Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any arrangements put in place by the University for the 2021/22 academic year will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
Our online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) course is intended to assist career professionals who wish to enhance, contribute to and transform practice. It is a professional doctorate completed on a part-time (Executive) basis. An internationally established highest level qualification, the course enables you to earn the title of Doctor without putting your career on hold.
The course will enhance your professional capabilities, credibility and standing, and you will contribute to practice through action research.
The DBA is designed to help you apply action research-based thinking to ideas in practice and work, or practice based problems whilst deepening and broadening your understanding of application to professional practice.
You will also develop essential research skills which will enable you to play a leading role in strategic and operational development, policy formation and evaluation in practice.
Our DBA is aimed at enhancing the level of professional capabilities and credibility of practising professionals, and the research undertaken on the course is focused on contributing to, and transforming, practice.
The course combines workshops, research based activities and a substantial research enquiry thesis.
“The DBA programme at Birmingham City University was a big step, but definitely one worth taking. As a way of consolidating the learning that anyone who is successful in business has to do, it is unrivalled. Learning to think and act like a researcher whilst maintaining a business perspective adds value in so many aspects of a business career. Achieving the designation of 'Dr' is the icing on the cake that visibly sets you apart from your peers. It is hard work and it takes time, but the return on that investment is life-changing.”
Dr Deb Bannigan
Portfolio Executive - CEO, Chair, NED
Our Open Day for this course will take place in March 2021. Register now and we will contact you when the booking form goes live.
Birmingham City University has been awarded silver status for its quality of teaching in the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
The Working Paper Series publishes and promotes the work of MHRE and Doctoral researchers in a timely way that enables the development of research outputs for further publication in academic journals. It is a showcase for the researchers, and a valuable resource for those wishing to publish their work to a wide audience.
The Working Paper Series is an effective window on our research activity.
This course is in the final stages of approval to ensure it meets the very highest standards of quality, creativity and applied learning.
The DBA provides a framework for practice or work based research, where your professional environment is also the core of your research environment and network. This requires commitment to independently driven professional environment research.
You choose an issue of action research related to an area of practice. This could be in relation to your company, sector, industry, professional practice, professional body etc.
Award: DBA
Starting: Sep 2021
Award: DBA
Starting: Sep 2021
If you’re unable to use our online application form for any reason, please email Research.Admissions@bcu.ac.uk.The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
To join the DBA programme, you must have completed an MA, MSc or MBA degree in a particular area of business-related professional practice and have at least five years related professional practice experience, as well as being employed in the professional capacity that you propose to study.
You must have the formal agreement and active co-operation of the organisation where the DBA studies are to take place.
Please note, the course is only offered as a part-time programme.
A full research proposal is not required as you will build this during the first year. We do however need to know that you have a level of clarity on what your research is and how you would access the research opportunity. Therefore you need to initially develop your outline research concept.
Your research outline should address the following areas:
Say how the DBA will help you pursue your career objectives
Relevant work and career experience that is relevant to your subject (highlighting the skills and experience gained).
What you propose to research - the area and a key question representing the gap or opportunity that you propose to address
How you would access and conduct the necessary research (This typically means the agreement and active co-operation of the organisation where your research activities are to take place).
How could this contribute to practice and outline proposals for sponsorship from organisation(s).
The programme fees pay for the core of the programme, tutoring and supervision, assessment and the like. Your travel to and from the University and any necessary accommodation are not included. Ancillary costs associated with your activities are not covered. For example if you travel to undertake your research this is not normally covered.
If you have any specific queries please ask the programme team.
Our PhD section is the place to go for application tips, FAQs, funded opportunities, helpful blogs and more!
This course is delivered fully online, enabling you to study at a time that suits you. You don’t have to attend any face-to-face sessions, and delivery of course materials is done through our e-learning platform, Moodle.
As a guide, you should be allowing around 20 hours a week for part-time study, on average, as a combination of directed study (engaging with the online materials) and personal study.
Please see our Online Learning FAQs for more information on what to expect when studying with us.
This enables you to develop knowledge of relevant concepts and issues, as well as an emerging capability to deploy theoretical concepts. A key element of this is reflective practice which is intended to be continuous throughout the life of your research course.
Current Elements:
o Extended Research Proposal (inc. Literature Review)
This will help you develop an understanding and critically analyse the background research by selecting the source of information that is necessary to develop a context for your research.
o Evaluating Your Development as a Researcher
This places your work in context and sets out how it will be developed over the course of the course.
You will frame the research methods learned earlier to equip and support your selected topic in practice settings and meet the requirements of validation within a wider research community.
You develop an overarching position relating to the progression of knowledge and the nature of that knowledge. This will provide you with the opportunity to think deeply whilst developing critical analysis and persuasive writing that is essential in your study and practice.
You will make an original contribution to practice, and develop, design and implement original and ethical work that contributes to scholarly thinking as well as practice and is worthy of publication. Learning at Doctoral level may be achieved substantially by conducting independent research.
You will conduct a piece of unique Doctoral level research, submit a thesis for examination and sit an oral exam (viva voce) in which you defend your thesis and contribution to practice before a panel of experts.
You will conduct a piece of unique Doctoral level research, submit a thesis for examination and sit an oral exam (viva voce) in which you defend your thesis and contribution to practice before a panel of experts.
Our Online DBA programme is designed to allow you to fit your DBA research around your career and life style needs from anywhere in the world. At the same time, it provides you with a community of liked minded professionals and dedicated academic staff to support you on your journey.
The DBA provides a framework for practice or work based research, where your professional environment is also the core of your research environment and network. Therefore our DBA programme for practice/work based research provides a highly suitable framework for largely independent professionally driven research.
You will be expected to complete your research and submit your work for examination within 48 months.
The DBA is designed to be completed in four years. It is, however, very demanding so there is the option to take extra time in the research phase if this is necessary for you to complete your DBA, subject to payment of the necessary continuation fees. The maximum period for the entire programme is normally seven years.
We appreciate the prospect of studying on a DBA programme is a very big decision. If you would like an informal chat at an early stage in the process (prior to or after) going through the course text supplied) please contact Dr Susan Sisay - Susan.Sisay@bcu.ac.uk
Unlike undergraduate degrees, which are designed to get students into industry, our DBA degree is aimed at existing professionals looking to enhance their career and standing.
Upon completion, you will be able to effect positive change, both in your own professional practice, and/or within your organisation. On a personal level, you’ll be able to utilise your enhanced skills for critical engagement, and to demonstrate your expertise.
Successful improvements in your personal professional practice will then benefit your organisation. The DBA degree alone can enhance your standing, and the possibilities opened to you by utilising your enhanced expertise can be even more impressive.
Already an expert practitioner, in your company or field of professional practice? The DBA degree can still benefit you internally and externally. The standing and expertise you will achieve over the course of your degree can allow you to become an industry or practice leader.
If you want to learn more about how a DBA degree from Birmingham City Business School could help enhance your standing, contact Martin Eley.
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Welcome to the Birmingham City Business School, home to students from over 70 countries all around the world!
Birmingham City Business School is one of the UK’s largest, most established and most respected business schools. Our programmes are practice based and many have an international focus, which means your course will be entirely relevant to today’s business world. Almost all of our courses, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, are open to international students.
We also have links with universities across the world, including Europe, the USA, China, India and Malaysia.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £340 million on new learning facilities.
This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law, Business and English students.
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.
The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.
Prior to joining Birmingham City University, Dr Susan Sisay was a legal practitioner specialising in corporate and commercial law. In addition to practice, she consulted for a number of local and international agencies on a number of issues.