Key Information
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Campus |  |
Level |  |
Format |
| IDEA Academy | Doctorate | On Campus | |||
 |
Duration |  |
Pace |  |
EU Students Fees |
| 72 months | Part- Time | €35,000 | |||
|
Fee Installments |  |
Start Date |  |
Assessment |
| Accepted | TBA | Assignments |
About this Course
This is an Accredited Course by the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority (MFHEA), at MQF/EQF Level 8.
Phase One: Taught Stage
The taught stage of the Doctoral Programme will comprise six main units:
1. Critical Thinking and Analysis
2. Academic Writing for Doctoral Students
3. Research Philosophy, Theory and Methodology for Doctoral Students
4. Knowledge Management
5. Impact of Globalisation on Management
6. Specialism Individualised Studies (Students personalize their studies under supervisory guidance towards a specialized area of focus)
Phase Two: Thesis Proposal Stage The formulation of a thesis proposal
Phase Three: Research and Thesis Stage The Research and Writing of Thesis The Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) for which you have registered is a Doctoral Journey intended for high level practitioners in leadership and/or management positions in the various fields (e.g. business, education, finance, etc.), who have a particular interest in business innovation in general, or who are interested in embarking onto an academic career.
Throughout the Doctoral Journey you will be provided with opportunities not only to extend your knowledge and critical thinking but also to enhance your research abilities to influence your professional behaviour, as well as the context in which you operate.
The DBA comprises three main developmental phases towards achieving a Doctorate.
The first phase is a taught stage taking the classical didactic approach accompanied by enhanced independent self-study and research.
In the second phase, you will be mentored through the processes of selecting a specific area of research, defining a research gap, and formulating a research question as part of your individual research proposal, which will be carried through to Phase three of the DBA.
The third phase is more student-driven where research skills and scholarly writing, encompassing critical thinking, analysis and reflection, are put into practice and further enhanced with the support of assigned tutors, as you commence your research and write a Doctoral thesis.
The objective of this DBA is to get management practitioners to understand and appreciate how research can be a real time contributor to business success and that knowledge generation can happen also outside of a pure academic setting.
Learning Outcomes
Doctor in Business Administration is awarded to learners who have demonstrated:
- Mastery of knowledge and competence in the latest academic theories, concepts, technology-enabled opportunities, financially justified analysis, research operations and market-based economy in a global field of business administration.
- A high ability to integrate business and non-business disciplines to generate novel ideas, strategies, and practical approaches to address business issues,
- High level research skills including formulation of research problem; review of previous publications; design of a research study; data analysis; ability to summarize and present the results in multiple formats according to audience,
- An ability to address complex industry challenges using the frameworks of industry rules and regulations to develop new ideas, build prescriptive conclusions and disseminate real-world experience and knowledge.
Target Audience
Academically qualified practitioners in business or other related fields who seek innovation through applied research and wish/need to be formally educated to achieve their objective.
Career Paths
As we move beyond the 4th and into the 5th Industrial Revolution organisations require empathic leaders, managers and employees that are creative, able to make complex decisions, effectively lead teams from purpose and with purpose, and unlock human potential to foster a community of action strong enough to face the ever-growing challenges society faces.
This calls business leaders and managers to action, to be among the key players shaping the developments and growth in their field of practice and to be leaders and drivers of effective change.
The DBA is a proactive response to this, with a shift from the traditional doctorate to an innovative approach to Doctoral studies that places theory and research in action within contextualised fields at its core.
This programme may appeal to high level practitioners in leadership and/or management positions in the various fields (business, education, finance, etc.) interested in business innovation in general, or who are interested in embarking onto an academic career.
Awarding Body
This qualification is awarded by IDEA Academy. This qualification is accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority. The MFHEA deems this Doctorate in Business Administration to be at MQF/EQF Level 8 in the Malta Qualifications Framework and the European Qualifications Framework for lifelong learning.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course will require to be:
- Professionals whose academic studies include 1st cycle (undergraduate and Bachelor’s levels) and 2nd cycle (Graduate and Masters level) qualifications totaling not less than 240 ECTS in areas related to management, business administration, engineering, education. Any other professional who meets the Level requirements (L7 + L6 to a total of 240 ECTS) coming from a different area, but has 7 years of experience in a managerial position will also be considered.
OR
- A Level 7 Masters Qualification (90 ECTS) related to management, business administration, engineering, education or any other professional career, together with a Level 5 Higher Diploma equivalent to 120 ECTS and a minimum of 5 years working experience in Management within a specialised sector which is directly related to and relevant to the subject being researched in the Doctoral Programme.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be considered for applicants with other high-level qualifications (e.g. OTHM L8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice). The maximum number of credits that may be gained through RPL will not exceed 50%
If an applicant does not meet the above entry requirements, you are encouraged to contact the Academy for an interview by filling in the form below.
Course Structure
The structure of this DBA consists of 6 weekend schools spread over 2 years. The third year is the Proposal year, and another 2-4 years will follow to complete the thesis. The DBA is structured as follows:
First Year (Weekend Schools)
- End of February: Critical Thinking: Identifying, Analysing, Evaluating & Building Arguments
- End of May: Doctoral Writing: Fostering Literate Practices & Forming Disciplinary Identities
- End of September: The Ontological Whats & Epistemological Hows: Navigating The Link Between Research Philosophy & Methodology In Doctoral Studies
Second Year (Weekend Schools)
- End of February: Knowledge Management: Multiplying Impact
- End of May: Impact Of Globalisation On Management: An Opportunity Or A Threat?
- End of September: Queries, Passion, And Relevance: Making Choices Towards Your Doctoral Dissertation
Third Year+ (Weekend Schools)
- Third Year: Proposal And Submission
- Fourth Year – June / September: Thesis Submissions
- Fifth Year – June / September: Thesis Submissions
- Sixth Year – June / September: Thesis Submissions
- Seventh Year – June / September: Thesis Submissions
Assessment Mode
The Assessment methods include the following: 1.Weekend School Assignments
- Assignment titles are thematic, designed to cover the discipline areas covered during weekend schools: Individual / group assignments,
- Six assignments (One assignment per weekend school of approximately 6,000 words)
In the taught part of this programme, for the successful completion of a study unit the student is required to achieve a minimum of 50% pass mark weighting.
2. Thesis Proposal
- Presentation of doctoral thesis proposal 80% Interview and defense of thesis proposal with the Level 8 Doctoral Theses and Professional Research Committee – 20%
- The thesis Proposal should not exceed 7,500 words (i.e. about 30 pages) in length (excluding cover page, abstract, table of contents, bibliography, and appendices).
3. The Thesis The Thesis can take one of two forms:
- A monograph in the traditional way which should not exceed 60,000 words and/ or 250 pages. (Refer to Thesis Guidelines) or
- A Compilation Thesis
4. The VIVA Candidates who successfully complete their thesis will be required to sit for a viva. Internal and external examiners will be appointed to examine the thesis and participate in and/or chair the viva examination.
Language of Instruction & Delivery Mode
This programme will be delivered in English in our Campus in Mosta.
The programme delivery mode in each of the first two years uses a blended learning approach scheduled as Weekend Schools or Independent Online Learning, self-study and research.
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
