Introduction
Are you a senior manager, consultant or entrepreneur who wants to draw together both the theoretical and practical aspects of leadership and managerial experience? Designed to enable you to develop professional practice, theoretical understanding and reflexive capability, the DBA is a high level, innovative qualification and an alternative route if you wish to research your professional practice at doctorate level.
The DBA program is designed for working professionals who have the motivation to expand their knowledge/skills and get a doctorate degree without interrupting their work. It is a collaboration between Plymouth University and the International University in Geneva. The first four modules will be taught over four weekends at the International University in Geneva (IUG). The DBA degree is awarded by Plymouth University, one of the UK's most prominent and dynamic universities with an educational history dating back to 1862. IUG is an accredited academic institution specialzing in business education and is ranked among the top ten business schools in Switzerland by Eduniversal. The program starts in October of each year.
Why DBA and DPA?
DBA and DPAs are part-time research based programs in business and public administration with the aim to prepare business managers and future leaders. These degrees are academically rigorous and provide practical professional qualification. They are designed to enable participants to synthesize and develop professional practice, theoretical understanding and reflexive capability.
Furthermore, participants will enhance their personal and professional development by fueling their research curiosity, learn the importance of critical thinking and decision making and prepare themselves to address the unique challenges and opportunities of today’s business and public policy environment.
Many of the students work full time while pursuing the DBA or DPA. These degrees whilst being equivalent in status and challenge to a PhD, are more appropriate to advance professional practice.
Key Benefits
Flexible course length, it can be completed in 4 to 5 years
The program is studied part-time and designed for working professionals who have the motivation to expand their knowledge/skills and get a degree without interrupting their work
Benefit from direct involvement with the Plymouth Business School research community
While the degree is awarded by Plymouth University UK, the workshops are conducted at the International University in Geneva which provides access to the region with major private and public organizations such as Nestle, Procter and Gamble, United Nations, World Trade Organization, WHO, Red Cross
Program Details
Year 1 - Taught phase
You will attend three 3-day (Friday-Saturday-Sunday) workshops organized in around every 3 months at IUG:
Advanced Qualitative Research Methods for Doctoral Study
Advanced Quantitative Research Methods for Doctoral Study
Applying Theory to Professional Practice
Year 2 - Research proposal preparation and validation phase
There will be workshops and seminars to help you to develop a Research Proposal under the supervision of a research advisor.
Year 3 & 4 (can be extended to 5 - Research Phase)
Upon the successful completion of your Research Proposal, you will be promoted to candidacy status and continue with your research (any topic linked to your work or passion/interest), finally producing a thesis. This will be done wherever you are based through email/skype under the guidance of assigned supervisors at Plymouth University.
Doctorate Timetable
Module Schedule
Module title
Teaching Block Dates
Advanced Qualitative Research Methods for Doctoral Study (Cohort 11)
1-3 October 2021
Doctoral Research Proposal (Cohort 10)
1-3 October 2021
Advanced Quantitative Research Methods for Doctoral Study (Cohort 11)
7-9 January 2022
Applying Theory to Professional Practice (Cohort 11)
1-3 April 2022
Minimum Requirement
A Master's degree (candidate with strong professional experience may be considered)
Work experience
Tuition Breakdown
Home / EU(par an)
International & Islands(par an)
Year 1 (Taught phase)
£ 13'000
£ 13'000
Year 2 (Research proposal preparation and validation phase)
£ 8'950
£ 8'950
Year 3 & 4 (can be extended to 5 - Research Phase)
£ 6'000
£ 6'000
