Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £2,780 - £8,490 per year
International/EU: £2,780 - £8,490 per year -
How long will I study?
7 Years
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Where will I study?
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When do I start?
September 2027
Course summary
- Explore management and professional challenges from multiple perspectives.
- Undertake an advanced research project on a topic relevant to your professional interests.
- Contribute to management knowledge and professional practice through original research.
- Collaborate with an international DBA community.
The DBA is designed for experienced managers and senior professionals who wish to undertake doctoral-level research while remaining engaged in professional practice. Through the programme, you will benefit from an international learning environment, studying and sharing ideas with doctoral researchers from Sheffield Business School and our partner, Munich Business School.
Please note: Application deadline for September start is 1st June. For further information contact: doctoralschool-bte-pgr-admissions@shu.ac.uk.
Accredited by
Sheffield Business School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This internationally recognised accreditation places us among the top business schools globally.
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How you learn
You will study through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions during study blocks as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Stage 1: Complementary Studies
During the first 18 months of the programme, you will complete three compulsory modules. Each module is delivered through a five-day study block, typically held in September, April, and October.
Critical Thinking in Business and Management
Contemporary Issues in Business and Management
Research Approaches and Design
These modules are designed to develop your personal research skills and deepen your understanding of your chosen research topic. Each module is assessed through an individual written assignment, providing an opportunity to apply the concepts and approaches explored during the study blocks to your own area of research and professional practice.
Attendance is mandatory for study blocks which may require travel to Sheffield or to Munich. International students may need to obtain visitor visas for these trips, depending upon their country of residence.
Stage 1 also includes Confirmation of Registration, a formal milestone that is typically completed between 24 and 27 months into the programme.
Stage 2: Research and Thesis
Following successful confirmation of registration, researchers enter the research phase of the DBA and work closely with their supervisory team to undertake their doctoral research.
Applied learning
Support and supervision
The academic leadership of the DBA is provided by Postgraduate Research Tutors, who oversee the programme and support students throughout their doctoral journey. You will also be supported by your supervisory team and the Doctoral School administrative team, who provide guidance on programme processes, progression milestones, and key administrative requirements.
Throughout the DBA, you will have support and guidance from two to three supervisors. They will guide you through the research process from the development of your project through to thesis submission and viva examination.
There will be scope to collaborate with other doctoral students and staff at Sheffield Hallam University through internal research events and also attend national/international conferences related to your research interests.
Course leaders and tutors
Samah Issa
Senior Lecturer, Postgraduate Research Tutor (DBA Programme)Dr Samah Issa joined Sheffield Business School in September 2014 as a Lecturer in Banking, Investment and Financial Management
Future careers
The DBA enables experienced professionals to address complex organisational and societal challenges through rigorous research. By combining academic insight with professional experience, DBA researchers generate knowledge that can inform decision-making, shape policy, improve practice, and support organisational change.
Our alumni have applied their research across a wide range of sectors, using the DBA as a platform to influence professional practice, lead innovation, and contribute to management knowledge within their organisations, professions, and wider communities.
Graduate View
‘The DBA degree changed my approach in my own practice on what I call the general transformation work and activities.’
Gerard has nearly 40 years of experience in the international manufacturing industry and he decided to study a DBA based on his interest in the relationship between management theory and practice. Read more on his DBA journey and experience here
Equipment and facilities
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students. Explore our brand new building and state-of-the-art facilities.
As a Sheffield Hallam University doctoral researcher, you will have access to extensive library and learning resources to support your studies. These include academic journals, books, databases, company and market information, doctoral theses, and a wide range of online research resources, all accessible both on campus and remotely.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Explore the libraryEntry requirements
All students
Normally;
- An MBA, or masters qualification in a relevant area
- At least three years of management experience business areas that fall within the research interests of Sheffield Business School
- Evidence of English language ability (where English is not the first language) to the following minimum level of proficiency: an overall IELTS score of 7.0 or above, with 6.5 n all components (or equivalent). Please note that your test score must be current, i.e. within the last two years.
UK Master's degree may be accepted as evidence of English language proficiency; this is only possible if the qualification was awarded within 24 months of the proposed start date of your research degree.
- Research proposal that demonstrates the following:
- A clearly defined research problem and/or gap that the study seeks to address.
- Sufficient engagement with the relevant academic literature including appropriate references and a discussion of existing knowledge in the field.
- An indication of the theoretical and/or conceptual foundations that will underpin the study.
- Intended contribution of the research, both in terms of professional practice and the wider academic literature.
- Brief indication of potential methodology and methods.
If your application is successful at the initial screening stage, you will be invited to a formal interview.
Exceptionally, we may consider applicants without a masters degree who:
- have a good first degree in an appropriate discipline
- have a significant management experience that reflects the research interests of Sheffield Business School
- can demonstrate continued development/education since graduation
- meet all other admission criteria
As this is a part-time programme, the University does not sponsor Student visas for overseas applicants. Therefore, you must either:
- Obtain an appropriate visa independently; or
- Apply to study by distance learning, provided you are able to attend the three mandatory in-person residential study blocks (normally on Standard Visitor visa).
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2026/27 are Year 1 and Year 2 £8,490 per year, Year 3 and Year 4 are £5,520 per year and Year 5 and Year 6 are £2,780 per year. There will be a writing up fee of £250 in year 7. Any further years of study will incur an additional time fee. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting part-time study in 2027/28 are Year 1 and Year 2 £8,490 per year, Year 3 and Year 4 are £5,520 per year and Year 5 and Year 6 are £2,780 per year. There will be a writing up fee of £250 in year 7. Any further years of study will incur an additional time fee. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Business School (PDF, 256.9KB)
Doctoral student loans
Up to £25,700 available to help you while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.
Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
