Award Options
- Single Award: Institut Brittany d’Enseignement Supérieur (IBES) or
- Dual Awards: IBES + UTAMED
Programme Aims
The DBA is designed with the following aims:
(a) To produce and equip a new breed of manager‑leaders with the ability to develop a vision for the future, think critically and plan strategically, implement effective business policies and make sound decisions to achieve business goals.
(b) To enhance research capability by undertaking systematic and scientific research which will contribute to both the expansion of knowledge and management practices.
Programme Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the DBA will be able to:
- a) Demonstrate mastery of research methodologies and techniques to independently design, conduct, and critically evaluate original research that contributes new knowledge to the field of business.
b) Critically engage with and contribute to the development of advanced theories, frameworks, and models in business and management disciplines.
c) Communicate complex research findings effectively to academic, professional, and policy‑making audiences through high‑quality thesis, publications, presentations, and other scholarly outputs.
d) Apply ethical principles and responsible research practices in all aspects of scholarly inquiry, including data collection, analysis, authorship, and dissemination.
e) Demonstrate the ability to think strategically and systemically about complex business problems, integrating multidisciplinary perspectives to generate innovative solutions.
f) Translate research findings into actionable insights that inform business practice, policy development, and societal advancement, demonstrating impact beyond academia.
Awards to be Conferred
Single Award: Institut Brittany d’Enseignement Supérieur (IBES)
- Award Title: Docteur en Administration des Affaires (Doctor of Business Administration) by IBES
OR
Dual Awards: IBES + UTAMED
- Award Title: Docteur en Administration des Affaires (Doctor of Business Administration) by IBES
- Award Title: Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) by UTAMED
Programme Structure (Research Mode – Thesis Only)
The DBA is a research‑only programme structured in 3 stages, totalling 120 ECTS credits.
| Stage | Component | Weight | Word Count | Estimated Duration |
| Stage 1 | Thesis preparation (Research Methodology) – mandatory preparatory module, not graded | – | – | Up to 4 months |
| Thesis Proposal | 25% | 4,500 – 5,000 words | Up to 3 months after Research Methodology | |
| Stage 2 | Final Doctoral Thesis | 75% | 40,000 – 45,000 words | 12 – 18 months |
| Stage 3 | Oral Defence (Viva Voce) – mandatory, not graded | – | – | Scheduled 2–3 weeks after final marking |
- A supervisor is assigned after Thesis Proposal approval.
- The Research Methodology module must be completed (or exemption granted if equivalent prior study) before starting the Thesis Proposal.
Assessment Strategies
- Assessment components:
- Thesis Proposal: 25% of total mark
- Final Thesis: 75% of total mark
- Oral Defence: mandatory for award but not graded
- Detailed assessment criteria (see sections 6.1.1 and 6.1.2):
| Thesis Proposal (25%) | Weight |
| Research Problem & Objectives | 5% |
| Literature Review & Theoretical Basis | 5% |
| Research Design & Methodology | 7% |
| Contribution to Knowledge | 3% |
| Ethical Considerations | 2% |
| Proposal Structure & Academic Writing | 3% |
| Final Thesis (75%) | Weight |
| Originality and Contribution | 15% |
| Literature Integration & Theoretical Depth | 10% |
| Methodological Rigor | 15% |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 10% |
| Discussion & Implications | 10% |
| Structure, Clarity & Academic Writing | 10% |
| Ethical Compliance & Research Integrity | 5% |
- Grading scheme (per component and overall):
- Distinction: 70–100%
- Merit: 60–69%
- Pass: 50–59%
- Fail: below 50%
- Final DBA classification: based on overall weighted average of Proposal and Thesis (same bands).
- Referrals: maximum two resubmissions permitted; pass mark for referral is normally 50%.
Entry Requirements
(a) A Master’s degree in any field; OR
(b) Other qualifications recognised by IBES as equivalent to a Master’s degree.
(c) English language proficiency (one of):
- IELTS overall band 6.0 or equivalent;
- Previous undergraduate, postgraduate or professional qualification taught and assessed in English;
- Qualification examined in English at EQF Level 2 or above (subject to approval);
- Passing an ESOL Awards English test at B2 level (contact IBES).
Advanced Standing / APL: Not applicable – the programme is fully research‑based with no taught modules for which exemptions can be granted.
Delivery Mode
Two modes are available, both following the same research‑only structure:
- Blended Learning Mode
- Fully Online Mode
Contact / supervision hours:
- Stage 1: 8 hours of face‑to‑face or online supervision
- Stage 2: 20 hours of face‑to‑face or online supervision
All other work is independent research and writing.
Duration / Notional Hours
- Maximum duration: 36 months (3 years) from commencement (unless extension granted).
- Total notional hours: circa 3,000 hours (approximately 25 hours per ECTS, consistent with 120 ECTS).
Breakdown (approximate):
- Stage 1 – Research Methodology: 250 hours
- Stage 1 – Thesis Proposal preparation: 250 hours
- Stage 1 – Supervision: 8 hours
- Stage 2 – Final Thesis research and writing: 2,572 hours
- Stage 2 – Supervision: 20 hours
- Stage 3 – Oral defence: not specified, but negligible
Total: ≈ 3,100 hours.
Pricing:
€9,900 (IBES + UTAMED)
