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Looking for a part-time PhD without putting your career on hold? With the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from Munich Business School and Sheffield Hallam University, you research a question from your own management practice while you keep working. The DBA is a professional doctorate: once you have completed it, you may use the title “Dr.”.
If you want to earn a doctorate while working, MBS offers one clear path: the DBA. It is designed for experienced professionals and executives who want to study a question from their practice in a scientifically sound way.
In three on-site modules, you learn how to investigate a research question from your business with rigorous methods. You then write your doctoral thesis, supported by supervisors from Sheffield Hallam University and MBS, and defend it orally.
The DBA has two phases. First, three on-site modules prepare you for academic research. You are assigned a personal supervisor in the very first module. After completing the three modules, you receive the MBS “Certificate in Business Research”.
In the research phase, you write a research report (RF2 report, maximum 6,000 words) and present it orally. Once the DBA Programme Assessment Board approves your report, you start your doctoral thesis. Your supervisors, Sheffield Hallam University and MBS support you throughout. Finally, you submit your thesis to Sheffield Hallam University and defend it in an oral examination (viva voce).
Time frame: September 13. – 17., 2027
This module provides you with the essential academic skills to successfully complete your DBA studies. It includes an introduction to reflexivity, critical thinking and writing, as well as philosophical and ethical considerations that will underpin your research process. During this module, you will also be allocated a supervisor, and draft the introductory chapter of your thesis.
Time frame: April 24. - 28., 2028
The purpose of this module is to introduce contemporary issues and debates in such a way that is relevant to define your research interests, and drawing boundaries around your research scope.
The content of the module includes key concepts such as diversity at the workplace, economic trends, and future technological revolutions, and challenge your thinking on how these external factors may impact your sector and research.
In addition, the module includes in-depth sessions on developing a literature review, which enables you to eventually draft your own literature review.
Time frame: October 16. – 20., 2028
During this module, your knowledge inquired in module 2 is further deepened, allowing you to gain advanced insights into general research approaches and designs with the aim to enable you to develop your research method, and align it to an underpinning research philosophy. At the end of this module, you will draft the research methods chapter of your thesis.
After successful completion of modules 1-3, you will receive a "Certificate in Business Research" from Munich Business School. This qualifies you to enter the second phase of the DBA program at Sheffield Hallam University: the preparation of your doctoral thesis.
Time frame: until September 2031
The research phase begins with the formal preparation of a research proposal and an oral presentation. This so-called research report (RF2 report; max. 6,000 words) should include the methodology, a summary of the work done so far, and a statement of further research planned.
Once your research report has been approved by the DBA Program Assessment Board, you will be ready to write your dissertation. Throughout this process, you will receive ongoing support from both SHU and MBS, and ongoing support from your supervisors.
Once your thesis is completed, you will submit it to SHU for an oral defense (viva voce). After the successful defense you will receive the degree DBA Doctor of Business Administration.
MBS is a member of the Executive DBA Council, the international network of practice-oriented doctoral programmes.
AACSB, FIBAA, the German Council of Science and Humanities and state recognition strengthen the standing of your degree.
From the first module, you have a dedicated supervisor.
Three on-site weeks in Munich and Sheffield that you can plan around your job.
You learn alongside executives with at least five years of professional experience.
You earn your doctorate together with a British university with more than 34,000 students.
The DBA is a full doctoral degree awarded by Sheffield Hallam University in the United Kingdom. In Germany, you may use it as “Dr.” without a subject addition and without naming the awarding university. This applies to doctoral degrees from the United Kingdom that were obtained through an academic doctoral procedure.
Source: Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts, information sheet on the use of foreign academic degrees, as of January 2023, in German.
Many DBA participants already hold leadership positions. A doctorate and research experience help most where you need to justify decisions with evidence and lead change.
Munich is a strong base for a practice-oriented doctorate. Eight of the eleven Bavarian DAX companies have their headquarters here, including Allianz, BMW, Siemens and Munich Re. Many participants therefore find research questions and interview partners for case studies right on their doorstep. The region also has a graduate share of 43.1%.
Source: Munich Economic Development, location facts 2025/26 (munich-business.eu)
Doing a doctorate while working is mainly a matter of planning. In the DBA, time on site is clearly limited: three modules of one week each in Munich and Sheffield. The dates are fixed early so you can agree them with your employer.
The amount of time required on a day-to-day basis can vary greatly. Between modules, you will work independently on your research project. Set aside specific time slots in your week for this—for example, in the evenings or on weekends. The number of hours will depend on your topic and your pace.
To involve your employer, choose a research topic that also benefits your company. This makes it easier to discuss time off for in-person weeks or coverage of expenses. If you are a taxpayer in Germany, you can generally claim tuition fees for a part-time degree program as a tax deduction; please consult your tax advisor or the Federal Ministry of Finance for details.
Both paths lead to a doctoral degree but have different focuses. This self-check gives you a first orientation.
✓ Research question often theory-driven
✓ Supervision by a professor you find yourself
✓ Individual timeline, often with a university position
✓ No proof of work experience required
✓ Research question from your management practice
✓ Structured process with three modules and a fixed supervisor
✓ 48 months part-time, alongside your job
✓ At least 5 years of work experience, 3 of them in management
A university’s accreditations are one of the most important indicators of the quality and recognition of its degree programs. Government agencies and renowned international accrediting organizations evaluate the academic excellence, practical focus, and adherence to international standards of universities. This ensures that your degree is highly regarded and opens many doors for you.
Traditional research often gets criticized for one thing: lacking relevance. Prof. Dr. David Wagner knows that discussion firsthand – as Academic Director of the DBA program. His approach: knowledge you can apply directly, part-time and with full freedom over your topic. Watch the video to hear what the DBA journey could mean for you.
Yes. Many universities allow external doctorates alongside a job, and some programmes are designed specifically for working professionals. The Doctor of Business Administration at Munich Business School is one of them: 48 months part-time with three on-site modules.
The Doctor of Business Administration is a practice-oriented doctoral degree. It suits experienced executives, consultants and entrepreneurs who want to study a question from their professional practice scientifically.
In general, yes. Under a resolution of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education (KMK), doctoral degrees from the United Kingdom, including the DBA from Sheffield Hallam University, may be used as “Dr.” without a subject or country addition. Read more in Can a DBA use the Dr. title? and the KMK agreement (German). Rules in some countries may differ.
A traditional PhD usually focuses on a theory-driven research question, often combined with a university position. The DBA links research to your management practice and is structured as a part-time programme.
You need a completed master's degree in business, management or a related field and at least five years of work experience, three of them in a management position with team and budget responsibility. You also need very good English, for example IELTS Academic 7.0 or TOEFL iBT 100.
Yes, if your master's degree is in business, management or a related field. Check the admission requirements on the programme page and contact the admissions team if you are unsure.
In some German federal states, yes. Hesse, for example, has granted universities of applied sciences their own right to award doctorates in strong research areas. What applies to your field depends on state law.
The Munich Business School DBA is designed for 48 months part-time. The three preparatory modules take place within roughly the first year, followed by the research report and the doctoral thesis.
You start with three on-site modules and are assigned a personal supervisor in the first module. Once your research report is approved, you write your doctoral thesis, supported by Sheffield Hallam University and Munich Business School, and defend it in a viva voce.
You will find all current fees on the programme page. If you pay tax in Germany, fees for part-time study can usually be deducted.
No. There is no age limit. In the DBA, extensive work experience is even a requirement.
At a university, you usually have to find a supervisor yourself. In the DBA, you do not need to search: a supervisor is assigned to you at the start.
That depends on the doctoral regulations. For the DBA, you need a master's degree in business, management or a related field.
At Munich Business School, the DBA program is conducted in English: modules, research report, and dissertation.
In Munich and in Sheffield. The dates are on the programme page.
You apply online and submit, among other documents, a research proposal following the Munich Business School guidelines. All documents and steps are listed on the programme page.
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80687 München Germany
