Doctorate Business Administration International

Attendance

Part-time

Part-time – typically 40 months (16 months of study and 24 months to complete your thesis)

In year one, you attend two one-week study blocks. The first one of these is held in Buren, Netherlands, the second at city campus Sheffield. In year two, you attend a one-week study block. This is likely to be held in Prague.

At a glance

About this course

The DBA International is a dual degree in collaboration with Business School Netherlands, one of the leading business schools in the Netherlands. When you successfully complete it you receive an award from both Sheffield Hallam and the Business School Netherlands.

This course provides you with in-depth study and personal scholarship in a specialist professional area. It enables you to make an independent and original contribution to knowledge and the practice of management and the professions.

You gain sound research training and development, allowing you to complete your research successfully and to continue your contribution to knowledge. You work with other senior managers and professionals to build a community of reflective practitioners.

The course enables you to

• make a contribution to the theory and practice of management in your profession through your thesis
• complete rigorous business and management research to improve organisational decision making
• consider management and professional problems from many perspectives
• assess your own insights and impact as a manager
• continue to build on your learning through working as a reflective practitioner

Completing the course also helps you to enhance leadership, management and business success, particularly in the regions of Central and Eastern Europe, Southern Africa and Asia.

In year one you attend two modules, each lasting one week. You spend week one at the Business School Netherlands (BSN) in Buren, Netherlands and week two at Sheffield Business School in Sheffield. In year two you attend one module lasting one week to be held in Prague. This module is delivered jointly by Business School Netherlands and Sheffield Business School.

The focus of the intensive study weeks is about gaining knowledge and skills in advanced management practice, and philosophies and methods of research in business and management. You then write a thesis on a topic of your choice.

Associated careers

This doctorate improves your career prospects at all management and leadership levels in any organisation.

Course content

Modules

• advanced management practice • philosophies and methods of research in business and management • thesis

The course contains four phases. In the first phase you develop your own identity and vision as a researcher and active practitioner in a senior professional, management or leadership role. The focus is on developing your professional identity and drive as a researcher. You define and refine the problem areas which interest and motivate you.

In the second phase you develop your skills as a researcher.

The third phase focuses on integration. You find and implement solutions to business and management problems. You explore the themes and issues in advanced management practice, and philosophies and methods of research in business and management

The final phase is the thesis research and writing. Through your research, you apply the learning of the first three phases ensuring that you are capable of doing advanced research into business and management problems. You also develop the connections between the various problems which have interested you during your studies and which are likely to be of concern in your professional career.

Action learning is at the heart of the course. Your action learning set (ALS) provides a structure where you can develop your ideas in a flexible and supportive environment. You interact with peers and advisors discussing theory, experience and practical problems that facilitate rigorous and creative inquiry. The members of your ALS provide professional support throughout your career.

Assessment

Continuous assessment and a detailed research proposal during the first two years. We assess your research through your thesis.

Entry requirements

Normally you must

• have a Masters in Business and Management or a related area

• have at least five years' experience in a senior management role or in a professional capacity with significant responsibility
or
• be the managing director/chief executive of a small to medium size enterprise or an equivalent position

• demonstrate a high level of written and verbal fluency in English. If English is not your first language, you must show evidence of IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or a TOEFL test minimum mark 575 paper based or 232 computer based or 91 internet based. Applicants with a first degree or masters taught wholly in English are not normally required to provide other evidence of English language proficiency.

Fees

Home and EU students

2013/14 academic year

This course is intended for international students. UK and EU students who join the course pay the same fee as international students.

International students

2013/14 academic year

Years one and two – typically €7,500 a year
Years three and four – typically €5,000 a year

2014/15 academic year

Years one and two – typically €7,725 a year
Years three and four – typically €5,150 a year

How to apply

To apply for this course, complete this application form and send it to DBA International Applications, Business School Netherlands, 'De Raadskamer', Herenstraat 25, 4116 BK Buren, The Netherlands.

Contact details

For more information contact Sheffield Business School, Sheffield Hallam University, Stoddart Building, City Campus, Sheffield S1 1WB. Phone +44 (0)114 225 2820, fax +44 (0)114 225 5268, e-mail sbs@shu.ac.uk or contact BSN email JBouwer@bsn.eu