Executive Doctorate in Business Administration PhD / DBA
Develop the research skills your business needs to enable transformational impact and growth, with our Executive DBA.
Why study with us?
91%
of our School's research classified as 'world leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*) in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021)
160
International experts shape world-class academic thought
100%
of our research environment classified 'world leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*) in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021)
Overview
Format: part-time
Delivery: hybrid
Starting in: September 2025
Duration: 4.5-7.5 years
Our Executive DBA is an action-research doctoral programme for senior professionals who want to drive transformational impact within their organisations and become thought leaders in their professional area.
The programme provides the highest level of academic qualification; however, it has been specifically designed for business leaders, rather than those who want to be academic researchers.
If you hold a leading role in your organisation, the Executive DBA will provide you with new skills to resolve real-life workplace problems using research.
You will learn new ways to find solutions based on evidence, which you can use in addition to the experience you already possess to positively impact your organisation beyond graduation.
Programme structure
The Executive DBA is structured in two stages:
Stage 1 - Pre-thesis stage
During the pre-thesis stage you will complete four modules designed to expand your research skills, specifically those needed to study real-life business phenomena.
This is an intensive 2-year period which combines four on-campus residencies and online learning sessions.
| Year 1 modules | Key topics | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to doctoral research |
|
45 |
| Working with literature |
|
45 |
| Year 2 modules | Key topics | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Research methods |
|
45 |
| Designing scholarly practitioner research |
|
45 |
After completing the Stage 1 of the programme, you will gain 180 credits at Level 7.
To progress to Stage 2, you must:
- Complete all four Stage 1 modules
- Achieve a minimum mark of 60 in your ‘Research Proposal’ assignment, as part of the ‘Designing Scholarly Practitioner Research’ module.
If you pass the taught modules but do not meet these requirements, you will be awarded with a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Research Methods.
Stage 2 - Thesis development
During the thesis development stage, you will put your new skills into practice by researching a particular aspect of your organisation.
Here are some examples of the type of research projects our students have undertaken before:
- Creating recovery strategies and initiatives following major natural disasters in the USA
- Developing a bespoke leadership evaluation and a tool used in management consultancy interventions
- Designing a technology transfer process for a major international food security programme in Mozambique
- Avoiding Covid-related deaths in a chain of UK care homes.
Alongside regular one-to-one online support from your supervisor, you will receive continuous research skills development guidance with our new Doctoral Development Plan.
In these sessions, you will have access to group seminars and refresher workshops on different methodologies and aspects of the research process.
The goal is to build capability and capacity, so you can deploy these skills in your thesis workplan and continue to do so once the course ends.
You will be awarded with a doctorate degree once you complete Stage 2 of the programme, which accounts for 360 credits.
Timeframe
The whole process can be completed in 4.5 years. However, we understand unexpected personal or professional situations can affect your progress.
So, if needed, you can have up to 7.5 years to finish the programme.
Applications
Applying online is fast and easy, and applications are open all year round.
You do not need to find a supervisor prior to starting your Executive DBA application.
This will be arranged during pre-thesis stage of the programme, once you have demonstrated a sufficient progress in your research proposal.
Find out more about the Executive DBA application process and how to write your research proposal before you apply.
You will need to ensure you have funding to cover all fees. Find out the different funding options and scholarships for the Executive DBA.
Awards
You can also benefit from two awards if you join the Executive DBA programme in September 2025:
Executive DBA Award
- Award - 15% Fee waiver
- Open to - Home/EU/Overseas Executive DBA programme applicants starting in September 2025
Progress to Executive DBA Award
- Award - £2,000 per annum fee waiver, applicable to years 1 and 2 of the programme only
- Open to - Home/EU/Overseas Executive DBA programme applicants starting in September 2025, who are University of Liverpool alumni
These awards can be combined and are compatible with other scholarships and bursaries you may be eligible to apply for.
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.
Study options and fees
The fees for the Executive Doctorate in Business Administration programme are £46,000
- £13,000 per year for the 2-year pre-thesis stage
- £8,000 per year for the 2.5-year thesis development stage.
For those who continue in the thesis development stage beyond 2.5 years, an additional fee of £4,000 per year will be payable.
Entry requirements
To apply for our Economics PhD programme, you need a UK master’s degree (or equivalent) in economics or another qualitative field, preferably with an Upper Second-Class or First-Class qualification.
In addition, you must have:
- A master’s in Business Administration (MBA) or a master’s qualification (eg MSc) in business and management (or a related discipline)
- At least 5 years of significant experience working at senior level within an organisation or as a consultant.
English language requirements
| IELTS Academic requirement - SELT and non-SELT | Overall 7.0 no band below 6.5 |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT requirement | Minimum 100 overall with L 21 R 21 W 21 and S 23 |
| C1 Advanced CAE requirement | Overall 185 with no less than 176 in any paper |
| PTE Academic requirement | 69 with minimum scores of 61 in each component |
| Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE II) | ISE II with an overall pass with merit in components |
| Cambridge IGCSE as a First Language | Grade C |
| Cambridge IGCSE as a Second Language | Grade B |
| Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Proficiency) | Overall 185 with 176 in components |
| Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced) | Overall 185 with 176 in components |
| Cambridge English Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced) | Overall 185 with 176 in components |
How to apply
Research degree applications can be made online. You'll also need to ensure that you have funding to cover all fees.
Applications are open all year round.
Related studentships: self-funded and funded PhD projects
Find a scholarship
We offer a range of scholarships to help you meet the costs of studying a research degree.