Program Overview

The Exeter Doctor of Business Administration

Overview

The Exeter Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is designed exclusively for accomplished professionals with a strong level of academic achievement and a minimum of five years of work experience. The program provides students with an opportunity to gain a Doctoral qualification from the University of Exeter while working with world-leading academics.

Course Content

The Exeter DBA program will enhance your skills in conducting rigorous research, critical evaluation, and practical application. Modules focus on bridging theory and practice, developing research skills, and creating impactful business contributions. Students engage with leading scholars, build comprehensive literature reviews, and design organizational interventions, culminating in a thesis that advances academic and practical knowledge.

Key Programme Dates

• Teaching block 1: 22 September – 26 September 2025
• Teaching block 2: 5 January – 9 January 2026
• Teaching block 3: 21 September – 25 September 2026
• Annual Exeter DBA conferences: One day events from September 2026 onwards

Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)

• 180 credits of compulsory modules leading to MRes
• Compulsory modules:
  • BEMM187: DBA Introduction (0 credits)
  • BEMM822: Contribution and Impact in Management Theory (30 credits)
  • BEMM823: Literature Critique and Research Design (30 credits)
  • BEMM824: Research Methods (30 credits)
  • BEMD001: DBA Literature Review (60 credits)
  • BEMD002: Thesis Proposal and Presentation (30 credits)

Stage 2 (Years 3, 4, and 5)

• DBA Thesis with Supervision
• Compulsory modules:
  • BEMD003: DBA Thesis (360 credits)

Research Overview

Our research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework (REF). Research at the University of Exeter Business School aims to find solutions to the most pressing challenges of our time.

How to Apply

Application Deadline

• 4th August 2025 for September 2025 start

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of five years of professional or management experience
• A Master's degree in a relevant subject
• Statements of research interest

International Students

• Visit our international equivalency pages to see if your existing academic qualifications meet our entry requirements
• Required test scores for this course fall under Profile D

Application Process

• The application process is designed to help ensure program fit
• Required documents:
  • A current CV
  • Statements of Research Interest, including answers to the following questions:
    • What do you hope to gain from a professional doctorate? (250 words)
    • What are your research interests? (250 words)
    • What support would you need to conduct applied research in line with this interest? (250 words)
    • What would support your resilience in completing the DBA program? (250 words)

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees per year 2025/26

• Home: £12,500 per year for years 1 and 2, £8,000 per year for years 3, 4, and 5
• International: £12,500 per year for years 1 and 2, £8,000 per year for years 3, 4, and 5

Careers

The DBA program will equip you with the research skills and a critical approach to management challenges that can support you to build an impactful career.

• Academia: Potential to develop into a range of education-focused academic roles
• Industry/consultancy roles: As a terminal degree, holding a DBA signifies high academic achievement and a demonstrated ability to connect rigorous research with industry and societal needs

Related Research Projects

• Accountancy
• Economics
• Finance
• Management MRes
• Management MSc

Why Exeter?

• Research topics and degrees
• Fees and funding
• How to apply
• Our campuses
• Student life
• International students
• Visit us
• Connect with us