Professional Doctorate Business Administration

Professional Doctorate Full-time 3 years, Part-time 3 years

Discover an advanced management qualification with the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at the University of Wolverhampton’s Business and Law School. 

Discover an advanced management qualification with the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at the University of Wolverhampton’s Business and Law School. 

Award
Professional Doctorate
Start date(s)
12 January 2026, 15 September 2025
UCAS Code
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (3 years),Part-time (3 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

Discover an advanced management qualification with the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at the University of Wolverhampton’s Business and Law School. Recognised as the highest level of management qualification, the DBA is a fulfilling journey for ambitious professionals. As a practical degree, the University of Wolverhampton’s DBA is designed to tackle real-world challenges, equipping you with the skills that can help you to advance your career to new heights.  

As the DBA is based in the University of Wolverhampton’s Business and Law School, you will be able to draw on the School’s contemporary subject expertise.  

What happens on the course?

Discover our flexible DBA programme, designed to fit your lifestyle, whether you're studying full-time or part-time. From day one, you'll be engaged in a dynamic learning experience tailored to your pathway. 

The University of Wolverhampton offers focused, one-week modules that equip you with the essential tools for the independent research, which will be at the heart of your DBA. Our structure allows part-time students to plan their attendance in advance, making it easier for you to balance your DBA with other commitments, such as family and work. 

The DBA is cohort-based, meaning that throughout your DBA, you will work closely not only with your cohort but also with your supervisory team, meeting regularly to receive valuable feedback and guidance at every stage of your journey. The regular meetings with your supervisory team will ensure your research stays on track.  

Choose your pathway - full-time or part-time - and complete your DBA in as little as three years or as many as seven. The pace at which you work is up to you, and the DBA is designed in a way that allows you to step off the DBA for a short period of time if needed.  

The DBA has three key phases; each designed to guide and support you every step of the way with the expertise of our dedicated supervision team. 

Phase One:

Foundation of research. Taught week long modules which will help establish the context for your work.

Phase Two:

Complete data collection. The main research phase informing the heart of your final work.

Phase Three:

Write-up thesis - constructing your work.

 

Undertaking a DBA is an important decision. You probably have lots of questions about how the University of Wolverhampton’s DBA can fit your needs. If you have any questions about whether you may be accepted or want an informal conversation about the DBA, please contact the Programme Leader, Dr Harjit Sekhon, at H.Sekhon@wlv.ac.uk to arrange a suitable time for a discussion. 

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

A DBA could be the game-changer you need. Whether you choose full-time or part-time study, a DBA can help you develop vital skills and stand out in the competitive business world. Earning a DBA means that you can distinguish yourself in today’s business world. 

A DBA can help open up new career pathways that may have been previously out of reach. Gaining a DBA showcases your expertise, dedication, and leadership, making you a very desirable candidate for top-tier management positions, such as C-suite executive roles, leadership roles, and consulting opportunities. 

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

Undertaking a DBA with the University of Wolverhampton offers you: 

Career-focused perspective: The DBA is designed to help you develop your career. 

Support from supervisors: Our DBA’s structure means that you will have continuous support from a supervisory team throughout your work.  

Up-to-date expertise: You will be able to draw not only the expertise of your supervisory team, but also the wider Business and Law School.  

PGR community: As part of a cohort-based community, you will be able to gain support from each other, and a broader PGR community.  

The University of Wolverhampton is perfectly located in the heart of the country with easy connections by road, rail, and train to major airports in Manchester, Birmingham, and London. Experience the best of both worlds - academic excellence and easy access to international travel. 

Location Mode Foundation Year Fee** Sep intake Fee Jan intake Fee May intake Fee Year
Home Full-time N/A £9088 per year ... ... 2025-26
Home Part-time N/A £4544 per year ... ... 2025-26
International Full-time N/A £16950 per year £17967 per year ... 2025-26

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

If a tuition fee is not showing, we may not offer this intake for this course. Please check the start date information on the course finder for start dates.

** These Tuition fees apply for the Foundation Year of the course only. All subsequent years are charged at the rate shown in the table.

Postgraduate Loan (Home Fee Status):

You may be able to get a postgraduate student loan from Student Finance England of up to £12,858 to help pay for a Master’s degree. Applications are made through Student Finance England and more information on the regulations and eligibility criteria can be found at Masters Loans gov.uk.

* Any RPL will invalidate your eligibility as you must study a minimum of 180 credits


Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as Overseas (International) students for fee purposes. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


Postgraduate Loyalty Discount:

You can get 20% discount on a taught on-site postgraduate course if you’re a University of Wolverhampton Graduate.

The University offers a generous 20% Loyalty Discount to students progressing from an undergraduate programme to a taught postgraduate programme, where both courses are University of Wolverhampton Awards.

There is no time limit on how long ago you completed your degree as long as this is your first Masters level qualification.

The discount applies to the first year of enrolment only. Students who receive a loyalty discount are not entitled to any further tuition discount or bursary. For full terms and conditions click here.


Self-funded:

If you are paying for the fees yourself then the fees can be paid in 3 instalments: November, January and April. More information can be found by clicking here.


Sponsored - Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

Your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Charitable Funding:

You might also want to explore the possibility of funding from charitable trusts. Please contact Association of Charitable Foundations, Directory of Social Change or Family Aid. Most charities and trust funds offer limited bursaries targeted to specific groups of students so you will need to research whether any of them are relevant to your situation.


You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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