Key Information
 |
Campus |  |
Level |  |
Format |
| Global College Malta | Doctorate | On Campus | |||
 |
Duration |  |
Pace |  |
Fees |
| 36 months | Part Time | € 26,000 | |||
 |
Application Deadline |  |
Start Date |  |
Assessment |
| TBA | TBA | Assignments |
About this Course
This is an Accredited Course by the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority (MFHEA), at MQF/EQF Level 8.
Global College Malta’s DBA is a professional doctorate designed for senior managers and leaders in private, public, and not-for-profit organisations. The programme is specifically designed for critical thinkers and practitioners who wish to reflect in-depth on their organisations and society more generally. The format of the DBA is designed so as to allow learners to engage in applied research, bringing established and cutting-edge theory to bear on their practical organisational issues. Students in the DBA programme develop and enrich practice in their respective areas of research interest, as well as contribute to the wider understanding of the underpinning theoretical base for the work.
The structured approach offered by the College’s DBA is based on a number of modules, blending lectures, guest talks, workshop discussions, and student presentations. The doctoral thesis is developed in parallel under guidance from a doctoral supervisory team allocated at the start of the DBA programme. The structured nature of the College’s DBA doctoral research programme helps facilitate the demonstration of an original contribution to knowledge in the academic subject and the field of practice through original research or through the original application of existing knowledge and understanding.
The College’s DBA programme is based on several taught elements and a thesis. Each ‘taught’ module on the DBA programme is typically structured around a three-day intensive teaching block, plus support from the College’s teaching team and doctoral supervisors. Work on the culminating doctoral thesis begins in parallel with the taught modules. The College’s DBA is designed to allow for successful completion in three years.
Learning Outcomes
This DBA aims:
- To enable candidates to conceptualise, design, and implement a project aimed at the generation of new knowledge or applications within Business and Management
- To enable candidates to create, interpret, analyse and develop new sector-wide knowledge and practice through original research or other advanced scholarship
- To enable candidates to demonstrate a comprehensive and critical knowledge of the relevant literature and demonstrate a clear articulation of the practical context of their research
- To enable candidates to demonstrate the systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of Business and Management through the development of a written thesis
- To enable candidates to demonstrate the systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which results in practical application and impact and, in so doing, generates practical knowledge
- To enable candidates to respond appropriately to unforeseen problems in project design by making suitable amendments
- To enable candidates to correctly select, interpret and apply relevant techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry
- To enable candidates to construct and critically evaluate a defensible philosophy of research that is congruent with the research question and the methods employed to gather and analyse data
- To enable candidates to make informed judgements on complex issues in the fields of Business and Management, often in the absence of complete data and defend those judgements to an appropriate audience
- To enable candidates to communicate complex research findings clearly, effectively and in an engaging manner to both specialist (including the academic community), and non-specialist audiences using a variety of appropriate media and events, including conference presentations, seminars and workshops
- To enable candidates to disseminate new knowledge and practice gained through original research or other advanced scholarship via high quality peer reviewed publications within the discipline and, through this, potentially contribute to new policy development in their area of research
- To enable candidates to develop the networks and foundations for on-going research and development within the discipline of Business and Management
- To enable candidates to display the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment, including the exercise of personal responsibility and largely autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations, in professional or equivalent environments.
Awarding Body
This qualification is awarded by Global College Malta. This qualification is accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority. MFHEA deems this Doctor of Business Administration to be at MQF/EQF Level 8 in the Malta Qualifications Framework and the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning.
Entry Requirements
The College welcomes applications for its DBA programme from all potential students and most important in the decision to offer a place is the College’s assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed in the DBA. Consideration of applications is based on a combination of formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience. The standard entry requirements for the programme are as follows:
- Candidates will be expected to have strong professional experience, and be operating at a level within their organisation or profession where they can facilitate change that contributes to practice and/or exhibit powers of creativity and innovation;
- Candidates for the DBA will normally have successfully completed a Masters of Business Administration at Level 7 of the Malta Qualifications Framework or similar with an average performance of merit or higher within the ten years prior to applying to study in the College’s DBA programme.
- Applicants will also normally have worked for a minimum of three years at middle or senior managerial levels since completing their MBA;
- Entry to the programme on a similar basis may be possible if the applicant possesses a relevant Master’s degree, or equivalent, from a recognised higher education institution or awarding body.
Since the College’s DBA programme is delivered entirely in English, applicants must be able to demonstrate strong proficiency in the English language. Non-native speakers of English must have a minimum score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent with a minimum of 5 in each component or English B2 referred to as CEFR. Very exceptionally, holders of a Global College Malta Masters’ degree awarded within two years prior to entry to the College’s DBA programme may be exempt from these English test requirements; and,
- Candidates wishing to be admitted to the DBA programme must have access to an Internet-connected computer.
The College’s Academic Dean will interview all candidates together with at least one other member of the teaching/supervisory team. The interview panel will carefully consider the appropriateness of the candidate’s background and professional standing for the study of a DBA. If the interview panel is convinced that the candidate has a very strong likelihood of successfully completing the DBA programme and that they are adequately supported through their place of work then they will normally be accepted onto the DBA programme.
If an applicant does not meet the above entry requirements, you are encouraged to contact the Academy for an interview.
Assessment Mode
The College’s DBA programme aims to combine extreme academic rigour with practicality and relevance to professionals, executives, and managers, reflecting best practice and innovative thinking and research.
The approach, therefore, to teaching and learning on the College’s DBA aims to integrate applied and theoretical knowledge, facilitating the development of new knowledge which is at the forefront of the discipline and organisational/management practice. Teaching for the taught elements of the College’s DBA programme is undertaken in intensive study blocks, typically of three to five days, and after each study block, candidates will have some six to eight weeks in which to undertake the coursework required by the module.
Teaching will consist of a mixture of lectures and seminars. During this phase of the College’s DBA programme candidates will be required to focus on self-directed study, in liaison with the College’s Academic Dean and their supervisors. The College will, as appropriate, provide online supervisory support if face-to-face meetings aren’t always practicable due, for example, to work pressures, etc.
The range of assessment methods used in the College’s DBA programme are designed to be progressive in terms of developing critical analysis and writing skills in addition to addressing the specified learning outcomes. In addition, the College’s DBA candidates benefit from formative feedback as they progress through the taught modules and then the final thesis. Assessment for the taught modules is by means of one 4,000 to 6,000 word paper, and for the Progression to DBA Research Stage it is by means of one 7, 000 word full research proposal. DBA coursework needs to provide direct input into the DBA thesis. In the ‘Translating Research into Practice’ stage, the assignment is expected to follow the format of an academic journal paper. If a candidate fails to meet the required standard in any taught element, they will be given feedback and asked to revise the original paper to bring it to the expected standard.
Each candidate will receive formative as well as summative feedback to help them to understand not just the techniques of research but also the culture of constructive critical review that is essential for success. The Progression to DBA Research Stage is assessed by the College’s Academic Dean along with the supervisory team.
Language of Instruction & Delivery Mode
This programme will be delivered in English in our Campus in SmartCity in Kalkara. The course will be delivered through a flexible combination of modern face-to-face lectures, webinars, seminars and discussion forums, tutorials, group work, case studies, guest speakers, organisational visits and independent study.
Course Funding Schemes
This course is eligible for individual funding through these schemes: GET QUALIFIED SCHEME Candidates can benefit from a 70% rebate of the course fee via tax credits. Learn more about this scheme
