Professional Doctorate Business Administration

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Professional Doctorate Business Administration

Discover an advanced management qualification with the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at the University of Wolverhampton’s Business and Law School.

Why choose this course?

Discover an advanced management qualification with the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at the University of Wolverhampton’s Business and Law School. Recognised as the highest level of management qualification, the DBA is a fulfilling journey for ambitious professionals. As a practical degree, the University of Wolverhampton’s DBA is designed to tackle real-world challenges, equipping you with the skills that can help you to advance your career to new heights.

As the DBA is based in the University of Wolverhampton’s Business and Law School, you will be able to draw on the School’s contemporary subject expertise.

What happens on the course?

Discover our flexible DBA programme, designed to fit your lifestyle, whether you're studying full-time or part-time. From day one, you'll be engaged in a dynamic learning experience tailored to your pathway.

The University of Wolverhampton offers focused, one-week modules that equip you with the essential tools for the independent research, which will be at the heart of your DBA. Our structure allows part-time students to plan their attendance in advance, making it easier for you to balance your DBA with other commitments, such as family and work.

The DBA is cohort-based, meaning that throughout your DBA, you will work closely not only with your cohort but also with your supervisory team, meeting regularly to receive valuable feedback and guidance at every stage of your journey. The regular meetings with your supervisory team will ensure your research stays on track.

Choose your pathway - full-time or part-time - and complete your DBA in as little as three years or as many as seven. The pace at which you work is up to you, and the DBA is designed in a way that allows you to step off the DBA for a short period of time if needed.

The DBA has three key phases; each designed to guide and support you every step of the way with the expertise of our dedicated supervision team.

Phase One:

Foundation of research. Taught week long modules which will help establish the context for your work.

Phase Two:

Complete data collection. The main research phase informing the heart of your final work.

Phase Three:

Write-up thesis - constructing your work.

Undertaking a DBA is an important decision. You probably have lots of questions about how the University of Wolverhampton’s DBA can fit your needs. If you have any questions about whether you may be accepted or want an informal conversation about the DBA, please contact the Programme Leader, Dr Harjit Sekhon , at H.Sekhon@wlv.ac.uk to arrange a suitable time for a discussion.

Placements on the course

We’ve built professional placements into every degree, every student will be guaranteed a professional placement . Our placements give you the real-world exposure and proven experience your CV needs, while building the industry networks essential for your career.

These short-term, structured experiences include:

• Short duration: condensed work-like experience in professional environments
• Academic integration: always linked to coursework, assessments or professional development modules
• Project-based learning: students work on specific tasks or research with an organisation
• Flexible format: can be in-person, remote, hybrid or virtual
• Skill development: enhances workplace skills like communication, teamwork and problem-solving
• Experiential learning: helping to close the gap between knowledge gained and the skills needed to succeed

Employability on the course

Our courses are designed from day one to prepare you for your future career. You will benefit from:

• Extended induction: a period to familiarise yourself with your new university
• Structured learning pathways: courses are crafted with a focus on preparing students for future careers
• Hands-on project experience: projects and practical activities designed around real-world activities
• Embedded professional development: all courses are designed with workplace skills development and professional placements as part of the course
• Industry-informed modules: course content is kept up-to-date with industry standards through our industry links, staff's research and work in the field
• Placement opportunities: professional development placements for every student

Course Modules

Data is the new fuel of modern organisations. In this module you will explore contemporary issues and challenges relating to the management of information systems, including big data management, analytics, and cloud systems. You will analyse the application of business intelligence and its impact on organisations and consider the role of information and analytics in supporting the development of strategies. This module will enable you understand the sources of data, data generation to support business intelligence and analytics, the use of data warehousing and the design of effective information flows. The approaches to managing Business Analytics Projects along with the issues and challenges are considered.

This module aims to provide you with an educational forum in which you can examine your own experience of work and take the necessary action based on reflection. The aims of the module will be met when you examine and reflect on your own experience, derive the appropriate theory and then develop action related to both the demands of work and the programme of study. These will be met more fully when you understand the concept of critical reflective practice in relation to action learning and experiential/action learning. The module requires you to reflect critically on theory and practice from an ethical and professional standpoint, explore the implications for professional practice, and ultimately provides opportunities for applied learning and continuous professional development. This module supports the concept of Continuous Professional Development, and you will be expected to keep a CPD reflective learning journal. The purpose of this will be to provide further evidence of self-managed personal improvement and development specifically resulting, from reflection and learning from your work and professional experience.

In an era defined by rapid technological disruption, effective leadership is no longer confined to traditional management approaches. This module equips MBA students with the critical knowledge and practical tools to lead organisations through complex digital transformation. Drawing on contemporary leadership theories and emerging digital frameworks, students will explore how technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and automation are reshaping strategy, innovation, and culture. Through case studies, simulations, and applied projects, students will learn how to design and justify strategic digital transformation initiatives that enhance organisational agility and competitiveness. Emphasis is placed on developing digital fluency using analytics and digital platforms to inform decision-making, communicate vision, and lead ethically and sustainably. The module also supports personal and professional development by encouraging students to reflect critically on their leadership style, emotional intelligence, and ethical responsibilities in global and digital contexts. By the end of the module, students will have the insight and confidence to lead transformative change, foster innovation, and create value for stakeholders in an increasingly digital world.

This foundational module equips you with the strategic thinking and communication capabilities that employers expect from marketing professionals. You'll learn to develop comprehensive digital marketing strategies and communicate them effectively using professional frameworks like SOSTAC, Porter's Five Forces, and Ansoff Matrix, the same tools used by marketing managers and consultants worldwide. You'll explore how to communicate digital marketing messages across different countries and cultures, understanding the complexities of international markets and cross-cultural consumer behaviour. This global perspective is increasingly essential as businesses operate across borders and engage diverse audiences through multiple digital channels. Throughout the module, you'll analyse real business cases, craft compelling marketing communications, and present your strategies confidently, building the professional communication skills crucial for marketing roles. You'll learn to evaluate digital marketing opportunities, develop content strategies for different platforms and audiences, and create evidence-based plans that balance creativity with analytical rigour. By the end of this module, you'll think strategically about communication rather than just creating content. You'll understand not just what to say, but why and how to say it effectively, enabling you to make strategic communication decisions, justify recommendations to senior stakeholders, and adapt your messaging to different business contexts and audiences. These capabilities prepare you for positions in digital marketing, content strategy, brand communications, and marketing management where strategic communication planning and international awareness are core requirements. Key to Your Success: Effective marketing professionals don't just create content, they strategically plan what to communicate, to whom, when, and through which channels. This module develops that strategic communication mindset.

The module aims to deepen knowledge and understanding of the range of methodological, epistemological and ontological perspectives found in business research and to support students to develop a range of research skills and to evaluate research methods. Students will also learn to justify an ethical stance on the research process.

The module prepares students for undertaking a rigorous business enquiry in their chosen field of interest. The focus will be on a substantial review of literature, developing aims and objectives (and hypothesis where relevant), question design and development and the developing of critical evaluative abilities.

The module builds on a clear rationale developed through the preceding modules to form the basis of the thesis. The purpose is to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application in relation to the literature in the focus area of interest. The research design and the professional application of the conceptual framework presented in the literature review inform judgements about complex issues. The module will support the rigour of the study process to enable the student to produce work of publishable quality that makes an original contribution to knowledge relating to the focus of enquiry.

Potential Career Paths

A DBA could be the game-changer you need. Whether you choose full-time or part-time study, a DBA can help you develop vital skills and stand out in the competitive business world. Earning a DBA means that you can distinguish yourself in today’s business world.

A DBA can help open up new career pathways that may have been previously out of reach. Gaining a DBA showcases your expertise, dedication, and leadership, making you a very desirable candidate for top-tier management positions, such as C-suite executive roles, leadership roles, and consulting opportunities.

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

Why Wolverhampton?

Undertaking a DBA with the University of Wolverhampton offers you:

Career-focused perspective: The DBA is designed to help you develop your career.

Support from supervisors: Our DBA’s structure means that you will have continuous support from a supervisory team throughout your work.

Up-to-date expertise: You will be able to draw not only the expertise of your supervisory team, but also the wider Business and Law School.

PGR community: As part of a cohort-based community, you will be able to gain support from each other, and a broader PGR community.

The University of Wolverhampton is perfectly located in the heart of the country with easy connections by road, rail, and train to major airports in Manchester, Birmingham, and London. Experience the best of both worlds - academic excellence and easy access to international travel.

Course Fees and Finance

Location | Mode | Sep intake Fee | Jan intake Fee | May intake Fee | Year

Home | Full-time | £11015 per year | £11015 per year | £11015 per year | 2026-27

Home | Part-time | £5508 per year | £5508 per year | £5508 per year | 2026-27

International | Full-time | £18645 per year | £18645 per year | £18645 per year | 2026-27

International | Part-time | £9323 per year | £9323 per year | £9323 per year | 2026-27

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure , with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed.

If a tuition fee is not showing, we may not offer this intake for this course. Please check the start date information on the course finder for start dates.

Entry Requirements

Applicants will need to evidence the following criteria:

• An applicant seeking admission to the degree of Professional Doctorate shall hold either: • a first or upper second-class honours degree, in an appropriate cognate area, of a university or any other institution of higher education with degree-awarding powers, or • a master’s degree, or • evidence of prior practice or learning that is accepted by the University, or • a qualification which is regarded by the University as equivalent to a first or upper second-class honours degree.

To be eligible to study the Professional Doctorate Award applicants will be working or have experience of working in the subject area relevant to the Professional Doctorate.

EU and International Additional Entry Requirements:

We have specific entry requirement information for EU and International applicants. English Requirement:

Applicants for a Professional Doctorate course will:

• All International Applicants are required to have a sufficient level of English to satisfy student visa requirements, here is a list of acceptable English qualifications .
• Our country specific entry criteria will also provide clear guidance on whether your high school English qualification is accepted as an equivalence to the above.

Funding

Postgraduate Loan (Home Fee Status):

You may be able to get a postgraduate student loan from Student Finance England of up to £13,206 to help pay for a Master’s degree. Applications are made through Student Finance England and more information on the regulations and eligibility criteria can be found at Masters Loans gov.uk . Any RPL will invalidate your eligibility as you must study a minimum of 180 credits Changes for EU students: The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as Overseas (International) students for fee purposes. More information about the change is available at UKCISA: EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Postgraduate Loyalty Discount: You can get 20% discount on a taught on-site postgraduate course if you’re a University of Wolverhampton Graduate. The University offers a generous 20% Loyalty Discount to students progressing from an undergraduate programme to a taught postgraduate programme, where both courses are University of Wolverhampton Awards. There is no time limit on how long ago you completed your degree as long as this is your first Masters level qualification. The discount applies to the first year of enrolment only. Students who receive a loyalty discount are not entitled to any further tuition discount or bursary. For full terms and conditions click here. Self-funded: If you are paying for the fees yourself then the fees can be paid in 3 instalments: November, January and April. More information can be found by clicking here. Sponsored - Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees: Your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount. We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment , confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees. Financial Hardship: Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs. Charitable Funding: You might also want to explore the possibility of funding from charitable trusts. Please contact Association of Charitable Foundations, Directory of Social Change or Family Aid. Most charities and trust funds offer limited bursaries targeted to specific groups of students so you will need to research whether any of them are relevant to your situation. You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Changes for EU students:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

Postgraduate Loyalty Discount:

You can get 20% discount on a taught on-site postgraduate course if you’re a University of Wolverhampton Graduate.

The University offers a generous 20% Loyalty Discount to students progressing from an undergraduate programme to a taught postgraduate programme, where both courses are University of Wolverhampton Awards.

There is no time limit on how long ago you completed your degree as long as this is your first Masters level qualification.

The discount applies to the first year of enrolment only. Students who receive a loyalty discount are not entitled to any further tuition discount or bursary. For full terms and conditions click here.

Self-funded:

If you are paying for the fees yourself then the fees can be paid in 3 instalments: November, January and April. More information can be found by clicking here.

Sponsored - Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

Your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment , confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.

Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.

Charitable Funding:

You might also want to explore the possibility of funding from charitable trusts. Please contact Association of Charitable Foundations, Directory of Social Change or Family Aid. Most charities and trust funds offer limited bursaries targeted to specific groups of students so you will need to research whether any of them are relevant to your situation.

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

• Any RPL will invalidate your eligibility as you must study a minimum of 180 credits

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