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DOCTOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
The Maynooth University DBA is a 4-year doctorate completed by part-time study. DBA students work full-time and hold a senior role in all types of organisations: private business, public administration, healthcare or educational.
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- Qualification
- Doctor Of Business Administration
- CAO/MU Apply code
- MH07D
- Award Type and NFQ level
- PROFESSIONAL DOCTORATE (10)
- Study Mode
- Part time
- Closing Date
- 14 August 2026
Overview
The DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) is the highest level degree for management professionals. The Maynooth DBA is a four-year doctorate completed by part-time study. DBA students work full-time and hold a senior role in all types of organisation: private business, public administration, healthcare or educational. The programme is delivered primarily online in an asynchronous manner with one short residential component per academic year. In completing this programme you will create original management knowledge and apply your research to deliver practical impacts for your organisation.
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Course structure
Duration: 4 years part time
The Maynooth DBA is a four-year programme completed part-time. Students are organised in year cohorts for teaching which is delivered online and asynchronously. Each student have an individual research supervisor who is allocated during the first year of study. Each year in June there is an on-campus DBA research conference in for all students across the four year cohorts. The aim of the conference is to support the dissemination of your research and promote networking.
Teaching is organised into two types of module: Researcher Development and Professional Development. Researcher Development modules include all the training needed to produce a doctoral thesis: literature review, research methodology and evaluation of research impact. Professional development modules are concerned with integrating your research skills into professional practice, teaching skills for management education and disseminating your research.
Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually.
Important: The information on this page is for prospective students, MU current students and staff should use Programme Directory.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
After your PhD
Most DBA students are already established in their career and are looking to stand out from their peers, most of who will also have Masters-level qualifications like themselves. DBA graduates report a number of features the programme that provides a step-change in the benefits they derived after completing their Masters degree. Firstly, the applied research skills developed on the DBA enhance their ability to lead organisational change. Secondly, research doctorates are the most personalised form of education and graduates report transformational impact in their professional confidence. Finally, students contemplating a consultancy role find the research skills invaluable for making that transition.
Some DBA students have the aspiration to change the direction of their career towards academia. This might involve a part-time teaching role at a University alongside their main job. And for some it sees a switch to becoming a full-time academic. The Maynooth DBA programme includes professional development modules on teaching and publishing research to support students exploring such career transitions.
Entry Requirements
The typical DBA student has:
- At least five years senior management experience.
- Works fulltime in a context that includes private business (corporate, SME or entrepreneurial), public administration, healthcare or educational organization.
- Holds a Level 9 MBA or Masters-level qualification in a management-related discipline.
- Meets the University requirements for English language proficiency
Consideration is also given to applicants who do not have a Masters qualification, but who have extensive (>10 years) senior management experience.
How to apply
Online application only. To make an application please click here.
To apply for your chosen postgraduate study at Maynooth University, please ensure you have the following documents to make an application:
- Your CV
- Academic transcripts and certificates
- Personal statement
- Research proposal
- Two references (one academic and one professional)
All suitable candidates will be invited to an online interview with two members of DBA faculty.
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants.
Please note: applicants do not need to identify and secure the support of a research supervisor before making an application. A research supervisor will be allocated towards the end of your first year on the programme, after you have finalised your thesis research topic.
For any general inquiries whilst preparing your application please contact Professor Paul Ellwood (DBA Programme Director) on Paul.Ellwood@mu.ie or business@mu.ie
Important information for international students
This part-time programme is delivered 95% online, giving you the freedom to study from anywhere in the world while balancing work and life commitments. As this is a predominantly online programme, it does not qualify for an Irish Study Visa or Postgraduate 1G Visa Status in Ireland.
As part of the programme, an academic conference will take place in Maynooth each year and students are expected to attend in person. Students may require a short-term visa for this visit to Ireland. It is the student’s responsibility to check visa requirements and apply in good time. Further details are available here Coming to visit Ireland - Immigration Service Delivery