Doctorate of Business Administration
Geneva, Switzerland
DURATION
3 up to 4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Oct 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 27,950
STUDY FORMAT
Blended
Key Summary
Introduction
Are you a senior manager, consultant, or entrepreneur who wants to draw together both the theoretical and practical aspects of leadership and managerial experience? Designed to enable you to develop professional practice, theoretical understanding,g, and reflexive capability, the DBA is a high-level, innovative qualification and an alternative route if you wish to research your professional practice at the doctorate level.
The DBA program is designed for working professionals who have the motivation to expand their knowledge/skills and get a doctorate degree without interrupting their work. It is a collaboration between Plymouth University and International Institute in Geneva. The first four modules will be taught over four weekends at the International Institute in Geneva. The DBA degree is awarded by Plymouth University, one of the UK's most prominent and dynamic universities with an educational history dating back to 1862. International Institute in Geneva is an accredited academic institution specializing in business education and is ranked among the top ten business schools in Switzerland by Eduniversal. The program starts in October of each year.
Why DBA and DPA?
DBA and DPAs are part-time research-based programs in business and public administration with the aim of preparing business managers and future leaders. These degrees are academically rigorous and provide practical professional qualifications. They are designed to enable participants to synthesize and develop professional practice, theoretical understanding, and reflexive capability.
Furthermore, participants will enhance their personal and professional development by fueling their research curiosity, learning the importance of critical thinking and decision-making, and preparing themselves to address the unique challenges and opportunities of todayโs business and public policy environment.
Many of the students work full-time while pursuing the DBA or DPA. These degrees whilst being equivalent in status and challenge to a PhD, are more appropriate to advance professional practice.
Key Benefits
- Flexible course length, it can be completed in 4 to 5 years
- The program is studied part-time and designed for working professionals who have the motivation to expand their knowledge/skills and get a degree without interrupting their work
- Benefit from direct involvement with the Plymouth Business School research community
- While the degree is awarded by Plymouth University UK, the workshops are conducted at theย International Institute in Genevaย which provides access to the region with major private and public organizations such as Nestle, Procter and Gamble, United Nations, World Trade Organization, WHO, Red Cross
Curriculum
Program Details
- Year 1 - Taught phase
You will attend three 3-day (Friday-Saturday-Sunday) workshops organized around every 3 months at the International Institute in Geneva:
- Advanced Qualitative Research Methods for Doctoral Study
- Advanced Quantitative Research Methods for Doctoral Study
- Applying Theory to Professional Practice
- Year 2 - Research proposal preparation and validation phase
There will be workshops and seminars to help you to develop a Research Proposal under the supervision of a research advisor.
- Year 3 & 4 (can be extended to 5 - Research Phase)
Upon the successful completion of your Research Proposal, you will be promoted to candidacy status and continue with your research (any topic linked to your work or passion/interest), finally producing a thesis. This will be done wherever you are based through email/skype under the guidance of assigned supervisors at Plymouth University.
Doctorate Timetable
Module Schedule
| Module title | Teaching Block Dates |
| Advanced Qualitative Research Methods for Doctoral Study (Cohort 11) | 1-3 October 2021 |
| Doctoral Research Proposal (Cohort 10) | 1-3 October 2021 |
| Advanced Quantitative Research Methods for Doctoral Study (Cohort 11) | 7-9 January 2022 |
| Applying Theory to Professional Practice (Cohort 11) | 1-3 April 2022 |
Rankings
Ranked among the top ten business schools in Switzerland, the International Institute in Geneva (IUG) is an accredited academic institution specializing in business education. The Institute offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Business Administration, International Relations, Media and Communication, and International Trade.
The curriculum features a unique combination of theoretical and practical instruction, with a particular focus on international business practices. The international exchange program offers an opportunity for students to study at renowned universities worldwide.
Located in Geneva, Switzerland, at the center of Europe and a hub for international politics and business, the campus is close to the airport and about 5 km from the city center. The IUG has students representing over 60 nationalities providing a truly multicultural setting.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
Each year the Institute awards a limited number of scholarships. The selection criteria are based on past academic performance (GPA) and financial needs. Interested applicants should send a request letter together with the application material.
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.