Doctor of Business Administration (Full-time) (DBA)
The Doctor of Business Administration is the highest level of study in the field of business and management. It is designed for experienced professionals who want to take their thinking and their careers to the next level. This course is ideal for those who want to explore difficult questions in the workplace and find smart ways to solve them.
The DBA is a professional doctorate, which means it combines academic study with real-world experience. It is equivalent to a PhD, but instead of focusing only on theory, it is based on applied research. This means students work on actual problems from their own jobs or industries and try to find answers that are both useful and meaningful.
The course has two parts. Part One involves a set of taught modules. These help you build your critical thinking, analytical skills, and understanding of business research. You will look at real companies and situations and learn how to ask the right questions and think deeply about what is going on. You will also improve your knowledge of how businesses work and how to study them in a professional and detailed way.
In Part Two, you will write a research thesis. This is where you take on a real-world challenge from your own organisation or sector and explore it through careful research. You will look at different views and ideas about the issue, and test out solutions that could lead to real change. This part of the course is highly personal and helps you grow as a thinker and a leader.
Throughout the course, you will join a group of professionals from many backgrounds and industries. This gives you great chances for networking and learning from others. You will also build strong skills in leadership, creative thinking, and decision-making, helping with your own career advancement and professional development.
The Doctor of Business Administration is not just about gaining a title. It is about making a difference—bringing new ideas into the workplace, driving innovation, and becoming a more thoughtful and skilled business professional.
Course details
- On-campus
- Full-time
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
We combine academic rigour with real-world application. Our learner-centred approach supports critical thinking, reflection, and professional growth, helping you develop the skills to lead change, conduct meaningful research, and contribute new knowledge in business and management.
You’ll build strong analytical skills, learn research methods, and explore key theories in business research. Taught modules link directly to your work, helping you identify a real-world challenge to study while preparing for independent applied research in Part II.
Part I
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
You’ll carry out a major applied research project focused on a workplace issue. Supported by supervision, your Doctor of Business Administration thesis will deliver practical insights, demonstrate leadership, and support your professional development, career advancement, and contribution to innovation in your field.
Part II
(360 credits)
Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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The programme requires applicants to have a Master’s degree that achieved an average grade of 60% or above as an entry requirement. Every consideration is given to all applicants. Three years recent and relevant management experience is desirable.
Admissions Advice and Support 
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements 
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship.  
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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All modules are individually assessed and have been specifically crafted to prepare students for part 2 of the DBA.
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Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch.
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills.
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Additional learning resources, including subscriptions to journals, specific to their research may be required.
Attendance at conferences, optional day trips or fieldwork which would depend on the research topic, travel to and from any events, accommodation at any events may also be required.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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The DBA programme will prepare students for any field or discipline within management and business giving them the critical thinking skills, analytical capabilities, and enhanced cognitive abilities to be able to succeed in these areas. Also, it will prepare students to be robust and proficient researchers should they choose to enter a career directly in academia.