Entrance Requirements

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 8 years) at a senior 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 are expected to fulfil the University’s 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$1,096,500 (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.

Payment Schedule

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:

• 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.

Apply Now @ eAdmission

Alumni Referral Scheme (Effective Date:1 February 2024)

As a PolyU DBA alumnus, you have the power to influence the future of the programme by referring a new DBA student. To show our appreciation, we will reward you with a one-year free library card for a successful referral. Please see the referral scheme details below.

Eligibility

PolyU Faculty of Business Doctoral Programme Alumni

Effective Date

1 February 2024

Alumni Referral Scheme Details

To earn a one-year free PolyU library card* (worth $1,000):

• the referrer must refer a new DBA student who successfully enrols in the programme.

• the applicant must include the referrer’s name on designated form upon Faculty of Business’s request.

A successfully enrolled student is someone who has settled the fees for one taught subject (HK56,100) and DBA Residential 1 (HK18,700) on accepting the programme offer.

*One-year free library card:

• Enjoy borrowing services, access to selected library e-resources and other privileges. lease refer to www.lib.polyu.edu.hk/user-privileges/alumni for details.

• Enjoy physical access to the library during opening hours, excluding after-hours access to the 24-Hour Study Centre.

• The referrer must apply for the library card online or in person at the PolyU library and request a reimbursement from the Faculty of Business with proof of purchase.
  www.lib.polyu.edu.hk/e-forms/library-card/application/graduate

Submission

The applicant will need to submit the designated form requested by the Faculty of Business. Please contact us at (852) 3400 3572 or fbmarketing@polyu.edu.hk for more information.

Terms and conditions

1. The applicant cannot be:

   1. a PolyU staff member

   2. a PolyU DBA student who has enrolled in the programme before September 2024 (when admission for the 2025/26 academic year starts)

   3. a PolyU DBA applicant who has submitted their application before 1 February 2024.

2. The referrer cannot be a PolyU staff member.

3. The referrer can only receive one free library card for one year, regardless of the number of successful referrals for a given admission year.

4. In case of any dispute, the decision of the FB will be final.