Doctorate of Business Administration

Admission Requirements & Deadlines

Admission Requirements

The DBA is targeted at holders of an MBA or a Masters-level degree in Management or a related field along with holders of an equivalent professional qualification. The profile of applicants is for mature and experienced managers with the potential to meet the learning and research requirements of the DBA.

In general, students are expected to have a minimum of five years postgraduate work experience prior to DBA study, with a three-year duration allowed in exceptional cases. A significant portion of this experience should be at a senior level.

Application Deadlines

The BSL DBA program has four intakes per year: February, May, September and November.

Contact our admissions team with your every question!

Contact Admissions

Am I eligible?

You are eligible to apply for the DBA program if you have:

  • Masters degree in business or related fields or MBA or equivalent (case-by-case assessment possible)
  • At least 8 years of professional experience
  • Currently employed in a leadership function
  • Fluency in English (TOEFL IBT Level of 90 or equivalent)

Admissions checklist

BSL Admissions only reviews complete applications which include the following documents:

  Application form

Application form (which includes the terms and conditions) must be signed and completed.

  University degree

A copy of your university degree.
Note: Foreign official degrees must be certified by a legal authority such as a Public Notary, with translation when necessary.

  Resarch Topic Proposal (RTP)

It is important that you start your research in a timely manner after the acceptance of your research topic proposal. The date on which you submit your research topic proposal therefore determines the date of your intake. Our admission team is here to help you optimize your application calendar so that you can secure a place in the desired intake.

  Official Transcript

Complete list of the courses taken and grades earned by a student throughout a course.
Note: foreign official transcripts must be certified by a legal authority such as a Public Notary, with translation when necessary.

  Curriculum Vitae (CV)

An up-to-date curriculum vitae/resume (overview of studies, relevant working experience and activities)

  Motivation letter

A motivation letter/essay highlighting your perspective on your professional future, the reasons why you wish to study business, why you believe BSL is the right school for you and your goals and experience as they relate to higher education.

  Recommendation letters

Two recommendation letters (signed and printed on official letterhead paper) from teachers and/or employers. These letters should include, for example, your skills, dependability, personal character, contributions (to class or community) and accomplishments.

  Proof of English proficiency

If English is not your first language, you need to provide the results of an English proficiency test such as an internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL IBT) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) taken no longer than 2 years prior to the application. An English proficiency test is required for international applicants who attended a non-English speaking school or work place.

Minimum requirements (only one test necessary):

  • TOEFL IBT 90
  • TOEFL CBT 575
  • IELTS 6.5
  • TOEIC 800
  • Language Cert – Low C1 (Expert Level)
  Portrait Photograph

A digital portrait photograph

  Copy of ID

A copy of your passport or identity card

  Copy of Permit

A copy of your Swiss B/C permit, if applicable.