Business School

Doctor of Business Administration

Our DBA is designed for experienced professionals, business leaders and entrepreneurs who seek to deepen their expertise, advance their careers, and contribute to business innovation and research.

The DBA degree programme offers a high-quality doctoral education that combines scholarly achievement with practical application, developing leadership and business competencies. It aims to equip students with advanced skills in business administration, enabling personal growth, economic productivity, and societal contribution.

The programme aims to empower students to solve complex business-related problems in a focused way and to effectively manage and allocate resources, to communicate effectively, and to contribute to knowledge and socio-economic transformation in a responsible and ethical manner.

Programme Structure

DBA Year 1

The proposal phase is split into two parts, namely Module 1: initial proposal (concept) and Module 2: final proposal with defence. The duration of each module within the proposal phase is six months.

Applications for the initial proposal will be considered annually at the end of October for the January intake of the following year. The admission requirements for this qualification are as follows:

  • Submit an ID document.
  • Submit academic transcripts and copies of qualifications and certificates.
  • Submit a one-page letter of motivation stating the rationale for wanting to undertake doctoral studies.
  • Submit a comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV).
  • Be proficient in English.
  • Attend an interview with the Research Manager/Head of Research.

Once the student has been admitted and registered for the initial proposal phase, they will work independently and submit their proposal (pre-course submission), before the short course begins (duration of the short course: three months), For the duration of the short course, students would be required to submit two formative submissions and two summative submissions. The initial proposal of the intended research needs to be written in academic language and forms a very important part of the application documentation to be submitted. The initial proposal serves to demonstrate research ability at the doctoral level, and to evaluate early on whether the intended research is viable and justifies doctoral research. It also serves to determine whether the research concept has been well thought through and whether it demonstrates commitment and suitability to the programme. The initial proposal should not exceed 4 500 words, excluding the reference list, and the prescribed template must be used. This proposal will be assessed and evaluated by the Doctoral Research Committee (DRC), which will decide on whether the student may proceed to the final proposal. The initial proposal phase forms part of the admission process. If a student does not submit the initial proposal on the due date, they will be required to wait until the next intake to submit, which will be their final attempt. All prospective students have only one attempt to apply for the DBA at Milpark Education.

Successful applicants will be eligible for registration onto the final proposal phase (DBA001-10: Module 2) within the same year or January the following year. The duration of the final proposal is six months, Students now need to work towards preparation and submission of a full research proposal in the prescribed template, culminating in the defence of the final proposal with the Proposal Assessment Panel. This phase will also include the student’s participation in a mock defence prior to the final proposal defence. A supervisor/co-supervisor is allocated to the student to provide guidance in the crafting of the proposal, and defence of the proposal must take place no later than one year after registration. During this phase, students must attend a compulsory Final Proposal workshop.

DBA Year 2 to Year 4

Students who have successfully defended their final proposals will be eligible to progress to and register for DBA002-10 (Year 2). Under the guidance of a supervisor, the student will work towards the writing up and submission of a doctoral thesis. The minimum registration period is two years, and the maximum time allowed for completion is four years. During this phase, four colloquia will be held throughout the year, and students need to present their progress at two of these colloquia at a minimum. The candidacy phase culminates in the submission of a thesis, which is assessed by three examiners, followed by an oral defence of the thesis (viva voce) before final endorsement. Colloquia provides students with an opportunity to present their research progress and receive feedback from peers and faculty, fostering a collaborative learning environment and enabling students to refine their methodologies or theoretical approaches.

As a graduation requirement for the DBA qualification, students must submit at least one research article arising from their doctoral study to an accredited, peer-reviewed journal for consideration for publication. The article must be co-authored with the student’s supervisor and, where applicable, the co-supervisor. Submission of the article must be completed before graduation.

Modules

Phase 1: 

  • Initial Proposal
  • Final Proposal

Phase 2: 

  • DBA Year 2
  • DBA Year 3
  • DBA Year 4 (if applicable)
  • DBA Thesis for Examination
  • DBA Thesis (Graduation Ratification)

Available learning modes

Immersive Online Learning

IO Learning is a guided, flexible digital experience designed to foster deeper learning and meaningful connection. Through scheduled sessions, interactive content, and collaborative activities, students engage in a human-centred environment that blends structure with flexibility. Advanced online tools, small-group collaboration, and personalised feedback create a rich, engaging, and connected learning journey.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Appropriate masters degree.
  • Minimum of 65% for the research component.
  • In certain cases, admission to the DBA may be granted through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Before applying for RPL, please review the minimum requirements here.

Other / International certificates

Further to the requirements for admission provided above, foreign nationals or South African nationals seeking to apply for admission onto the qualification based on a non-South African/foreign Master’s degree, must obtain, and submit to Milpark, a Certificate of Equivalence from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) (www.saqa.org.za).

Doctor of Business Administration
Next start date: 2027
Duration:
3 Years
NQF:
Level 10
Credits:
360
SAQA ID:
104778
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Doctor of Business Administration

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Frequently Asked Questions

Business School programmes: Admission via the RPL Route (Entry Route 2)

In exceptionally limited cases, admission to the qualification may also take place via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). This is because RPL admissions are limited to 10% of the total intake and are, therefore, often oversubscribed.  To apply via the RPL route, kindly contact the respective Programme Manager before applying online for admission on RPL grounds:

MBA and PGDBA applicants can do this through the Milpark Helpdesk at helpdesk.milpark.ac.za.

In addition to fulfilling the standard (Entry Route 1) selection criteria, RPL applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be at least 30 years of age.
  • Have at least 10 years of significant senior management work experience.

Note: only once all Entry Route 1 places have been finalised will a limited number of RPL candidates be admitted onto the qualification.

International Students
International applicants whose first language is not English are required to provide proof of proficiency in English before admission to the qualification.

Further to the requirements for admission provided above, foreign nationals or South African nationals seeking to apply for admission onto the qualification based on a non-South African/foreign NQF Level 8 equivalent qualification or degree must obtain – and submit to Milpark – a Certificate of Equivalence from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) (www.saqa.org.za).

Is Milpark Business School internationally accredited?

Yes. Our MBA programme is internationally accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA). This accreditation is a mark of excellence and quality, ensuring global recognition. Graduates gain the credibility and skills to pursue careers internationally.

What does AMBA accreditation mean for Milpark’s MBA students?

It means that our MBA programme meets rigorous international standards in teaching, curriculum and student outcomes. Graduating from an AMBA-accredited institution provides global recognition and enhanced career opportunities.

What is the cost of the international elective in the MBA programme?

The cost of the international elective varies depending on the destination.

Is an entrance assessment required for the MBA programme?

Yes. All applicants for the MBA programme must achieve an acceptable rating in the Milpark Education admission test administered by Top Talent Solutions (TTS).

What if I’ve already taken an entrance assessment?

If you’ve previously written the TTS test and the results are still valid, you won’t need to take it again.

Are there any alternatives to the TTS entrance assessment?

Yes. If you’ve taken the GMAT, NMAT, APIL or SHL tests and have valid results, you may submit those for evaluation instead.

Is there an age requirement for the MBA programme?

Yes, applicants must be at least 25 years old to be eligible for the MBA programme because it is designed for professionals with a postgraduate degree and substantial work experience.

How much time should I expect to spend on each PGDBA module?

The time commitment for each module is calculated based on notional hours. One credit typically equals 10 notional hours of work. For example, a 25-credit module would require approximately 250 hours of total study time, including all related activities.

How many module exemptions can I get if I move from the Milpark PGDBA to the MBA?

You can receive exemptions for five modules. This enables you to potentially complete the MBA programme in a shorter period.

Does Milpark Business School offer Distance Learning (DL) options?

No. All the courses in the Business School are offered via Distance Learning Online (DLO). As a result, students can exchange ideas and collaborate with peers in a globally connected classroom environment to establish professional networks, which can lead to collaborations or international employment opportunities. 

DLO is a fully digital learning experience. Students in this mode access all their study materials, including textbooks, through Milpark’s online learning platform. DLO provides a highly interactive and engaging environment, with regular live online classes, discussion forums and collaborative projects.

Is Milpark Education accredited?

Yes. Milpark is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Our qualifications are accredited by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) of the Council on Higher Education (CHE). Our qualifications are also recognised on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 

Does NSFAS fund Milpark Education?

NSFAS only covers public institutions and TVET Colleges. As a private higher education institution, Milpark Education does not offer NSFAS funding. However, we provide select bursaries and work closely with Capitec to offer financial aid to prospective students. Learn more about our Capitec partnership here.

Does Milpark offer bursaries?

Yes, Milpark Education offers bursaries based on academic performance and financial need. Applications typically open in September and close in November for the following year. Please note, bursaries are not available for the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA/CTA) and Advanced Accounting (Bridging Short Course to PGDA/CTA).

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