Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)
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 | Year round | Business and Management |
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.
Watch how the Executive DBA can transform your academic and professional career:
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.
Course content
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:
- Introduction to doctoral research
- Working with literature
- Research methods
- Designing scholarly practitioner research.
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.
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 alumna and Head of the International Fund for Agricultural Development's Knowledge Unit, Lenyara Fundukova:
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.
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:
A research proposal
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:
- Demonstrate you understand the research issues
- Identify existing gaps in the existing body of academic literature.
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:
- Be referenced throughout the text
- Appear in the list of references at the end of the document
- Be formatted using the Harvard Referencing Style.
Evidence of your academic background
You must prove your level of qualification by submitting:
- University transcripts
- Degree certificates.
Evidence of English language proficiency
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.
A personal statement
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.
A curriculum vitae (CV)
Your CV should include relevant employment details and your educational background.
Two references
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:
- 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.
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for this programme for the academic year 2025/26 are:
- £13,000 per year for the 2-year pre-thesis stage
- £8,000 per year for the 2.5-year thesis development stage.
The above tuition fees apply for UK and international students.
If you take longer than 4.5 years to complete the programme, you’ll need to pay £4,000 per extra year.
Tuition fees for 2026/27 are to be confirmed.
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 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.
Scholarships
You can also benefit from two dedicated Executive DBA awards if you join the Executive DBA programme in September 2025:
Management School Executive DBA Award
- Award - 15% Fee waiver
- Open to - Home/EU/Overseas Executive DBA programme applicants starting in September 2025.
Management School Progress to Executive DBA Award
- Award - £2,000 per annum fee waiver, applicable to years 1 and 2 of the programme only
- Open to - Home/EU/Overseas Executive DBA programme applicants starting in September 2025, who are University of Liverpool alumni.
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.
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:
- 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.
To discuss the entry requirements for this programme, please contact the Management School’s Executive DBA Team.
English language requirements
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
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 | 100 overall, with minimum scores of listening 21, writing 21, reading 21 and speaking 23. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted |
135 overall, with writing not less than 140, speaking and reading not less than 125, and listening not below 120. For academic year 2025/26 only, we will also accept the production, literacy, comprehension and conversation score set: 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 |
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.
Pre-sessional English in detail
| 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 |
| 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0 | 10 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 12 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 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.