Program Overview

Doctor of Business Administration

A doctoral degree is not only a very high scientific achievement and a personal milestone, but also a smart and sustainable investment in one's professional future. With the preparation at Munich Business School you can directly enter the research phase of the part-time DBA program at Sheffield Hallam University (SHU). The DBA boosts your academic as well as your business career in an international and flexible setting, which doesn‘t require you to put your professional career on hold.

Key Facts DBA

• Final Degree: Doctor of Business Administration
• Start: September
• Language: English
• Duration: 48 months
• Format: Part-time
• Studies Abroad: Sheffield Hallam University (UK)

About the DBA

The DBA – Doctor of Business Administration – is a research-based doctorate ideal for those who are enthusiastic about learning and who want to make a difference to the way that management and professional practice is developed in their specialism. Studying for a business doctorate allows you to develop evidence-based research and a full doctoral thesis, equivalent to a PhD, whilst continuing to pursue a career as a senior professional or manager.

Top Reasons to Study the Doctor of Business Administration

• International Degree: The DBA is a highly respected academic degree that will open doors into and within the international business world. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be entitled to use the title "Dr.".
• Structured Program: The compact, modular structure of the DBA program is designed to facilitate progress and results.
• Personal Environment: Enjoy a personal atmosphere, small classes, individual support, and direct contact with your supervisors.
• Approved Program: The DBA program is officially recognized and equips you with an internationally recognized doctoral degree.
• Flexible Design: The DBA program allows you to pursue a internationally recognized doctoral degree without having to put your professional career on hold.
• Practical Focus: The DBA enables you to focus, and work, on real-life topics from your company’s daily business.
• Network Opportunities: Establish a personal network on an academic as well as professional level, and benefit from the MBS network.
• Academic Quality: Benefit from the outstanding quality of teaching and research.

Structure and Courses

The structure of the DBA program reflects two objectives: the first is to present you with an opportunity to discuss key substantive topics and concepts in contemporary business and management theory; the second is to take you through the process of developing and planning a doctoral research project in a staged way, and then to the execution of the project itself.

• Modul 1: Critical Thinking in Business and Management (15. – 19. September 2025)
  • This module provides you with the essential academic skills to successfully complete your DBA studies. It includes an introduction to reflexivity, critical thinking and writing, as well as philosophical and ethical considerations that will underpin your research process. During this module, you will also be allocated a supervisor, and draft the introductory chapter of your thesis.
• Modul 2: Contemporary Issues in Business and Management (20. – 24. April 2026)
  • The purpose of this module is to introduce contemporary issues and debates in such a way that is relevant to define your research interests, and drawing boundaries around your research scope.
• Modul 3: Research Approaches and Designs (05. – 09. October 2026)
  • During this module, your knowledge inquired in module 2 is further deepened, allowing you to gain advanced insights into general research approaches and designs with the aim to enable you to develop your research method, and align it to an underpinning research philosophy. At the end of this module, you will draft the research methods chapter of your thesis.

Research Phase and Doctoral Thesis (until September 2029)

• The research phase begins with the formal preparation of a research proposal and an oral presentation. This so-called research report (RF2 report; max. 6,000 words) should include the methodology, a summary of the work done so far, and a statement of further research planned.
• Once your research report has been approved by the DBA Program Assessment Board, you will be ready to write your dissertation. Throughout this process, you will receive ongoing support from both SHU and MBS, and ongoing support from your supervisors.
• Once your thesis is completed, you will submit it to SHU for an oral defense (viva voce). After the successful defense you will receive the degree DBA Doctor of Business Administration.

Sheffield Hallam University

• The AACSB accredited Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) in Sheffield, UK is renowned for its modern facilities, dynamic approach to teaching and learning, and high levels of student support. With 34,000 students from over 100 countries worldwide and 3,000 staff members, it is one of the UK’s largest and most progressive universities.
• Research at Sheffield Hallam University addresses real-world challenges that impact upon people’s lives. SHU is highly ranked for research. In fact, 72 % of their research is ranked internationally excellent or world-leading for impact (Research Excellence Framework 2014).

Added value through Executive DBA Council

• Munich Business School is a proud member of the Executive DBA Council (EDBAC), an organization dedicated to promoting excellence in DBA programs. As part of this network, we are closely connected with leading educational institutions worldwide and accordingly strive for the highest standards in postgraduate education.
• Our affiliation enables our DBA students to benefit directly from a high-quality, research-oriented education that offers both theoretical knowledge and practical applicability.

Participant Profile and Cohort

• The DBA program is developed for managers and executives who:
  • meet the academic requirements of the program,
  • can contribute to class learning in the program and add value to the student experience,
  • benefit from the learning experience and show evidence that the DBA will add value to their already successful career,
  • have managerial and leadership potential, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as well as a high degree of maturity and motivation.

Application

• In order to be admitted to the DBA program, you must fulfill academic, linguistic, and professional requirements. The required application documents may be submitted at any time. However, due to the limited number of spots in the program, MBS recommends you to commit yourself to a specific application round. One thing always applies: the earlier you submit your application, the more likely it is that you will be admitted to the next program start.

Admission Requirements

• Academic and Professional Requirements:
  • have successfully completed a Master's degree in business, management, or a related area
  • have minimum of 5 years of working experience, thereof 3 years of managerial experience incl. team lead, budget responsibility
• Language Requirements:
  • Being an English native speaker
  • Having completed a university degree entirely in English, in an English speaking country, within the last 3 years (teaching and assessment)
  • English is the official language in daily business communication in your current position and company (we require a confirmation letter from your employer)
  • IELTS: min. level of 7.0 – Academic Module
  • TOEFL iBT: min. 100 (Listening: min. 23, Reading: min. 23, Writing: min. 26, Speaking: min. 22; MBS TOEFL Institution Code: 5772)

Application Research Proposal

• Why do you want to pursue a DBA? Your answer should include reference to personal, professional, and educational experience, as well as the impact you expect it to have on your career.
• What do you propose to research? Discuss a possible topic and research approach that interests you, and address the following:
  • Reason why this possible area of business and management is important
  • Identification of a clear research question
  • Contextualization of the research question within a body of existing scholarly literature
  • Possible methodology for the research
  • Potential impacts of the research
  • Relevance of the expected findings to management knowledge and practice

Application Process

• Step 1: Your Written Application
  • Completed Application Form including Application Research Proposal (Guidelines for Research Proposal)
  • Curriculum Vitae in English
  • Copies of diplomas and transcripts (plus translations if not already in English or German
  • 2 reference letters (academic or professional), either as completed reference form or as a normal letter of recommendation (with English translation if not already in English)
  • Proof of English proficiency (test scores must still be valid, i.e., less than two years old)
  • Academic papers, articles, certificates etc. (optional)
• Step 2: Your Personal Interview
  • The interview will last approximately 45-60 minutes and is intended to help both you as well as the university to determine whether the DBA is the right program for you. Of course, the interview will also present you with the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
• Step 3: Your Study Contract
  • The Admission Office will inform you about the outcome of the application process within 10 working days. If your application has been accepted, Munich Business School will provide you with an acceptance letter as well as two copies of your study contract. One copy needs to be signed and returned within two weeks to secure your spot in the program. The other copy needs to be kept for your own records.

Tuition and Financing

• Overall Tuition Fee: 39,500 Euro
• Application Processing Fee: 60 Euro
• One-time Enrollment Fee (EU/EFTA): 690 Euro
• One-time Enrollment Fee for international students: 1,490 Euro
• Possible installment payment:
  • First Year: 13,900 Euro
  • Second Year: 13,900 Euro
  • Third Year: 5,850 Euro
  • Fourth Year: 5,850 Euro
  • Every additional year: 3,900 Euro