Doctor of Business Administration

The purpose of the qualification is to recognise a distinguished contribution, over a number of years, to the advancement of knowledge in business administration, or in a related field of study. The holder of D.Sc (Bus Ad) will be a full member of the international research community and will have demonstrated, through work of a publishable standard, the application of comprehensive knowledge and expertise in his or her specialist field.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants who fall outside of the normal admissions process who can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the University that they have a qualification or experiential or work based learning which has taken the learner to an equivalent level of a qualification specified above (under Formally Accredited Learning), may be considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior accredited and/or prior experiential learning.

The ability to conceive, plan, execute and write-up for publication in peer-group reviewed journals or books original research in the field of business administration or a related field. This will be based on previously gained specialist knowledge and understanding of both the structure and content of the field studied, of related concepts and knowledge systems, of the scientific research methodology appropriate to business research and of applications in the business world.

Formally Accredited Learning

The typical applicant has extensive, high level research experience with significant output of published work and/or work of a publishable standard in the field of business administration, and one of the following:

• Degree of Master of the University of at least five years standing, or equivalent qualification.
• Doctor of Philosophy of the University of at least two years standing, or equivalent qualification.

The qualifying learner

1. Demonstrates, through the cumulative impact of original and co-ordinated published work, a distinguished contribution to knowledge within the field.
2. Demonstrates an understanding, with a high degree of sophistication, of the construction of knowledge within the field.

Critical Cross-field Outcomes

• "Identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made" - see Exit Level Outcomes (ELO) 1 and Associated Assessment Criteria (AAC) 2.
• "Working with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community" - see AAC 3.
• "Organising and managing oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively" - see ELO 1 & 2 and AAC 1 & 2.
• "Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information" - see ELO 1 and 2 and AAC 2.
• "Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion" - see ELO 1 and AAC 2.
• "Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the enviroment and health of others" - see AAC 2.
• "Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts does not exist in isolation" - see ELO 1 and 2.
• "Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:

> "Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively" - see ELO 1 and AAC 1.

> "Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities" - see AAC 4; note also that learners act in accordance with the code of conduct of the University and, where relevant, that of the professional discipline being studied.

> "Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts" - see AAC 3.

> "Exploring education and career opportunities" - see ELO 1.

> "Developing entrepreneurial opportunities" - dependant on field of study.

Learners are assessed on their abilities to

1. Consider a range of options and make decisions about the scope of the research undertaken such that the substance of the published work is original and shows no major overlap with work already published.
2. Demonstrate an expert understanding of the content of the chosen topics, of the use of appropriate research methodologies and techniques and of an effective literary style in presentation.
3. Critically reflect on peer feedback to ensure academic rigour.
4. Demonstrate the utility of their research work in contributing to improved business/management performance.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment occurs through the acceptance of a compendium of work citing the candidate's published works which demonstrates the distinguished and co-ordinated contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the area chosen which has been made and which is presented in an acceptable academic genre.