Business Administration

Credits

540 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Derby, United Kingdom. Offered at multiple locations, but you can enroll in only one. Apply to your chosen location.

Disciplines

Business Administration

Overview

The Business Administration from University of Derby leads to a highly recognised doctoral level qualification, enabling you to build your research credentials while advancing your professional practice in management. Your doctoral studies will be specific to you and your working role: you will undertake independent research in the area relevant to your professional and academic development and advance your knowledge which can be harnessed to improve your own organisation’s performance. You do not have to put your career on hold: the DBA is structured to offer maximum flexibility, with teaching in short study blocks and a substantial research project which can be fitted around your work schedule. We equip you with high-level research and analysis skills so that you can integrate evidence into practice and become a more critical and reflective practitioner. You will receive extensive support from academic supervisors with specialist knowledge in your subject area – all within a truly international research community where you benefit from peer learning and networking. Adding the title of Doctor to your CV will make an instant impression, helping you to raise your professional profile and give added momentum to your career.

Careers

• Students choose to complete doctoral research for many reasons: you could be keen to take your professional development to the next level; to pursue applied research which has a meaningful impact in your workplace; or to add to the body of specialist knowledge about a particular professional area.
• Whatever your ambition, the DBA adds prestige to your CV. When you successfully complete this programme, you will have achieved the highest academic qualification and will be allowed to use the title of Doctor (please note that some countries accept doctoral awards in different ways).
• Our DBA students are usually in full-time employment, undertaking research in their own work context, and can use their doctorate as a platform for further promotion to senior roles and an enhanced standing in their profession.
• As an elite member of Derby Business School’s alumni networks, you will also be encouraged to maintain your links with the University beyond the DBA programme. There is the potential to contribute to joint research projects and publications, become an associate lecturer or guest speaker, and support students following in your footsteps.

Visit the programme website for more information

Programme Structure

Courses include:

• Research
• Designing research projects
• Developing the professional self
• Negotiated module
• Communicating your research
• Practitioner project

Visit programme website

Admission requirements

Academic requirements

GPA: First Class

English requirements

• TOEFL iBT: 100
• PTE Academic: 76
• IELTS: 6.5

Prepare for Your English Test - Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation - AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required. Trusted by 300k learners, 98 accuracy using real exam data, 4.9/5 student rating.

Other requirements

General requirements

• Applicants should have a masters degree in a relevant field. A good first degree may be considered instead of a masters
• Applicants should have at least three years professional experience
• Where English is not the first language, applicants may need to provide the minimum English qualification IELTS 6.5 (with no less than 5.5 in each component). IELTS may not be needed where a degree has been obtained in the UK or another English speaking countries. English speaking professional settings may be considered
• All applicants must be interviewed
• Decisions about entry to the programme are made on the basis of application, prior education attainment, interview, professional experience and research proposal

Visit programme website

Fees and funding

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International (Non-residents): 52,952 AUD / year (≈ 27,800 GBP / year)

Domestic (Citizens or residents): 52,952 AUD / year (≈ 27,800 GBP / year)

Living costs

Location: Derby, United Kingdom. Monthly living costs: 1,029-1,623 AUD. The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Business Administration.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

• Talented Athlete Award - University of Derby - Grant, Various benefits - Deadline 31 Jul 2027
• Sports Scholarships - Individual and Team Sport Scholar - University of Derby - Grant, 3000 GBP - Merit-based - Deadline 31 Jul 2027
• Sports Scholarships - Performance Team Sports Scholar - University of Derby - Grant, 3000 GBP - Deadline 31 Jul 2027
• 10% alumni discount - University of Derby - Grant, Various benefits - Deadline Not specified
• Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship - University of Derby - Grant, 2000 GBP - Deadline Anytime
• Full Payment Discount - University of Derby - Grant, 1000 GBP - Deadline Not specified
• Fulbright U.S. Student Program - U.S. government - Grant, Various benefits - Deadline 07 Oct 2026
• ServiceScape Scholarship - ServiceScape - Grant, 1000 USD - Deadline 30 Nov 2026
• ACES Scholarships - ACES Education Fund - Grant, 3500 USD - Deadline 15 Nov 2026
• Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility - OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation - Grant, Various benefits - Merit-based - Deadline Not specified
• Scholarships for PhD Students - Junhua Li - Grant, 19000 GBP - Merit-based - Deadline Not specified
• Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship - Boustany Foundation - Grant, Various benefits - Merit-based - Deadline 28 Feb 2027
• $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship - IvyPanda - Grant, 1000 USD - Merit-based - Deadline 31 Oct 2026
• Voice Talent Online Scholarship - Voice Talent Online - Grant, 1000 USD - Deadline 01 Mar 2027
• Women Scholarship for International Students - educations.com - Grant, 5000 USD - Merit-based - Deadline 28 Aug 2026
• The PhD Prep Fellowship - Admit Lab - Grant, 10000 USD - Merit-based - Deadline 01 Sep 2026
• Dream Chaser Scholarship - Salvado Law - Grant, 1000 USD - Merit-based - Deadline 13 Jan 2027
• Scholarship for students with disabilities - Anonymous Hope Fund - Grant, 3000 USD - Need-based - Deadline 31 Dec 2026
• Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids - UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) - Grant, 22500 GBP - Deadline Not specified
• CIAPS Commonwealth Scholarships for Postgraduate Professional Studies - CIAPS - Grant, 1000 USD - Deadline Not specified
• The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship - IELTS from 6 to 9 - Grant, 1500 USD - Deadline Not specified
• Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme - The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme - Grant, 12000 USD - Deadline 11 Jan 2027