Doctor of Business Administration. Turn Experience Into Research.
A doctoral-level business programme designed for experienced professionals seeking to investigate complex organisational challenges, develop advanced research capability and create knowledge with practical relevance.
Advanced business research. Professional experience. Meaningful impact.
The Doctor of Business Administration provides a research-oriented pathway for experienced professionals who want to investigate important business and management questions at doctoral level.
Research the questions that matter to business.
A DBA combines advanced academic inquiry with professional experience, allowing candidates to explore complex problems within organisations, industries and management environments.
Candidates develop a focused research direction and work towards producing a substantial contribution to knowledge and professional practice.
A doctorate designed around research and professional practice.
The DBA provides an advanced environment for investigating management problems, developing research capability and connecting academic knowledge with organisational practice.
Research
Develop the ability to formulate significant research questions and investigate them through appropriate methods.
Professional Practice
Connect research with real organisational environments, management challenges and professional experience.
Knowledge Creation
Develop a substantial research project intended to contribute meaningful insight to a chosen field.
From an important question to a defensible research contribution.
Doctoral research requires a structured approach to identifying a research problem, reviewing existing knowledge, selecting appropriate methods and developing a coherent contribution.
Define The Problem
Identify a meaningful business, management or organisational problem worthy of doctoral investigation.
Build The Knowledge Base
Examine existing research, theories and evidence relevant to the chosen research area.
Choose The Approach
Develop an appropriate methodological approach for investigating the research question.
Create Insight
Analyse findings and develop a defensible contribution to knowledge and/or professional practice.
Choose a research direction aligned with your expertise.
Turn professional experience into doctoral inquiry.
Your professional environment can provide the starting point for questions about strategy, people, technology, finance, innovation and organisational change.
Investigate. Challenge. Create insight.
The DBA encourages candidates to approach complex management questions through structured doctoral research.
A structured journey from research idea to contribution.
Research Idea
Identify an area of interest and define the management problem you want to investigate.
Proposal
Develop the research question, objectives, literature foundation and proposed methodology.
Research
Conduct systematic research and gather evidence relevant to the research question.
Findings
Analyse evidence, interpret findings and develop the implications of the research.
Doctoral Thesis
Present a substantial research contribution through the applicable doctoral assessment process.
Develop your research with academic direction.
Doctoral research benefits from structured academic guidance, critical discussion and ongoing development throughout the research journey.
Refine The Question
Develop and refine a focused research question that provides a clear direction for doctoral investigation.
Challenge Your Thinking
Engage critically with theories, literature, methodology and evidence throughout the research process.
Develop The Thesis
Progress through research stages towards a coherent, substantial and defensible doctoral contribution.
Create knowledge that can travel beyond the thesis.
Doctoral research can create opportunities to communicate findings through academic, professional and organisational channels.
Academic Contribution
Develop an evidence-based contribution to the chosen field of research.
Professional Insight
Translate research findings into insights relevant to organisations and professional practice.
Research Dissemination
Communicate research findings through appropriate academic and professional formats.
Practical Relevance
Consider how research insights may inform decision-making, policy or organisational practice.
Designed for experienced professionals and researchers.
Senior Professionals
For experienced professionals seeking to investigate complex organisational and management questions.
Business Leaders
For leaders who want to connect professional experience with structured doctoral research.
Consultants
For consultants seeking deeper research capability and evidence-based approaches to business challenges.
Academic & Research Professionals
For professionals seeking advanced research development within business and management fields.
Entry requirements. Prepare for doctoral-level research.
Applicants should normally demonstrate appropriate academic preparation, professional experience and the ability to undertake advanced independent research, subject to the applicable programme admissions criteria.
Applicants should normally hold a recognised master's degree or equivalent postgraduate qualification.
Previous study in business, management or a related discipline may be considered relevant to the proposed research direction.
Relevant senior-level, managerial, professional or specialist experience may be considered as part of the admissions assessment.
Applicants should demonstrate the ability and preparedness to undertake substantial independent doctoral research.
Applicants may be required to submit an initial research proposal or research concept relevant to their intended area of study.
Applicants whose previous education was completed in another language may be required to demonstrate appropriate English-language proficiency.
Previous qualifications and experience may be reviewed to determine suitability for doctoral-level study.
An academic discussion or interview may be required as part of the applicable admissions process.
Doctoral study begins with a strong question.
Applicants should be prepared to explain their academic background, professional experience and proposed research direction as part of the doctoral admissions process.
Prepare your doctoral application.
Master's Certificate
Copy of the relevant recognised postgraduate qualification.
Academic Transcripts
Relevant postgraduate academic transcripts or records.
Professional Evidence
Evidence of relevant professional or managerial experience where required.
Research Proposal
Initial research concept or proposal where applicable.
Identification
Valid passport or accepted identification document.
Research business questions without borders.
Contemporary business research increasingly examines organisations, markets and management challenges across multiple countries and business environments.
International Context
Explore business questions within interconnected markets and international organisational environments.
Compare Environments
Investigate differences across organisations, markets, cultures or institutional environments.
Create Practical Insight
Consider how research findings can inform management, organisations and professional practice.
The DBA in perspective.
Where can doctoral research take you?
Develop Research Expertise
Continue developing expertise in research, knowledge creation and academic communication.
Apply Advanced Insight
Use research capability and evidence-based thinking within leadership, consulting and organisational environments.
Share Your Research
Explore opportunities to communicate research findings through appropriate academic and professional channels.
Your experience can become your research.
Explore the DBA programme, identify your research direction and take the next step towards advanced doctoral study in business and management.