Introduction to the Doctor of Business Administration

The Swansea Doctor of Business Administration (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, students will engage in applied research, bringing established and cutting-edge theory to bear on their practical organisational issues. They will develop and enrich practice in their field, as well as contributing to our understanding of the underpinning theoretical base for the work.

Academic Regulations for the Doctor of Business Administration

These academic regulations should be read in conjunction with the following Swansea University Guides which expand on the regulations and provide procedural guidance:

• Guide to Research Student Admissions
• Guide to Research Degree Candidature
• Guide to Transfer and Withdrawal of Research Students
• Guide to Suspensions and Extensions for Research Students
• Guide to Progress Monitoring of Research Students
• Guide to the Employment of Research Students
• Guide to the Submission and Presentation of a Thesis for Research Students
• Guide to the Examination of Research Students
• Guide to Postgraduate Research Supervision

1. Introduction

Doctoral degrees are awarded to students who have demonstrated:

• The creation and interpretation of new knowledge through original research or other advanced scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, extends the forefront of the discipline and merits publication.
• A systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice.
• The general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems.
• A detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry.

Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to:

• Make informed judgements on complex issues in specialist fields, often in the absence of complete data, and be able to communicate their ideas and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Continue to undertake pure and/or applied research and development at an advanced level, contributing substantially to the development of new techniques, ideas or approaches.

And holders will have:

• The qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and largely autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations, in professional or equivalent environments.

2. Entry Conditions

A student for the degree of Doctor of Business Administration must hold an initial degree of a UK university or another university approved by Senate and have achieved a minimum classification of upper second (2:1) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Students will normally hold, or be studying for, a Master's degree of a UK university or another university approved by Senate.

A student for the degree of Doctor of Business Administration will normally be expected to have a minimum of five years' experience in a senior role.

A student for the degree of Doctor of Business Administration 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.

3. Structure of Programme

A student may study for the degree of Doctor of Business Administration as a part-time student, by pursuing research either at the University or externally (known as Method C).

The degree of Doctor of Business Administration may not be conferred as an honorary degree.

The DBA is founded on six modules over three years, based on a blend of lectures, guest talks and workshop discussions.

The research element of the programme shall consist of the production of a research thesis. The doctoral thesis is developed in parallel under guidance from a doctoral supervisory team allocated at the start of the programme. Students will be supported by a dedicated team of academic and professional services staff, together with speakers from a wide variety of sectors.

4. Candidature Period

The part-time degree of Doctor of Business Administration has a minimum candidature of 4 years and a maximum candidature of 7 years.

A student must pursue a programme of supervised study, including research and generic skills' development as a part-time student. The minimum periods of supervised study from the date of enrolment are set out in the University's Guide to Research Degree Candidature.

5. Submission Date

All students are required to submit a thesis by the maximum submission date as set out in paragraph 1 of the University's Guide to Research Degree Candidature, current at the time of admission and as stated in the formal Offer Letter.

6. Suspensions and Extensions of Candidature

Under exceptional circumstances and in accordance with the University's Guide to Suspensions and Extensions for Research Students a student may be required to undertake a suspension of candidature due to academic, disciplinary, financial or health reasons.

7. Supervision

Students shall be supervised, on a regular and continuing basis in accordance with the procedures for postgraduate supervision as set out in the University's Guide to Postgraduate Research Supervision.

8. Monitoring of Progress

The Faculty/School is required to confirm the candidature of each student within three months of the initial enrolment of the student as set out in paragraph 2 of the University's Guide to Progress Monitoring of Research Students.

9. Assessment of Degree

Students for the degree of Doctor of Business Administration shall be examined in four parts:

1. The first part shall comprise assessments of an advanced character in fields of study prescribed by the appropriate programme director.
2. The second part shall take the form of a thesis embodying the methods and results of the research project.
3. The third part shall take the form of a verbal presentation of work by the student to an audience including a member, or members, of the thesis Examining Board.
4. The fourth part shall take the form of an oral examination (viva voce).

10. Submission of Thesis

Students shall notify of their intention to submit a thesis for examination, at least three months prior to the expected date of submission.

11. Availability of Thesis

A thesis submitted for a higher degree of the University shall normally be openly available and subject to no security classification or restriction of access.

12. Constitution of the Examining Board

All Examining Boards for students shall consist of the following individuals:

• An independent Chair, who will be the Executive Dean or a member of staff with appropriate experience nominated by the Executive Dean.
• An external examiner or examiners appointed in accordance with the University's Guide to the Examination of Research Students.
• An internal examiner appointed in accordance with the University's Guide to the Examination of Research Students.

13. Oral Examination (viva voce)

The Examining Board shall be required to conduct an oral examination of students for research degrees in all cases.

14. Exit Qualifications

A student who is enrolled on a Doctor of Business Administration but is subsequently unable or is not permitted to progress to completion may, depending on the level of study achieved, qualify for one of the following awards of the University:

• Successful completion of a minimum of 180 credits Masters (MSc) by Research.

15. Aegrotat and Posthumous Awards

For Aegrotat guidance regulations refer to the Aegrotat Degree Regulations. For Posthumous guidance regulations refer to the Posthumous Degree Regulations.

16. Academic Appeals

Students who are not recommended by the Examining Board for the award of the degree in respect of which they submitted their thesis may appeal against the decision reached and request an academic appeal.

17. Academic Misconduct

Allegations of academic misconduct shall be considered in accordance with the Academic Misconduct procedures and regulations.

18. Fitness to Practise

Allegations regarding fitness to practise shall be considered in accordance with the Swansea University Fitness to Practise regulations.

19. Complaints

Students who feel dissatisfied with the teaching and learning, facilities or services provided by the University, or with the way the University, its students or its staff have acted or omitted to act, should follow the procedures set out in the Swansea University Complaints Procedure.

20. International Students and Visa Requirements

International students who need a visa to study at the University should be aware that their continued study at the University is dependent upon them meeting the conditions of their visa and the time-limits set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

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