36 Months | Doctorate | Business Administration

Rushford Business School
Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA)

The Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) from Rushford Business School is a 36-month doctoral programme designed for experienced professionals, business leaders, managers and entrepreneurs who wish to solve real-world business challenges through applied research. The programme emphasizes research methodology, strategic management, leadership, critical thinking and organizational transformation. Learners complete business management coursework, specialization modules, doctoral research, proposal defence, doctoral residency and a final dissertation under one-to-one thesis mentorship. The programme also provides opportunities for publication, patent support, entrepreneurship mentoring and optional PwC Directorship & Board Advisory Certification.

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Rushford Business School Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA)

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University Rankings & Accreditation

Rushford Business School — recognition that matters

Rushford Business School Doctorate Programme

QS Stars 4-Star Overall Rating

EduQua Certified Swiss Quality Certification

AACSB Member Business Education

BGA Member Business Graduates Association

ACBSP Member Business Schools & Programs

IACBE Educational Member Business Education

UN PRME Member Responsible Management Education

Program Highlights

Everything that matters — at a glance

⏱
Programme Duration
36 Months
📋
Programme Type
Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA)
💰
Learning Format
Live Online + Research Mentorship
💻
Weekly Commitment
15 Hours/Week (Coursework Phase)
🏦
Research Mentorship
1:1 Thesis Mentorship
🤝
Specializations
10 Specialization Options
🌍
Research
Applied Business Research & Dissertation
📜
Doctoral Residency
Included
🎓
Alumni Status
Same as On-campus Students
🏆
Certification
Doctorate of Business Administration

How You Learn Online

UGC-compliant 4-Quadrant learning model — structured for working professionals

Video & E-Tutorial

Animated video lectures, virtual labs, audio content and full transcriptions — available 24/7

E-Content & Resources

Digital study material, e-books, case studies, web references and reading material uploaded weekly

Live Discussion Forum

Weekly live sessions with course coordinators for doubt-clearing and peer interaction

Assessments

Weekly quizzes, assignments, MCQs and project evaluations — structured and timely feedback

Program Curriculum

Industry-aligned, application-based — built for career outcomes

Business Management Track (30 ECTS)

Managerial Skills
Managerial Economics
Cutting Edge Leadership
Accounting for Financial Reporting
International Business Environment
Strategic Management: Integrating the Enterprise

Specialization Track (30 ECTS)

Choose Any 6 Courses from the Selected Specialization
General Management
Data Science
Marketing
Finance
Supply Chain Management
Big Data
International Business
Human Resource Management
Healthcare Management
Sustainability & Environmental Management

Research Track (30 ECTS)

Introduction to Academic Research
The Landscape of Literature Review
Research Design
Business Statistics
Designing a Quantitative Research Methodology
Designing a Qualitative Research Methodology

Doctoral Research & Dissertation

Written Proposal Defence (5000 Words)
Doctoral Residency
Reflection and Minutes of the Meeting with the Supervisor
Report Writing
Written Dissertation
Oral Defence (Viva Voce)
Thesis Submission
Research Publication Guidance

Optional PwC Directorship & Board Advisory Certification

An Overview of the Modern Board
Corporate Governance
Ethics & Regulatory Frameworks
Finance & Risk for Board Oversight
Digital Transformation
Cyber Security Governance
Mergers & Acquisitions
Independent Directors
Stakeholder Engagement
Investor Relations
Board Simulation Project
Board Readiness Presentation

Doctoral Research Journey

Research Topic Selection
Problem Identification
Research Gap Analysis
Research Objectives
Research Questions
Hypothesis Development
Conceptual Framework
Proposal Development
Supervisor Guidance
Ethics Approval
Research Planning
Research Timeline

Research Execution

Primary Data Collection
Secondary Data Collection
Survey Design
Interview Techniques
Case Study Research
Questionnaire Design
Data Validation
Statistical Analysis
Qualitative Analysis
Research Interpretation
Findings & Discussion
Managerial Implications

Doctoral Skills Development

Critical Thinking
Academic Writing
Research Communication
Literature Review Techniques
Reference Management
Publication Writing
Conference Paper Preparation
Journal Publication
Research Ethics
Plagiarism Prevention
Intellectual Property
Patent Awareness

Doctoral Completion

Dissertation Writing
Thesis Formatting
Supervisor Review
Internal Evaluation
External Evaluation
Thesis Revision
Final Dissertation Submission
Viva Voce Preparation
Final Oral Defence
Degree Completion

7 Specializations

Click any specialization to see fees and key modules

General Management Rushford Business School Included ▼

Total FeeIncluded

Per SemesterIncluded

Zero Cost EMIIncluded

Key Modules:

Leadership
Strategic Management
Business Transformation
Corporate Governance

Data Science Rushford Business School Included ▼

Total FeeIncluded

Per SemesterIncluded

Zero Cost EMIIncluded

Key Modules:

Business Analytics
Machine Learning
Data-driven Decision Making
AI Applications

Finance Rushford Business School Included ▼

Total FeeIncluded

Per SemesterIncluded

Zero Cost EMIIncluded

Key Modules:

Corporate Finance
Investment Management
Financial Strategy
Risk Management

Marketing Rushford Business School Included ▼

Total FeeIncluded

Per SemesterIncluded

Zero Cost EMIIncluded

Key Modules:

Strategic Marketing
Consumer Behaviour
Digital Marketing
Brand Management

Supply Chain Management Rushford Business School Included ▼

Total FeeIncluded

Per SemesterIncluded

Zero Cost EMIIncluded

Key Modules:

Logistics
Operations
Procurement
Supply Chain Strategy

Healthcare Management Rushford Business School Included ▼

Total FeeIncluded

Per SemesterIncluded

Zero Cost EMIIncluded

Key Modules:

Healthcare Administration
Healthcare Policy
Hospital Management
Healthcare Innovation

Sustainability & Environmental Management Rushford Business School Included ▼

Total FeeIncluded

Per SemesterIncluded

Zero Cost EMIIncluded

Key Modules:

Sustainability
Environmental Governance
ESG
Green Business Strategy

Fee Structure

Transparent pricing — paid semester-wise with Zero Cost EMI available

Specialization	Per Semester	Total Fee	EMI / Month (6 mo)
Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA)	NA	₹6,50,000	Starting at ₹19,688/month

The total programme fee is ₹6,50,000 (no taxes applicable). Flexible financing options are available with EMIs starting from ₹19,688 per month for eligible learners.

Scholarships Available

Reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis

Category	Who's Eligible	Scholarship
Flexible EMI	Eligible learners	Available
Education Loan	Available through financing partners	Available
Corporate Sponsorship	Senior Executives & Organizations	Available

Eligibility Criteria

Simple and transparent — no entrance exam required

🇮🇳 Students with Indian Education

Passed 10 + 2 from a recognised board
Completed undergraduate degree (minimum 3 years)
Aggregate minimum of 50% marks
Final year students can apply with last semester results
Work experience gives added advantage

🌍 Students with Foreign Education

Certificate of Equivalence from AIU (Association of Indian Universities) required
Visit aiu.ac.in for details

Career Opportunities

Roles our graduates step into after completing this program

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Lead organizations through strategic decision-making, innovation and long-term business transformation.

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Manage enterprise operations, organizational performance and operational excellence initiatives.

Chief Strategy Officer

Develop corporate growth strategies, business expansion plans and competitive positioning.

Business Consultant

Advise organizations on business strategy, leadership, organizational development and transformation.

Management Consultant

Provide research-driven solutions for organizational challenges, innovation and operational improvements.

Business Researcher

Conduct applied business research, publish academic work and solve industry-specific business problems.

Corporate Director

Serve on corporate boards by providing strategic governance and executive oversight.

Entrepreneur

Launch and scale innovative ventures using advanced business research and leadership expertise.

University Faculty

Teach business management, supervise research scholars and contribute to academic research.

Business Transformation Leader

Lead digital transformation, innovation management and organizational change initiatives.

Our Hiring Partners

Top companies that recruit our graduates

PwC Deloitte EY KPMG Accenture IBM Microsoft Amazon Google Oracle Infosys TCS Cognizant Capgemini HCLTech Wipro Rushford Business School Alumni Network Global Research Community

Student Testimonials

Real students. Real outcomes.

The DBA programme strengthened my leadership capabilities and enabled me to conduct impactful research that directly benefited my organization.

DBA Learner

Senior Business Executive

The one-to-one doctoral supervision and structured research methodology helped me confidently complete my doctoral dissertation.

Programme Graduate

Doctor of Business Administration

The combination of applied business research and executive leadership made the programme highly relevant for experienced professionals.

Working Professional

Business Leader

The DBA focuses on solving real business problems through rigorous research while developing future-ready leadership capabilities.

Faculty Mentor

Rushford Business School

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before you apply — answered clearly

What is the Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA)? Program

The Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) is a 36-month professional doctoral programme offered by Rushford Business School. It is designed for experienced professionals, senior managers, entrepreneurs and executives who want to solve real-world business problems through applied research while advancing into senior leadership positions.

Who is eligible for the DBA programme? Eligibility

The programme is intended for experienced working professionals, business leaders, entrepreneurs, consultants and senior managers who wish to pursue doctoral-level business research while continuing their careers.

What is the duration of the programme? Program

The Doctorate of Business Administration programme is completed over 36 months and combines coursework, specialization modules, research training, doctoral residency and a final dissertation.

How is the programme delivered? Learning

The programme follows a flexible online learning model with live sessions, self-paced study, one-to-one doctoral supervision, research mentoring, academic guidance and dissertation support.

What topics are covered during the programme? Curriculum

The curriculum covers managerial economics, strategic management, leadership, accounting, international business, research methodology, quantitative and qualitative research, business statistics, academic writing and doctoral research.

What specialization options are available? Curriculum

Learners can choose from several specializations including General Management, Data Science, Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain Management, International Business, Human Resource Management, Healthcare Management and Sustainability & Environmental Management.

Does the programme include research methodology? Curriculum

Yes. Participants learn literature review, research design, quantitative research methods, qualitative research methods, business statistics, proposal writing, academic research ethics and dissertation planning.

What is the doctoral dissertation? Projects

The doctoral dissertation is an applied research project where learners investigate a real business problem, conduct original research, prepare a thesis, defend their findings through a viva voce and complete all doctoral graduation requirements.

Will I receive individual research supervision? Learning

Yes. Every learner receives one-to-one guidance from an academic supervisor throughout the proposal development, research execution, dissertation writing and thesis defence stages.

What is the Doctoral Residency? Learning

The Doctoral Residency is an integral component of the DBA programme where learners interact with faculty members, receive research guidance, discuss dissertation progress and strengthen their academic and professional research capabilities.

Does the programme support research publications? Research

Yes. The programme provides guidance on academic writing, journal publication, conference paper preparation, research communication, intellectual property awareness and publication strategies.

Is the PwC Directorship & Board Advisory Certification included? Certification

The programme offers an optional PwC Directorship & Board Advisory Certification covering corporate governance, board responsibilities, ethics, risk management, digital transformation, cybersecurity governance and board simulation exercises.

Will I receive a doctoral degree after completing the programme? Certification

Yes. Learners who successfully complete all coursework, doctoral research, dissertation and viva requirements receive the Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) from Rushford Business School.

What career opportunities are available after completing the DBA? Career

Graduates can pursue leadership positions such as CEO, COO, Chief Strategy Officer, Business Consultant, Management Consultant, Corporate Director, Business Researcher, Entrepreneur, University Faculty and Business Transformation Leader.

How much is the programme fee? Fees

The total programme fee is ₹6,50,000 (no taxes applicable). Flexible financing options are available with EMIs starting from ₹19,688 per month for eligible learners.

Can I pursue this DBA while working full-time? Learning

Yes. The programme is specifically designed for working professionals with a flexible online format, allowing participants to balance doctoral studies with their professional responsibilities.

Does the programme help entrepreneurs and business owners? Career

Yes. The DBA equips entrepreneurs and business owners with advanced research, strategic leadership and evidence-based decision-making skills to solve complex business challenges and drive organizational growth.

Why should I choose the Rushford Business School DBA programme? Program

The DBA combines executive business education with applied doctoral research, offering flexible online learning, one-to-one thesis supervision, multiple specialization options, doctoral residency, publication guidance and an optional PwC Directorship & Board Advisory Certification. It is designed to help experienced professionals become research-driven business leaders capable of solving complex organizational challenges.

Become a Doctor of Business Administration

Develop expertise in business leadership, strategic management, organizational transformation, research methodology, corporate governance and applied business research through Rushford Business School’s globally recognized Doctorate of Business Administration programme.

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