Integrated Doctorate of Business Administration

Credits (ECTS)

Integrated DBA

  • Integrated DBA allows you to take up IMBA & DBA in one go.

  • Complete your 60 ECTS, Masters in International Business Administration from GMU, Italy in as less as 9 Months and start your DBA from UCAM, Spain right away. 

  • DBA, from UCAM, Spain is a 180 ECTS, Blended Program, with 1 year of taught module followed by Research work.

  • UCAM is ranked among top 10 universities in Europe by Times Higher Education Ranking-2019 for Quality Education.

  • UCAM has been awarded an overall score of four stars out of a maximum of five by the prestigious company Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), which specialises in analysing higher education institutions across the world.

  • 100% Online with Personal Tutor support.

  • Get 2 Degrees from different accredited universities in the span of 3.5 years which would have otherwise taken 5 years.

  • Flexible Payment, Instalment scheme.

Course Module & Fee

Fastrack Plan

Course Registration Fees

$2000 (On Approval Of Application For The Course)

Monthly Instalment

$500 (To Be Paid On Monthly Basis For 31 Months)

Total Fees

$17500

Certification Fees

$300 (Certified Manager Certification -Optional)

Admission Requirement

Academic route

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university (or academic equivalent) in any subject.

Work Experience

If you don’t have a Bachelor’s degree, you can apply through our mature entry route. You’ll need to provide evidence of 3 years (Minimum) of relevant managerial work experience, along with certificates of your highest diplomas/degrees/professional certifications and an updated resume. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Please send these details to admissions@uniathena.com. Applicants should be 23 years of age or above. Admission through Mature Entry Route will be subject to the discretion of the Athena Global Education and the respective Awarding Bodies/Universities.

English Language Proficiency

If you are not a native speaker, you should have an appropriate English proficiency level, e.g. an IELTS score of 5.5 or equivalent in all bands or possess a Bachelor’s degree delivered and assessed in English, or proof of work experience in an English-speaking environment.

Why UniAthena?

Flexible

At UniAthena, you are in charge of your learning! You get to decide the pace of your learning based on your financial and time availability. The learning structure is modular, ensuring pace, effectiveness and momentum of your learning journey. With this byte-sized learning format you get to learn anywhere, anytime.

Affordable

With UniAthena as your learning partner, you follow a ‘Pay as you Go Scheme’ for your program, that means no upfront bulk payment of your fee. Instead, your fee will be divided into small pocket-friendly installments distributed across your program.

Accredited & Globally Accepted

UniAthena has partnered with reputed Universities and Awarding bodies, all of which are fully accredited by governmental regulatory bodies in their respective countries. Universities are NARIC Approved and are part of European Higher education, Bologna process, making the programs recognised worldwide.

Stackable

Byte-sized learning formats ensure that each learning item carries tangible value in terms of learning outcome, which allows learners to stack or combine small units into higher education credits toward a degree or diploma. At any point of time during your course, you can claim a certificate/diploma based on the credits you have earned so far.

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Degree

Master Degree, Doctorate Degree, PG Diploma, UCAM Certification, CMI Certification (optional)
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Awarding Body Accredited By

Ministry of Education, Spain Ministry of Education, Italy
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Learning

Online

Course Fees

Fastrack Plan

(3.5 - 5.0 Years)

$17500

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What You Learn

Module 1

Sustainability and Business

Sustainability and Business

Duration: 30 Days

The module will critically review sustainability challenges and opportunities for organizations in a global context.

30 Days

Level: EQF Level 7

Credits: 7 ECTS

Module 2

Operations and Project Management

Operations and Project Management

Duration: 30 Days

The module will provide you an introduction to a broad range of operations and project management problems, tools, and knowledge facing managers working in modern organizations.

30 Days

Level: EQF Level 7

Credits: 7 ECTS

Module 3

Strategic Leadership & HR Practices in Organisations

Strategic Leadership and HR Practices in Organisations

Duration: 30 Days

You learn role of strategic HRM and leadership practices and their influence on the overall performance and competence of the organization.

30 Days

Level: EQF Level 7

Credits: 7 ECTS

Module 4

Accounting for Next Generation Leaders

Accounting for Next Generation Leaders

Duration: 30 Days

The module covers analysis and interpretation of financial statements of contemporary firms, cost classification, investment appraisal, and budgeting affecting the financial behavior of an organization.

30 Days

Level: EQF Level 7

Credits: 7 ECTS

Module 5

Strategic Management

Strategic Management

Duration: 30 Days

The module develop skills for strategic thinking and analysis, leadership, communication, teamwork, and cross-functional integration.

30 Days

Level: EQF Level 7

Credits: 7 ECTS

Module 6

International Marketing Management

International Marketing Management

Duration: 30 Days

This module develops knowledge and understanding of contemporary theories and their applications in international marketing and management.

30 Days

Level: EQF Level 7

Credits: 7 ECTS

Module 7

Research Methods and Dissertation

Research Methods & Dissertation

Duration: 30 + 90 Days

By the end of the module you will be able to explain your own research ‘philosophy’ and you will be able to decide what research methods to use. The dissertation is an opportunity for learners to demonstrate their ability to investigate issues of their own choice over a significant period of time.

30 + 90 Days

Level: EQF Level 8

Credits: 20 ECTS

Module 8

Research Methodology and Methods (Exempted)

Research Methodology and Methods (Exempted)

By the end of the module you will be able to explain your own research ‘philosophy’ and you will be able to decide what research methods to use.

Credits: 10 ECTS

Module 9

Research Issues within Contemporary Management

Research Issues within Contemporary Management

Duration: 56 Days

The module will help you to identify what would make a suitable, interesting and applied research topic in management so that you can begin to conceptualise your own area for future research, later in the course.

56 Days

Level: EQF Level 8

Credits: 10 ECTS

Module 10

Interim Research Project (Exempted)

Interim Research Project (Exempted)

The purpose of the module is to allow you to utilize the research methods skills you have acquired, and the areas of research you have identified,

Credits: 10 ECTS

Module 11

Designing a Research Project

Designing a Research Project

Duration: 70 Days

The purpose of this module is to write a detailed proposal document for your actual thesis.

70 Days

Level: EQF Level 8

Credits: 20 ECTS

Module 12

Developing as a Researcher

Developing as a Researcher

Duration: 70 Days

The purpose of this module is to provide you with some useful theoretical tools to help you to reflect constructively and in the right depth.

70 Days

Level: EQF Level 8

Credits: 10 ECTS

Module 13

Practice Based Thesis

Practice Based Thesis

Duration: 1-2 Years

This is the capstone module of the DBA in which you plan and implement your own extended research project, demonstrate your own deep expertise in a specific area of applied business and management.

1-2 Years

Level: EQF Level 8

Credits: 120 ECTS

100.00%

Students would Recommend this Course 

100.00%

Students Observed Improvement in Performance at Work 

Partners of this Programme

Guglielmo Marconi University (GMU) is based in Rome, Italy and it is the first Italian Open University recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR). It appears among the 25 top performers worldwide in the categories of the U-Multirank ranking system for open-access publications, international joint publications, and regional joint publications.


Universidad Católica De Murcia (UCAM) is a university par excellence based out of Murcia, Spain. Established in 1996, the university is accredited by the Ministry of Education, Spain, ANECA, and is a member of ENQA, Universia, and EUA. UCAM is ranked among the 200 best universities in Europe and the 10 best valued by its students by The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021. UCAM has a strategic partnership network with more than 280 universities.


Cambridge International Qualifications (CIQ), UK is a professional awarding body based in the United Kingdom. CIQ is founded on the vision of helping individual learners and employers in attaining quality accredited awards. With centers across the Middle East, Europe, and the African region, CIQ is a proud certification partner for more than 100 organizations and has a progression pathway with some of the leading universities across the world.


Chartered Management Institute, backed by royal charter is the only Chartered body dedicated to promoting the highest standards in management and leadership excellence. CMI’s management qualifications are recognized throughout the UK and Europe and provide a progressive framework that enables one to develop and broaden management skills. Their qualifications are designed in consultation with employers to meet today's demands and therefore it is valued by them.


Message from Rector

msg author

We welcome the learners of Athena Global Education to our qualifications and wish them the very best on their future endeavours.

Prof. Alessandra Briganti

Guglielmo Marconi University, modeled around education and research, promotes innovative ICT-based educational methodologies, stimulating learners to develop high cognitive and practical competences. The strong point of this educational system is the focus on the current educational demands required by the ever-changing working environment. By considering these developments, GMU offers learners high-quality market-oriented courses. We have been continuously growing our presence around the world through many strategic partnerships during past years and the Westford Education Group was the one of the major partnerships which has been very successful since 2015.

Athena Global Education is a new venture of Westford Education Group. A future ready education solution, Athena Global Education utilizes the latest technology aimed at improving the learners experience. We are happy to have partnered for this new project and are eager to expand our partnership into different domains. The association with Westford Group has produced hundreds of graduates in past years and we look forward to enhancing the portfolio and providing accessibility to education around the world.

We welcome the students of Athena Global Education to our qualifications and wish them the very best on their future endeavours.

Message from Dean

We believe in developing highest standard of education for all our students.

Dean

Dr. Rainer Masera

GMU Business School, Italy

What Our Students Say About Us

Our students speak about their learning experience at UniAthena, how the courses sharpened their management skills and the support they received at every stage.

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Admission Process

Please find below the detailed steps to be followed as a part of the admission process.

From UniAthena's Video Library

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Why This Course ?

Course Resources

For more detailed information about the course, please click on the link/links below.

Why This Course ?

1

MBA & DBA not a 5 Year Thing Anymore!

You can earn two degrees, IMBA and DBA within 30 months and open up to career opportunities like never before; whether it be in business, education, government, or healthcare.

2

Designed for Busy Executives

This online program, with personal tutor support, is designed for working professionals, who don't want to compromise on their dynamic professional life either.

3

Acquire Critical Business Skills

The IDBA program focuses on providing learners with real-world, business-oriented critical thinking and problem-solving skills and helps you to acquire specific leadership qualities designed for upper management and executive positions.

How You Learn ?

Engage with a scientifically developed learning pedagogy that ensures a quality and effective journey for the learners. Enjoy a seamless learning experience tailored to your level of expertise on the subject matter.

What You Receive ?

You will be receiving the following certificates as specified below:

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Doctorate of Business Administration issued by

Universidad Catolica De Murcia, Spain
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Detailed Transcript with 180 ECTS Credits (DBA) issued by

Universidad Catolica De Murcia (UCAM), Spain
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Master of International Business Administration issued by

Guglielmo Marconi University, Italy
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Detailed Transcript with 60 ECTS Credits (IMBA) issued by

Guglielmo Marconi University, Italy
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Postgraduate Diploma in International Business & Strategy issued by

Cambridge International Qualifications, UK
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Certified Manager (Optional) issued by

Chartered Management Institute, UK

All certificate and transcript images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of respective Universities or Awarding Bodies.

Ready to Start ?

It is really easy to start with us. You can register for this course with minimum details and get access to one of the modules of this course for 7 days.

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Course Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Learners wishing to be admitted to the IDBA Program should satisfy the following requirements:

1. Possess a Bachelor’s degree in any subject.
2. If you are not a native speaker, you should have an appropriate English proficiency level, e.g. an IELTS score of 5. 5 or equivalent in all bands or possess a bachelor’s degree delivered and assessed in English, or proof of work experience in an English-speaking environment.
3. Applicants without a Bachelor’s degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis if they have relevant managerial experience of not less than 3 years.

Once the learner has successfully completed his IMBA, which can be done in minimum of 9 months, learners will be eligible to enroll to the DBA Program.

Yes, the program is structured to accommodate the busy schedules of full-time professionals with a strong support system that is highly flexible. Though the course duration is 36 months, the learner can complete it within  48 months. It depends on the time the learners has to invest for the research.

Follow these steps to formally enroll into IDBA program:

1. Register for the course from this course page and set your password.
2. Login to your Learning Portal.
3. Click on the Application Link provided in the header menu in your student dashboard and submit the application.
4. The academic panel will evaluate your application and will issue the offer letter if you are eligible and the documents are complete.
5. On receiving the ‘Admission Offer Letter’, you pay the registration fee of $2000. Once the registration fee is received, the institute will issue the letter of admission, and you can start with your first module.

All applicants are required to upload the following documents in order to be eligible for admission:

1. Proof of having earned a Bachelor’s Degree - such as a Degree Certificate. If the documents are not in English, official translations should be submitted.
2. The final transcript of Bachelor’s Degree.
3. A copy of the government-issued photo identity card.
4. If you do not have a Bachelor’s degree, you can still apply through the mature entry route. You will have to upload an updated resume along with the relevant work experience letters issued by your employer/s. You may also be contacted by our faculty for a telephone interview in order to ascertain your eligibility for the program.

Yes, learners can apply for credit exemptions for the program based on previous work experience or educational qualification under Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APCL) and Accreditation of Prior Certified Learning (APEL) respectively.

Yes, you don’t need to finalize your research topic to start the course. You may need to finalize the broad subject area of interest and the program team will advise you about your chosen theme and assist you in finding a sustainable research topic. The final research topic should be approved prior to starting the final research.

After enrolling in a particular program or receiving the admission letter, we are unable to offer refunds as per our policy. However, prior to enrollment, all learners have the option to utilize the free trial period, which lasts between 3 to 7 days.

It is possible to extend the duration for an extra year with an additional fee.

Under any unforeseen circumstances, if a learner wants to withdraw from the program before completing IMBA, he/she may apply for an Early Exit Award.


Based on the credit earned and modules completed in the IMBA program, you might receive a credit statement or a diploma, or an extended diploma by paying the certification fee. He/she will be able to resume the course at a later date by re-enrolling and may resume from where you stopped, depending on the availability of that particular course at the time of re-enrollment.


If the learner wants to leave the course midway through research or at the start of the research, he/she will have an option to choose for an Exit Award, that is, MPhil in Management. Exit award fee is applicable.

It is a combination of IMBA and DBA, Combining both have given you an easier way for achieving your higher education and made it more effortless as you are doing it in a stretch rather than just doing your masters and that too under the guidance of experienced faculties than searching for your doctorate and other options.  

You are completing a dual degree in just 2.5 years from two different universities that would have normally taken atleast 5 years that too without taking a break from your career.

In a small span of time, You can aim for a higher career jump which requires higher academic qualifications. Is there any better investment than investing in yourself!

All topics are accepted as long as your research is connected to management. You can choose from a variety of fields such as HR, finance, marketing, organizational behavior, international business, strategy and others.

The DBA is an executive-level program designed for working professionals possessing extensive managerial experience as well as a master’s degree, who are looking to advance further in their career. DBA has both rigor and relevance as it contributes to theory, practice and research in business and management. The DBA program is a full-fledged Doctoral degree, but unlike the Ph.D., it is geared towards honing capabilities in the professional sphere. PhD programs are usually meant for those interested in pursuing research based careers in academia.

Each learner will be provided with a Personal Tutor for each module to whom he/she can connect for any academic assistance for that module. You can also schedule a one to one live session with your personal tutor. For pastoral (non-academic)support, you can connect with your learners experience executive on call/Whatsapp or mail(see@uniathena.com) and get your issue resolved.