DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Earn the Title.
Prove the Impact.
Established by Scholars – Fuelled by Brilliance.
A European-accredited Doctor of Business Administration for working professionals who want the credibility of “Dr.” — and the leadership skills to earn it.
BIPE in partnership with Euro American Institute (EAI)
QUICK FACTS / STATISTICS
EQF / MQF LEVEL 8
Doctoral Level
180 ECTS
4,500 Learning Hours
100% ONLINE
Designed for Working Professionals
3 YEARS
Standard Duration
The EAI curriculum specifies MQF Level 8, 180 ECTS and 4,500 learning hours. Its formal duration is listed as 3–3.5 years full-time and 6–7 years part-time; your website brief recommends the simpler public wording of a standard three-year duration with flexibility rather than advertising a guaranteed accelerated timeframe.
More Than a Qualification — A Career Turning Point
Prestige & Credibility
Placing “Dr.” before your name signals doctoral-level mastery of your field — recognised by employers, clients and professional peers.
Career Progression
Build the strategic and people-leadership capability to lead organisations, teams and complex initiatives with confidence.
Lead & Manage Teams
Build the strategic and people-leadership capability to lead organisations, teams and complex initiatives with confidence.
Solve Real Business Problems
Apply advanced research to meaningful business and organisational challenges, connecting doctoral study directly to professional practice.
Any Industry, Anywhere
Designed to apply across sectors including hospitality, construction, oil & gas, healthcare, technology, finance and beyond.
Flexible for Working Professionals
Study online with guided academic support, allowing you to develop at doctoral level without putting your career on hold.
These benefit themes come directly from the BIPE DBA content brief and corporate presentation.
WHAT IS A DBA?
Turn professional experience into doctoral-level knowledge, research and impact.
What Is a Doctor of Business Administration?
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a doctoral-level qualification designed for experienced professionals who want to combine advanced academic research with real-world business practice.
The programme emphasises the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical application. Rather than studying business only as an academic subject, DBA candidates investigate complex business and organisational challenges and develop evidence-based solutions that can contribute to professional practice.
A DBA is at the same EQF/MQF Level 8 as a PhD, but its orientation is strongly connected to professional and organisational practice. The programme is designed for working professionals who want to develop advanced research, leadership and strategic decision-making capabilities.
WHO IS THE DBA FOR?
You can apply directly if you hold:
- A postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma or master’s degree, or a recognised equivalent professional qualification.
- Proof of English language proficiency.
English-language proficiency may be waived where your postgraduate qualification was completed in English.
No Postgraduate Qualification Yet?
You can still begin your doctoral journey through BIPE’s combined DBA + Postgraduate Diploma pathway.
This route incorporates the prerequisite postgraduate qualification into the programme and provides guidance throughout the eligibility, documentation and progression process.
HOW THE DBA WORKS
Three Stages. One Doctorate.
Strategic Foundations
60 ECTS
Develop advanced capability across:
- Strategic Financial Management
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Strategic Marketing
- Globalisation and Corporate Governance
- Developing Strategic Management and Leadership Potential
- Developing Research Capability
The curriculum identifies these as compulsory Level 8 modules, each carrying 10 ECTS.
Advanced Research Design
10 ECTS
Develop the advanced research design and methodological capabilities required to undertake independent doctoral research.
The module covers research proposal development, data analysis and advanced research methodology.
Research & Dissertation
110 ECTS
Conduct original doctoral research focused on a significant business or organisational issue.
The final research is assessed through:
Research & Dissertation + Viva Voce
The formal curriculum allocates 110 ECTS to the Research and Dissertation component. Assessment includes originality and contribution to knowledge, research design and methodology, literature review, and presentation and defence through viva
PROGRAMME MODULES
Strategic Financial Management
Explore advanced financial and managerial accounting principles, budgeting, investment appraisal, funding strategies and strategic financial decision-making.
10 ECTS | Level 8
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Develop advanced entrepreneurial thinking, innovation strategies, business models, market analysis and approaches to creating and implementing new ventures.
10 ECTS | Level 8
Strategic Marketing
Develop advanced strategic marketing capability covering market analysis, competitive strategy, digital marketing, segmentation, positioning and marketing planning.
10 ECTS | Level 8
Globalisation & Corporate Governance
Develop advanced leadership and strategic management capabilities for leading teams, managing organisational change and driving sustainable organisational performance.
10 ECTS | Level 8
Developing Strategic Management & Leadership Potential
Develop advanced leadership and strategic management capabilities for leading teams, managing organisational change and driving sustainable organisational performance.
10 ECTS | Level 8
Developing Research Capability
Develop the ability to identify research problems, critically evaluate literature, formulate research questions and develop a robust research proposal.
10 ECTS | Level 8
Advanced Research Design & Methodologies
Develop advanced capabilities in research design, methodology, data analysis and the application of appropriate research approaches to complex business problems.
10 ECTS | Level 8
Research & Dissertation
Undertake substantial original research addressing a significant business or organisational issue, culminating in a doctoral dissertation and viva voce examination.
110 ECTS | Level 8
STUDY OPTIONS
Designed Around Your Professional Life
ONLINE
- Study remotely and access your programme without the need for relocation.
GUIDED
- Receive academic guidance throughout your doctoral journey from academics with expertise in research and professional practice.
FLEXIBLE
- Designed to accommodate full-time work, family responsibilities and professional commitments.
WHAT WILL YOU DEVELOP?
Doctoral-Level Knowledge, Skills & Competence
ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE
Develop an integrated understanding of advanced business theories and practices across strategic management, organisational behaviour, financial management, marketing, globalisation, corporate governance and innovation.
RESEARCH & ANALYSIS
Develop the ability to formulate research questions, design original research, use advanced methodologies and critically analyse complex business problems.
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
Develop the capability to lead complex strategic initiatives, manage organisational change, communicate research-based insights and drive organisational performance.
YOUR DOCTORAL RESEARCH
Research That Matters
Your doctoral research is designed to engage with complex business and organisational challenges.
Through your research, you will:
Identify
A significant business or organisational issue.
↓
Investigate
Develop a rigorous research question and methodology.
↓
Analyse
Collect and critically evaluate relevant evidence.
↓
Contribute
Generate new insights that contribute to knowledge and professional practice.
↓
Defend
Present and defend your doctoral research through a viva voce examination.
Built for Professionals Across Industries
The DBA can support professionals working in:
FINANCE
Strategic finance • Banking • Investment • Financial management
HEALTHCARE
Healthcare management • Strategy • Organisational development
TECHNOLOGY
Digital transformation • Innovation • Technology management
CONSTRUCTION
Project leadership • Strategic management • Organisational growth
HOSPITALITY
Operations • Leadership • Business development
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Innovation • Business growth • New ventures
OIL & GAS
Strategic leadership • Operations • Corporate governance
AND BEYOND
The programme is designed to develop transferable research, leadership and strategic capabilities across sectors.
Accreditation & Recognition
Euro American Institute (EAI)
Licensed Higher Education Institution — Malta
MFHEA
Malta Further & Higher Education Authority
Licence No. 2024-032
EQF / MQF Level 8
Doctoral Level
UKRLP
BIPE Provider Number: 10094652
The Doctor of Business Administration is awarded by the Euro American Institute (EAI), a Licensed Higher Education Institution regulated by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA).
Your Doctoral Journey with BIPE
BIPE Consulting Ltd
in partnership with
Euro American Institute (EAI)
BIPE supports professionals seeking advanced postgraduate and doctoral education through programme guidance, eligibility support and progression assistance.
The DBA programme is delivered through the partnership arrangement with EAI, with the qualification positioned at MQF/EQF Level 8.
Where expertise meets flexible online learning.
Is the DBA equivalent to a PhD?
Both the DBA and PhD are doctoral-level qualifications at EQF/MQF Level 8. The DBA has a strong professional and applied orientation, focusing on research connected to real-world business and organisational challenges.
Can I use the title “Dr.” after graduating?
Graduates of the DBA may use the “Dr.” title in accordance with applicable academic and professional conventions.
How long does the DBA take?
The BIPE programme presentation describes a standard three-year duration with flexible pacing. The formal EAI curriculum specifies 3–3.5 years full-time and 6–7 years part-time.
What if I don't have a postgraduate qualification?
You may be able to enter through the combined DBA + Postgraduate Diploma pathway, subject to eligibility requirements.
Is the DBA suitable for my industry?
Yes. The programme is designed to develop transferable strategic, leadership and research capabilities applicable across sectors including finance, healthcare, technology, construction, hospitality, oil & gas and others.
What does the DBA cost?
Please contact BIPE for current programme fees, payment options and intake information.
Academic Leadership
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Asif Zaman, PhD
Head of Institution — BIPE
Academic leader, researcher and professional educator with extensive experience across higher education, business, finance, leadership and organisational development.
100% Online • EQF/MQF Level 8 • 180 ECTS
Ready to Earn the Title?
Start your doctoral journey with BIPE — where practical experience meets doctoral-level recognition.
Upskilling Your Team?
Develop Your Future Leaders Through Doctoral-Level Education
Partner with BIPE to offer eligible senior staff a pathway to a doctoral-level qualification — without disrupting their professional roles.
Organisations can:
Identify
High-potential employees who meet the entry requirements.
Develop
Build doctoral-level strategic and research capability.
Retain
Demonstrate long-term investment in high-potential talent.
Transform
Bring evidence-based thinking and applied research back into the organisation.
