The Professional Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at BUiD is designed for professionals across commercial, public, and private sectors. This programme integrates cutting-edge academic research with practical application in diverse organisational, business, and management settings. It focuses on enhancing technical and academic expertise while fostering creativity, innovation, and leadership skills to effectively address complex business administration challenges and opportunities.

Graduates of BUiD’s DBA programme will be well-positioned for high-level roles in both corporate and public sectors. The programme equips students to become visionary leaders and make significant contributions to their organisations.

• A recognised Bachelor’s degree in a subject related to the programme.
• A recognised Master’s degree in a subject related to the programme with a cumulative grade point average of greater than 3.0 on a 4.0-point scale, or its equivalent. — At least the Master or the Bachelor degree should be in BM related subject.
• A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (213 CBT, 79 iBT), 6.0 IELTS academic, or their equivalents on another standardised nationally, or internationally, recognised test that is approved by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research UAE (MOHESR).
• The chosen area of DBA study must be one, which can be supervised by staff within the University.
• An initial proposal for research, including motivation to study for a PhD, which will be discussed through an interview. Proposal.
• Submission a certificate of equivalency issued by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research UAE (MOHESR) for all previous degree certificates awarded by institutions outside the UAE.
• A copy of the passport along with a copy of the Emirates ID (If available).
• Al Ethbara Number (for UAE nationals only).

Selection criteria:

• Work experience: Relevant work experience will be considered. Considerable experience (3 years or more) in a Management/Business or related environment is desirable.
• Satisfactory admissions interview will be mandatory.
• Satisfactory supporting references will be required.

English Exam Registration

Students are encouraged to register for their IELTS or TOEFL at The British University in Dubai (BUiD)

Paper-based ITP TOEFL are accepted by the administering institution only. Only those administered by AMIDEAST Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah will be accepted if it is sent by Amideast to BUiD directly.

While registering with ETS for iBT or with Amideast for ITP TOEFL, please quote BUiD’s TOEFL code 0168.

Internet (iBT) – test scores should be sent

On successful completion of this programme, graduates will be able to:

• Develop originality and creativity to evaluate specialised management theories and principles and their application in practice.
• Evaluate innovation and entrepreneurship theories and their application in practice.
• Critically examine project and operation management theories and their application in practice.
• Analyse complex adaptive systems and their applications to solve real world problems.
• Critically appraise aspects of people management.

Core knowledge acquisition modules

• Core Readings in Management and Business Research
• Innovation Theories/Models and Entrepreneurship
• Business Excellence

Core research skills

• Qualitative Research Methods and Paradigms
• Quantitative Methods
• Applied Research Design and Planning

Elective modules

• Global Management
• Management of Knowledge in Projects
• Managing Large Programmes
• Organisations, Projects and Sustainability

Thesis