Doctor of Business Administration
工商管理博士
DBA
Both full- and part-time
Full-time: 3 years
Part-time: 4 years
HK$1,800,000
For students who do not complete the program within the normative duration, an additional tuition fee of HK$25,000 will be charged thereafter for each regular term.
Academic Director:
Prof Yuk Fai FONG, Professor of Economics
The HKUST Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Program is well-designed for senior executives who aspire to equip themselves with rigorous doctoral training to enhance their research capabilities, gain exposure to latest business research trends across disciplines, and to carry out insightful applied research for influential informed business decision making in the interconnected world.
On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Conduct applied research independently with their in-depth knowledge of different research methodologies.
- Articulate business and organization issues within their area of specialization.
- Apply their advanced business knowledge and research skills in their business settings.
The DBA Program offers both part-time and full-time modes of study. The part-time mode is typically completed in 4 years, and the full-time mode is typically completed in 3 years. Students will complete a 58 credit curriculum which comprises coursework, research proposal preparation, residential programs, and thesis research.
Classes will be conducted on a live-in modular basis and students will attend classes for 4-6 consecutive days (including weekend) for each module in the first two years.
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Minimum Credit Requirement
58 Credits
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Core Courses
16 Credits
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Elective Courses
8 Credits
Advisors will be identified for students by the end of Year 1. Students and advisors will work out a study plan to take 8 credits of elective courses from the following list based on the academic background of the students and their intended research topic.
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DBA Research Proposal Preparation
2 Credits
Students are required to take DBAP 6200 to complete an independent study advised by their advisors, normally in Year 1 for full-time students, and in Year 2 for part-time students.
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DBA Residential Program
2 Credits
Students are required to register in DBAP 6300 (1- to 2-day residential programs for research activities on campus) during regular terms starting from Year 2 for full-time students, and Year 3 for part-time students. Students are required to attend at least two times of DBAP 6300 before they graduate. Students are also expected to set up real-time meetings online or offline with their advisors for a minimum of 10 contact hours per regular term.
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Thesis Research
30 Credits
Students are required to submit a research proposal and conduct an oral presentation to pass a qualifying examination normally within Year 2. They will then proceed to their DBA research and thesis write-up. Students are required to present the DBA thesis and defend orally in front of the Thesis Examination Committee, normally by end of Year 3 for full-time students, and Year 4 for part-time students.
Last update: 23 September 2026
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
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Applicants seeking admission to a doctoral degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree with a proven record of outstanding performance from a recognized institution; or presented evidence of satisfactory work at the postgraduate level on a full-time basis for at least one year, or on a part-time basis for at least two years.
Applicants have to fulfill English Language requirements with one of the following proficiency attainments:
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TOEFL iBT: 80 (for tests taken prior to 21 January 2026) *
4.5 (for tests taken from 21 January 2026 onwards) * -
TOEFL pBT: 550
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TOEFL Revised paper-delivered test: 60 (total scores for Reading, Listening and Writing sections)
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IELTS (Academic Module): Overall score: 6.5 and All sub-score: 5.5 *
* Refers to scores in one single attempt only. Test at home option is not accepted.
Applicants are not required to present TOEFL or IELTS score if
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their first language is English, or
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they obtained the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an institution where the medium of instruction was English.
- A Master’s degree from a recognized university is preferred.
- Preference will be given to candidates with at least twelve years of managerial experience.
- Applicants will be asked to submit a proposal on a research idea that they would like to pursue.
