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.
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.
| Module Code | Module Name | EQF/MQF level | Total hrs of learning |
| GCM-DBA01 | DBA RESEARCH DESIGN AND PHILOSOPHY | 8 | 250 |
| GCM-M02 | 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 |
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.
Registration for programmes can be made either online or by hand. For more information please visit the Admissions Section here.