Doctor of Business Administration DBA

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at Northumbria University is a specialised program for individuals who already hold a master’s degree or extensive work experience in business. It is designed to help working managers and business leaders go even deeper. The course teaches them how to ask tough questions about how companies operate, explore new business ideas, and become experts who can bring about real changes in their workplace or industry. The focus of this program is on doing important research that matters in the real world, rather than only studying books. Students learn how to design and conduct research, gather information, think critically, and make discoveries that can be used in their day-to-day business roles.

The DBA from Northumbria University is a professional doctorate, meaning it mixes academic theory and real work. It lasts two years if studied full-time, or three years if done part-time. Instead of classes every day, students attend several study blocks during the year. In between those blocks, they work mostly on their research at their workplace or location. There is a clear structure with important checkpoints each year, like getting project approval and annual progress reviews. Students study many different topics to help them research well. These include research ethics, how to write good questionnaires, how to analyse data using methods like regression or NVivo, theories like action research or grounded theory, and ways to think about systems. All of this is to help students conduct research that really helps businesses make informed decisions.

During the DBA, students learn through workshops, lectures, seminars, and group activities. This style is called blended learning because it mixes classroom time with online modules and group discussions. The program expects students to keep their jobs while studying, so they learn how to apply ideas to real business challenges. Students are first assessed by writing a research proposal. After that, they move on to the main research phase, where they work on either a thesis or a portfolio of work that fits with their professional background. The work is checked each year to make sure students are on track, including annual progression milestones.

Northumbria University, Newcastle is a respected public university in the urban city of Newcastle upon Tyne, in England. It is known for its modern teaching, strong research programs, and real-world learning approach. Northumbria has grown into a major university recognised for research quality and innovation. It was named UK University of the Year by Times Higher Education in 2022, and is considered one of the top young universities in the UK.

The university has a strong focus on research, business partnerships, and student employability. It also has a London Campus offering industry-focused Business, Computing, IT, and Project Management courses. Additionally, the university has an international campus in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

You will need to submit a 1000-word research proposal using the university’s template outlining your area of research.

Grade Requirements:

• To join the DBA program, you usually need a strong master’s degree, typically with Merit or above, or at least a 2:1 honours degree plus a master’s qualification 

English Proficiency:

• If English is not your first language, you need an IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in each part, and for writing, a 6.5 is needed for business and Law school applicants.
• Equivalent tests such as TOEFL and PTE Academic are also accepted.

For the 2025/26 academic session,  the annual tuition fee to study the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at Northumbria University is  £16,805 per year for full-time study.

Northumbria University offers various forms of scholarships and funding for postgraduate research to help with their studies, but the DBA is not covered by doctoral loans. If you are applying for specific funded studentships, they may require separate deadlines and proposals. It’s best to explore options on the university’s funding pages for detailed information. You can also reach out to AHZ counsellors for guidance.

Graduates of the Doctor of Business Administration from Northumbria University can move into high-level roles in business. Some of the job roles available are:

• Business Executive Leader
• Business Strategy Manager
• Business Consultant
• Business Researcher
• Policy Advisor

To apply for the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at Northumbria University, prospective students can apply online on the University website. If you need assistance with your application, you can reach out to our trained counsellors at AHZ.