Before you start your Executive DBA application, you need to make sure you are able to cover the programme’s fees.
The costs of studying the Executive DBA are normally met in the following ways:
- Self-funding, by working alongside studying the programme or other sources
- Applying for research scholarships, grants and bursaries, which may cover all or part of your fees and help towards other expenses
- Via employee sponsorship
Securing funding can be complex and time consuming, so it’s important you start your search early.
Fees
The fees for the Executive DBA programme are:
| Pre-thesis stage (2 years) | |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | £13,000 |
| Year 2 | £13,000 |
| Thesis development stage (2.5 years)* | |
|---|---|
| Year 3 | £8,000 |
| Year 4 | £8,000 |
| Year 4.5 | £4,000 |
| Total | £46,000 |
|---|
*Our Executive DBA is designed to be flexible and fit around your schedule, so if needed, you can have up to 7.5 year complete your qualification.
If you continue in the thesis development stage beyond 2.5 years (over 4.5 years in total), an additional fee of £4,000 per year will be payable.
Scholarships
You can also benefit from two awards if you join the Executive DBA programme in September 2025:
These awards can be combined and are compatible with other other scholarships and bursaries you may be eligible to apply for.
How to apply
You don't need to apply separately for these scholarships. If you are accepted to start your Executive DBA in September 2025, you will receive the award(s) automatically.
Postgraduate Doctoral Loan
If you are a British national or live in the UK, you may be eligible for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan.
The loan is aimed at helping with course fees and living costs while you study, and you do not have to start repaying until your income goes over a certain amount.
You can apply now if you are planning on starting your Executive DBA in the academic year 2025/26.
Talking to your employer about Executive DBA sponsorship
Completing our Executive DBA has benefits you and the organisations you work for, as it brings the opportunity to capitalise on the your enhanced business and leadership skills during and after completing the programme.
Obtaining employee sponsorship is mutually beneficial for you and the company involved in the arrangement.
Guaranteeing support from your employer, will help boosts your overall learning experience and enhance your future career development.
By providing financial support throughout the period of study, the organisation also ensures meaningful, relevant research is being carried out for the company.
We recommend you approach your line manager, HR or Training and Development Team with a proposal on how the Executive DBA can improve your skillset and benefit the organisation.
Normally, once your proposal is approved, you will need to agree the terms and conditions of the sponsorship including the amount the organisation is willing to sponsor you, working and study hours, amount of time to complete the research and any allowance for learning materials.
If you are successful in gaining sponsorship from your employer, we then recommend you contact our Executive DBA Admissions Team with the proposal you have agreed with your organisation.
Fees for UoL staff
The University of Liverpool (UoL) is committed to providing staff with development opportunities which contribute to the achievement of the University’s institutional goals.
This includes helping staff to undertake one of the University’s own degree (or other award-bearing) programmes, by granting partial remission of the tuition fees.
Members of staff who satisfy the Staff Fee Remission Policy eligibility criteria, may be entitled for up to a maximum of 50% fee remission against their tuition fee.
Find out if you qualify for a staff fee remission
How to apply
If you comply with the Staff Fee Remission Policy eligibility criteria, send an email to the University’s Student Fees Manager, Miss Margaret Colleran, with the following information:
- Your University of Liverpool staff ID
- A letter or email from your Professional Development Review (PDR) reviewer confirming the Executive DBA course is relevant to your work within the University, and it will provide a higher qualification than the highest qualification you already hold
Back to: Management School