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.
See Where the SBS DBA Can Take You
Explore salary insights, professional experience, international diversity, and the industries and leadership roles represented within the SBS DBA community.
Discover the backgrounds of experienced professionals pursuing their DBA at SBS Swiss Business School.
View the DBA Class Profile 2024–2025
Join us at SBS Swiss Business School and elevate your career today!
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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
- Critical 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
Application Deadline:
For applicants from non-EU/non-Schengen countries, the application deadline for each annual DBA intake is August 15. The program begins in mid-September each year.
Late applications may be considered on an exceptional basis; however, admission is not guaranteed. We strongly encourage applicants to apply early to allow sufficient time for application processing and visa arrangements and to increase their chances of securing a place in the program.
Notes
The DBA program is offered on a part-time basis and does not qualify students for a student residence permit in the Canton of Zurich.
Please note that scholarships are not available for the DBA program.
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.- |
Notes:
- All fees include material and VAT, amounts are stated in the local currency of Swiss Francs (CHF).
- The total includes CHF 40'000 in semester tuition fees, a CHF 5'000 administration fee, and a CHF 150 non-refundable application fee.
- Tuition fees are payable in five installments according to the program's payment schedule.
- Please note that scholarships are not available for the DBA program.
SBS Swiss Business School, located in Kloten-Zurich, Switzerland, is institutionally accredited under the Swiss Higher Education Act (HEdA) by the Swiss Accreditation Council as a university of applied sciences institute (2021–2028).
SBS is also accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) as an independent higher education institution in Switzerland.
Selected SBS business programs hold specialized international accreditations from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), both recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Important Information About the DBA
The DBA is a professional doctoral program and is not covered by SBS's institutional accreditation under the Swiss Higher Education Act (HEdA).
The following institutional and program accreditations are relevant to the SBS DBA programs:
- British Accreditation Council (BAC)
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
Applicants are encouraged to verify the recognition and acceptance of their intended DBA qualification in the country where they plan to use it, including any applicable professional or academic requirements.
Learn more about our accreditation bodies
SBS Swiss Business School has earned international recognition for its commitment to high-quality, globally oriented business education.
Several SBS programs have been recognized through international rankings and listings published by organizations such as QS and CEO Magazine.
Our rankings, ratings, and recognitions include:
- Joint #4 Globally – Executive MBA, CEO Magazine Global MBA Rankings 2026
- #5 Globally – Online MBA, CEO Magazine Global MBA Rankings 2026
- Premier DBA Provider – CEO Magazine Global DBA Listing 2026
- #29 in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) – Online MBA, QS Online MBA Rankings 2026
- QS 5-Star Rating for Online Learning, recognizing SBS's online learning provision
These achievements reflect SBS's international recognition and ongoing commitment to practical, internationally oriented business education.
Explore our latest rankings and awards to learn more about SBS Swiss Business School's international recognition.
Discover the professional backgrounds and international diversity of students enrolled in the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program at SBS Swiss Business School.
Explore our DBA Class Profile for insights into student demographics, international representation, professional experience, employment sectors, job titles, and salary information.
TESTIMONIALS
Student & Alumni Voices
This is a really intriguing program because it gives me a total understanding of business and also how to advise senior management and also work with the team force.
Jefferson Akhigbe
DBA Student
SBS’s DBA is a transformative experience. I am balancing its demands while learning from internationally experienced faculty and building a global peer network that enriches my academic and professional journey.
Maru Wegener
DBA Student
I chose SBS’s DBA to combine rigorous academic study with practical application. The program is demanding yet flexible and supportive, providing valuable insights that I apply directly in my professional work with clients.
Tony Buckle
DBA Alumni
The DBA was about more than personal growth; it was about transforming my family business. It gave me the clarity and courage to innovate, like taking an X-ray of the business and identifying where to grow stronger.
Mahmoud Khalaili
DBA Alumni
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 liked the family spirit and I would summarize my experience as following: Inspirational, challenging, and life-changing.
Rima Yasser Helal
DBA Alumni
The DBA program at SBS is challenging but truly enjoyable! SBS is located close to Zurich and offers exactly the program I was looking for: 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 Hartlieb
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.
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
TESTIMONIALS
Faculty Voices
The DBA equips senior leaders to conduct applied research and address complex business challenges. It develops the ability to generate knowledge within organizations, improving decision-making, performance, and leadership impact in a changing global environment.
Prof. Dr. Bert Wolfs
Academic Dean & DBA Program Manager
I enjoy visiting SBS in Zurich and working with diverse faculty and students worldwide. The DBA program fosters global collaboration and develops leaders who address major societal challenges through applied doctoral education.
Dr Barry A. Vann
Adjunct Faculty
SBS DBA students are top-notch, enthusiastic, and highly determined. I enjoy teaching the Mega Project Workshop and value the rigorous yet flexible academic environment, which fosters meaningful engagement and strong practical application.
Dr. Lavagno Ika
Adjunct Faculty
I teach in the DBA program, where we combine applied learning with strong academic foundations. Students develop skills to solve real business problems while also contributing to academic knowledge and research.
Prof. Dr. Günther Singer
Adjunct Faculty
Admissions
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