniques. You will learn how to:
- evaluate different methods;
- select the most appropriate for a specific research question;
- develop research design plans; and
- construct and test data collection methods.

- Foundations of Data Analysis and Reporting
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Foundations of Data Analysis and Reporting
This module will teach you how to plan and execute data handling and analysis, understanding the principles and techniques behind the analysis and linking data to research questions and aims. You will:
- look at both qualitative and quantitive data;
- become proficient in the use of dedicated software tools and techniques; and
- develop skills in writing up and reporting results.

- Advanced Qualitative Research Methods
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Advanced Qualitative Research Methods
In this module you will develop an in-depth understanding of different types of advanced and specialised qualitative research techniques. This will include:
- identifying the most appropriate context for their use;
- assessing their strengths and weaknesses; and
- understanding the principles behind them.

- Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
-
Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
In this module you will develop an in-depth understanding of different types of advanced and specialised quantitative research techniques. This will include:
- identifying the most appropriate context for their use;
- assessing their strengths and weaknesses; and
- understanding the principles behind them.

- Professional Development
- Research in Business Practice
Year 2 structure
- Research Colloquium
- The DBA Proposal
- Professional Development
- Research in Business Practice
- Business Research Workshops
Year 3 structure
- Research Colloquium
- Professional Development
- Professional Development Portfolio
- Research in Business Practice
- Business Research Workshops
Year 4 structure
- Research Colloquium
- Professional Development
- Professional Development Portfolio
- Research in Business Practice
- Business Research Workshops
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Related courses
Related to this course:
- Business PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
- Management and Business Studies Research MSc
- Master of Business Administration MBA
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The Faculty of Business and Law runs a number of postgraduate and post-experience open days. Visit us to find out how we can help you achieve your career ambitions.
The Kingston DBA is one of the first three DBA programmes internationally to receive accreditation from AMBA (Association of MBAs).
Kingston Business School works closely with the business world's principal professional bodies in order to harmonise its education provision with the needs of today's business practitioners.



