Part-Time DBA

The Part-time DBA is an exciting and innovative collaborative programme run jointly by the Newcastle University Business School and the Grenoble Ecole de Management, a French 'Grande Ecole' internationally recognised by all major accreditation bodies. It is one of France's top ten business schools, which has a deep and long-standing relationship with Newcastle. The part-time programme is unique in being delivered in an international setting (with research training and supervision taking place both in Newcastle and in Grenoble) and offers a jointly awarded, internationally recognised doctoral qualification.

This programme is aimed at Senior Managers and Executives who are interested in strengthening and extending their professional expertise by pursuing the ultimate academic qualification - a doctorate. The Part-Time DBA is designed in a way that enables the candidates to realise those ambitions without compromising their work-life balance. Research training is provided in four one-week blocks and research supervision is provided throughout the programme, and a range of web-based resources for managing reflective learning is available. This innovative approach makes it easier for candidates to combine demanding careers with their doctoral research.

Programme Design

Students in Lecture

The joint DBA programme allows students to draw on the facilities and the supervisory expertise of the two schools, which gives the programme a distinctive international flavour.

The programme is themed around the broad area of organizational knowledge, innovation and change. One of the factors that draws Newcastle and Grenoble together is the shared research interests of many of their faculty members in this area of management knowledge. The thematic focus also provides for a much greater degree of synergy between students on the programme.

The part-time programme is of five years' duration:

  • Part I (two years): this part of the programme is structured around a series of research workshops which focus on the issues students are likely to face in the conduct of their research. Their open nature of the workshops facilitates a constructive interaction between students and faculty members.
  • Part II (three years): building on work carried out during Part I, each student undertakes a major research project which culminates in their submitting their DBA thesis. During this period, a student's work will be overseen by two supervisors. In order to be awarded the DBA, the thesis must satisfy two examiners appointed by Newcastle University/Grenoble Ecole de Management.

Aims and Objectives

Students who successfully complete the programme will have done the following:

  • Acquired the expertise in research design and methods necessary to be able to undertake a doctoral-level research project
  • Acquired a ‘state of the art' understanding of theory and practice in their area of research
  • Demonstrated a capacity to conduct original investigations and to test and/or apply and/or examine ideas, whether their own or others
  • Designed and carried out a major research project of relevance to management practice
  • Understood and reflected upon the relationship between their own research theme and associated literature and the wider corpus of knowledge
  • Achieved a greater level of effectiveness as a professional practitioner in their area of study
  • Be better able to evaluate and commission, as well as conduct research, to further enhance this capacity

Programme Fees

Fees for students are listed on the University fees database. Enter code 8905P to see DBA fees for students to be based at Newcastle. Fees are generally confirmed in late May of the year of entry.