Signature Doctorate Degree program

Doctorate in Business Administration

This professionally-oriented Doctorate Degree program is for related Master graduates and experienced professionals.

Focus on management theory and practice with courses from our Business & Management cluster; Add more courses from among shared electives; and bring it all together in a Doctorate Dissertation with original applied research.

Modular design

Everyone’s professional career is different, and we have always believed that one’s academic career should be too. You can customize your program based on your previous studies, current interests, and future ambitions. Our flexible and American-inspired program structure allows you to choose your courses based on a set of standard program requirements. These requirements are different for each of our programs. The choice of courses and modules will be different for each of our students also, providing for a truly unique and personalized curriculum.

First phase

In the first phase for a total of 60 credits, you complete your coursework.

The flexible program structure is available to all students at all campuses.

Electives can be any course scheduled that does not already count towards other program requirements. Electives are shared with students from other programs and concentrations.

What is the difference between our DBA and DPhil programs?

The DBA is a 90-credit program and the DPhil is a 120-credit program. Students in the DPhil complete another 30 credits from our Higher Education cluster. In the DBA program, the focus in the Doctorate Dissertation is applied research. In the DPhil program, the focus is instead placed on academic research.

Second phase

In the second phase for a total of 30 credits, you complete your Final Project. The requirements of this phase can be started at any time and do not necessarily need to be started only upon completion of the coursework.

This option is available to all students.

  • Applied Research Techniques (5 EC)
  • Quantitative Research Methods (5 EC)
  • Qualitative Research Methods (5 EC)

Intended learning outcomes at program level
  • Students will synthesize knowledge and critically evaluate core business and management disciplines, and formulate integrative and cross-functional strategies.
  • Students will analyze contemporary business challenges such as globalization, digitalization, sustainability, and social impact, and devise innovative strategies.
  • Students will analyze leadership challenges and develop advanced business skills in a variety of contexts.
  • Students will innovate and demonstrate advanced skills needed to lead in international contexts and cross-cultural environments.
  • Students will design and implement advanced methodologies and tools to engage in sustainable, responsible, and ethical problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Students will conduct and apply advanced research to address real-world business challenges, contributing original knowledge to the field of business and management.
  • Students will critically assess their own growth as individuals and business professionals, and demonstrate the ability to reflect deeply upon their own thinking and behavior as well as that of others involved.

This curriculum is valid for all students starting in October 2025 or later. While all efforts have been made to ensure that the program requirements and course overviews are complete and accurate at the time of publication, we reserve the right to make changes to the curriculum without prior notice, subject to ongoing internal validation. Some of the courses are subject to availability.

Program options

We provide flexibility because everyone’s preferences are different. Our curated academic options allow you to further customize your program and turn your experience into a truly personalized one. The following options result in slightly different program and/or other requirements and will differ for each student depending on the chosen combinations of options.

Personalize your studies with our optional Master-level concentrations, catering to your interests and ensuring industry-readiness.

Expand your horizons with our Global Master option, offering international perspectives and opportunities for global leadership.

Master-level concentrations

Students can choose to add a concentration to their program. Advanced program requirements apply in this case. These optional add-in concentrations add 3 courses to your program and reduce your electives accordingly. The total study workload remains at 60 (or 90) credits. The concentration also shift the focus of your Final Project. The alternative concentrations of our Master in International Management (MIM) program can also be combined into a Dual Master program; See details below.

Students can choose to add a concentration to their program. Advanced program requirements apply in this case. These optional add-on concentrations add 3 courses to your program, which changes the total study workload to 66 credits. The concentration also shift the focus of your Final Project. The alternative concentrations of our Master in International Management (MIM) program can also be combined into a Dual Master program; See details below.

Explore our MBA concentrations below.
Business Communication

Explore this concentration.

Business Analytics

Explore this concentration.

Digital Business

Explore this concentration.

Social Business

Explore this concentration.

Sustainable Business

Explore this concentration.

Digital Marketing

Explore this concentration.

Global Business

Explore this concentration.

Global Banking

Explore this concentration.

Global Economics

Explore this concentration.

Global Entrepreneurship

Explore this concentration.

Global Leadership

Explore this concentration.

Explore our alternative MIM concentrations below.
Design Management

Explore this concentration.

Fashion Management

Explore this concentration.

Hospitality Management

Explore this concentration.

Small Business Management

Explore this concentration.

Strategic Management

Explore this concentration.

Technology Management

Explore this concentration.

Financial Management

Explore this concentration.

Human Resource Management

Explore this concentration.

Marketing Management

Explore this concentration.

Sports Management

Explore this concentration.

Supply Chain Management

Explore this concentration.

Global Master

Students can opt for a truly global educational experience by studying at our campuses in Europe and Japan, as well as with one of our academic partners in the USA. The program requirements typically remain the same in this case. The academic calendar of our academic partner will however influence the study planning. The total study workload remains at a minimum of 60 (or 90) credits. but may end up slightly higher depending on the course selection offered by our academic partner. Connect with us to learn more about this option and how it influences your study planning.

Tokyo

Part I or II at our campus in Tokyo, Japan

Europe

Part I or II at any of our campuses in Europe

USA

Part III at one or our academic partners in the USA

Support options

We want our students to optimally be prepared for, progress in and succeed after the program. This is why we introduced the following support options. They do not change the program or other requirements of the program, and are available upon request.

During the program, you can register for distance learning per course.

During the program, you can register for private tutoring per hour or per course.

Accreditation and ranking

Upon successful completion of the program, students receive an international private Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) degree awarded by United Institute (Switzerland). The degree is awarded based on the recommendation of our faculty members and Examination Committee (where applicable).

All our qualifications are awarded also as a blockchain-verifiable award on the Ethereum blockchain, and not only the traditional way on paper in a school-branded diploma cover. With this cutting-edge technology, we are adding a whole new dimension to diploma verification. One major benefit of secure document verification is the instant verification by employers during the recruitment process.

UIBS was ranked in the Global Top 200 and the European Top 60 in the 2019 QS MBA ranking, as a Tier One program in the 2020 CEO Magazine Global MBA ranking, 41st in the 2019 CEO Magazine Global Executive MBA ranking, and 4th in the 2020 CEO Magazine Global Online MBA ranking.

The Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) degree program is programmatically accredited by the EU-based and ENQA-affiliated European Council for Business Education (ECBE).

Let’s connect!

We believe in personal attention from the start. Our team members are available to answer your questions and support you with your application. Connect with us today!

More information

We organize 8 starting dates per year. Our academic calendar is based on a quarter system with four 10-week quarters per year that consist of two 5-week terms each. We refer to these quarters as Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer, and to these terms simply as A and B. Our program’s flexible structure and modular design allows you to optimally plan your studies and choose from among multiple starting dates in October, November, January, February, April, May, July, and August.

You can complete the program in a full-time format within 1 academic year of 9 to 12 months. Alternatively, you can complete the program in a part-time format within up to 3 academic years, depending on our course planning and your course selection. Completing half of the typical workload of a full-time format will equal twice the typical duration. The more flexible you are with your professional or other activities, the more courses you may be able to join in order to complete the program faster.

We schedule most courses on weekdays throughout the day, typically in blocks of 3 hours between 8.30 and 18.30, but there may be several evening courses between 19.00 and 22.00, weekend courses on Saturdays, and/or seminar courses with visiting faculty in two or more consecutive days. Some courses may be scheduled in a hybrid format, partially on-campus and partially virtual, or in a fully virtual format. When students combine on-campus and virtual courses, we refer to that as a blended program.

  • a Bachelor Degree or its equivalent for a solid foundation
  • fluency in English for effective communication and interaction

We apply a rolling admissions process and do not set specific deadlines to apply. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis because of the multiple starting dates available. We do advise students to apply no later than approximately 1 month before the intended starting date to allow sufficient time to plan your stay abroad. However, late applications are still accepted.

Our fees are listed in the downloadable PDF below.

<a href=”https://www.uibs.org/downloads/UIBS%20fee%20schedule.pdf” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Fee Schedule</a>

Learn more about the Credit, Grading and Honor systems, and about several other relevant matters in the Education and Examination Regulations (EER).

Our school’s LinkedIn page shows where our alumni work, what they do and what they have accomplished with one of our professionally-oriented qualifications. Our alumni work in variety of positions in small, medium, large and multinational companies across numerous industries.

While our programs prepare students for a wide range of professions across a wide range of industries, it is important to note that our programs do not aim for access to regulated professions or government employment. While access to government employment may be limited because of the private nature of our qualifications, several alumni do work for government authorities in a number of positions.

Our concept

Our English-taught and American-inspired flexible study programs allow students to customize their studies by choosing courses based on program requirements, previous studies, current interests and future ambitions.

Our modular course design and program structure provides students with multiple options to plan their studies and lets students direct their own learning efforts, which strengthens their sense of ownership in the educational process.

The multiple starting dates in our quarter and term-based academic calendar allow students to start their education in the fall, winter, spring or summer of each academic year. Students can join our rolling cohorts up to 8 times per year.

Our year-round course planning provides students a continuous educational experience with a near-seamless transition from their previous studies, as well as a smooth transition to a professional career upon graduation.

Offering a unique multi-campus experience, students can transfer between campuses in Europe and Japan, as well as Online, on a quarterly basis and with guaranteed program compatibility.

Our campuses are located in the downtown areas of vibrant and modern cities, offering opportunities for cultural exploration and networking. Our exceptional hybrid course planning, combining on-campus and virtual courses, can be tailored to a student’s unique circumstances.

Our truly global community is made up of students, faculty and team members of over 100+ nationalities from around the world. Such demographic diversity provides for a near-unmatched cross-cultural learning environment in which students attain new insights from different perspectives.

Our strong academic community fosters lifelong networks among students, alumni, and faculty. These relationships are instrumental to personal development and in building professional networks.

Our professionally-oriented programs cater to specific career paths, allowing students to specialize. Academically-qualified and professionally-experienced professors link theory and practice with a hands-on and contemporary learning experience tailored to real-world applications.

We innovate quickly by introducing new programs and courses in response to the evolving market demands and based on feedback from our faculty members and advisors with educational expertise and industry knowledge. This flexibility ensures that the education provided remains relevant and forward-thinking. Students are offered the opportunity to gain international experience, understand complex challenges, and develop highly-valued skills through globally-oriented curricula and international partnerships. Our applied research initiatives are designed to give our students a competitive edge in the job market.

Our small class sizes allow for interactive and innovative education methods, thereby providing students with personalized attention, increased group interaction, improved group dynamics and long-lasting connections.

Supported by modern facilities, a professional cloud-based environment and digital libraries, our hybrid education model provides for an optimal acquisition of skills and transfer of knowledge, both virtually and face-to-face. This student-centered approach fosters a supportive academic environment where students are not just a number, but active participants in their learning journey. Our faculty and team members are deeply committed to the success of each student, guiding them each step of the way. Entrepreneurial initiative and career development is further stimulated by means of thereby preparing students to become the global leaders of the future.

Student interviews