Doctor of Business Administration, DBA

Applicants for the DBA must normally hold an undergraduate degree from an approved university and have achieved a minimum classification of upper second (2:1) or equivalent. Applicants will also normally have, or be studying for, a master’s degree or similar level of qualification at an approved university.

Applicants will normally be expected to have a minimum of five years’ experience in a senior role.

All applicants will be interviewed by two representatives of the programme leadership team (normally including the programme director) and will be expected to demonstrate the drive and intellectual ability to undertake the DBA.

English Language

IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.

As well as academic qualifications, Admissions decisions may be based on other factors, including (but not limited to): the standard of the research synopsis/proposal, performance at interview, intensity of competition for limited places, and relevant professional experience.

Reference Requirement

As standard, two references are required before we can progress applications to the College/School research programme Admissions Tutor for consideration.

Applications received without two references attached are placed on hold, pending receipt of the outstanding reference(s). Please note that any protracted delay in receiving the outstanding reference(s) may result in the need to defer your application to a later potential start point/entry month, than what you initially listed as your preferred start option.

You may wish to consider contacting your referee(s) to assist in the process of obtaining the outstanding reference(s) or alternatively, hold submission of application until references are sourced. Please note that it is not the responsibility of the University Admissions Office to obtain missing reference(s) after our initial email is sent to your nominated referee(s), requesting a reference(s) on your behalf.

The reference can take the form of a letter on official headed paper, or via the University’s standard reference form. Click this link to download the university reference form.

Alternatively, referees can email a reference from their employment email account, please note that references received via private email accounts, (i.e. Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail) cannot be accepted.

References can be submitted to pgradmissions@swansea.ac.uk.

A supervisory team will be allocated to you at the start of the DBA programme, consisting of a Director of Studies and a second supervisor.  You will also be part of a community of doctoral students from across the school, as well as your group of DBA students.

You will be supported by a dedicated team of academic and professional services staff, together with your fellow students and speakers from a wide variety of sectors.  Each of the six taught modules will be led by a module coordinator, supported by a range of colleagues.

Intensive Teaching Blocks

The DBA is composed of six modules which will be delivered across three years; with two modules delivered per annum.

While the DBA is research-led and work will be carried out remotely, each module will be structured around a three-day intensive teaching block. Meaning that twice yearly, you will be required to attend face-to-face seminars and workshops on our Bay Campus in Swansea.

For those enrolling in October, your three-day face-to-face sessions, will be likely to be in the following months:

• November 
• May

More details on exact dates and timings to follow.  

Tuition fees for years of study after your first year are subject to an increase of 3%.

You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

Note: The 2025/2026 UK fee is indicative pending confirmation from UKRI.

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 the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

International students and part-time study: It may be possible for some students to study part-time under the Student Visa route. However, this is dependent on factors relating to the course and your individual situation. It may also be possible to study with us if you are already in the UK under a different visa category (e.g. Tier 1 or 2, PBS Dependant, ILR etc.). Please visit the University information on Visas and Immigration for further guidance and support.

Current students: You can find further information of your fee costs on our tuition fees page.

You may be eligible for funding to help support your study.

Government funding is now available for Welsh, English and EU students starting eligible postgraduate research programmes at Swansea University. To find out more, please visit our postgraduate loans page.

To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit the University's scholarships and bursaries page.

Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University and the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol offer a number of generous scholarships and bursaries for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh or bilingually. For further information about the opportunities available to you, visit the Academi Hywel Teifi Scholarships and Bursaries page.

Intensive Learning Academy Wales Scholarships

If you intend to undertake DBA research in Value-Based Health and Care, and work within NHS Wales, social care in Wales or a Welsh third sector organisation; you can apply for a full scholarship as part of the Welsh Government's Intensive Learning Academy (ILA).

Applicants will need to have applied for a scholarship and been accepted on the course before a scholarship can be awarded. Click here for more information and details on how you can apply for an ILA Scholarship.

Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at Swansea University. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.

You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):

• Travel to and from campus
• Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
• Purchase of books or texts
• Gowns for graduation ceremonies

There are no mandatory additional costs specified for this course, but in addition to tuition fees and living expenses most studies will also incur a further element of cost throughout your research. This could take the form of travel costs, hospitality to run a focus group, conference fees, etc.

You should spend some time considering what other costs you may need to fund when designing your research proposal.

We recognise that applicants to the DBA are likely to be busy professionals and therefore we aim to offer a supportive approach to the application process.  We therefore recommend you take the following steps:

1. Check that you match the admissions criteria for the DBA programme.
2. Consider what area of research you are likely to be interested in pursuing.
3. Arrange a consultation with a member of the DBA team to address any questions you might have regarding, for example, eligibility and your proposed area of research. This allows us to begin planning potential supervision for your DBA.  In addition, we can advise you on the content of your research proposal. Contact Programme Director, Dr Simon Brooks directly on s.b.brooks@swansea.ac.uk 
4. Complete our online application form. Please ensure you include a curriculum vitae that makes clear your professional experience, as well as your research proposal.

Suggested Application Timings

In order to allow sufficient time for consultation with the DBA team, the construction of your application, and its consideration by the School of Management, we recommend you begin the process by the end of August for an October entry.  Please note that applications can still be submitted at any time, but there is the potential that your application/potential offer may need to be moved to the next appropriate intake window. 

Suggested Application Timings

In order to allow sufficient time for consideration of your application by an academic, for potential offer conditions to be met and travel / relocation, we recommend that applications are made before the dates outlined below. Please note that applications can still be submitted outside of the suggested dates below but there is the potential that your application/potential offer may need to be moved to the next appropriate intake window.

October Enrolment

UK Applicants – 15th August

EU/International applicants – 15th July

January Enrolment

UK applicants – 15th November

EU/International applicants – 15th October

April Enrolment

UK applicants – 15th February

EU/International applicants – 15th January

July Enrolment

UK applicants – 15th May

EU/International applicants – 15th April

EU students - visa and immigration information is available and will be regularly updated on our information for EU students page.

Doctor of Business Administration Programme Specification

This Programme Specification refers to the current academic year and provides indicative content for information. The University will seek to deliver each course in accordance with the descriptions set out in the relevant course web pages at the time of application. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after enrolment.

Programme Summary

The Swansea School of Management DBA is a part-time professional doctorate designed for senior managers and leaders in all sectors; private, public and not-for-profit.

On the Swansea DBA learners engage in applied research, bringing established and cutting-edge theory to bear on their practical organisational issues. You will develop and enrich practice in your field, as well as contributing to our understanding of the underpinning theoretical base for the work.

The structured approach offered by the Swansea DBA is based on six modules over three years, blending lectures, guest talks, workshop discussions and student presentations. The doctoral thesis is developed in parallel under guidance from a doctoral supervisory team allocated at the start of the programme.

The Swansea School of Management DBA is designed to develop critical thinkers and practitioners who will reflect on their impact on their organisations and society more generally.  

Programme Aims

The aim of the Swansea DBA as a professional doctorate is to provide a structured programme for doctoral research, leading to the demonstration of an original contribution to knowledge in the academic subject and the field of practice through original research or the original application of existing knowledge and understanding.

Programme Structure 

The structure of the Swansea programme is based on six modules, each of 30 credits, plus a thesis of 360 credits, all at level eight (doctoral level).  

Each module will be structured around a three-day intensive teaching block, plus a variety of online support from the teaching teams and doctoral supervisors.  The modules are delivered over a period of three years.  

Work on the thesis begins in parallel with the taught modules.  The Swansea DBA is designed to allow completion in four years.

An exit point is designed into the programme to allow exit with the lower award of Masters by Research subject to the completion of the module 180 credits including the production of a research synopsis.

Assessment

Doctor of Business Administration students are assessed in two ways, through the modules and the preparation of a doctoral thesis.

Each of the six modules requires the production of a 6,000-word paper which is then assessed by the module team.  Students are supported in this process through the three-day workshops, their supervisory team, and formative student presentation of their proposed paper one month prior to hand-in.

The doctoral thesis is prepared with the support of the supervisory team.  The supervised thesis is considered a ‘Professional Doctorate’ thesis under Swansea University Post Graduate Research regulations and as such has a maximum word count of 80,000 words.

The thesis is presented for assessment through a viva voce examination governed by current Swansea University postgraduate research regulations.

Doctoral Researcher Supervision and Support

Doctor of Business Administration students will be supervised by a supervisory team. Where appropriate, staff from Colleges or Schools other than the ‘home’ College or School within the University may contribute to cognate research areas.

The primary (or ‘first’) supervisor will normally be the main contact throughout the DBA and will have overall responsibility for academic supervision. The academic input of the secondary supervisor will vary from case to case. The supervisory team may also include a supervisor from industry or a specific area of professional practice to support the research.

The primary supervisor will also provide pastoral support. If necessary the primary supervisor will refer the doctoral researcher to other sources of support (e.g. Wellbeing, Disability, Money Advice, IT, Library, Students’ Union, Academic Services, Student Support Services, Careers Centre). 

Learning and Development

The key learning opportunities for the DBA students are focused on developing a set of research skills that will enable them to make a contribution to their practice, as well as to theoretical knowledge.

From the beginning, students will develop a clear overview of their research journey and the necessary steps to doctoral-level achievement.  DBA students will first learn to refine their proposed area of enquiry, as well as being introduced to the fundamentals of organisational research. This will lead to the ability to clearly articulate the context and content of the problem they wish to investigate.

Students will engage in an in-depth evaluation of the theoretical context of their research, developing a critical appreciation of the history of their field, and an understanding of the latest thinking.  

Students will undertake a rigorous grounding in research methods and techniques, as well as foundational methodological theory, leading to the ability to critically evaluate and implement the approaches appropriate for their own research.  Students will also acquire the practical ability to gather, analyse and present data through a pilot study as part of their development.

The taught modules will develop participants ability to generate novel understanding of theory and practice through a synthesis of their research with existing theory, leading to clear statements of impact and contribution to knowledge.

Programme Learning Outcomes

1. Conceptualise, design, and implement a project aimed at the generation of new knowledge or applications within Business and Management.
2. Create, interpret, analyse and develop new knowledge through original research or other advanced scholarship.
3. Demonstrate a comprehensive and critical knowledge of the relevant literature and demonstrate a clear articulation of the practical context of their research.
4. Demonstrate the systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of Business and Management through the development of a written thesis.
5. Demonstrate the systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which results in practical application and impact, and in so doing generates practical knowledge.
6. Respond appropriately to unforeseen problems in project design by making suitable amendments.
7. Correctly select, interpret and apply relevant techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry.
8. Construct and critically evaluate a defensible philosophy of research that is congruent with the research question and the methods employed to gather and analyse data.
9. Make informed judgements on complex issues in the fields of Business and Management, often in the absence of complete data and defend those judgements to an appropriate audience.
10. Communicate complex research findings clearly, effectively and in an engaging manner to both specialist (including the academic community), and non-specialist audiences using a variety of appropriate media and events, including conference presentations, seminars and workshops.
11. Disseminate new knowledge gained through original research or other advanced scholarship via high quality peer reviewed publications within the discipline.
12. Develop the networks and foundations for on-going research and development within the discipline.
13. Display the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment, including the exercise of personal responsibility and largely autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations, in professional or equivalent environments.

Skills and Competencies

Intellectual

Demonstrate critical thinking skills, for example through evaluating arguments, linking ideas approaching problems systematically and constructing novel conclusions.

Critique and challenge the definitions of, theories used to structure, guide and inform organizational practice.

 Make and justify innovative, ethically reasoned decisions and recommendations in complex, dynamic and unpredictable contexts.

Continuously critically reflect upon personal and organizational practice.

Practical

Analysis and problem solving through problem identification, information analysis and constructing innovative solutions.

Leadership by example, including mentoring, facilitation, demonstrating authenticity and self-reflection.

Manage projects through the identification of goals and tasks, exercising judgement on priority and being open to changing contexts.

Engage in collaborative relationships, demonstrating trust and understanding of shared outcomes.

Demonstrate a professional attitude and demeanour in their core workplace behaviours, valuing difference.

Transferrable

Work independently and in collaborative contexts to achieve personal and organisational goals.

Demonstrate the ability to think and evaluate independently, critically and in a reflective manner.

Use appropriate digital technology to analyse, interpret, extrapolate and visualise data.

Communicate complex ideas effectively using a variety of modes, including written, verbal and digital media.

Demonstrate time management, responsibility, flexibility, planning, leadership.

Work responsibly with continuous regard to issues of safety, ethics, equality and diversity.

Progression Monitoring 

Progress will be monitored in accordance with Swansea University regulations. During the course of the programme, the DBA researcher is expected to meet regularly with their supervisors, and at most meetings it is likely that the doctoral researcher’s progress will be monitored in an informal manner in addition to attendance checks. Details of the meetings should ideally be recorded on the on-line system. A minimum of four formal supervision meetings is required each year, two of which will be reported to the Postgraduate Progression and Awards Board. During these supervisory meetings the doctoral researcher’s progress is discussed and formally recorded on the on-line system. Meetings may be conducted remotely depending on the location of the student.

Research Environment

The key features of The School of Management research environment are summarised as follows:

1. The school has a clear research strategy supported by a very well established and robust research management infrastructure.
2. All Postgraduate Research (PGR) students have the opportunity to attend external conferences and funding is provided for this.
3. All PGR students present at the annual internal PGR conference to disseminate their work and obtain constructive feedback.
4. The school has two pathways funded through the ESRC Doctoral Training Partnerships.
5. There are seven established research centres that welcome PGR student membership, although cross-disciplinary activity is encouraged.
6. The school has a focused strategy to support early career researchers.
7. The school is committed to equality and diversity in its research staff and committee memberships, as well as accommodating flexible working.
8. Research income has increased from c. £160,000 in 2014 to over £2.1 million in 2018.
9. The school has strategic partnerships with key private and public sector bodies such as The Bevan Commission, Fujitsu and Pfizer.
10. The new building (occupied since 2015) has provided excellent physical space, including a large, dedicated PGR suite.
11. In addition to research centres, informal research groupings among staff are encouraged.
12. The school has 55 full time equivalent category A research active staff.
13. The school has a strategic aim to leverage research to impact on the economy locally and globally, seeking to return the maximum number of impact cases to the forthcoming REF.

School of Management

The School of Management is a top 30 UK Business School and ranks in the top 10 in terms of research impact, with 90% of submissions earning a ‘World-leading’ 4* or ‘Internationally Excellent’ 3* rating (REF 2014).

Our mission is to produce collaborative, innovative and multidisciplinary research by working with some of the brightest and best researchers from around the world. We build life-long connections to our research community, industrial supporters and students through embedded partnership working and alumni relationships. We are committed to producing and disseminating world-class research to increase knowledge, skills, understanding and impact. The School of Management provides a supportive and friendly environment for our thriving community of doctoral students from all over the world.

The structured approach offered by the DBA is founded on six modules over three years, where you will undertake a blend of lectures, guest talks and workshop discussions.  At the same time, you will develop your doctoral thesis under guidance from your DBA supervisory team.

Taught modules will develop participants’ ability to generate novel understanding of theory and practice through a synthesis of their research with existing theory, leading to clear statements of impact and contribution to knowledge.

The six taught modules are as follows (please note, the dates outlined below, are reflective of an October start date):

Enrolment will take place annually on October 1st. 

The first module, Introduction to Applied Doctoral Research, will commence with a range of online preparatory activities at the end of October. The first face to face workshop will take place approximately four weeks later.