Doctor of Business Administration

Age Requirement

• 25

Language requirement

• English language is the entry requirement for Postgraduate Research study at the University of Northampton.
• This is currently an overall IELTS score (or equivalent) of 7.0 with component no less than 6.5.

Academic Requirement

Applicants will need to meet all of the following criteria :

• Hold a Masters Degree in a business-related subject, completed within the last ten years. Exceptionally a long standing career in senior management with evidence of significant achievement coupled with a good first degree can be considered for APL(Advanced Prior Learning).
• Have a minimum of five year's relevant work experience, at least some of which should be at senior level.
• Be employed in a leadership/management role capable of supporting the achievement of the programme learning outcomes, including the thesis.

Principles of Research
This module gives you the opportunity to understand the philosophical underpinnings of research. You will critically examine he epistemological approaches to knowledge and develop a robust awareness of the ethical dilemmas presented through carrying out organisational research along with strategies for managing these. You will develop the ability to act independently and to design and defend an original piece of research.

Advanced Quantitative Data Analysis
This module aims to develop skills in quantitative data analysis to an advanced level. You will have the opportunity to develop operational familiarity with a wide range of data management and analytic techniques which are commonly in use in professional research. They will explore how these techniques may be applied in practice by interrogating established research data sets. By the end of the module you will be conversant with a broad range of tools which may be considered for use in the doctoral thesis.

Advanced Qualitative Data Analysis
In recent years, the application of qualitative approaches to both research and evaluation within the professional arena has been steadily gathering momentum. Some would argue that such techniques can help bridge the gap between scientific evidence and professional work-based practice by enabling researchers to gather 'richer' descriptive data which provides valuable insights into the attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and experiences of a range of stakeholders. By the end of the module, you should be conversant with a broad range of tools and techniques associated with qualitative methodological approaches, and their philosophical underpinnings, which will then be considered for use in the doctoral thesis.

Developing Leadership in Business Research
This module aims to develop your skills in translating research into practice through the review of research culture, opportunities and an investigation of issues associated with the leadership and management or research. You will examine potential barriers to the development of a research based work environment, including those at organizational, strategic and personal levels. You will explore mechanisms for overcoming challenges and develop innovative research leadership strategies appropriate to your own working environment.

Reflecting on Business Practice
This module gives you the opportunity to acquire appropriate evidence and reflect critically upon existing practice and on your own experiences within a professional context. You will identify an appropriate topic aligned to your own professional area of expertise and explore the appropriateness of current practice by designing, conducting and analyzing an appropriate audit or evaluation with a clear reference to the relevant research literature. You will reflect on your findings and make evidence based recommendations for the improvement of practice.

Professional Research
Professional research is the thesis which requires you to design, conduct and defend a piece of original research that makes a contribution to knowledge and to practice. The facilitated modules are designed to support you in identifying the topic for investigation and developing your research proposal to the level required. You will be expected to produce a written thesis of 40,000 words which will be examined the same way as a traditional PhD. You will be given supervisory support during the writing period. A supervisory team is allocated to you when you have completed the taught modules, although it is likely that you will have been given the opportunity to meet potential supervisors during the first two years of study.