Skip to main content
Durham DBA
Durham Cathedral and Castle Skyline

How to Apply 

Durham Cathedral and Castle Skyline

What do I need first?

You will need:

  • A Masters degree in a discipline related to business and management from a recognised university or other institution of higher education; or equivalent qualifications or experience
  • A minimum of five years of management experience
  • A 1500-2000 word research proposal. 

English language requirements:

  • If English is not your first language you will need IELTS 7.0 (no element below 6.5) or Pearson Test of English Overall Score 70+ (No element below 62).
    Please note that these can be no more than 2 years old at the month the programme starts, eg. for a programme commencing in October 2014 the IELTS or PTE test must have been taken in or after October 2012. TOEFL IBT is no longer accepted as an English Qualification for visa purposes.

Making an application

There are a number of ways we can support you in preparing your research proposal. 

It is important that your general research interests match those of at least one member of our academic staff. For information on the range of expertise and experience of our academic faculty and details of their research interests see Our People.

A successful application is based on your ability to meet the entry requirements, your research proposal and the School's capacity to provide relevant supervision for your research.

Our admissions process follows three stages:

Stage One
Please ensure that:

Stage Two
Applications should be made using the application portal. You will be asked for the following information:

The following documents should also be submitted online as part of your application. Without these documents your application cannot be processed:

  • Research proposal of between 500–2000 words. Please submit your proposal within the section of the online application entitled research proposal. However, if your research proposal contains tables or graphics, please upload your document via the section Supporting Documents under Scholarships/Other. 
  • Copies of certificates of degrees awarded (up to 3 may be uploaded)
  • Copies of transcripts of modules studied (up to 3 may be uploaded)
  • Evidence of proficiency in English (where this is not your first language)
  • Two references, one of which must be academic. (Reference letters must be emailed directly to us by your referees using the DBA Reference Template.)
  • Your Curriculum Vitae.

Note:
Only files of type .doc, .docx, .gif, .jpg, .pdf, .png, .rtf are permitted to be uploaded.
The maximum file size is 5MB.

If you have any problems attaching your supporting documents to your online application, you may email them to us.

Stage Three
We will process your application on the basis of all the information provided and will normally let you know our decision within four to six weeks. In certain circumstances, we may need to request further information.

A successful application will be sent to Durham University's Student Recruitment and Admissions Office (SRAO) with a recommendation for approval. (We will contact you directly if we are unable to recommend your application for approval.)

The SRAO is responsible for approving all postgraduate applications. You should be aware that approval by the SRAO is not a formality and that in some cases where we recommended approval, the SRAO will be unable to support this. Until you receive an offer from the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office, you have not received a formal offer of a place.

Closing date for applications

The closing date for applications for October 2024 entry is Monday 19 August 2024.

Contact us

If you have any queries about the application process, contact:

DBA Admissions, Durham University Business School
Mill Hill Lane, Durham, DH1 3TH, UK

Tel: +44 (0)191 334 5404

Email: DBA Admissions Team.