PhD or International Executive Doctorate (DBA)?
The School offers a PhD programme on both a full-time and part-time basis and an International Executive Doctorate (DBA) on a part-time basis only. Which one is appropriate for you will depend on your personal and career aspirations.
As a postgraduate, ‘post-experience’ School, all of our students come to us with several years’ management experience. The average age is higher than might be the case on doctoral programmes in other business schools. Our PhD students are mostly in their mid-thirties, and our International Executive Doctorate (DBA) researchers in their mid forties.
There are essential differences in the programmes’ structure and mode of delivery:
- The PhD, both full-time and part-time, comprises a compulsory taught element (see the 'Core Research Methods Training Programme' section) followed by several years of supervisor-supported research.
- The International Executive Doctorate (DBA) is delivered in a part-time executive education format so students from around the world can accommodate intensive doctoral study whilst maintaining their careers.
But the real distinction lies in the content and purpose of the degrees as you will see from the typical profiles of candidates.
We realise that this is not always an easy decision so please contact us if you’d like further help and advice.
Important changes to the PhD programme
Please note that the doctoral pages are undergoing a re-design and will shortly reflect changes to the PhD programme starting 30th September 2013.
• The new web pages will include details of the doctoral Core Research Methods Training Programme, which is compulsory for full-time and part-time researchers. This will be delivered over eight one week blocks (7 weeks in year one and one week at the start of year two for full time researchers; four weeks in both years one and year two for part time researchers). Please refer to the ‘Core Research Methods Training Programme’ section for the dates of these weeks in 2013 and 2014.
• The School has a two-stage application process, which is described in full in the ‘How to Apply’ section. Please adhere to the deadlines for research proposal submission and, if you are shortlisted, submission of the University application form, to ensure you can be considered in time for the next programme starting on 30th September 2013. This is particularly important if you are seeking a bursary (applies to full-time study only).
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"It seems to me that the School offers two types of doctoral degrees – one for professional researchers (PhD), the other for researching professionals. My company is a useful example. Our former Chairman holds a PhD and is a full-time academic at Harvard Business School. Our company president and full-time management consultant has a DBA. That is the real distinction we need to draw – it is between the content and purpose of the degrees and not the course format.”
Edward ‘Ed’ Barrows, Jr
2005-2009 International Executive Doctorate (DBA) Researcher.
Vice-President, Balanced Scorecard Collaborative/Palladium Group, Lecturer, Babson College.