Doctor of Business Administration
A Top-Ranked Global DBA Program for Ambitious Leaders.
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at SBS Swiss Business School is an integrated work-and-research doctoral program designed for management practitioners and professionals who aim to make a meaningful contribution to business practice and policy.
A Top-Ranked Global DBA Program for Ambitious Leaders.
The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at SBS Swiss Business School is an integrated work-and-research doctoral program designed for management practitioners and professionals who aim to make a meaningful contribution to business practice and policy.
This hybrid, part-time DBA is delivered at the SBS Zurich Campus and is ideal for experienced managers seeking advanced research capabilities and leadership development.
The program begins with an intensive in-person coursework phase, taught through weekend workshops every three months, and leads to the Swiss State-Accredited Master of Science in Applied Business Research (MABR).
After completing the coursework phase, candidates enter a remotely supervised research phase, conducting applied research projects that produce publishable, practice-oriented studies.
The DBA can be completed in a minimum of three years through a flexible structure designed for working professionals. Upon successfully completing both phases, candidates are awarded the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree.
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Note
The DBA program is a part-time study and does not qualify for a student permit in Canton Zurich.
Learning Outcomes
PROGRAM DETAILS
The SBS Swiss Business School Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) can be completed in a minimum of three years, following a structured progression from the Coursework Phase to the supervised Research Phase.
Coursework Phase (18 months)
The first phase consists of intensive in-person workshops and seminars, taught through weekend sessions every three months at the SBS Zurich Campus. Courses are delivered in a classroom-based, immersive workshop format and are assessed through written assignments.
To advance to the Research Phase, candidates must successfully complete a set of assessed Research Proposals. Once approved, students progress to independent, supervised research work.
Coursework Modules
- Management Research Perspectives
- Information Technologies for Business Research
- Advanced Statistics and Data Analysis
- Critique Analysis of Research
- Global Environments and Management Trends
- Contemporary Management
- Research Methods in Business & Management
This phase lays the academic and methodological foundation required for high-level applied research.
Upon successfully completing Phase 1, students are awarded the Swiss State-Accredited Master of Science in Applied Business Research (MABR).
Research Phase (18 months)
During the Research Phase, candidates undertake independent, supervised research projects, each resulting in a publishable-quality research paper. These projects allow students to specialize within a broad organizational and management context, addressing real-world challenges related to leadership, change, strategy, and process improvement.
The program culminates in the submission of a doctoral dissertation, which is externally examined by independent experts to ensure academic rigor and international credibility.
Upon successfully completing both phases, candidates are awarded the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree.
| Classes starting |
September |
|---|---|
| Duration |
3 years |
| Format / Location | Hybrid / SBS Zurich Campus |
Explore the SBS Swiss Business School Academic Calendar for the DBA, featuring key dates, term schedules, exams, and thesis deadlines for students.
Mode of Study: Hybrid, part-time, 3 years
SBS Credits: 180 | EQF Level: 8
Admissions Requirements:
- Successful completion of an MBA degree or MSc in the business field
- Min. 10 years of professional work experience, out of which min. five years of experience at the executive/managerial level
- English Proficiency for non-native speakers
- Successful completion of the admissions interview
- Minimum age required: 30 years
Required documentation for a successful Doctor of Business Administration Application:
- Copy of MBA degree/transcript or related Master’s degree i.e. economics, business
- Complete CV and work certificates indicating professional experiences and responsibilities
- Min. 10 years of professional work experience, out of which min. five years of experience at the executive/managerial level
- 1000-word outline of proposed research topic/idea
- English proficiency unless previous education was conducted in English
- TOEFL IBT 90, IELTS 6.5, Duoling or equivalent
- Front-facing photograph, high quality in jpg/png/gif format
- Copy of passport or ID
Note: The DBA program is a part-time study and does not qualify for a student permit in Canton Zurich.
Tuition fees at SBS Swiss Business School may be paid in full or through installments, following the payment plan outlined below.
We offer a 5% tuition fee reduction on full payment at the start of the program.
| Application fee (one-time non-refundable) | CHF 150.- |
| Administration fee (one-time non-refundable fee) | CHF 5'000.- |
| Semester 1 | CHF 10’000.- |
| Semester 2 | CHF 10’000.- |
| Semester 3 | CHF 10’000.- |
| Semester 4 | CHF 5’000.- |
| Semester 5 | CHF 5’000.- |
Total Fee | CHF 45’150.- |
All fees include material and VAT, amounts are stated in the local currency of Swiss Francs (CHF).
SBS Swiss Business School is institutionally recognized in Switzerland and operates under a rigorous quality assurance framework that meets national and international higher education standards. We are committed to academic excellence, transparency, and continuous improvement in business education.
Our business and management programs are accredited by leading international accreditation bodies, ensuring that our curriculum, faculty expertise, and learning outcomes meet globally recognized standards of quality.
SBS Swiss Business School is a Swiss University of Applied Sciences Institute, accredited under the Swiss Federal Act (HEdA).
Important Notice for DBA Applicants
Please note that the DBA program is not part of the Swiss Federal Act (HEdA). For consumer protection and full clarity, we recommend that applicants review the regulations and recognition policies of their home country.
However, our DBA programs are internationally accredited by the following professional accreditation bodies:
- British Accreditation Council
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
Learn more about our accreditation bodies
Quality and transparency are at the heart of SBS Swiss Business School. As a leading institution for business education, we are committed to exceeding international standards in higher education and demonstrating our positive impact on students, employers, and society.
SBS Swiss Business School and its programs are regularly evaluated by independent ranking organizations and international publications. We take pride in our consistent recognition for academic excellence, innovation, and global relevance.
Our programs have earned prestigious rankings and awards worldwide, underscoring our commitment to Swiss-quality education that empowers the next generation of business leaders.
Discover how SBS continues to stand out in the global business education landscape.
Discover the SBS Swiss Business School Annual Program Report, featuring insights on class profiles, international diversity, specializations, graduate employment, salaries, and career outcomes.
The report covers age range, regional background, salary data, placement rates, time to employment, and employment sectors - showing how SBS graduates succeed worldwide.
TESTIMONIALS
Voices of success
I liked that there was always a person with who I was able to get in contact with as well as the quick feedback upon my questions and items raised.
Oliver Kuerten
DBA Alumni
I would highly recommend the DBA program to all individuals who are eager to prepare themselves for a successful and rewarding future
Cristina Troiani Rodriguez
DBA Alumna
I have been dealing with the Swiss for more than 30 years.
Tew Kim Chuan (KC)
DBA Alumni
I liked the family spirit and I would summarize my experience as following: Inspirational, challenging, and life-changing.
Rima Yasser Helal
DBA Alumni
SBS is located close to Zurich and offered my preferred course; the DBA.
Mark Lambert
DBA Alumni
The contact with my fellow students and to the lecturers and faculty was very valuable and I am very proud of my degree at SBS. I would and will definitely recommend the degree to others.
Claudia Stehr
DBA Alumna
SBS Swiss Business School’s doctorate program is among the best in Europe.
Matongo Chikuba Shilimi
DBA Alumna
My motivation for studying at SBS Swiss Business School was the schools ranking, location, flexibility, study schedule and the support of the faculty.
Hessa Ali Rashed Ali AlKaabi
DBA Alumni
My motivation to study is to further my learning and interested in the subject of employee engagement.
Andy C.S. Lock
DBA Alumni
It was a great experience to study, learn and evolve both on an academic and professional level.
Mohammed Khalfan Saeed Aldhaheri
DBA Alumni
I choose to do my DBA at SBS Swiss Business School because I wanted to dig deep into a subject that interested me.
Tomas Olsson
DBA Alumni
I would recommend SBS Swiss Business School to anyone who is passionate about science, who wants to get a greater worldview, and who wants to help to make the world a better place, faster.
Viktor Prokopenya
DBA Alumni
The instructors are very good and couples with colleagues from different parts of the world reflected a unique. It was a great experience!
Yassar Adnan Hamdan
DBA Alumni
The research skills I have learnt have enabled me to broadening and extend my capability profile.
Dr. Anthony Chibo-Christopher
DBA Alumni
I decided to do the SBS DBA because it would enhance my business and employment opportunities.
Ng Kim Fai
DBA Alumni
I emerged from the research armed not only with new perspectives but with a lot of practical data and insight which I have been readily able to apply with clients in the sector.
Tony Buckle
DBA Alumni
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