Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)

About the project

Become an expert in solving real-life business challenges using the latest research techniques with our Executive DBA.

Funding | Study mode | Duration | Apply by | Start date | Subject area

Self-funded | Part time | 4.5-7.5 years | Year round | September | Business and Management

Join us at Postgraduate Online Open Week | If you're planning to study with us, sign up for our next webinar on Monday 16 November 2026 (12-1pm UK time) . Learn more about the Executive DBA programme and ask any questions you may have. Sign up now

Join us at Postgraduate Online Open Week

If you're planning to study with us, sign up for our next webinar on Monday 16 November 2026 (12-1pm UK time) . Learn more about the Executive DBA programme and ask any questions you may have.

Sign up now

Introduction

Our Executive DBA is a hybrid, part-time, action-research doctoral programme specifically designed for business leaders, rather than those who want to be academic researchers.

If you hold a leading role in your organisation, the Executive DBA will provide you with new skills to investigate and solve workplace issues, using advanced research methods.

The programme enhances your existing management experience, allowing you to drive transformational change before and after graduation.

Alongside gaining the highest level of academic qualification, the Executive DBA gives the opportunity to become a thought leader in your professional area, with some of our students publishing in world leading journals.

Download our Executive DBA brochure .

Pre-thesis stage

During the first two years, you’ll complete four modules to expand your research skills, specifically those needed to study real-life business phenomena:

This is an intensive two-year period which combines online learning sessions and four on-campus residencies. In-person attendance is not compulsory but is highly recommended.

• Introduction to doctoral research
• Working with literature
• Research methods
• Designing scholarly practitioner research.

Thesis development stage

During the thesis development stage, you’ll put your new skills into practice by researching a particular aspect of your organisation.

Alongside regular one-to-one online support from your supervisor, you’ll receive continuous guidance via group seminars and refresher workshops on different methodologies and aspects of the research process.

Timeframe

The Executive DBA has been designed with the needs of busy businesspeople in mind, to ensure you can complete the course without interfering with your obligations.

The whole process can be completed in 4.5 years, but to account for any unexpected personal or professional situations affecting your progress, you can extend this to 7.5 years.

Watch our latest webinar with Director of Studies, Professor Liz Parsons , and alumnus and Vice President of Global Affairs and Development at Universidad Mayor, Dr Mario Herane :

Research topics

Our Executive DBA covers a broad range of potential topics for investigation across all aspects of business administration.

Your research proposal should focus on a specific managerial problem within your organisation. This is a current issue you’ll tackle by applying the insights and interventions resulting from your research.

Some examples of impact research undertaken by our students include:

• Creation of recover strategies and initiatives following major natural disasters in the USA
• Development of a bespoke leadership evaluation and development tool used in management consultancy interventions
• Design of a technology transfer process for a major international food security programme in Mozambique
• Avoidance of COVID-related deaths in a chain of UK care homes.

Research culture

One of an elite group of institutions worldwide to hold the gold standard ‘triple-crown’ accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS, the Management School is a research powerhouse.

Home to six specialist research centres , you’ll be joining a school where you can actively participate in current research activities .

Our international experts lead pioneering research and shape academic thought by producing real-world impacts in business practice, policymaking and society.

Download the Executive DBA brochure to find out more

How to apply

You don't need to find a supervisor prior to starting your Executive DBA application.

This will be arranged during the pre-thesis stage of the programme, once you've demonstrated a sufficient level of progress in your research proposal.

Prepare your application documents

You may need the following documents to complete your online application:

You need to submit an approximately 2,000-word proposal centred on an organisational problem you can design and implement interventions for. We recommend following the below structure:

Title (maximum 15 words)

Good titles aren't only descriptive. They’re also concise, interesting and catch the reader's attention.

Your title should capture your proposed area of study and inform the reader of its key focus. If relevant, you can include the methodological approach you aim to take.

Organisational issue (approximately 500 words)

Describe as clearly as possible the organisational problem – which seems to defy known solutions – that you aim to address.

Think about what outputs the proposed research project will need to deliver to support the development of effective solutions.

Literature review (approximately 700 words)

Identify subjects within the academic literature that could offer new perspectives on your organisational problem and explain why you've chosen them.

You shouldn't only reference the most important texts relevant to your research, but also:

Research methodology and evidence (approximately 300 words)

Outline the evidence you need to address the organisational issue and the research methods you plan to use to collect it.

For any empirical work, it's important to consider data requirements, fieldwork, access issues, etc.

Impact (approximately 200 words)

Explain how you envisage your research making a difference to the management/organisational context you've identified, as well as more broadly.

List of references (approximately 300 words)

All work cited in your research proposal must:

You must prove your level of qualification by submitting:

If you're an international student, you need to demonstrate a sufficient level of English proficiency to be accepted onto the programme.

By the time you apply, you must have reached a minimum standard of English and be able to provide evidence of this.

See our English language requirements to find out more.

Explain your motivations to study the Executive DBA, using approximately 500 words.

Good personal statements normally incorporate information on how your background, experience and training make you the ideal candidate for this highly demanding programme.

Your CV should include relevant employment details and your educational background.

You must provide two signed references on letterheaded paper.

If you're a working professional , you should submit one academic reference and one professional reference. If this isn't possible, you can submit two professional references.

Strong references are tailored to the Executive DBA programme and provide information on your:

• Demonstrate you understand the research issues
• Identify existing gaps in the existing body of academic literature.
• Be referenced throughout the text
• Appear in the list of references at the end of the document
• Be formatted using the Harvard Referencing Style .
• University transcripts
• Degree certificates.
• Intellectual capabilities
• Work ethic
• Business/management experience
• Research and analysis experience
• Ability to work on long-term projects.

Apply online

Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application.

If you're a suitable applicant, we'll invite you to a 30-minute Zoom interview . We'll inform you of the outcome of your application via email.

If you're successful at the interview you'll receive a conditional offer letter (via email) with any remaining requirements you need to meet to be accepted in the programme (eg evidence of qualifications, English language proficiency certificates, etc).

Once you meet all the conditions, you'll receive an unconditional offer letter. Accepting this final offer will confirm your place in the programme.

Fees and funding

Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.

Tuition fees

The 2027/28 academic year will be confirmed soon. For reference, below are the 2026/27 fees for this programme:

The Executive DBA's tuition fees are the same for UK and international students. Every year, you can pay in full or in three equal instalments in November, January and April.

If you take longer than 4.5 years to complete the programme, you’ll need to pay £4,000 per extra year.

• £13,000 per year for the 2-year pre-thesis stage
• £8,000 per year for the 2.5-year thesis development stage.

Funding your DBA

If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs. There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding .

Many of our Executive DBA students are sponsored by the organisations they work for. We recommend you approach your line manager, HR or Training and Development Team with a proposal on how the Executive DBA can improve your skillset and benefit the organisation.

Find out more about how to pay your tuition fees.

Studentships

If you’ve previously studied at the University of Liverpool, you can benefit from the Progress to Executive DBA Award:

If you qualify for this award, the discount will be applied automatically – no application needed.

• £1,500 per annum fee waiver, applicable to years 1 and 2 of the programme only
• Open to University of Liverpool alumni starting the Executive DBA in September 2026.

Facilities and resources

As a doctoral student in the Management School, you’ll enjoy free access to professional software relevant to your area of specialisation. A range of globally recognised journals and databases for management research are also available via the University Library .

Careers and employability

A DBA is a prestigious accomplishment which can open doors to significant career opportunities in the corporate world, policymaking and consultancy.

By becoming a Doctor in Business Administration, you’ll be prepared for positions which require a deep understanding of complex business processes and strategic decision-making:

• Top executive roles, eg Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Operations Officer (COO)
• Senior management positions, eg Executive Director, Programme Director
• Public sector and government roles, eg Senior Policy Analyst, Economic Advisor
• Non-Profit Leader
• Management Consultant
• Independent Business Consultant
• Research and development (R&D) roles, eg R&D Manager, Market Research Analyst.

Meet our scholar-practitioners

Debbie Grey Debbie’s Executive DBA experience is helping her realise a passion for creating inclusive environments where people can thrive.

Debbie Grey

Debbie’s Executive DBA experience is helping her realise a passion for creating inclusive environments where people can thrive.

Mohamad Bitar Mohamad’s Executive DBA self-discovery journey is already changing how he approaches new challenges as a leader within a large pharmaceutical company.

Mohamad Bitar

Mohamad’s Executive DBA self-discovery journey is already changing how he approaches new challenges as a leader within a large pharmaceutical company.

Karim Shokry The Executive DBA is transforming the way Karim addresses complex organisational people challenges, via evidence-based and collaborative solutions.

Karim Shokry

The Executive DBA is transforming the way Karim addresses complex organisational people challenges, via evidence-based and collaborative solutions.

Riad Saad With his Executive DBA research on sustainability in financial markets, Riad seeks to promote something good for the betterment of humanity.

Riad Saad

With his Executive DBA research on sustainability in financial markets, Riad seeks to promote something good for the betterment of humanity.

Entry requirements

You’ll need a UK undergraduate degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject, preferably with an Upper Second-Class (2:1) or above, plus:

To discuss the entry requirements for this programme, please contact the Management School’s Executive DBA Team .

• A UK, or international equivalent, MBA or master’s degree in a business and management (or related) discipline
• At least 5 years of significant experience working at senior level within an organisation or as a consultant.

English language requirements

You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country .

If English is not your first language, you may satisfy the English language requirements of this programme if you've completed your MBA or master’s in a majority English speaking country within the last two years (that is, two years from the start date of the programme ), with a minimum study period of one academic year.

Otherwise, we accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications . Your English language certificate must be no older than two years from the date it was awarded.

International applicants who don't meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.

IELTS | TOEFL iBT | Duolingo English Test | Pearson PTE Academic | LanguageCert Academic | PSI Skills for English

7.0 overall, with no component below 6.5 | If you took a TOEFL test on or before 20 January 2026, you’ll need 100 overall, with minimum scores of: Listening 21 Writing 21 Reading 21 Speaking 23. If you took a TOEFL test from 21 January 2026 onwards, when a new scoring system was introduced, you’ll need 5 overall, with 4.5 or above in all components. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted. | 130 overall, with no component below 120 | 69 overall, with no component below 61 | 75 overall, with no skill below 70 | C1 Pass in all bands

If you took a TOEFL test on or before 20 January 2026, you’ll need 100 overall, with minimum scores of:

If you took a TOEFL test from 21 January 2026 onwards, when a new scoring system was introduced, you’ll need 5 overall, with 4.5 or above in all components.

TOEFL Home Edition not accepted.

130 overall, with no component below 120

• Listening 21
• Writing 21
• Reading 21
• Speaking 23.

Pre-sessional English

Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course? The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.

Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online

6.5 overall, with no component below 6.5 | 6 weeks | On campus or online

6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0 | 10 weeks | On campus or online

6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 12 weeks | Online

6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 20 weeks | On campus

5.5 overall, with no component below 5.0 | 30 weeks | On campus

5.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.0, and no component below 4.5 | 40 weeks | On campus

Contact us

Do you have a question about the Executive DBA application process, fees and scholarships or the programme's structure? Please get in touch using our contact form . We'll be happy to assist you. You can also get it touch with us via email: execdba@liverpool.ac.uk .

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