Doctor of Business Administration
Two Separate DBA Awards.
One Coordinated Doctoral Journey.
You have spent years building organisations, managing people and making difficult decisions. The next step is not simply learning more—it is turning your experience into credible, research-based expertise.
- Advanced applied-research capability
- Greater professional and intellectual authority
- Evidence-based solutions to complex business challenges
- A contribution that can influence your organisation, industry and society
Move from experienced leader to evidence-based authority.
For established professionals
Designed for Experienced Leaders
The programme is built for professionals who already hold responsibility for decisions, teams and results. Its purpose is to convert accumulated executive practice into documented doctoral authority.
Candidates study online while remaining in post, testing their thinking against established literature and developing research through structured supervision.
Why the 2-in-1 pathway?
Two DBA Awards. Two Complementary Perspectives.
The value of the 2-in-1 pathway is not simply receiving two certificates. City University Malaysia provides a university-based doctoral framework and an MQA-accredited DBA, while IBAS adds a Swiss business-school perspective with a strong orientation toward applied management and practical business education. The result is one coordinated doctoral journey leading to two separate awards.
University-Based Academic Rigour
A structured doctoral framework centred on advanced business study, research methodology and a formally accredited Malaysian university DBA.
Practice-Oriented Business Perspective
A complementary Swiss business-school perspective focused on connecting doctoral thinking with management practice, organisational challenges and professional decision-making.
Two Separate Doctoral Credentials
Successful candidates receive one DBA certificate from City University Malaysia and a separate DBA certificate from IBAS Switzerland through one coordinated pathway.
City University Malaysia
Doctor of Business Administration
Separate City University Malaysia award View sample certificateCity University Malaysia DBAThe recognition and quality-assurance information below applies to the City University Malaysia DBA. It does not apply to the IBAS DBA.
Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)
The Doctor of Business Administration is accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Malaysia’s statutory quality-assurance and accreditation body for higher education.
Programme reference: R2/345/8/0924 (A11516)
View official MQA recordSri Lanka UGC / World Higher Education Database
City University Malaysia is listed in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), published by the International Association of Universities. This listing supports reference under the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka framework for recognised foreign higher education institutions.
World Education Services (WES)
City University Malaysia qualifications may be submitted to World Education Services (WES) for credential evaluation, supporting academic and professional recognition processes in the United States and Canada.
Doctoral Journey One pathway · two distinct awards
International Business Academy of Switzerland
Doctor of Business Administration
Separate IBAS Switzerland award View sample certificateIBAS Switzerland DBAThe accreditation, certification and institutional information below applies to the IBAS DBA / IBAS institution. It does not apply to the City University Malaysia DBA.
ACBSP Accreditation
The IBAS Doctor of Business Administration is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), an internationally recognised specialised accreditor for business education. ACBSP is recognised by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in the United States.
View IBAS on the ACBSP websiteeduQua Certification
IBAS is certified under eduQua:2021, Switzerland’s quality standard for continuing and adult education. The current certificate was issued on 23 July 2025 and is valid until 30 June 2028.
View eduQua certificateSwiss Private School Register
IBAS is listed in the Swiss Private School Register. Visitors can use the register search to locate International Business Academy of Switzerland (IBAS).
Search the Swiss Private School RegisterIEAC
IBAS has a dedicated institutional profile with the International Education Accreditation Council (IEAC).
View IBAS on IEAC
Applied doctoral research
Your Organisation Can Become Your Research Environment
A professional doctorate should connect rigorous research with real organisational and industry problems. Candidates can build their research around a challenge relevant to their experience and future goals.
Structured supervision includedPossible Research Territories
- Family-business succession or SME transformation
- Leadership, retention and organisational culture
- Tourism, hospitality and service development
- Supply-chain resilience and cross-border business
- AI adoption, sustainability and governance
- Customer trust, financial inclusion or education management
A clear, coordinated pathway
Admission and Doctoral Journey
The process is structured to move candidates from initial eligibility review through coursework, research development and final award.
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1
Eligibility Review
Initial consultation and review of academic background, English proficiency and professional experience.
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2
Application
Document preparation, verification and formal submission coordinated through MGW.
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3
Academic Assessment
Institutional review, internal assessment where required and formal admission decision.
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4
Coursework & Research
Advanced business modules, research development, proposal preparation and supervised dissertation.
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5
Two Separate DBA Awards
Successful candidates complete the pathway and receive the two separate DBA awards described above.
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6
Graduation
Celebrate completion of the doctoral journey and hear directly from the MGW and IBAS graduate community.
Curriculum Structure
Comprehensive Curriculum.
Rigorous Research. Real Impact.
Advanced business coursework and research methodology are combined with a staged dissertation process, building the analytical and research capability required for applied doctoral work.
Core Courses
| Course | Credit Hours | ECTS Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Organisational Leadership | 4 | 6 |
| Advanced Quantitative Business Research Method | 4 | 12 |
| Advanced Marketing Management | 4 | 6 |
| Advanced Business Economic Development | 4 | 6 |
| Strategic Human Resources Management | 4 | 6 |
| Advanced Research Analysis | 4 | 6 |
| Advanced Accounting and Financial Management | 4 | 6 |
| Advanced Qualitative Business Research Method | 4 | 6 |
| Advanced Business Strategy and Policy | 4 | 6 |
| Core Courses Total | 36 | 60 |
Research & Dissertation
| Stage | Credit Hours | ECTS Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1: Topic Selection and Research Framework | 6 | 9 |
| Stage 2: Literature Review and Methodology | 6 | 9 |
| Stage 3: Proposal Defense | 8 | 12 |
| Stage 4: Data Collection | 6 | 10 |
| Stage 5: Data Analysis and Discussion | 6 | 10 |
| Stage 6: Thesis Defense | 6 | 10 |
| Stage 7: Thesis Amendment | 6 | 10 |
| Research & Dissertation Total | 44 | 70 |
Professional value
Built for the Next Stage of an Established Career
The programme does not prescribe a single career destination. Its value lies in combining doctoral research capability with two complementary institutional perspectives that can strengthen how experienced professionals lead, advise, build and contribute.
Leadership & Board-Level Contribution
Advanced business study and doctoral research can strengthen the ability to evaluate complex organisational challenges, support strategic decisions and contribute at senior leadership or board level.
Senior Executive · Director · Board ContributorConsulting & Strategic Advisory
Research-based problem diagnosis, evidence evaluation and structured recommendations are directly relevant to consulting, strategic advisory and specialist professional work.
Consultant · Strategic Adviser · Industry SpecialistEntrepreneurship & Business Transformation
The practice-oriented IBAS perspective complements doctoral research by keeping attention on real management decisions, organisational change and practical business challenges.
Business Owner · Entrepreneur · Transformation LeaderAcademia & Research
Doctoral-level research capability can support progression toward research, teaching and academic activity, subject to the requirements of the relevant institution, employer and jurisdiction.
Lecturer · Researcher · Academic ProfessionalEntry requirements
Admissions
Academic Qualification
- Master’s degree or equivalent approved by the relevant HEP Senate
- Non-related master’s applicants may be considered subject to relevant experience, internal assessment or prerequisite studies
- Other Level 7 qualifications recognised by the Malaysian Government may be considered
English Language
- IELTS 6.5 or accepted equivalent
- MGW English Assessment at C1 level
One central point of contact
Why MGW
My Global World Education Group provides one central point of contact throughout admissions and enrolment. A single adviser coordinates communication across both partner institutions.
MGW reviews credentials before submission, supports document preparation and remains the reference point from first enquiry through to registration.
Take the next step
Your Experience Has Already Built Your Career.
Now Build Your Academic Legacy.
Contact MGW
Recognition and acceptance of qualifications may vary by country, employer, authority, professional body and intended purpose. Programme information and admission remain subject to institutional confirmation and formal approval.