College of Business
Doctorate of Business Administration
Overview
If you are at the top your profession, this prestigious doctorate program will cement your credibility as an expert in your chosen field. Targeting experienced leaders in government, senior executives, consultants, management educators and business school academics, it is designed to boost professional competence, enhance executive and professional practice and enable you to serve effectively as a global change agent. With this terminal degree, you will stand out amongst your peers.
During the program, you will strengthen your capability to develop knowledge and theory, as well as the application of it. You will develop a sound understanding of the relevant conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of your chosen area of original research and grow your expertise in this area.
The program will provide a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry, enabling you to develop personal, consultancy and research competencies to undertake rigorous research at an advanced level. This will allow you to make a significant contribution to theory and practice in the field of business and management.
Designed to have internal and external examiners on dissertation committees, the program presents an opportunity for you to work with a large network of experts from around the world in your specialized area of research. The emphasis on research publication in the program means that studies in the GCC are dominated by ADU’s DBA students and graduates.
Our taught courses are delivered over alternate weekends, allowing you the flexibility to manage your working life and doctoral studies. The program is offered in Abu Dhabi in the Fall and in the Fall and Winter in Dubai.
“I am proud to be able to say that I am the first ever ADU DBA graduate.”
"I wanted to learn more about family business and decided the DBA was the best way of going about this. ADU was the first university in Abu Dhabi to offer the DBA and also came highly recommended from a friend who had completed his Master’s there. My thesis was entitled ‘The impact of decision making on the internationalization of family business within the UAE.’
ADU offers quality education and this is reflected in its accreditations, which place it in the top ranks of universities globally. I was the first in my group to complete the program so I am proud to be able to say that I am the first ever ADU DBA graduate."
Tuition fees structure & calculation
Abu Dhabi
Dubai
Tuition is based upon the College and/or Department classification as opposed to the course classification or level. Tuition rates for undergraduate students vary from the tuition rates for graduate students.
The tuition fee calculations are an example only and are based on the assumption that elective courses will be taken with the College that the student is taking their major with. However, if the student selects elective courses outside of this College, the total cost payable may increase or decrease to reflect the tuition rate of the College where the elective is delivered.
Costs of books and supplies are not included in the Tuition and Fees. Students at Abu Dhabi University are also required to pay certain fees and other costs to attend the University. Abu Dhabi University reserves the right to change tuition and fee rates at any time. A tuition schedule is published prior to registration for each semester.
For more information, please click here to view the University's tuition fee structure. Fees are subject to change during the year as per government charges and testing bodies.
Career opportunities
As well as enhancing your executive and professional practice and making you stand out in your chosen area of expertise, this program also qualifies you to be a faculty member and teach at universities around the world.
From finance to technology, marketing to human resources management, your deeper knowledge and understanding will give you a leading edge when exploring the challenges and opportunities facing business today.
Entry requirements
Masters Degree
Directly related discipline with a minimum CGPA of 2.50 on a 4.00-point scale, from an accredited university recognized by the UAE’s Ministry of Education- Higher Education Affairs.
Personal Assessment
Applicants will be required to complete a panel interview with the DBA’s Admission Selection Committee and will only be offered admission if the interview is deemed successful.
English language proficiency requirements
For programs taught in English, a minimum score range of 1400 - 1525 on the English language portion of the EmSAT examination, or its equivalent on other national or internationally-recognized tests that are approved by the CAA, such as TOEFL scores of 213 CBT (Computer-Based Test), 79 - 80 IBT (Internet-Based Test), 550 PBT (Paper-Based Test), or 6.0 IELTS (taken at Amideast or Knowledge Group), or their equivalent.
Students who are native speakers of English, and have completed their undergraduate education in an institution where the medium of instruction is English may be exempted from the English Proficiency Tests.
Applicants with CGPA’s and English Proficiency Test scores that don’t match the above requirements may be granted exceptions for conditional admission. For more information on conditional admission to any of ADU’s postgraduate programs, please contact the Admissions and Enrolment Department of your local campus.
Entry requirements to Phase 2
Coursework: applicants must achieve a CGPA of 3.5 or above in the coursework requirements of Phase One.
Research Proposal & Dissertation: applicants must receive a passing grade in their Research Proposal and Defense of their Dissertation.
International Students
We also welcome applications from students with a variety of bachelor degrees from an accredited university recognized by the UAE’s Ministry of Education- Higher Education Affairs, upon their successful completion of any required program foundation courses. These applicants will be granted admission into the program after the successful completion of some business foundation courses. For more information on international students’ admission to any of ADU’s postgraduate programs visit, please visit Postgraduate International Admission.
Transfer Students
Postgraduate transfer students may apply for credit transfer for courses taken prior to joining Abu Dhabi University only once, when they first apply for admission. For more information on requirements for credit transfer, visit Postgraduate Transfer Students.