The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is a public university with a proud teaching heritage dating back to 1897, originally founded as the Paisley College of Technology. Today, UWS operates multiple campuses across Paisley, Lanarkshire, Ayr, Dumfries, and London, offering a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs The university is widely recognized for its career-focused education, strong industry connections, and commitment to widening access to higher education. It provides world-class learning experiences in fields such as business, computing, engineering, health, education, and the creative industries.

RANKINGS

• Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026: Placed in the 601–800 band globally.
• Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) 2024: Ranked #1, 726 globally and #86 in the UK.
• EduRank 2025: Ranked #96 in the UK and #1,442 globally, with strong performance in computing, engineering, and social sciences.
• Guardian University Guide 2024: Ranked 119th among UK universities.
• Complete University Guide 2025: Ranked 128th among UK universities.
• THE Impact Rankings 2024: Among the top 300 universities worldwide, and 26 th globally for its work in reducing inequalities

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a globally recognised professional doctorate aimed at MBA graduates and other professionally qualified postgraduates who wish to take their management expertise and career development to the highest academic level.

Distinct from a traditional PhD, the DBA is practice-based: it is designed for experienced managers, consultants and executives who want to apply rigorous, doctoral-level research to real and complex challenges within their own organisations. The programme strengthens critical thinking, evidence-based decision-making and research capability, while remaining grounded in professional and executive practice.

The DBA is structured in two parts. Part One consists of taught, research-based modules covering strategy, marketing, organisational behaviour, finance, economics, technology and research methods. Part Two is an independent doctoral thesis, in which you design, conduct and report on a substantial piece of original research addressing a live issue relevant to your professional field.

Part One — Taught Modules
Eight core modules build advanced knowledge across strategic management, marketing, organisational behaviour, financial decision-making, economics, technology and research methods, preparing you to design and defend a doctoral-level research proposal.

Part Two — Doctoral Thesis
Working under the guidance of a supervisory team, you carry out original, independent research on a significant issue relevant to your professional practice, culminating in a doctoral thesis assessed by viva voce examination.

• Standard Duration: 3 years full-time — the normal completion period for the DBA.
• Maximum Registration: 4 years full-time — the maximum period permitted to complete all programme requirements.
• Part-Time Route: Typically 6 years part-time, giving working professionals the flexibility to balance study with career and family commitments.

Study Mode
Delivered fully online, providing flexible, global access to a UK doctoral qualification without the need to relocate.

• DBA-SMCS-1101 Strategic Management and Competitive Strategy
• DBA-SMCS-1102 Marketing Philosophy and Strategy
• DBA-SMCS-1103 Emerging Issues in Organizational Behaviour
• DBA-SMCS-1104 Leading Issues in Financial Decision Making
• DBA-EIEC-1205 Emerging Issues in Economics
• DBA-EIEC-1206 IT & Artificial Intelligence in Business Management
• DBA-RMBM-1207 Research Methods in Business Management
• DBA-RMBM-1208 Research Analytical Techniques & Academic Writing

• A Master's degree (e.g. an MBA) or an equivalent postgraduate/professional qualification from a recognised institution.
• Normally a minimum of five years' managerial or professional experience in a senior role, with the authority to specify and implement significant change within your organisation.
• A personal statement summarising your managerial experience and the skills you intend to develop through the DBA.
• An initial research proposal (c. 1,500–2,000 words) written in an appropriate academic style, referenced in Harvard format, outlining a working title, introduction and rationale for your intended doctoral research.

3 to 4 years

Awarded and delivered by University of the West of Scotland (UWS), UK and supervised by KIMT College London, UAE.