Doctorate in Business Administration
(DBA) — Top-Up

The DBA Top-Up is a 12 to 14-month programme, delivered 100% online, designed for professionals who already hold a Master’s degree and a Level 8 Diploma qualification, such as a Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership.

A DBA Top-Up is a fast-track doctoral programme for Level 8 qualification holders—one of the most powerful academic acceleration pathways available to senior professionals.

Rather than completing a full three-year DBA from scratch, eligible candidates complete only 12 to 14 months of study.

The DBA programme is designed to accommodate the schedules of working professionals.

Our doctoral candidates gain access to opportunities for academic and professional engagement within an international learning environment, fostering valuable connections and providing a global perspective.

We boast a highly qualified faculty with extensive industry experience, delivering education in accordance with recognised academic standards.

The curriculum is designed to support the programme learning outcomes and subject-specific competencies, with a strong emphasis on addressing contemporary business challenges.

Our scholars have the opportunity to apply their knowledge through intensive research and live projects, supported by personalised mentorship that aligns with their individual career objectives.

We also offer a dynamic and diverse community of students and faculty from around the world, serving as an international networking platform that encourages valuable connections and broad perspectives.

Route 2 — Without Academic Qualifications (APEL Route)

If you do not hold a formal Level 8 academic qualification, you may still be eligible through Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) — a formally recognised process in UK and European higher education that acknowledges significant professional experience as equivalent to formal academic study.

Who is APEL suitable for?

• Senior professionals with 15 or more years of management or leadership experience
• Company Directors, CEOs, Managing Directors, Senior Managers or Executive-level professionals
• Entrepreneurs who have founded and led businesses at significant scale
• International professionals whose qualifications may not be directly comparable to UK Level 8

Module Title	ECTS	Level	Assessment
Strategic Financial Management	10	L8	Assignment 50% · Presentation 30% · Examination 20%
Entrepreneurship and Innovation	10	L8	Assignment 40% · Presentation 30% · Examination 30%
Strategic Marketing	10	L8	Presentation 30% · Case Study Analysis 30% · Marketing Plan (Group) 40%
Globalisation and Corporate Governance	10	L8	Research Paper 40% · Group Presentation 30% · Case Study Analysis 30%
Developing Strategic Management and Leadership Potential	10	L8	Case Study Analysis 40% · Strategic Presentation 30% · Written Exam 30%
Developing Research Capability	10	L8	Research Proposal Development 40% · Literature Review 30% · Written Exam 30%
Advanced Research Design and Methodologies	20	L8	Research Proposal 40% · Data Analysis Project 30% · Written Exam 30%
Research and Dissertation (DBA Top-Up stage)	60	L8	Contribution to Knowledge 25% · Research Design 25% · Literature Review 10% · Viva Voce Defence 40%

The Research and Dissertation is the defining component of the DBA. It demonstrates your ability to conduct original, independent doctoral-level research and make a significant contribution to knowledge in your professional field.

60 ECTS · Max 30 ECTS/semester · Project and Dissertation Format · Viva Voce Defence · Personal Supervisor

Assessment Component	Weight	What This Means
Originality and Contribution to Knowledge	25%	The extent to which your research advances understanding in your field
Research Design and Methodology	25%	Quality and appropriateness of your research approach, methods and data collection
Literature Review	10%	Critical evaluation and synthesis of relevant academic literature
Presentation and Defence (Viva Voce)	40%	Oral defence of your dissertation before a panel of academic examiners

Pass mark required · Supervised throughout by a personal academic supervisor.

• One dedicated personal academic supervisor assigned to you for the full 12–14 months
• All supervision sessions conducted online via Zoom or Microsoft Teams
• Regular scheduled meetings throughout your entire research and dissertation journey

Your supervisor helps you: identify your research topic · approve your proposal · guide your research design · review draft chapters · prepare for your Viva Voce oral defence.

Official References — APEL and Prior Learning Recognition

Awarding Body	Guidance
QAA (UK)	UK Quality Code — Admissions and Recognition of Prior Learning. Institutions may admit students on the basis of prior experiential learning where they judge the applicant has potential to succeed.
MFHEA Malta	MFHEA Recognition of Prior Learning Framework formally recognises RPL/APEL within its accreditation framework for higher education institutions.
EQF (European)	EQF Level 8 descriptors formally include learning outcomes achieved through experience. EU Council Recommendation on validation of non-formal and informal learning (2012/C 398/01).
CEDEFOP	European Guidelines for Validating Non-Formal and Informal Learning support experiential learning validation across all EU member states and the European Education Area.

For a personal APEL assessment and to discuss your DBA Top-Up eligibility, contact OCE Admissions directly at admissions@oxfordce.co.uk. Decision within 10 working days.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Director / Board Member
Vice Chancellor / Dean
Senior Strategy Consultant
Head of Research & Innovation
University Lecturer / Professor
Managing Director
Government Advisor / Policy Maker
Entrepreneur / Business Founder
HR Director
Supply Chain Director
Marketing Director / CMO

01 · Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA)

EAI is accredited and licensed by MFHEA with Licence Number: 2024-032 as a Higher Education Institution, authorising programmes at Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate levels (MQF/EQF Levels 6, 7 and 8). MFHEA is partly funded by the European Commission and enforces ESG 2015 standards across Malta.

02 · European Qualifications Framework (EQF) — Level 8

Malta has been an EU member since 2004 and a member of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) since 2010. Under MFHEA Licence No. 2024-032, EAI is authorised to offer doctoral programmes at EQF Level 8 — the highest qualification level in Europe, compatible with ECTS.

03 · Bologna Process and Lisbon Recognition Convention

Malta is a full member of the Bologna Process, harmonising accreditation across 49 European countries. The Lisbon Recognition Convention (Council of Europe Treaty No. 165) ensures EAI degrees are recognised by approximately 57 signatory countries. The UNESCO Global Convention (2019) further promotes international recognition.

04 · European Higher Education Area (EHEA) — 49 Countries

The EHEA comprises 49 member countries all using ECTS. Member countries implement reforms based on academic freedom, institutional autonomy and free movement of students and staff. Your EAI DBA is fully recognised across all 49 EHEA member countries.

05 · ENIC-NARIC Network — 55 Countries

EAI degree holders can seek recognition worldwide through the ENIC-NARIC Network — collaboration between national information centres across 55 countries under the Lisbon Recognition Convention, established in 1994 with UNESCO and the Council of Europe.

06 · World Education Services (WES) — USA and Canada

EAI is a registered WES Digital Partner. Degrees awarded under MFHEA accreditation consistently receive positive evaluation outcomes from WES. Academic records are transmitted electronically, ensuring secure delivery and authenticity for North American opportunities.

07 · European Commission — ESG 2015 Standards

The European Commission oversees the ECTS system across all EHEA countries. All EHEA member countries, including Malta, have adopted the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG 2015) — the quality assurance framework EAI fully complies with as an MFHEA-accredited institution.

Legalisation and Apostille: EAI diplomas and transcripts are authenticated and registered by a Maltese Public Notary. Where required, documents are Apostilled under the 1961 Hague Convention — a seal signifying legal authenticity for international use. For countries not party to the Hague Convention, documents may be authenticated by the relevant Embassy or Consulate in Malta.

Euro American Institute (EAI), Malta — MFHEA Accredited Higher Education Institution · Licence Number: 2024-032 · MQF/EQF Levels 6, 7 and 8

The Euro American Institute (EAI), Malta, is a key member of the Euro American Education Group — an international educational conglomerate encompassing several distinguished institutions and universities, including the European Institute of Management and Technology, Switzerland; the London School of Management and Technology, United Kingdom; and Birchwood University, USA.

The Euro American Education Group was established by a team of distinguished educationists working in academia with the express purpose of providing meaningful learning opportunities to students around the world — enabling them to earn accredited degree qualifications at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The Group has set up institutions in the USA, France, Germany and the United Kingdom to further its global mission.

Oxford College of Education — The Only Physical Campus Partner of EAI in the UK. Oxford College of Education (OCE), Bridge House, 56 Bridge Street, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 2EL, England, is the sole and exclusive physical campus delivery partner of Euro American Institute (EAI) in the United Kingdom. This exclusive partnership means that every DBA student studying through OCE receives the full quality, prestige and international recognition of an EAI Malta qualification — delivered with the infrastructure, support and academic expertise of a UK-based institution.

Collegiate Institutes (CI) at EAI Malta draw their inspiration from some of the world’s top universities. The EAI Learning Management System (LMS) is used by these Collegiate Institutes — organisations of professors, teachers and administrators — to deliver approved modules and programmes. Every institute is led by a Dean, who also serves as a teaching faculty member.

Oxford College of Education is a distinguished institution dedicated to providing high-quality education to learners of all ages — both local and international students. Perfectly positioned in the heart of High Wycombe town centre, directly opposite the Eden Shopping Centre and the main bus stop, our campus is just a 7–8 minute walk from the train station. With Central London only 25 minutes away, London Heathrow Airport 30 minutes away, and the historic Windsor Castle a mere 20 minutes away, our prime location ensures ease of access by both bus and train.

As an official Pearson VUE Test Centre and an authorised test centre for the University of Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Imperial College London, the University of Warwick and the Durham Admission Test, we take great pride in our examination services. Each year we host 300 to 400 young students dreaming of joining those universities. Each month, between 150 and 200 candidates visit our campus for various tests, and we have proudly served over 7,000 students to date for their various examinations and courses.

What truly sets us apart is our commitment to lifelong learning. Oxford College of Education is a one-stop destination where learners from age 5 to 60 can find their ideal educational pathway. For children, we offer primary education, secondary school programmes including GCSE and IGCSE, and higher secondary qualifications such as AS and A-Levels. For adults, we provide a seamless progression through foundation courses, diplomas, undergraduate degrees, postgraduate programmes, and even doctorate-level study. In addition, we offer over 750 professional courses, all accredited by the UK CPD.

Our partnerships and accreditations speak to our quality and reliability. We work with local and international partners, including government-funded programmes, and are an ASIC-accredited college, allowing us to issue Visa Letters for international students wishing to study English on our campus. We are registered with the British Council, a partner organisation for Aptis ESOL, and an affiliated partner for IELTS booking. Our excellent Matrix reports, alongside our valid ICO registration and Cyber Essentials certification, give students, parents and the community complete peace of mind.

Oxford College of Education
Bridge House, 56 Bridge Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2EL, England, UK
www.oxfordce.co.uk · cpd.oxfordce.co.uk