Presentation
What is a DBA?
The Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) offered by Excelia Business School combines academic excellence with management expertise. This 3-year programme has been designed for experienced professionals, enabling them to develop skills in applied research whilst pursuing their career.
Why choose Excelia’s DBA?
Our DBA has a flexible format (100% online or hybrid), which means it can accommodate your professional commitments. Supervised by 90 internationally renowned researchers, you will benefit from top-level education in management research. The programme places a strong emphasis on the practical application of research in the business world, covering areas such as strategy, sustainable innovation, and financial performance. Whether your goal is to advance to management-level positions, move into teaching or consolidate your expertise, Excelia’s DBA will open up new career opportunities
Language
Anglais
Diplôme obtenu
Doctorate in Business Administration
Location
Tarif & Financement
5 reasons to choose the DBA at Excelia Business School
Triple international accreditation
Excelia Business School is one of the few institutions in the world to hold three highly prized international accreditations, EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA, placing it in the top 1% of business schools worldwide. This international recognition testifies to the quality of the teaching and research carried out at the school. By choosing Excelia’s DBA, you will be joining a programme that adheres to the highest academic standards, enhancing the value of your qualification on the job market.
Optimal flexibility
In addition to an online format, our DBA programme is available in a hybrid form, combining online lessons with face-to-face sessions on our Paris-Cachan campus. This flexibility means that active professionals can join the programme without compromising their work commitments. Quarterly workshops and digital resources are provided, enabling you to learn at your own pace, whilst having the possibility to interact with peers and teachers in face-to-face sessions, thereby optimising your learning experience.
Leading expertise
Drawing on a team of 90 internationally renowned researchers, Excelia’s DBA offers you the opportunity to learn from the very best in the field of management. These experts are actively involved in leading academic organisations and provide an up-to-date practical perspective to the programme. You will also benefit from their expertise to develop advanced research and management skills, essential for excelling in leadership roles.
Exclusive resources
As a DBA student, you will have access to a library of over 100,000 academic publications. These resources will provide you with the necessary tools to carry out your research and enhance your academic work. Access to recent case studies and articles from leading specialist journals will ensure that you remain abreast of the latest trends and innovations in the field of management.
Enhanced career prospects
Excelia’s DBA will open the door to a wide range of career opportunities. Whether you are looking to become an expert consultant, change manager, research-lecturer or trainer, this programme will equip you for high-level roles in a variety of sectors. The academic recognition you receive will also enhance your credibility and expand your professional network, facilitating your career progression
FAQ
- What is the difference between a DBA and a PhD in management?
A DBA (Doctorate in Business Administration) is geared towards applied business research, whereas a PhD is a programme with a greater academic focus. Excelia’s DBA enables experienced professionals to develop research skills whilst remaining firmly rooted in the business world.
- How long is the DBA programme at Excelia Business School?
Excelia Business School’s DBA programme lasts 3 years. Year 1 is devoted to academic lessons and the Advanced Research Certificate in Management Science. The following two years focus on the development of your thesis, for which you will receive valuable supervision.
- Can I join Excelia’s DBA programme and still continue to work?
Of course! Excelia’s DBA has been specially designed for working professionals. Its flexible format, offered 100% online or in a hybrid form (online + face-to-face in Paris-Cachan), means that you can combine your doctoral studies with your professional career. Quarterly workshops are organised to monitor the progress of your research.
- What are the admissions requirements for Excelia’s DBA programme?
Applicants for Excelia’s DBA should typically have a Master qualification (or equivalent) and significant professional experience. A relevant research project and strong motivation are also essential. We recommend that you contact the school for more detailed information about our admissions criteria.
- What are the career opportunities after a DBA at Excelia Business School?
Excelia’s DBA leads to a whole host of career opportunities, particularly in the fields of consulting, change management, higher education and training. Graduates can aspire to positions such as Expert Consultant, Change Manager, Researcher- Lecturer, Trainer, or Foresight Specialist.
Lessons
Year 1
The first year takes the form of lessons, culminating in the awarding of an Advanced Research Certificate in Management Science.
Lessons
- Management Research for DBA (15 hours)
- Research Design (15 hours)
- Theoretical Perspectives of Strategy and Supply Chain (15 hours)
- Innovation for Sustainable Growth: Theory and Practice (15 hours)
- Leading Change & Organisational Transformations (15 hours)
- Fundamentals of Financial & Extra-financial Performance (15 hours)
- Qualitative Research Methods (15 hours)
- Quantitative Research Methods (15 hours)
Year 2
The second year focusses on the writing of your DBA thesis, under the supervision of a Senior Research Professor.
Lessons
- Submitting of research proposal + selection of research supervisor
- Thesis development (supervised)
- Quarterly Workshops: obligatory research progress presentations (30 hours)
Year 3
The third year also focusses on the writing of your DBA thesis, under the supervision of a Senior Research Professor. At the end of this final year, you will defend your DBA thesis, which will lead to the awarding of a Doctorate in Business Administration.
The thesis assessment panel is made up of members from within Excelia Business School as well as from the wider Excelia community.
Lessons
- Thesis development (supervised)
- Quarterly workshops: obligatory research progress presentations (30 hours)
- DBA thesis defence - Viva Voce
Experiences
What are the benefits of Excelia Business School’s DBA?
- Supervision throughout your thesis development
- Personal support and guidance
- Discussion opportunities with teachers about research projects
- Training workshops on research methods and data analysis software
- Workshops on how to present research work
- Themed lectures by internationally renowned researchers
- Access to an academic reference database of over 100,000 works
Careers
Who is the DBA aimed at?
Our Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) is intended for a range of business professionals including the following:
- Experienced professionals looking to move into management roles
- Executives in the second half of their career who are considering moving into teaching
- Professionals looking to enhance their knowledge of management whilst continuing to work
- Industry professional lecturers in higher education looking to strengthen the academic dimension of their lessons
- Professionals working in training (consultants) looking to gain academic recognition in order to consolidate their activity
This programme is therefore suitable for a diverse spectrum of profiles, combining your professional experience with a desire for career development or career change. It offers a unique opportunity to marry practical expertise with academic rigour, paving the way for new career prospects in the world of business, teaching or consultancy.
What professional opportunities does the DBA open up?
- The DBA prepares you for a career as an expert consultant or conference lecturer
- The DBA paves the way for senior responsibilities on company executive boards
- The DBA prepares you for a career as a Professor of Practice in international business schools
Cost of studies
Tuition Fees
Total fees for 3 years of study: €29,000
- Year 1: €14,000
- Year 2: €8,000
- Year 3: €7,000
Multiservice charge
Fee: €350
This one-off Multiservice fee gives access to the following services:
- Administration and support services
- International mobility insurance-assistance
- Reprographics credit (photocopying, printing)
- Unlimited access to all content on Exceliaprime Edutainment platform
- Personalised support and coaching from our Talent Centre
As part of the encouragement and support provided by Excelia Business School for doctoral studies, scholarships may be offered to candidates based following criteria :
Criteria for scholarship grants may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Prior academic performance;
- Performance of each applicant on tests designed to measure ability and aptitude for educational work; (Scholarship essay and/or GMAT/GRE Scores)
- Recommendations from employers/instructors of such applicant and any others who have knowledge of the applicant’s capabilities;
- Additional biographical information regarding an applicant’s career, academic and other relevant experiences, financial need;
- The scholarship committee’s conclusions as to the applicant’s motivation, character, ability, or potential.
- Criteria may also include the applicant’s place of residence, past or proposed course of study or evidence of his or her artistic, scientific, or other special talent. Preference may be given to applicants of a particular sex, race, or ethnic background so long as such preference does not violate public policy.
All scholarships will be reviewed and granted by a Scholarship Committee. Decisions will be made within two weeks of submission
- The Scholarship Committee is composed of three Senior School Executives including the DBA Director.
The following scholarships schemes will be considered: Up to 20% reduction in tuition
- Excellence (Merit-based): for applicants with outstanding academic or professional skills
- Women in Leadership: to encourage and support gender diversity from the classroom to the boardroom
- Cultural Diversity: to encourage and support international diversity and inclusion in our cohorts
- Make an Impact Scholarship: based on the potential to 'make an impact' on the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Admissions
For admissions to the DBA programme, you will need to submit:
- your CV
- a cover letter
Following our review of the above documents, if your application is retained, for the next step of admissions you will be required to attend an interview with the Programme Director.
October 2026 Intake:
Apply
Download the brochure
In less than 30 seconds, receive a brochure to:
- Discover course details, specialisations and international partners
- Get inspired by graduate profiles
- Be the first to know about our exclusive events
International
