Doctor in Business Administration (DBA)

Fee: Euro 5000/ year (Euro 15,000 for the whole program)

The program is particularly suitable for professionals who wish to strengthen their strategic leadership capabilities, enhance their professional credibility, and position themselves for senior executive, consulting, policy, advisory, or academic roles.

A Doctoral Degree Aligned with EQF Level 8

The DBA is a doctoral-level qualification aligned with the descriptors of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) Level 8, the highest level of academic achievement in Europe.

Graduates demonstrate:

• The ability to create and interpret new knowledge through original research.
• Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Expertise in addressing complex and unpredictable business challenges.
• The capacity to lead strategic change and innovation.
• The ability to contribute to professional practice and business knowledge at the highest level.

These competencies are highly relevant for senior management and executive careers, where leaders are expected to make evidence-based decisions, manage uncertainty, drive organizational transformation, and contribute to strategic development in increasingly complex global environments.

Learn from Faculty with Academic and Executive Expertise

One of the distinctive strengths of the DBA at the The Hague Global Business School is its faculty.

Our supervisors and lecturers combine strong academic credentials with extensive professional experience in business, consulting, public administration, entrepreneurship, and international management. This combination ensures that doctoral research remains academically rigorous while addressing real-world business challenges.

Students benefit from the guidance of faculty members who understand both the theoretical foundations of management research and the practical realities faced by executives and organizations. This applied approach helps candidates produce research that is relevant, impactful, and directly connected to professional practice.

DBA Program Structure

Flexible Study for Working Professionals

The DBA is a flexible three-year online and hybrid program that enables professionals to continue their careers while pursuing a doctoral qualification.

Under special circumstances, highly motivated candidates may complete the program in as little as two years.

The program is structured in two stages.

Stage 1: Research Foundations

The first stage provides a strong foundation in:

• Applied business research methods
• Doctoral-level academic writing
• Research design and methodology
• Literature review development
• Advanced business and management theory
• Development of the candidate’s research proposal

Students participate in seminars, workshops, and supervised assignments that contribute directly to their dissertation development.

Seminars can be attended online. Subject to sufficient demand, seminars are also offered in hybrid format on campus with simultaneous live streaming.

Stage 2: Doctoral Research and Dissertation

Following successful completion of Stage 1, candidates proceed to the dissertation phase.

Under the guidance of experienced supervisors, students conduct original applied research addressing a significant business or management challenge. The research culminates in a doctoral dissertation that contributes new knowledge to professional practice and demonstrates mastery of advanced business research.

International Perspective and Professional Network

The DBA attracts participants from diverse professional, cultural, and industry backgrounds. Students become part of an international learning environment where they can exchange ideas, expand professional networks, and gain insights into global business practices.

The program’s international orientation prepares graduates to operate effectively in multinational organizations and increasingly interconnected markets.

Competitive Tuition Fees and Exceptional Value

The International Business School The Hague is committed to making doctoral education accessible to experienced professionals.

Compared with many DBA programs offered by universities in Europe, North America, and the United Kingdom, the program offers highly competitive tuition fees while maintaining strong academic standards, personalized supervision, and flexible study arrangements.

This combination of affordability, flexibility, and academic quality provides an attractive return on investment for professionals seeking to advance their careers through doctoral-level study.

DBA Career Opportunities

Graduates of the DBA program are well-positioned for roles including:

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Managing Director
• Senior Consultant
• Strategy Director
• Business Owner or Entrepreneur
• Policy Advisor
• Executive Coach
• Board Member
• University Lecturer
• Researcher

The degree also supports career advancement within existing organizations by strengthening leadership capabilities, strategic thinking, and evidence-based decision-making.

DBA Accreditation

This program is offered through the Euro American Institute (EAI), Malta, under national accreditation in Malta.

Malta is a member of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and participates in the Bologna Process, which promotes the transparency, comparability, and international recognition of academic qualifications across participating countries.

As a result, graduates benefit from a qualification awarded within the European higher education framework that is widely understood and recognized internationally.

Interested in the program?

See here for the tuition fee