GCMalta

All Courses

Find a course that suits you

Doctor of Business Administration

36 months
MQF Level 8
0 FEE
0 INTAKE
270 ECTS

Course Overview

Global College Malta’s DBA is a professional doctorate designed for senior managers and leaders in private, public, and not-for-profit organisations. The programme is specifically designed for critical thinkers and practitioners who wish to reflect in-depth on their organisations and society more generally. The format of the DBA is designed so as to allow learners to engage in applied research, bringing established and cutting-edge theory to bear on their practical organisational issues. Students in the DBA programme develop and enrich practice in their respective areas of research interest, as well as contribute to the wider understanding of the underpinning theoretical base for the work.

The structured approach offered by the College’s DBA is based on a number of modules, blending lectures, guest talks, workshop discussions, and student presentations. The doctoral thesis is developed in parallel under guidance from a doctoral supervisory team allocated at the start of the DBA programme. The structured nature of the College’s DBA doctoral research programme helps facilitate the demonstration of an original contribution to knowledge in the academic subject and the field of practice through original research or through the original application of existing knowledge and understanding.

The College’s DBA programme is based on several taught elements and a thesis. Each ‘taught’ module on the DBA programme is typically structured around a three-day intensive teaching block, plus support from the College’s teaching team and doctoral supervisors. Work on the culminating doctoral thesis begins in parallel with the taught modules. The College’s DBA is designed to allow for successful completion in three years.

Accredited
Level 8
Doctorate degree
36 months/ 3 years
Middle to Senior organisational managers in commercial for-profit organisations, the public sector and the voluntary sector.

The College welcomes applications for its DBA programme from all potential students and most important in the decision to offer a place is the College’s assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed in the DBA. Consideration of applications is based on a combination of formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience. The standard entry requirements for the programme are as follows:

  • Candidates will be expected to have strong professional experience, and be operating at a level within their organisation or profession where they can facilitate change that contributes to practice and/or exhibit powers of creativity and innovation;
  • Candidates for the DBA will normally have successfully completed a Masters of Business Administration at Level 7 of the Malta Qualifications Framework or similar with an average performance of merit or higher within the ten years prior to applying to study in the College’s DBA programme. Applicants will also normally have worked for a minimum of three years at middle or senior managerial levels since completing their MBA;
  • Entry to the programme on a similar basis may be possible if the applicant possesses a relevant Master’s degree, or equivalent, from a recognised higher education institution or awarding body.
  • Since the College’s DBA programme is delivered entirely in English, applicants must be able to demonstrate strong proficiency in the English language. Non-native speakers of English must have a minimum score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent with a minimum of 5 in each component or English B2 referred to as CEFR. Very exceptionally, holders of a Global College Malta Masters’ degree awarded within two years prior to entry to the College’s DBA programme may be exempt from these English test requirements; and,
  • Candidates wishing to be admitted to the DBA programme must have access to an Internet-connected computer.

The College’s Academic Dean will interview all candidates together with at least one other member of the teaching/supervisory team. The interview panel will carefully consider the appropriateness of the candidate’s background and professional standing for the study of a DBA. If the interview panel is convinced that the candidate has a very strong likelihood of successfully completing the DBA programme and that they are adequately supported through their place of work then they will normally be accepted onto the DBA programme.

EQF/MQF level of every module, total learning hours and Module Learning Outcome
Module Code Module Name EQF/MQF level Total hrs of learning
GCM-DBA01 DBA RESEARCH DESIGN AND PHILOSOPHY 8 250
GCM-DBA02 LITERATURE REVIEW FOR DBA STUDIES 8 250
GCM-DBA03 DBA RESEARCH METHODS 8 250
GCM-DBA04 TRANSLATING DBA RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE 8 250
GCM-DBA05 PROGRESSION TO DBA RESEARCH STAGE 8 250
GCM-DBA06 DBA THESIS 8 5250
Kindly download the brochure for more details about the module teaching and module assessment methods.

For Local/EU Students:

Year

Tuition Fees

Application Fees

Registration Fees

Year 1

€9,500

€100

€250

Year 2

€9,500

----

€250

Year 3

€8,000

----

€250

Yr 4 – Yr 7: €3000/ Year


For International Students:

Year

Tuition Fees

Application Fees

Visa Sup Doc Fee

Registration Fees

Year 1

€9,500

€100

€200

€250

Year 2

€9,500

----

----

€250

Year 3

€8,000

----

----

€250

Yr 4 – Yr 7: €3000/ Year


Fees include:

  • Assessment fee
  • Overall qualification certificate
  • Course material tutorial support notes
  • Access to online course resources

Monthly discounts are available, please contact one of our student recruitment staff members to learn more.

Face-to-face

Total hours : 6,750

Total contact hours: 310

Assessment hours: 175

Self-study hours: 6,265

Full-time
19-65+
English
On campus- SmartCity Malta, SCM01, Ricasoli
Module Name Learning Outcome
GCM-DBA01 DBA Research Design and Philosophy The module seeks to develop DBA candidates’ systematic and critical knowledge of research methods in business and management studies at a doctoral level and build upon their experience of undertaking research at a Masters level. At the end of the module, you will be able to:
  • Be able to develop and convincingly practise broad-ranging and advanced research skills;
  • Be able to critically understand the philosophical framework that inform research methods and methodologies facilitating the critical analysis of the assumptions and methods of research; and,
  • Be able to critically apply advanced understanding of advanced research methodologies in Business and Management studies more generally.
GCM-DBA02 Literature Review for DBA Studies The module aims to prepare DBA candidates to undertake an advanced search and critically analyse literature on a specific topic in the discipline of Business and Management and assess its contribution to knowledge. Candidates will learn how to organise and synthesise literature in order to write a critical and detailed review of what is known about a specific topic. The module will further enable DBA candidates to identify gaps in extant knowledge about specific academic and practitioner issues and explain how their proposed doctoral research will contribute to both theory and organisational/management practice. At the end of the module, you will be able to:
  • Be able to undertake a systematic and advanced search and review of current literature, knowledge and debates at the forefront of the Business and Management discipline;
  • Be able to systematically analyse and critically evaluate the literature on a specific topic in business and management studies.
GCM-DBA03 DBA Research Methods The module aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods, so as to equip DBA candidates with the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake doctoral level study involving qualitative, quantitative and/or mixed methods research. At the end of the module, you will be able to:
  • Be able to demonstrate an in-depth practical understanding of how established research techniques are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline;
  • Be able to demonstrate high level skills in gathering, analysing and managing qualitative and quantitative data, from computer-driven to discourse analysis;
  • Be able to design a doctoral level research project using appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods to generate, analyse and interpret new empirical data;
  • Be able to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques, and where appropriate create new hypotheses;
  • Be able to critically analyse qualitative and quantitative data using a variety of different analytical techniques and be able to locate those techniques within an epistemological perspective; and,
  • Be able to deal with complex research issues systematically and creatively, and communicate the conclusions to specialist and practitioner audiences.
GCM-DBA04 Translating DBA Research into Practice The module examines how a DBA student might contribute to developments in Business and Management studies and have a positive impact on management and organisational practices. At the end of the module, you will be able to:
  • Be able to create and interpret new knowledge through original research and advanced scholarship with the objective of extending both academic and practitioner knowledge in Business and Management studies;
  • Be able to make informed judgements on complex issues and clearly communicate ideas, findings and conclusions to specialist and practitioner audiences.
GCM-DBA05 Progression to DBA Research Stage The module requires the DBA candidate to present and defend an advanced research proposal incorporating an introduction and justification for their proposed study, a demonstration of critical engagement with current research at the forefront of Business and Management studies, a demonstration of a clear and advanced research methodology, and a clear articulation as to how the proposed research will create new knowledge, advance Business and Management theory and management and organisational practices. At the end of the module, you will be able to:
  • Be able to create and interpret new knowledge through original research and advanced scholarship with the objective of extending the academic forefront of Business and Management studies;
  • Be able to demonstrate the systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of Business and Management studies and organisational and managerial practice.
GCM-DBA06 DBA Thesis The aim of the College’s thesis research module is to produce managers and leaders who, through demonstrable advanced scholarship, are able to conceptualise, design and implement a research project for the generation of new knowledge at the forefront of Business and Management studies. Candidates will be expected to combine their academic and business expertise in order to be able to make important contributions to both Business and Management theory and also organisational and management practices. At the end of the module, you will be able to:
  • Be able to create and interpret new knowledge through original research and advanced scholarship, to extend the forefront of Business and Management studies;
  • Be able to address major challenges currently facing business and the wider global society. These may include, but are not limited to, issues such as globalisation, corporate social responsibility and sustainable development.

Have Question?

Don't be shy, ask us!

Drop us a line

Chat with us

WhatsApp