Executive Doctorate in Business Administration

The Executive Doctorate in Business Administration gives you the space, structure and expert support to tackle the complex organisational challenges you face as a senior leader. You’ll use advanced, practice‑based research to explore real issues in your own organisation, generating insights that improve performance, strengthen strategy and shape better decision‑making.

What sets this programme apart is its focus on applied research. Instead of studying business problems from a distance, you’ll investigate them directly - using your workplace as a live laboratory for testing ideas, analysing data and driving meaningful change. Along the way, you’ll explore contemporary themes such as digital transformation, artificial intelligence, sustainability and responsible management, helping you respond confidently to fast‑moving global business environments.

You’ll build high‑level skills in research design, data analysis, critical thinking and evidence‑based decision‑making. You’ll also learn how to communicate complex ideas clearly to both academic and executive audiences - a vital skill for influencing at senior levels. With flexible delivery designed for working professionals, experienced academic supervisors and a collaborative cohort of fellow leaders, you’ll be supported to balance your studies with your career while producing research that makes a real impact.

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.

Our researchers create knowledge and advance understanding, and equip versatile doctoral researchers with the confidence to apply what they have learnt for the benefit of society. Find out more about working with the Supervisory Team.

You are welcome to approach your potential supervisor directly to discuss your research interests. Search for expert supervisors for your chosen field of research.

Your Executive DBA is structured to help you grow as a researcher, a strategist and a leader. Across the programme, you’ll deepen your understanding of how to design and carry out rigorous research that solves real organisational problems - and you’ll apply that learning directly to your own professional context.

In the early stages, you’ll explore the foundations of doctoral‑level thinking, including research philosophy, theory development and the academic literature that shapes contemporary business practice. You’ll then build specialist skills in qualitative, quantitative and mixed‑methods research, giving you the tools to investigate complex issues with confidence and academic rigour.

As you progress, you’ll work with digital tools and emerging technologies - including artificial intelligence - to support your research, analyse data and strengthen strategic decision‑making. You’ll also explore sustainability and responsible management, developing a clear understanding of how environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations shape modern leadership.

Throughout the programme, you’ll sharpen your ability to interpret evidence, evaluate competing perspectives and present your ideas clearly to different audiences. Leadership development runs through every stage, helping you reflect on your practice, lead change and solve strategic problems in your organisation.

Your final research project brings everything together. You’ll design and deliver an independent, original study that addresses a real challenge in your organisation or sector - producing insights that are academically robust and practically valuable.

You will undertake and complete your thesis in the third year of the programme. 

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Find out about what progress might look like at each stage of study here: Research degree progress structure.

Research support

Excellent research support and training

The Graduate School provides a range of personal, professional and career development opportunities. This includes workshops, online training, coaching and events, to enable you to enhance your professional profile, refine your skills, and plan your next career steps as part of the Researcher Development Programme. The researcher development programme (RDP) offers workshops and seminars in a range of areas including progression, research management, research dissemination, and careers and personal development. You will also be offered a number of online, self-study courses on BBL, including Research Integrity, Research Skills Toolkit, Research Methods in Literature Review and Principles of Research Methods.

Library services

Brunel's Library is open 24 hours a day, has 400,000 books and 250,000 ebooks, and an annual budget of almost £2m. Subject information Specialists train students in the latest technology, digital literacy, and digital dissemination of scholarly outputs. As well as the physical resources available in the Library, we also provide access to a wealth of electronic resources. These include databases, journals and e-books. Access to these resources has been bought by the Library through subscription and is limited to current staff and students.

Dedicated research support staff provide guidance and training on open access, research data management, copyright and other research integrity issues.

Find out more: Brunel Library

You will receive tailored careers support during your PhD and for up to three years after you complete your research at Brunel. We encourage you to actively engage in career planning and managing your personal development right from the start of your research, even (or perhaps especially) if you don't yet have a career path in mind. Our careers provision includes online information and advice, one-to-one consultations and a range of events and workshops. The Student Professional Development (SPD) runs a varied programme of careers events throughout the academic year. These include industry insight sessions, recruitment fairs, employer pop-ups and skills workshops.

In addition, where available, you may be able to undertake some paid work as we recognise that teaching and learning support duties represent an important professional and career development opportunity.

Find out more.

The Executive DBA opens doors to senior, specialised and highly influential roles across industry, consultancy, academia and the public sector. Many graduates use the qualification to strengthen their strategic influence within their current organisation, stepping into roles such as Director, Head of Function, Chief Executive or Strategic Programme Lead. You’ll be well placed to drive transformation, lead complex initiatives and shape long‑term organisational strategy.

If you’re interested in consultancy, the programme gives you the research‑informed thinking and analytical skills needed to advise organisations on challenges such as digital transformation, organisational change and operational improvement - whether you join a global consulting firm or work independently.

The Executive DBA also provides a strong route into academia and applied research. Many graduates go on to become lecturers, senior lecturers or researchers, contributing to teaching, supervising future leaders and continuing their own research. Others move into policy development roles within government, regulatory bodies or international organisations, where evidence‑based decision‑making is essential.

If you’re considering further academic study, the Executive DBA gives you a strong foundation for progressing to a traditional PhD or post‑doctoral research. You’ll already have experience designing and delivering independent studies, working with qualitative and quantitative methods, and producing research that meets high ethical and methodological standards. Many graduates continue to publish, collaborate with universities or contribute to research centres and think tanks.

Wherever you take your career next, you’ll leave the programme with the insight, confidence and research expertise to shape strategy, influence change and make a lasting impact in your organisation and beyond.