The Bilingual Doctor of Business Administration Program aims to select and cultivate Chinese business leaders who can demonstrate the spirit of research exploration and lead change in the fields of scientific and technological innovation, management and finance.

The HKUST Business School has launched the program to cultivate professionals with an international perspective, give full play to Hong Kong's advantages as an international financial center, and empowering China to achieve its ambition of becoming a global financial leader. Selected modules will draw on academic expertise and insights from scholars, industry experts, and practitioners associated with the PBC School of Finance of Tsinghua University. Students will benefit from academic exchange and scholarly interaction through relevant learning activities.

On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

1. Develop a solid foundation in both qualitative and quantitative social science research methods essential for business administration.
2. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of classic economic theory and business models to grasp the underlying principles that drive business decisions and market dynamics.
3. Anticipate and adapt to technological advancements that impact their industries based on their awareness in the historical development of key technology innovations and scientific breakthroughs.
4. Incorporate rigorous academic insights into their business decisions, leveraging their knowledge of economic theory, business models, and technology trends to assess risks, predict outcomes and make informed strategic decisions.
5. Conduct policy analysis to understand the implications of regulations and policies on their businesses, navigating the complex interplay between business operations, technological advancements, and the regulatory environment, especially in the high-tech sector.

1. Minimum Credit Requirement

59 Credits
 

2. Core Courses

14 Credits
 

3. Elective Courses

10 Credits
 

The Bilingual DBA Program is interdisciplinary in nature, integrating rigorous business research with emerging developments in technology, innovation, global affairs, and leadership. The elective portfolio provides students with the flexibility to explore a broad range of contemporary topics and frontier business theories, offering insights into modern business practices, technological advancement, and strategic decision-making while broadening perspectives and enriching the doctoral learning experience.
 

A list of specified elective courses offered in a particular year will be announced at the beginning of each year.

4. Research Proposal

2 Credits
 

A thesis supervisor (or two supervisors) will be assigned to oversee the research progress of each student. The prime supervisor will be from HKUST. Co-supervisor is optional.
 

Under the guidance of their supervisor(s), students should identify specific research topics, formulate research plans, submit a research proposal and conduct a presentation to pass a qualifying examination, normally within Year 2. The research proposal must be written in English; the presentation can be in either Chinese or English.
 

5. Residential Plans and Overseas Studies

3 Credits
 

Students are required to complete two on-campus academic workshops and a global study program, normally in Years 2 and 3 for full-time students, and in Years 3 and 4 for part-time students.
 

The academic workshops are designed to enhance research capabilities, foster scholarly exchange, and advance students’ thesis development. The global study program is designed to broaden international perspectives on business and technological advancements across different regions and contexts.
 

6. DBA Thesis Research

30 Credits
 

Students will proceed to the research and thesis-writing phase after passing the qualifying examination. Students are required to defend their DBA thesis in the presence of the Thesis Examination Committee, following the standard protocol for DBA programs, normally by the end of Year 3 for full-time students, and Year 4 for part-time students. The thesis must be written in English; the defense can be in either Chinese or English.

 

The Bilingual DBA Program is offered in both part-time and full-time study modes. The curriculum comprises of coursework and thesis preparation in the initial stage of study, followed by thesis research in the later stage of the Program.
 

For the part-time study mode, the normal duration of study is four years. Students typically complete the coursework and thesis preparation requirements in Years 1 and 2, followed by thesis research in Years 3 and 4.
 

For the full-time study mode, the normal duration of study is three years. Students are expected to complete the coursework requirements on an accelerated basis during the first 1.5 years of study, and devote the remaining 1.5 years primarily to thesis research.
 

Classes will be conducted on a live-in modular basis and students will attend classes for 4-5 consecutive days (including weekend) for each module in the first two years. Courses will be held at the HKUST campus and selected study modules and learning activities will be conducted at Tsinghua University’s campuses in Beijing and other locations in Chinese Mainland.

To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.