Doctor of Business Administration

Doctor of Business Administration (NCR# 253283)

This part-time Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) gains an internationally recognised academic qualification that is the same level as a PhD and is designed for experienced professionals who wish to undertake a programme that is applied in nature and of practical value to their career.

The programme recognises that real world problems inhabit a space that is dynamic, multi-faceted and complex, and acknowledges this reality by adopting a multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary approach to reflect the professional world.

The programme also incorporates the concepts of self-reflection, critical reflective practice, and research methodology, with a practical approach to addressing workplace issues and making a distinctive contribution to the profession.

This programme is also available on campus at Sunderland and our London base.

Be a part of an extremely challenging and high-value DBA degree programme in Hong Kong

The DBA programme enables students to study in Hong Kong for 4 years.

A doctorate is one of the most internationally transferable qualifications
The first 12 months of the programme has a taught element and is designed to prepare you for the working and thinking at a doctoral level
The remainder of the programme is research-only based where you will work with a supervisory team of academic staff (research phase)
The University of Sunderland is proud of its professional career team who organises workshops and job fairs as well as provides career counselling for students to enhance their employability
Teaching quality is guaranteed – The DBA’s curriculum offered at the HK Campus is the same as offered by Sunderland in the UK. Students will be able to study and complete the whole programme in Hong Kong with the teaching quality assured by UK headquarters.
We’re ranked 2nd in the UK for students’ overall satisfaction with their research degree programme according to the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey 2018
Extended Non-means-tested Loan Scheme (ENLS) available for Hong Kong residents.

Content

540 credits 3 modules and 1 project

PDC511 - Planning and Contextualisation (60 credits)

Learning Outcomes:

Evidence their capacity to undertake original research via processes of coherent research design and methodology, which integrate established techniques from ontological and epistemological perspectives, aligned with research-based praxis.
Articulate their capacity to ensure a reflexive response to ethical project management in the context of research-based practice.
Critically synthesise and apply appropriate research philosophies to the formulation of a prospective project which has the potential for future impact and dissemination.
Articulate their own professional values and how these impact upon the informed judgements that they make within the management of the complex ambiguity, which characterises professional practice.
Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the multifaceted issues impacting on the axiology of specialist professional practice and how these can be optimally communicated to impact and shape the culture and contexts within which organisational hierarchies.
Identify, define and articulate the professional community (communities) of practice to which their forthcoming research will make an active contribution.
Translate theory to practice in the communication of their ideas with clarity and precision to specialist and non-specialist audiences through both critical academic writing and verbal presentation.

PDC512 - Critical Debate in Professional Practice (30 credits)

Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate through a systematic acquisition and critical understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of their field of study or area of professional practice.
Interpret new knowledge through advanced scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review and merit publication.
Critically select and apply appropriate methodologies to the undertaking of research at an advanced level.
Make explicit through an articulation of the process of making informed judgements on complex issues in specialist fields.
Contribute substantially to the development of new ideas or approaches in a specific field of study.
Communicate their ideas and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist audiences through critical academic writing and verbal presentation.

PDC513 - Practice Based Research 2 (30 credits)

Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate a detailed and sophisticated understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry in a specific field of study.
Conceptualise and design a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications, or understanding at the forefront of their field of professional practice, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems.
Articulate the process of making informed judgements on complex issues in specialist fields;
Transfer and communicate their ideas clearly and effectively to specialist audiences through critical academic writing.
Exercise personal responsibility and largely autonomous initiative in complex situations in professional environments.

Doctor of Business Administration Submission (420 credits)

Learning Outcomes:

Create and interpret new knowledge, through original research, of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline, and merit publication
Demonstrate a systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge, in business and management which is at the forefront of their area of professional practice.
Develop a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry in business and management.
Form an ability to make informed judgements on complex issues in their specialist field, often in the absence of complete data, and be able to communicate their ideas and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Demonstrate an ability to continue to undertake applied research and development at an advanced level, contributing substantially to the development of new techniques, ideas or approaches in business and management.
Extend the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment that requires the exercise of personal responsibility and largely autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations in professional environments.

Mode of Study

Part Time Blended Learning

The course can be completed within 4 years.
Each module has a combination of online lectures and face-to-face tutorials.

Assessment

3 assignments and 1 project Four in total

There is one assessment for each module (Three in total).
There is one project for this programme.

*Please note that assessment methods are subject to change by the University of Sunderland according to need. Students may be advised that Coursework may include one or more components of the following: assignment, reflection, e-portfolio, case study evaluation, essay, analysis and insight, report, project, presentation, plan, audio podcast, vlog, poster, online viva, etc.

Learning Resources

Academic & Student Support Teams

Access to an online study platform where all study materials and student handbooks are available and accessible
A dedicated tutor for academic support who you can contact for any academic queries
Access to the Student Support Team for administrative support
An induction day before attending tutorials

Entry Requirements

Master Degree / Bachelor's Degree Level

Entry Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree with honours (first or upper second class level) (Degree can be in any subject); OR
A Masters degree [in a related discipline, ex. Business/ Management (for example, a Master of Business Administration); AND
Applicants with a minimum of 5 years of relevant business or industry experience.
English proficiency is equivalent to IELTS 6.5 (at least 6.0 or higher in each component); or equivalent
Applicants Candidates whose first language is English, or whose previous verified qualification (at undergraduate level or above) was taught and assessed in English are exempted from the aforementioned English Language requirement.

Research proposal

Aims of your doctoral project
Project’s relevance to your workplace and profession
Proposed methodology and techniques for analysis
Outline of a potential research plan

Personal statement

Your professional experience and standing
The recognition by your peers as a leading professional in your field
The level at which you are operating within your organisation or profession and the extent to which you can provide significant influence or drive substantial change
The opportunity that you have to make a significant contribution to professional practice and/or how you exhibit your powers of creativity and innovation

Research proposal
Qualification certificates
IELTS certificates, if applicable
Two references, one of which must be academic

Tuition Fee

16 instalments

Doctor of Business Administration : HKD300,000* / 4 years

*This does not include the HKD600 administration fee. The tuition fees shown above refer to the fees for 2024/25, and the fees for 2025/26 are subject to review.

Funding

ENLS

Non-means-tested Loan Scheme available for Hong Kong residents

How To Apply

1 intake per year October

Research proposal
Qualification certificates
IELTS certificates, if applicable
Two references, one of which must be academic

Please click here to apply, our Recruitment Advisor will assist you shortly.

Information is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change. The programmes above are registered at the Non-local Courses Registry (NCR). It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead.

Application Deadline:31/07/2025
Duration:4 years
Study Level:Doctoral
Discipline:Business Management, Doctoral Degree

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Doctor of Business Administration

Be a part of an extremely challenging and high-value DBA degree programme in Hong Kong

540 credits 3 modules and 1 project

Part Time Blended Learning

3 assignments and 1 project Four in total

Academic & Student Support Teams

Master Degree / Bachelor's Degree Level

16 instalments

ENLS

1 intake per year October

Programme Information

Get more details from our Admissions Advisor now.

Get in touch with us

Request Information

Doctor of Business Administration

Be a part of an extremely challenging and high-value DBA degree programme in Hong Kong

540 credits 3 modules and 1 project

Part Time Blended Learning

3 assignments and 1 project Four in total

Academic & Student Support Teams

Master Degree / Bachelor's Degree Level

16 instalments

ENLS

1 intake per year October

Programme Information

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