Executive DBA – Australia

Page last updated on 16/12/2025

The Executive Doctorate of Business Administration – Australia combines the academic excellence of Paris-Saclay University with the expertise of the Business Science Institute. It provides research-based training focused on real-world managerial issues and today’s major societal challenges.

The program strategically blends online self-paced coursework with bespoke one-on-one mentorship from our world-leading faculty and two optional face-to-face seminars each year in Sydney and Paris.

This blended pedagogy makes our DBA the first choice for busy managers, executives and entrepreneurs seeking rigorous academic standards to share and produce knowledge while having a practical impact.

A partnership between Paris-Saclay University and the Business Science Institute

Paris-Saclay is a world-leading research-intensive institution, which counts among its researchers several Nobel Prize and Fields Medal winners. It ranks 13th globally in 2025 according to the Shanghai Ranking, and 1st in continental Europe, making it 26 places above the highest Australian-ranked university (i.e. University of Melbourne, 38 in 2025)..

The Business Science Institute is an association that brings together a broad range of faculties from around the world – 200 globally. It is a highly networked institution that provides managers, executives and entrepreneurs with a wide choice of academic specialists to supervise their doctoral work on specific topics. The Business Science Institute ensures that the delivery to its 220 international students is seamless, combining global coverage with a bespoke approach. It has already supported the study and defense of over 220 students coming from more than 60 countries. The Institute also coordinates the publication of books by alumni and faculty – over 60 books published so far.

This dynamic of excellence of these institutions provides participants with a top-tier intellectual environment. The program is also accredited by the leading global Association of MBAs (UK) and certified “Responsible Doctoral School” by IRAFPA (Switzerland).

Introduction of the DBA by Pr. Emmanuel Josserand, Director of the Executive DBA Australia

The Executive DBA Sydney Advisory Board

The advisory board meets regularly to guide the development of the Executive DBA Sydney.

The program

The Business Science Institute Executive DBA is an international doctoral degree lasting 3 to 4 years that creates significant business value and generates personal, professional and societal impact. Managers conduct applied research that focuses on their companies, their sector and/or specific issues of their own choice. This corresponds to the need for increasing links between managerial practice and research, managers and academics, business life and academia.

It provides research-based training focused on real-world managerial issues and today’s major societal challenges.

The actual duration of the programme will depend on:

• Your availability and time commitment
• Your ability to undertake high-level research
• The quality of your writing skills

The blended pedagogy ensures that you can learn at your own pace while benefiting from extensive support all throughout your DBA. It means that you can enroll from anywhere in the world:

• 5 self-paced modules followed by one-on-one debriefs with the Professors in charge of each module
• Monthly check-ins with the Director of the program
• 2-day seminar in Sydney (online attendance allowed)
• 1 week yearly global conference for Business Science Institute doctoral students and faculty in Paris (optional)
• 2-day yearly global “impact seminar” online (optional)
• Fortnightly (optional) working group with co-participants and a Business Science Institute alumni

Each module’s component, the research proposal and the final dissertation are assessed.

Supervision

The dynamic balance of Business Science Institute’s expertise and Paris-Saclay’s research excellence culminates in an academic environment boasting world-leading academic leadership. You will have access to fully accredited supervisors from two globally renowned institutions, who are engaged and committed to progressing managerial knowledge. All our supervisors are category 1 supervisors or international equivalent (HDR for Paris-Saclay) and have extensive experience in doctoral supervision.

Detailed program

Phase 1

During the first year, you will acquire the methodological and theoretical foundations essential for doctoral research. You will go through five self-paced learning modules covering:

• Thesis project design
• Research paradigms in management I
• Research paradigms in management II)
• Qualitative research methods
• Quantitative research methods

Each module is assessed. Phase 1 culminates with the defense (online) of the research proposal. Upon completion of phase 1, participants are granted the Certificate of Research in Business and Administration.

Phase 2

The second phase focuses on your personal research work:

• Collecting empirical data,
• Writing a detailed literature review,
• Structuring the thesis outline.

This process takes place under the supervision of a fully accredited professor from Paris-Saclay or the Business Science Institute’s faculty.

Phase 3

Phase 3 focuses on:

• Writing up the final version of your dissertation,
• The preparation of your defense.

Your dissertation will be assessed by two independent experts, who can ask for amendments.

Finally, you will defend your Executive DBA thesis during the annual international week (in Paris or online possible), during the last week of September. Successful completion of this phase will lead to the award of the Executive DBA by Paris-Saclay and the Business Science Institute.

Application Process

This program is focused on developing and mentoring senior managers, executives or entrepreneurs with an MBA, Master’s degree or equivalent, and 5 years or more of professional experience.

Admission process:

1. Submit your CV for eligibility check
   • Your CV should begin with a brief summary giving the following information: current profession (position, company, country), number of years of managerial experience and highest and most recent qualifications
   • Send to: e.josserand@business-science-institute.com and cv@business-science-institute.com
2. Full application
3. Selection interview

Enrolment in the Executive DBA is on-going, open from November 24 for the 2026 cohort.

Contacts

Connect with our Program Directors for a confidential consultation on how the DBA can deepen your expertise, extend your influence, and shape industry practice.

Prof. Emmanuel Josserand
Director of the EDBA at the Business Science Institute (Australia)
e.josserand@business-science-institute.com

For more information about our partnership with Université Paris-Saclay, please contact:

Prof. Jean-Philippe Denis
Director of the EDBA at Université Paris-Saclay, in partnership with the Business Science Institute
jean-philippe.denis@universite-paris-saclay.fr