Earn a Doctorate in your chosen area of research
Presentation
Delivered by Durham University Business School and emlyon business school, the Global DBA is a prestigious DBA program, offered in a part-time format and taught across multiple global locations: Durham, Paris, and other international module destinations.
You will have the unique opportunity to learn from and collaborate with internationally renowned faculty at two of Europe’s most innovative and highly ranked, triple-crowned business schools.
This Doctorate in Business Administration has been specifically designed to meet the global demand for business leaders who can challenge current professional practices and develop innovative strategies for progress. By combining an academically rigorous doctoral degree in business administration with real-world applications, you will expand your business knowledge, enhance your analytical and critical thinking skills, and drive impactful change as a recognized expert in business management.
The DBA degree also requires you to produce a doctoral thesis, bridging the gap between business education and practice, generating new knowledge, and creating tangible business value.
Useful information
- Recruitment now closed for 2026. Next available places for start in January 2027.
- Double degree from Durham University Business School and emlyon business school
- Degrees awarded: Doctor in Business Administration from each school (2 degrees)
- For masters degree in a business and management related discipline from a recognised university or other institution of higher education; or equivalent qualifications or experience and a minimum of 5 years’ business and management experience
Performance Indicators
- Satisfaction rate: 4.7/5
- Graduation rate: Since the launch of the Global DBA program, 6 participants have graduated, 12 are currently completing their thesis, and 4 have discontinued their studies due to the complexity of the program.
Contact details of the training advisor
Marion DORDOR
gdba@eml-executive.com
"The Global DBA Durham-emlyon is designed for executives who wish to formalize their experience and create real-world impact through advanced research. With access to top research environments in Durham, Paris, and beyond, participants develop a strong intellectual identity under the guidance of renowned faculty. Our Global DBA graduates drive innovation, growth, and sustainability across industries worldwide."
"Our GDBA takes advantage of the multicampus structure of emlyon and a top-level Anglo-French strategic partnership with Durham University, providing a global reach combined with local knowledge and oustanding supervisory capacities."
Goals
- Become a recognized Doctor in your specific area of research
- Push the boundaries of knowledge with the help of 2 faculty thesis advisors (1 from each school), cutting-edge facilities, and expert minds
- Accelerate your personal development to become an impactful leader capable of enacting lasting change
- Expand and improve yourself, both professionally and personally, across boundaries and in a global context
Program
- Welcome and Orientation (2 days) (January - Durham)
- Leadership and Followership module (3 days) (January - Durham)
- Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice module (3 days) (May - International location)
- Technology & Innovation Management module (3 days) (October - Paris)
- Global Strategic Management module (3 days) (January - Lyon)
- Theory into Practice module (research methodologies) - Part 1 (3 days) (June - Durham)
- Theory into Practice module (research worshop) - Part 2 (3 days) (October - Paris)
- Oral Presentation of Research proposal (October - Paris)
- Year 3 and Year 4 are dedicated to carrying out the research project (data collection, findings analysis, recommendations, thesis writing)
- Thesis and Oral Defense (min. 2 hours) + Q&A in front of a jury (end of Year 4)
- Research centre seminars from Durham and emlyon business school
Various fields/topics to develop DBA candidates’ curiosity and awareness
- PhD students’ seminars at Durham and emlyon business school
Learning how to correctly and efficiently present research work
- Opportunities to do guest lectures at Durham or emlyon business school (optional)
Learn how to properly teach for those who are interested in a career in academia
Rankings
- Top 12 best European business schools (Financial Times 2024)
- No. 2 business school in France (Global Employability University Ranking 2026)
- 4th french business school (QS World University Rankings 2025 by Subjets)
- 10th best business schools in the world (Corporate Knights Better World MBA 2023)
- 5th in the UK (Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026)
- 10th in the UK European business schools (Financial Time 2023)
Admission
- Application form : You will be required to submit a research proposal of between 1,500-3,000 words as part of the selection process
- Pre-screening
- Interview : An interview will be conducted with the Founding Global DBA Director with each applicant prior to an offer being recommended
- Admission Board : Admission decisions are made jointly by Durham University Business School and emlyon business school
- A Master’s degree in a business and management related discipline from a recognised university or other institution of higher education; or equivalent qualifications or experience
- A minimum of five years’ business and management experience
- An English proficiency test is required for non-native English speakers (minimum score requirements are IELTS score of 7.0 or 102 or above in TOEFL IBT) or equivalent qualifications or experience
Financing
TUITION & FINANCING are set at £70,000
A £2,000 non-refundable deposit payable upon acceptance of an offer will be deducted from the first year's fee.
- Direct expenses in connection with research projects (for example travel and subsistence) are the responsibility of the individual student.
- Students may apply for funding for attendance at relevant events, such as Conferences, based on the Research policies of both schools. In addition, students are responsible for covering the costs in attending all modules.
Highlights
- 2 faculty thesis advisors (one from each school)
- Flexibility to conduct your studies and research while working
- Small and selective cohort, ensuring a high degree of peer interaction
- World-renowned international faculty and research centres
- Double degree programme awarded by two Triple-Crowned business schools in France and the UK
Faculty
Durham University Business School
emlyon business school
Testimonials
The most enjoyable experience for me was meeting similar, like-minded people from different nationalities, different territories, different geographies, and building relationships with them.
Coming from a practitioner background, do this global DBA, is having the opportunity to think and to be exposed to different thinking, different models and different pieces of research and really having to step back and just think about a problem and about it from an academic perspective as opposed to a problem-solving perspective.
I’ve always dreamed of pursuing a doctorate with a hands-on approach. That’s why I chose the GDBA - it allows me to continue working, offers a structured and supportive program, and provides an international perspective, all within a manageable timeframe.
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Disability initiative
You will find the welcome guide and all the information on how we welcome and support our students and participants with disabilities here (link: https://em-lyon.com/en/about-emlyon-business-school/student-experience/…