Course overview
Study at Teesside University International Business School
See what it’s like to study at our modern, enterprising and dynamic business school
You become a research-informed business leader who is able to apply best practice within your organisation and in your own managerial practices. The interaction between theory and practice provides you with a range of perspectives that add value in terms of business effectiveness, efficiency and capability. You reflect upon your own personal skills and engage in dialogue with global peers, to challenge your assumptions and transform your professional practice.
Working autonomously, but with support from your supervisory team, you build on previous knowledge and experience, gaining the confidence in academic research to undertake doctoral-level study.
You select a research topic aligned to your personal and professional objectives. Examples of previous research include studies of commitment to personal development, changes in public sector organisation, and the impact of organisational culture on efficiency.
Course details
The DBA programme involves taught modules, which provide the theoretical and interdisciplinary foundations necessary for undertaking research at doctoral level. Outside the formal sessions, you are encouraged to participate in University and school-level events, such as research seminars and conferences.
You start by getting your bearings with research, then learn how to engage with academic literature at a doctoral level, before formally reviewing the literature relevant to your proposed study. You are then asked to design a study, which brings to the fore some complex philosophical issues about what we can know from the data we obtain. Next you analyse and present your data in a meaningful way. Finally, you write up your study and prepare to defend it at an oral (viva voce) examination.
Course structure
Core modules
Applying Management and Organisational Studies Research
This module is structured around three key interrelated themes:
1. internationalisation and globalisation
2. organisational practices
3. theory of management.
You develop a critical appreciation of contemporary issues in organisation behavior and development and apply research skills to produce a literature review signposting a preferred theoretical underpinning.
Due to the nature of this module and its focus on emerging management issues, the content may change year-on-year.
However, typical content is likely to include organisational development, change theory, comparative management theory, talent management and reflective practice.
DBA Advanced Independent Study
The module requires you to draw creatively and critically upon your academic studies to develop and apply a specific piece of research to the organisational and/or professional discipline setting. In addition to incorporating the usual doctorate-level critical literature and methodological review, this module examines, evaluates and makes recommendations relating to current and possible future professional practice, demonstrating a contribution to the development of new knowledge within the appropriate professional field.
Research Methods for Doctoral Students
This module provides a thorough introduction to management research and forms the basis for research training for doctoral students in business and management. You are introduced to a breadth of research philosophies and methodological approaches to give you a sufficient understanding to engage critically with the literature and make informed methodological choices in your own research projects, taking into account data analysis methods and any ethical issues and considerations. The aim is to achieve a balance between generic coverage of relevant material, and bespoke workshops which respond to your specific needs in terms of the research methods you propose to use in your study. This module also acts as bridging module between master’s and doctoral level.
Modules offered may vary.
Entry requirements
The DBA is designed for people who have achieved or expect to achieve, senior organisational positions and/or who wish to enhance their analytical and research skills and knowledge.
- A master's degree: applicants should have a master's degree in a subject that has aspects that relate to business and/or management.
- +3 years' management experience: all applicants should have a minimum three years' managerial experience.
- Research proposal. All applicants are required to complete a short research proposal. Please find our research proposal template. We recommend allowing one month to create your research proposal (prior to application). It's best to download the template now. Your proposal must be submitted using this template otherwise it will not be accepted.
- English language: applicants whose first language is not English will need to satisfy the English language requirements which are a minimum overall score of 6.5 IELTS, and 5.5 in each band.
All prospective students will be interviewed. Applicants must show they have recent and relevant study or practice in the field of business and/or management.
The interview will normally explore
- reason for your application
- work experience
- previous postgraduate qualifications
- research experience
- research areas of interest
- all aspects of the research proposal
- anything else deemed appropriate by the tutor connected to the proposed research.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country
Employability
Career opportunities
Typically graduates move into senior management and strategic leadership roles, internal consultant/project leadership roles or into external consultancy roles. DBA applicants are expected to be relatively senior business-based professionals at point of entry, so whilst the course will allow you to build on your existing work experience and skills, it will develop you as a research-informed business leader who is able to apply best practice within your organisational context and towards your own managerial practices.
Information for international applicants
Qualifications
International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.
Select your country:
Useful information
Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.
