SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences

Doctor of Business Administration

  • Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
  • 4 Years
  • extra-occupational
  • part time
  • DBA degree by LJMU
  • university cooperations

Get the highest academic degree in management education. With the part-time Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), you get to apply your leadership skills to a real business case and take your company to the next level.

  • English
  • February 2025
Doctor of Business Administration
Doctor of Business Administration in Detail

Your Part-Time DBA Degree 

The DBA is a part-time degree programme designed for managers and executives who want to earn a professional doctoral degree and develop both their research skills and their career prospects.

As the programme structure is tailored to active professionals, you can apply your findings directly to the needs of your organisation, driving progress without sacrificing your studies or your work.   

The DBA is a partnership with LJMU, Liverpool John Moores University, UK, which also awards the DBA degree. The workshops take place in both Liverpool and Berlin.

The rest of the time, you will be mentored virtually and apply your insights to your company or an organisation of your choice. Thanks to the part-time approach, we offer you the opportunity to achieve the highest academic qualification while working full-time. The programme has been running very successfully at LJMU for ten years and will be available soon to SRH Berlin students. 

YOUR CAREER PROSPECTS

Why It’s Worth Getting a DBA

Upon completion of the Doctorate in Business Administration, you'll have a specialised repertoire of problem-solving and decision-making strategies that will take you to the next level of your career and will help your organisation save money and implement new innovative strategies through your research. 

By working closely with other senior professionals, you'll also expand your network with valuable contacts around the world. 

Companies benefit from the support of DBA candidates by developing and retaining talent and using knowledge as a competitive advantage. 

The advantages of the Doctorate of Business Administration at a glance:

A DBA...

  • enables you to acquire a part-time doctorate
  • enhances your professional and academic qualification
  • strengthens the competitiveness and financial security of one's own company
  • provides a solid foundation for further professional development or an important career step
  • offers a large international network of managers and senior professionals
Der Doctor of Business Administration ermöglicht eine berufsbegleitende Promotion
Testimonials

What students say about the DBA programme

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Meet your Professor DBA & MBA's | Online Info Session

Introduction to our DBA & MBA programmes by our professors.

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Open House Open House | Info day Berlin SRH Berlin

Get to know our degree programmes, professors and the new campus!

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FAQs
FAQs

Frequently asked questions

  • What is a DBA?
    A Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is the highest academic management degree.
     
  • Is the DBA equivalent to a PhD in Germany and am I allowed to use the title "Dr." in Germany?
    Yes, the DBA is recognised as an equivalent degree programme. A DBA differs from other doctoral degrees as it focuses on the application of research in a real business environment, which is also a prerequisite for successful completion.

    Under the current regulations, the abbreviated form "Dr." may be used (without a subject-related addition and without a designation of origin).
     
  • How is the DBA programme structured?
    The DBA programme is unique in its design and structure as well as the intensive supervision of students. It lasts approximately four years, with a maximum duration of seven years.

    In the first three years, a total of four 5-day workshops are held in Liverpool and Berlin. Here, the research process is planned and the topics and methods to be implemented in the company are specified. In addition, students learn more about data collection and analysis, academic writing and take part in the colloquium.

    After the third year, there are no more workshops and students focus on completing their dissertation and prepare for the exam. Typically, students receive their DBA degree within four years.

Core modules

Research Planning

60 credits

  • To display a critical understanding of complex and specialised research knowledge and skills through the development of research proposals that demonstrate a) the potential for the creation of new knowledge at the forefront of their academic discipline or their area of professional practice b) the use of appropriate techniques/methodologies in their research.

Reflective Research Strategy

20 credits

  • To plan how to critically reflect on personal, work-based, theoretical and research practice experiences that contribute to the creation of new knowledge.

Literature Review

60 credits

  • To provide a critical understanding of existing knowledge and theory of a subject area relevant to your workplace, that can be applied to the creation of new knowledge at the forefront of their area of professional practice.

Research Methodology

60 credits

  • To critically appraise research methodology, design and methods for their appropriateness to the area of enquiry.

Research Enquiry and Analysis

60 credits

  • To collect and interpret qualitative and/or quantitative data that supports the creation and interpretation of new knowledge.

Final Thesis

60 credits

  • To produce a final written thesis and communicate, discuss, and defend ideas clearly and concisely, to the satisfaction of peers.

Reflective Research Portfolio

40 credits

  • To critically reflect on personal, work-based, theoretical and research practice experiences that contribute to the creation of new knowledge.
Admission requirements

Our requirements

To submit your application, you will need the following:

  • Master's degree in Business/Management
  • Min. 2 years of managerial experience or min. 5 year of other relevant work experience
  • Letter of motivation incl. research plans
  • One academic and one industry reference
  • Proof of English language proficiency
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Copy of your passport/ID

Here are our English language requirements:

  • TOEFL 87 ibt (direct entry)
  • TOEFL 79 - 86 ibt (with additional agreement)
  • TOEIC 785 (Listening/Reading 785, Speaking 160, Writing 150)
  • IELTS/ IELTS ONLINE (academic) 6.5 on average - please see Language Centre guidelines if results differ
  • CAE (grade A, B, or C)
  • CPE (grade A, B or C)
  • Pearson English Test Academic (PTE-A) 59 points
  • Linguaskill: 176 - 184 (CES) - all four skills required
  • Duolingo 110 points

Details letter of motivation including research plans

Personal statement (max. 2,000 words). This is not a full research proposal, but should address why you would like to do a DBA, why you think you are suitable for the programme and what you expect from the DBA. You should furthermore provide a brief outline of your research topic and its contribution to theory and practice, including:

  • theme of your research
  • introduction of your research
  • literature review of current studies
  • research methods
  • contribution of your research.
Fees and Funding

Your tuition fees

Tuition Fees

  • Year 1 - 3 | Citizenship "International" (all countries excl. UK): £13,755 / year (part-time)

Write-Up Fees

  • Year 4 - 7 | £4,600

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