Doctorate in Business Administration
Management School (IAE)
Universté de Bordeaux
Advance your professional trajectory through a doctoral program designed for experienced executives, entrepreneurs, and senior professionals who wish to transform experience into applied research, deepen their intellectual authority, and expand their contribution to their field. The International DBA combines academic rigor, applied inquiry, and an executive-compatible structure to help participants address complex managerial and organizational challenges with intellectual depth and practical relevance.
A World-Class Doctoral Program
The International DBA of the University of Bordeaux is a professional doctorate for leaders who seek more than advanced managerial training. It is designed for experienced professionals who wish to deepen their intellectual framework, strengthen their research capabilities, and engage with real business and organizational challenges at doctoral level.
By combining theory, methodology, and applied research, the program enables participants to move beyond conventional managerial tools and develop the ability to investigate complex issues, generate advanced knowledge, and make meaningful contributions to their professional trajectory, their organization, and their broader field of practice.
Features
Prestigious Academic Environment
Participants benefit from an international academic setting shaped by research culture, intellectual rigor, and institutional credibility, within the framework of a well-established university.
Balance between theory and practice
The DBA connects conceptual depth with practical relevance. It encourages participants to transform professional experience into structured inquiry, linking theory, methodology, and real managerial challenges.
Local and International Format
The program combines online seminars with intensive academic periods in Bordeaux, offering a structure that supports doctoral development while remaining compatible with executive and professional responsibilities.
A DBA Where You Can Develop Your Own Research Topic
A DBA has a professional and applied orientation. One of its defining strengths is the possibility of developing a doctoral research topic closely connected to the participant’s professional trajectory, sector, or organizational context.
Rather than asking candidates to adapt to a narrow predefined agenda, the program allows experienced professionals to build research projects that emerge from the realities of their own field, supported by academic supervision and grounded in scholarly rigor. This makes the doctoral journey especially meaningful for those who wish to produce high-level knowledge without losing connection with the strategic questions that shape their professional environment.
Fast-Track in Bordeaux and International Academic Exposure
The program combines online doctoral seminars with mandatory in-person academic periods in Bordeaux. This structure is designed for professionals who require flexibility while also valuing direct academic exchange, intensive learning, and international peer interaction.
Additional seminars or academic activities in other locations may be offered depending on institutional planning, cohort organization, and program conditions. When available, such initiatives are complementary to the core structure of the program.
The University of Bordeaux
Ranked among the top universities in Europe, the University
of Bordeaux is recognized for the quality of its academic
research and courses.
Founded in 1441, the University of Bordeaux is home to
over 50,000 students and almost 6,000 staff.
The University also has the second largest campus in
Europe.
IAE Bordeaux - The University of Bordeaux Management School
The Bordeaux Management School, which is part of the IAE (425,000 graduates since 1955), is the Business School of the University of Bordeaux. The Business School has over 50 full-time teachers, 39 researchers and over 300 professionals.
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Professors & Experts
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European Campus
Program Structure
The program is structured over three years and combines doctoral seminars, research development, academic supervision, and thesis progression. Seminar topics may include management research, epistemology, methodology, management theories, research practices, and advanced themes across fields such as entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, human resources, business strategy, and related areas.
1st Year
The first year is dedicated to building the conceptual and methodological foundations of the doctoral journey. Participants attend advanced seminars and progressively define their research topic, framework, and design, culminating in the presentation of a well-structured proposal. Students must have thesis defense proposal approved in order to go to the second year or will be discontinued from the continuation of the DBA program.2nd Year
The second year focuses on research development. With academic guidance and selected seminars, participants deepen their conceptual framework, refine their methods, and advance the substantive development of the thesis.3rd Year.
During the third year, participants consolidate data collection, analysis, interpretation, and final writing. At the end of the program, the thesis is submitted for defense according to the academic requirements of the DBA.Graduation
Upon successful completion of the program requirements and thesis defense, participants receive the corresponding Executive DBA diploma from the University of Bordeaux.
Optional International Experience
Opcional extra-curriculum seminars may be suggested (optional) at different regions and countries such as Brazil, UK, Switzerland, UAE, India, etc. Meetings usually take place (depending on the country). Below are examples of thh UK optional (extra pay) tracks with UK's premier institutions.
University of Cambridge
Cambridge is a historic and UK's most prestigious university combining world-class research and teaching across disciplines, renowned for academic excellence and innovation.
University of Oxford
Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world, distinguished by its tutorial system, outstanding scholarship, and global influence in research and leadership.
London Business School (LBS) & London School of Economics (LSE)
University of London- UK
LSE is a globally leading institution specializing in social sciences, particularly economics, politics, and international affairs, with a strong emphasis on policy impact and research excellence. Today LBS is one of the world’s top business schools, known for its international cohort, leadership development, and strong focus on global business and finance.
Option for Governement Relations Track
Governance & Cities Track 1 - London School of Economics, UK
Year 2-3
In person immersion on the topic of cities' Governance, planning and Design for a week at London, UK.
Governance & Cities Track 2 - London School of Economics, UK
Year 2 - 3
Two online short programs, one on the topic AI Policy and Governance (one month and half)a and one of Regulation Strategy (one month and half).
Option for Health Care Management Track
University of London with London Business School and London School of Economics track
Year 2-3
Online short courses with LBS on Innovationa and Design Thinking and with LSE on the topic of Policy and Health Economics (1 month and half).
University of London with London Business School and Cambridge University track
Year 2-3
Online short courses with LBS on Innovationa and Design Thinking and with LSE on the topic on Modelling Cost-Effectiveness in Healthcare (2 months).
Option for Project Management Track
Courses online with University of Oxford and in person at Cambridge University
Year 2-3
Online short course with Oxford on Systems Thinking Approach to Change Management (12 sessions) and Managing Innovation (2 days face-to-face) in Cambridge.
* I M P O R T A N T* -
All international experience options are subject to change every year, including topic, duration and modality as it may be affected by global geopolitical circunstances, health situations, professors avaiability, facilities avaiability, ect and student is responsible for presenting all enrollment procedures next to each chosen path / track.
Main program structure
Content of the Program cover four major areas:
1- Principles of research in management
The goal is to understand the quantitative and qualitative approaches initiated in the areas of marketing, accounting and control, corporate finance and market finance, human resources, strategy and organization, family business, entrepreneurship and project management
2- Epistemology and methodologyThis series of seminars aims to train towards positivist, constructivist, quantitative, qualitative approaches and case studies that can constitute a research strategy in management sciences.
3- Research practicesExplore all major paradigms applied to the sciences of organizations. Address the complexity of an organization through the major transversal theories in management sciences (decision theory, systems theory, contract theory, neo-institutional theory, etc.)
4- Theoretical currents of management researchEvaluate and critically review current research projects. Explain how theory and empirical elements are embedded in the various currents in management sciences and explain the behavior of the actors of the organizations.
Requirements
Here is the list of documents required:
- CV - English, Español, Français, or Português.
- Passaport ID.
- Diplomas
- Photo ID
- Enrolment Form
- Proof of payment
Investiment
The program has different tuition structures depending on the participant’s residency status and whether the candidate follows the local French-track model or the international English-speaking format.
The international DBA fee is currently € 24.900 and can be paid into installments (for example 3x € 8 300). It has the two mandatory immersions international in Bordeaux plus modules via Zoom.
If you are or intent to become French resident and wishes to follow the local program in French at the University of Bordeaux all three years long.
Local French Program - Around € 9 000 for thee years (livinf in France - student visa required for non-EU citzens).
The international DBA fee is currently € 29.700 and can be paid into installments.
Installment - at Acceptance > € 9 300
Installment - 2 > € 9 300 - 10th month
Instalment 3 - € 5 200 - 24th month
International module - opcional > € 5 900 - to be paid directly to the University.
*Cities and seminars changes from Cohort to Cohort and programs /topics/cities are sucject to change if needed due unexpected events (pandemics, global crisis, etc) and program adjustament requirement.
Application process and future Cohort
When it will be the next Cohort?
If you are interested in the next cohort, please contact the program coordination team. The application process typically includes an initial contact, submission of your CV, an interview, and academic review of your profile and documents.More than an administrative step, this process is designed to assess the alignment between the candidate’s trajectory, professional maturity, and potential to develop a relevant, consistent, and doctoral-level research project connected to their field of practice.
Approved candidates may then proceed to the formal stages of admission and enrolment in accordance with the program guidelines.
I would like to apply
Finish your application here if you have been interviewed and you have been approved
Frequently Asked Question
Please find below common questions about the program.
Refund conditions are governed by the enrolment terms and agreement. It is specified in your terms of agreements.After the applicable initial period, refunds are no longer be available.
This is a DBA, a professional doctorate designed for experienced professionals and executives. While a PhD is generally more theory-driven and often associated with traditional academic careers, the DBA emphasizes applied research connected to managerial and organizational practice. The diploma is issued within the framework of the University of Bordeaux.
It is a University Diploma from the University of Bordeaux.
There is tuition additional year cost for the 4th.
Yes. Candidates should have a functional command of English sufficient to follow seminars, participate in discussions, read academic materials, and develop doctoral work in the language required by the program.
Visa requirements depend on nationality, residency status, and the duration and nature of the in-person academic periods. Candidates are responsible for checking the applicable travel and entry requirements in advance.
But there is no need of student Visa. Tourist visa (usually valid 90 days) is enough.
Yes. The development and approval of a dissertation or thesis project is a core requirement of the program. During the first year, participants are guided in defining their topic, framework, and methodology in preparation for project presentation and progression to the following stages. The thesis proposal defense it is not only mandatory but it has to be approved for the participant to enroll in the second year.
The first year, the program is structure to guide the doctoral student to build his or her thesis dissertation project.
About the end of the first year, or at another designated date, a Dissertation Project is expected be present. and in case of failure. In order to continue the second and third year, the disseration project needs to be approved by the evaluating prohessors. If project is not approved, the program amount, if it has not been paid in full, is still due. The student can reapply in the following year, as a new candidate, but will not be able to follow the 2nd or 3rd year upon failure.
Meetings can be recorded at the discretion of each professor. The presence at the meetings are mandatory and such resource can be used only as a secondary option and also subject to technical availability.
Yes. Since the DBA program focuses on practical management topics of executive decision making, relevant work experience of 5 to 10 years is required.