8th International Conference on Governance and Accountability (ICGA) 2023

Specialisation Areas

Candidates may choose from one of the following specialisation tracks:

1. General Management
   Build comprehensive expertise across a broad spectrum of management disciplines, including strategy, innovation, governance, and analytics.


2. Healthcare Management
   Develop leadership competencies in healthcare economics, patient safety, ethics, and healthcare governance—preparing professionals for complex decision-making in the healthcare sector.


3. Education Management
   Advance your capabilities in educational leadership, policy development, data-driven decision-making, and educational transformation.

Format of Study

The normal duration of the DBA programme is 3 years (6 semesters) for full-time candidates and 5 years (10 semesters) for part-time candidates. The period of candidature may, upon recommendation of the Faculty and subject to the relevant University approval, be extended for a further period not exceeding 24 months. Full-time students spend the first year, and part-time students spend the first two years, completing coursework, which includes core and option modules. For the remainder of the programme, students conduct independent research and submit a DBA Dissertation for examination at the end of their studies.

The DBA programme comprises a minimum of 86 modular credits (MC), consisting of 24 MC of core taught modules (6 modules), 12 MC of option/specialisation modules (3 modules), and a 50 MC DBA Dissertation. Full-time students are expected to complete all taught modules within 12 months (one year) and finalise their dissertation within the subsequent 2 years. Part-time students are expected to complete all taught modules within 18 months (one and a half years) and complete their dissertation within the following 30 months (two and a half years). Candidates may either select three modules from the General Management option module list or complete three modules from an available specialisation.

Our DBA programme adopts a blended learning model, consisting of 50% face-to-face sessions held on weekends or evenings and 50% online sessions accessible through the university's learning management system platform, Canvas. However, in the future, when demand exists, an Executive DBA programme can be offered, with modules delivered either fully online or through a combination of online and block teaching.

Entry Requirements

Academic Qualification

• A Master’s degree with a minimum of five (5) years of executive or managerial experience; or
• A Bachelor’s degree with at least seven (7) years of executive or managerial experience (subject to Prior Experience Learning Assessment).

English Proficiency
Applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency through one of the following:

• GCE O-Level English (Grade C6)
• IGCSE English (Grade B)
• IELTS (minimum score of 6.0)
• TOEFL (minimum score of 550)
• Or an equivalent qualification

Research Proposal
All applicants are required to submit a research proposal (1,000–1,500 words) that outlines the following:

• Introduction
• Research aims and objectives
• Literature review
• Proposed methodology
• Intended outcomes

Interested candidates may apply through the UBD Online Admission System.

Programme Duration and Fee

• Total Programme Fee:BND 25,000
• Fee breakdown: 9 modules = BND1,500/module
• 1 dissertation = BND11,500
• Programme Duration:
  • Full-Time: 3 years (6 semesters)
  • Part-Time: 5 years (10 semesters)

Programme Structure

The DBA programme comprises both coursework and research components, structured as follows:

• 6 Core Modules (24 MC)
• 3 Option/Specialisation Modules (12 MC)
• DBA Dissertation (50 MC)

• Total – 86 MC

full-time and part-time student to complete the programme in 3 years and 5 years respectively:

Full Time		Part Time
Semester 1 (August)	MCs	Semester 1 (August)	MCs
Management of Organisations	4	Management of Organisations	4
Crafting and Executing Strategy	4	Crafting and Executing Strategy	4
Qualitative Methods and Data Analysis	4	Qualitative Methods and Data Analysis	4
Option / Specialisation Module 1	4
Option / Specialisation Module 2	4
Semester 2 (January)		Semester 2 (January)
Quantitative Methods and Data Analytics	4	Quantitative Methods and Data Analytics	4
Innovation and Digital Transformation	4	Innovation and Digital Transformation	4
Corporate Governance and Sustainability	4	Corporate Governance and Sustainability	4
Option / Specialisation Module 3	4
Semester 3 (August) and the rest		Semester 3 (August)
Semester 3 (August) onwards Research Proposal Assessment DBA Dissertation	50	Option / Specialisation Module 1	4
		Option / Specialisation Module 2	4
		Option / Specialisation Module 3	4
		Semester 4 (January) and the rest
		Semester 4 (January) onwards Research Proposal Assessment DBA Dissertation	50
Total	86	Total	86

Option / Specialisation Modules

List of Specialisation Modules:

General Management – Option Modules

• Sustainable Supply Chain Management
• Applied AI and Machine Learning for Business
• Advanced Marketing Management
• Advanced Procurement Management
• Green Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation
• Economic Analysis for Managers
• Accounting and Finance for Decision-Makers
• Strategic Human Resource Management

Specialisation: Healthcare Management

• Health Economics
• Quality Assurance and Patient Safety
• Medical Ethics and Legal Issues
• Professional Leadership in Healthcare

Specialisation: Education Management

• Strategic Leadership in Education
• Data-Driven Decision Making in Education
• Innovative Practices in Educational Transformation