Applying for the PolyU Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme
A Master's degree, preferably in a business-related area; and
Substantial managerial experience (at least eight years) at a senior management level.
Candidates in senior management positions possessing a recognized first degree and membership of a recognized professional body may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If you are not a native speaker of English and do not possess a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or equivalent qualification which is awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction is English, you must pass an English written test organised by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University unless you have fulfilled the University minimum English language requirement. Please refer to the "Admissions Requirements" section at Study@PolyU for details.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews.
Awards & Duration
Awards
Students are required to complete 52 credits including 9 Coursework Subjects (a total of 25 credits), 2 DBA Residentials (1 credit for Residential 1 and 2 credits for Residential 2) and a DBA Thesis (8 credits for Thesis I and 16 credits for Thesis II).
There is a possible exit award of Master of Science in Management Research Studies (MSc in MRS) for students who have completed 25 credits of Coursework Subjects, 3 credits of two compulsory Residentials, and passed the 8 credits of Thesis I (thesis proposal presentation) (a total of 36 credits).
Duration
The normal duration for DBA full-time study option is 2 years and 3 years for DBA part-time study option. Students who wish to extend their studies beyond normal duration should submit an application to the Faculty of Business for consideration.
Fees
Fees for the entire PolyU DBA programme for 2025/26 intake: HK$1,581,000 (52 credits)
Students taking the elective subject "International Collaborations Experience" will pay the course fee directly to the offering institution and bear themselves the costs of travel, accommodation, visa, insurance, etc. The DBA programme will not charge the credit fee for taking the "International Collaborations Experience" subject.
Fees for 25 credits of Coursework
Tuition fees will not be charged for the 1-credit "Academic Integrity and Ethics in Business"
HK$774,000
Fees for the DBA Thesis I and II
(8 credits for DBA Thesis I and 16 credits for DBA Thesis II)
HK$774,000
Fees for 2 DBA Residentials
(1 credit for DBA Residential 1 and 2 credits for DBA Residential 2)
HK$93,000
Payment Schedule
Initial Payment
Fees for 1 Coursework Subject (HK$93,000) and DBA Residential 1 (HK$31,000) are payable upon acceptance of offer.
Interim Payments
Fees for the remaining Coursework Subjects are payable on a credit basis (HK$31,000 per credit). Amount payable depends on the number of subjects taken in that semester.
Fees for the 8-credit DBA Thesis I (HK$248,000) and DBA Residential 2 (HK$62,000) are payable upon registration for DBA Thesis I.
Final Payment
Fee for the 16-credit DBA Thesis II (HK$496,000) is payable upon registration for DBA Thesis II.
Application
Apply Now
We have a quota for admissions. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews.
Candidates are required to submit the following documents at the time of application:
A personal statement
Proof of employment (at least 8 years)
Your academic qualifications (such as graduation certificates, transcripts of studies, etc.) that are not in English should be accompanied by an official certified English-translation
Provision of additional documents may be required if deemed necessary.
An incomplete application cannot be processed promptly and will reduce your chance of admission. Please complete all relevant fields on the application form and enclose all necessary documents.
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