The DBA is an in-depth postgraduate course. It's designed for people with experience working in a mid to senior level management role in higher education.

Academic requirements

You will need:

• to be a university graduate or have a graduate level professional qualification (Bachelor 2:1 or equivalent)
• a postgraduate or advanced graduate qualification (normally a master's degree)

Work experience

You must have at least three years' senior management experience in higher education.

Examples of our students include:

• mid and senior level managers working in higher education
• leaders from governmental ministries
• leaders from organisations with a higher education brief

References

You will need to give the details of two referees. If you have supplied their names and email addresses on your application form, then an automated emailed will be sent to them on submission. If you've studied in the past five years, one of your referees should be your academic supervisor.

English language

If English is not your native language, the University requires evidence of your ability in spoken and written English. If you do not already hold an acceptable qualification in English, you will be required to obtain one before you can be admitted to the University. All qualifications must be dated within two years of your course start date.

You will normally need one of the following:

• IELTS: 6:5 overall with no less that 6.0 in all components
• The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
• TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all four components
• Duolingo: overall score 120 with a minimum of 120 in all components

Find out more about English language requirements.

As part of your application process you will have a phone interview with a member of the DBA team. We'll use this to assess your English language skills and your qualifications in English.

How we assess applications

We evaluate each application individually. If you don't meet our entry requirements but can provide evidence you are suitable, we may make you an offer to study the DBA.

All entry requirements evidence needs to be provided on application.

Please note during busy periods (July/August) incomplete applications may be rejected.