Top Universities in the World Offering DBA Programs in 2025

01-Jan-1970

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA or DrBA) is a doctoral programme designed for senior working professionals who wish to research business-related subjects and apply those in the real business world for enhanced administration and output of the organisations. DBA is considered equivalent to a PhD and is seen as a terminal degree in business administration. It is awarded based on advanced study and research; however is more practical in terms of implementation.

The prospects of a DBA are promising, as the studies involve the evolving business landscapes and the rise in demand for professionals with higher leadership and management skills. The DBA programmes provide networking opportunities and practical applications for business problems and move beyond theoretical research. The doctoral degree also enhances the earning potential by opening doors to various leadership roles. The DBAs are globally recognised as an image of experts and are well-suited for higher executive roles such as CEO, COO, CFO, etc.

It is important to choose a specialisation that well suits your interests and career development, as well as a university or institution that has experts to guide and can cater to the needs of research in the specific field. Here are a few of the top universities that offer DBA programmes:

University of Michigan-Flint, US: The university offers a part-time pace, fully online DBA degree. It is considered to be ideal for mid-level managers or executives who want to ascend in leadership roles and those who are looking for a transition to academia. The course duration is 3 years. The flexibility offered by the institution supports the degree without career interruptions. The programme facilitates skill acquisition and provides collaborative relationships with a world-class faculty. M-Flint’s DBA programme is an AACSB International-accredited program in Michigan, ensuring its high value and quality.

Birchwood University, US: The DBA program at Birchwood is a complete online programme of 2 years. It is tailored to provide analytical skills and build problem-solving abilities, alongside developing applied research skills. The course helps professionals achieve mastery in the skills necessary to employ technology effectively for achieving organisational goals in a globalised world. The curriculum encourages decision-making skills with ethics and compassion. Their program is a strong suit for administrators seeking greater proficiency and command in business and management principles.

University of Maryland, US: Robert H. Smith School of Business at Maryland University offers a part-time, on-campus DBA programme to postgraduates and working professionals. The programme is 3 years, offering 2 summer research projects and a year 3 research capstone project. It currently offers specialisation in three areas, including Management and Organisation, Information Systems, and Marketing.

International Institute in Geneva, Switzerland: IIG offers DBA as a full-time or part-time course. The expected duration is from 3 to 4 years and is taught in English. Enrolled students are directly involved with the Plymouth Business School research community. As the degree is awarded by Plymouth University, UK, the major workshops are conducted at the IIG, a region where major private and public organisations such as Nestlé, Procter and Gamble, UN Headquarters, WTO, WHO, and the Red Cross exist. International students must have a GMAT score to secure admission.

Swiss School of Business and Management, Switzerland: SSBM is a unique and innovative school offering an Executive DBA doctorate course for a 2-year duration. The programme requires a full-time commitment. The different topics included are general management, HR topics, business topics, supply chain, and finance. Programmes are designed with over 30 industry partners. The DBA provides opportunities to contribute to both the theoretical and practical fields of administration. It develops professional practices to a higher level.

PSM Paris School of Management, France: The DBA programme offered by the institution is full-time and distant or online. The course is for 2 years and is offered in both English and French. It trains researchers in management studies, both theoretical and methodological. For admissions, one requires a master’s degree as well as professional work experience. PSM is a distinguished private technical higher education institution in France.

Grenoble Ecole de Management, France: GEM is a triple-accredited business school that shows its dedication to academic excellence and innovation. The duration of the DBA course is three years at a part-time pace. The programme has a blended, distance learning format. During the course, students foster meaningful connections between research and business communities through publications. Some of the specialised subjects include Sustainability, Managing Technology and Innovation, and Managing and Leading People.

Singapore University of Social Sciences, Singapore: The duration of the DBA can be from 3 to 7 years. The SUSS has a full-time, on-campus course on DBA and is offered in English and Chinese. The curriculum upholds the importance of sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical practices of business operations. The university has close industry linkages and provides opportunities to participate in overseas courses. The faculty has a diverse background across several industries. The programme provides training in in-depth thinking and analytical skills, developing a global mindset.

University of Liverpool, England: The university provides an Executive DBA programme in hybrid mode. The course is offered part-time and may take 4.5-7.5 years to complete. The programme is an action-research doctoral program for senior-level professionals who want to become thought leaders and bring transformational changes to an organisation. The curriculum is specifically designed for business leaders, rather than academia. The university holds triple accreditation from the Association of MBAs (AMBA), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB), and EQUIS, marking its excellence in providing quality education.

London Metropolitan University, UK: They provide a hybrid learning platform for international students only. That includes interactive workshops, face-to-face teaching, virtual sessions, and seminars. The course duration for overseas applicants as a part-time course is 4 years, and as a full-time course is only 1 year. MU welcomes professionals from all types of organisations and sectors. The university was ranked first for teaching quality in the Guardian University Guide 2023. International students need to achieve the required IELTS band score to qualify for the course.

Business School Lausanne, Switzerland: BSL offers a full-time and part-time distance learning programme for DBA. Depending on the undertaking by the student, the course can take 3 to 6 years to complete. The DBA programme encompasses a wide spectrum of research and enhances the in-depth understanding of doctoral studies. The research programme focuses on action and realism. One receives personalised support from the supervisors. The major research capabilities lie in the hospitality and tourism industries. International students need to submit a research proposal and an English proficiency test score. BSL is a highly ranked, ATHEA-accredited and ACBSP-accredited institution. Students from over 60 nationalities are represented here, allowing them to develop strong global networks across nationalities.

European Institute of Management and Technology (EIMT), Switzerland: EIMT offers a three-year online DBA programme. It provides mastery of skills to work in a multicultural organisation in a globalised society. No GRE/GMAT is required for admission, and enrolments are accepted throughout the year. Up to 30% of tuition fees as a scholarship is available. The dissertation is based on live projects for organisations providing real-time impact on the business world. The research develops an understanding of enterprise and entrepreneurship from a global perspective. EIMT is accredited by the European Association of Institutions in Higher Education (EURASHE), USDLA, and EQUIS and is an institutional member of ATHEA.

European School of Data Science and Technology, France: ESDST provides a 3-year online course in DBA in business analytics and data science. The batches start on the first of every month. The programme follows a practitioner-mentor research-scholar approach, in which a researcher is assigned a mentor who is already practising in the industry. The institution involves various multinational companies in the support and monitoring of the research data. ESDST is affiliated with various accreditations, such as ACBSP, IACBE, and is a member of the International Council for Open & Distance Education and UN PRME.

The University of Manchester, UK: The Alliance Manchester Business School provides a DBA programme for senior-level professionals who are interested in the application of their original ideas to practice from the theories. The course is a mixture of online and residential programs, structured for 4 years, with a dissertation project under a supervisor. The main emphasis is laid on accounting and finance, management science and marketing, and innovation management and policy. AMBS is a highly trusted institution, as it is ranked fourth in the UK and 20th in the world for business analytics (QS, 2025).

Manchester Metropolitan University, UK: MMU provides full-time and part-time doctoral programmes in business administration for 3 and 6 years, respectively, in the following fields: finance and economics, marketing, international business and tourism, operations, events and hospitality management, people and performance, strategy, enterprise and sustainability. The research conducted here prepares one for careers both in academia and industry. 90% of their research impact is world-leading (REF 2021). The university has an international student diaspora of 5000 students from over 120 countries.

University College Cork, Ireland: Cork University Business School (CUBS) provides a 4-year DBA degree programme on a cohort basis, emphasising the collaborative nature of learning and helping in the development of professional practices. CUBS is ranked among the top 200 business schools in the world and is the second largest business school in Ireland. It has AACSB and AMBA accreditation. CUBS is a leading centre for excellence in research in sustainable business. The specialisations are offered in multiple aspects, including human resources, global competitiveness, resilience & business continuity, financial services innovation, sports economics, and spatial and regional economics.

The University of Warwick, UK: Warwick Business School provides a campus-based, 4-year DBA degree programme. The school has a part-time format, and studies are on a cohort basis. The doctoral studies help in developing a clear understanding of the nature of challenges and their way of addressing them. The course imparts knowledge related to innovation and strategy. The applicant must have a master's degree and 7 years of experience in a senior management role. Admissions also requires an English proficiency test to qualify. The school has a vibrant international faculty, providing expertise in various areas.

Golden Gate University, US: GGU has been providing DBA for the past 50 years. The doctoral studies typically take 3 years to complete and are in a flexible online format. Primarily designed for working professionals. The gains emphasise research-focused learning. The specialisations cover business & data analytics, corporate finance, financial theory and applications, international finance, leadership & strategy, marketing, and general. The curriculum is developed according to the needs of professionals in emerging technologies, particularly generative AI. The university is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), and the programme is accredited by AACSB. GGU is also ranked No. 1 in the United States for working professionals by Washington Monthly.

Florida International University, US: The Chapman Graduate School of Business of Florida International University provides a three-year DBA programme. The course is in-person and online format. The research sharpens the critical and analytical skills. FIU also provides the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) with a Hospitality Concentration with a specialisation in tourism and hospitality. The uniquely crafted curriculum includes subjects like philosophy, fundamentals and theories in hospitality and tourism, social responsibility and sustainability, and hospitality higher education teaching and training practices. The admissions require a minimum of 10 years of working experience and a master's degree in a relevant field. According to The Wall Street Journal (2024), FIU is among the top 50 public universities in the US. It is ranked No. 13 in the world and No. 2 in the US in the latest Times Higher Ed Impact Rankings.

Edgewood College, US: The college provides a DBA online course for a duration of 2 years. The various concentrations a student can select from include Financial, General, and Leadership Excellence. The programme is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is under candidacy with the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The college also provides a dual degree MBA-DBA programme, which is completely online. The different featured courses include Analysing Behaviour in Organisations, Supply Chain & Negotiations, Financial Decision & Value Creation, and many more. The institution provides various financial aid options, and the admissions don’t require a GMAT and offer competitive tuition.

Conclusion

In the progressing world, the need for a research specialist is non-negotiable. DBA programmes not only develop an understanding of complex problems but also help to find their practical solutions. A good university can provide you with vast research facilities and interaction with the experts, adding a stepping stone to a professional career. According to individual needs, one can elect online and offline programmes depending on the subject specialisation and the pace of the programme. Universities around the world come up with lucrative offers and options. Some of the best universities discussed above provide a range of expertise to excel in a career and bring significant changes to the organisation through various professional DBA courses. The various industry sectors for DBA may include consulting, finance, education, IT, healthcare, and hospitality in tourism.

It is crucial to conduct in-depth research about the various programmes before opting for one. Factors beyond ranking, like specialisation availability, alumni network, industry linkage, expert faculty, timeline, and finance, can play an important role in the success of the programme and research conducted during the doctoral program. Your DBA must align with your individual and career goals for a meaningful impact in the near future.

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