Executive Doctor of Business Administration
Research an executive problem with the depth, independence and evidence expected of a professional doctorate.
SABI University’s Executive DBA is designed for experienced executives and enterprise leaders who want to investigate consequential business and organizational questions. Candidates develop an approved research proposal, work with a qualified supervisor and produce an original dissertation with clear executive implications.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Award | Executive Doctor of Business Administration (EDBA) |
| Awarding institution | SABI University |
| Credits | 120 ECTS / 60 US semester credits beyond the master’s |
| Delivery | Online research supervision, seminars and committee examination |
| Language | English |
| Direct research duration | Normally 18 to 24 months with an approved intensive study plan |
| Dissertation | Normally 40,000 to 60,000 words, excluding references and appendices |
| Tuition | CAD 39,500 |
| Application fee, non-refundable | CAD 500 |
| Standard total | CAD 40,000 |
Research Focus and Outcomes
Your research may address strategy, enterprise growth, leadership, governance, finance, innovation, digital transformation or another approved business problem. The topic is agreed with the University according to its significance, feasibility and available supervision.
The programme develops your ability to critically evaluate scholarship, design an ethical investigation, analyze complex evidence, establish an original contribution and explain its implications for executive practice.
How the Research Progresses
A rigorous, fully online, research-based programme examined by an independent committee.
Application Review
Submit academic records, a CV and a preliminary research outline for Admissions review.
Proposal Refinement
Following acceptance, refine the question, literature and methodological approach with academic guidance.
Plan & Approvals
Complete the doctoral development plan and obtain proposal, ethics and research-access approvals.
Supervised Investigation
Conduct the investigation with an appointed supervisor and documented progress reviews.
Dissertation Submission
Submit the dissertation and supervisor’s report for independent examination.
Examination & Conferral
Complete the doctoral examination, required corrections and final deposit before conferral.
During active research, candidates normally meet their supervisor at least monthly and receive feedback on agreed submissions. Data access, confidentiality and the candidate’s own contribution are addressed in the research plan.
Who the Programme Is For
Applicants hold verified bachelor’s and master’s degrees or approved international equivalents, demonstrate research readiness and have substantial executive responsibility. The normal experience benchmark is ten years of relevant professional experience, including five in senior leadership. Provide the degree certificates and transcripts, a current CV, identification, a preliminary research outline, references or verification contacts and evidence of English proficiency. Admissions may request an academic interview or further documentation. It assesses responsibility, research readiness and topic suitability alongside the complete academic record.
Research Structure
| Component | ECTS | US semester credits |
|---|---|---|
| Research methodology and critical inquiry | 12 | 6 |
| Doctoral development and proposal | 12 | 6 |
| Research seminars and critical review | 6 | 3 |
| Supervised dissertation | 84 | 42 |
| Examination and final deposit | 6 | 3 |
| Total | 120 | 60 |
This allocation represents approximately 3,000 to 3,600 hours of learning and research. It is completed through an individual doctoral development plan, methodological preparation, research engagement and independently examined work. Candidates must obtain approval before participant research or access to sensitive organizational evidence.
Examination and Completion
The dissertation is reviewed independently by two examiners who did not supervise it, including at least one external examiner. The final examination comprises a recorded presentation, committee-selected questions, and written or recorded responses. Further clarification may be required. Conferral follows satisfactory examination, approval of corrections and final deposit. A paid journal publication is not a graduation requirement. The mandatory independent examination, including the external examiner, is included in the applicable published fee.
The direct research route normally takes 18 to 24 months on an agreed intensive plan. Any shorter completion period depends on formally assessed advanced standing, the remaining workload and examination requirements. The individual admission letter identifies the approved timetable and remaining research requirements.
Choose the Appropriate Route
The standard research route develops and examines original research under supervision. Candidates who already have substantial research and professional evidence may instead explore the VAE Pathway.
The EDBA VAE route begins with assessment for the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business Research. The subsequent doctoral stage uses an examined capstone, normally about 20,000 words, or suitable existing research with a written commentary explaining the candidate’s contribution, methods, evidence and findings. The validated portfolio, written work and examination together must demonstrate the required doctoral outcomes.
The routes have distinct assessment processes, individual credit decisions and fee schedules. Admissions will confirm the appropriate route before enrollment.
Managers seeking more structured doctoral preparation can compare the Doctor of Management. Both awards meet doctoral standards; they serve different professional profiles and research needs.
Fees and Verification
As SABI University is a proud member of the Canada-based North Pacific Education Group, all tuition and administrative fees are assessed in Canadian Dollars (CAD).
| Standard research route | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | CAD 39,500 |
| Application fee, non-refundable | CAD 500 |
| Total standard programme cost | CAD 40,000 |
Tuition covers supervision within the normal twenty-four-month registration period, standard research support and examination including the external examiner, conferral and standard award documents. The applicable agreement identifies payment dates, refund terms and any optional delivery, legalisation or continued-registration charges. All fees are in Canadian dollars (CAD).
The approved local-supervision route has a single inclusive total of CAD 15,000, without an additional application charge. Entry requires a recommendation from an appointed Local Faculty member and academic acceptance by SABI. Meetings may be in person, online or in combination, as specified in the individual agreement. Supervision may be in Chinese or English by agreement; formal submission and examination are in English. VAE fees are stated separately for the relevant route.
Successful candidates receive the degree certificate, an official transcript and research assessment record, a verifiable e-certificate and an alumni badge linked to their official verification profile. The record reports the actual route, assessed credit and conferral details.
ECTS and US semester-credit figures describe the same assessed learning and workload using SABI’s institutional comparison. The figures are not added together. Transfer or acceptance of credit is determined by the receiving institution.