Programs
Institute Accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education

Doctorate of Business Administration

Founded in 1986, ESGCI is an accredited leader in business education, offering a fully online DBA program that combines affordability, quality and support. The DBA is the terminal degree in the field of business administration and allows those who complete the program to use the title of “Dr.”. The program is designed to develop leaders and experts in the field of their choice.
  • Type
    Doctorate
  • Enrollment Deadline
    February 14, 2026
  • Duration
    36 Months
Apply NowDownload Syllabus
Website University_ESGCI
Website University (Mobile)_ESGCI
  • French National Accreditation: ESGCI is recognized by the French, Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
  • Paris Immersion Optional

Doctor of Business Administration Program from ESGCI

Course Snapshot

  • QUALIOPI Certified

    Institute

  • 1

    Clifton Strengths Test

  • Optional on-campus

    Immersion

  • Institute accredited by French Ministry of Higher Education Research and Innovation
  • ACBSP and IACBE Membership
  • Earn the same degree as awarded to the on-campus students
  • Blended Format of Delivery (Online Plus 5-Day Optional Immersion in Paris)
  • Attain alumni status equal to that of on-campus students
NADefault CourseSnapshot (1)

Key Highlights of the ESGCI DBA program

What is this course about?

Program Benefits

  • Same alumni status as on-campus students
  • Balanced curriculum of application and research
  • A member of Galileo Global Education and Group ESG
  • 24 x 7 Support augmented with chatbot
  • Delivery architecture designed for working professionals
  • Add a "Dr." to your name and cement your industry experience
  • Earn the same degree as awarded on campus
  • 1:1 Thesis supervision
  • Live faculty lectures
  • QUALIOPI Certified Institute
  • Optional on-campus immersion
  • Specialize in any area of your choice
  • Workshops for dissertation preparation, and concentration selection. 
  • A pool of International thesis supervisor and subject matter experts

Who is This Program For?

  • Experienced professionals from diverse backgrounds such as IT services, management and IT consultancy, finance, marketing, human resources, operations, supply chain management, etc.
  • Mid-level managers aiming for senior leadership roles and personal development
  • Enthusiastic learners pursuing leadership-focused doctoral subjects with robust academic support

Top Skills You'll Acquire

  • Business research problem formulation
  • Leadership skills
  • Change management in the digital age
  • Innovation in the digital age
  • Research design
  • Research reading and writing
  • Data collection (Quantitative and qualitative)
  • Sampling
  • Critical thinking
  • Data analysis
  • Academic writing and formatting

Minimum Eligibility

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: 

  •  Master's Degree (or equivalent)
  • Bachelors Degree with 3+ years of work experience
  • Diploma Holders may be admitted on a case by case basis, depending upon the work experience

Research Topics Pursued by Alumni (Areas of Research)

  • FMCG market entry strategies in emerging markets; unearthing business potential (International Business and Market Entry)
  • The tipping point of exploiting consumer attention and choice in the digital age (Digital Transformation and IT)
  • Governance in the age of Digitization: the case of Togo (Digital Transformation and IT)
  • A comparative study on customer satisfaction towards service quality provided by domestic commercial and foreign banks in Nigeria: A case of Skye bank and Standard Chartered Bank (Banking and Financial Services)
  • Base I, III, IV: its impacts, and its implementation risks on the French system (Banking and Financial Services)
  • Corporate strategy and business model innovation in the South African automotive industry (Entrepreneurship and Business Strategy)
  • The rise of social entrepreneurship in developing countries: A case of Nigeria (Entrepreneurship and Business Strategy)
  • Strategic role of HR professionals’ competencies and its impact to companies’ performance: A context of Indonesian companies (Entrepreneurship and Business Strategy)
  • Gender leadership in higher education in the Middle East (Human Resources and Organizational Behavior)
  • Does Good Governance Contribute to Economic Well-Being for Treaty 1 First Nations in Canada? (Public Policy and Governance)

Sample Areas of Interest

  • Entrepreneurship
  • HRM
  • Leadership & Strategy
  • Business Analytics
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Marketing
  • Business Development
  • Innovation
  • Ecommerce
  • Product Management
  • And Many More available

Academic/Career Support

  • 1-1 Career Coaching
  • Just-in-time Mock Interviews
  • Thesis supervisor calls
  • Pit stop sessions for query resolution and networking

Student Support

  • A dedicated program coordinator
  • 24 x 7 Support augmented with chatbot or email at studentsupport@upgrad.com 
  • Centralised WhatsApp channels for queries

Recognition by ENIC-NARIC: 

 

The ENIC-NARIC Networks are the result of an ongoing collaboration between the national information centers on academic recognition of qualifications of in total 55 countries. The national information centers are operating under the principles of the Lisbon Recognition Convention (1997). ESGCI is recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (France), a recognized body by ENIC NARIC - leading to intercountry recognition of ESGCI Degrees.

 

 

Accreditation and Membership

About the DBA

Certificate

Earn valuable Credentials & Recognition

Complete all the courses successfully to obtain this prestigious recognition from ESGCI

Syllabus of ESGCI DBA

What will you learn?

Best-in-class blend of application and research-based modules by leading faculty and industry experts

75+ Live Session Hours
1:1 Thesis Supervision
180 ECTS
1 Clifton Strengths test
Download Syllabus
"It's up to you to seize your chance and discover your talents. Because if we are there to accompany you, it is YOU who will reveal yourself. To the best of yourself."
 
- Romain LECOQ, Director of ESGCI

Instructors

Whom will you learn from?

  • instructors-icon-1-1
    5 Instructors
  • instructors-icon-1-1
    3 Leadership Experts
  • instructors-icon-1-1
    10 Thesis Supervisors

Why experts in their field chose a DBA

  • A Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) is a professional degree representing the highest qualification in management. It is a doctorate designed for working professionals who may not be able to pursue a PhD due to time commitments.
  • It is globally recognized.
  • Here, professionals combine their business knowledge with analytical skills to design and execute research studies that have real-world impact, with many going on to publish their work in leading journals.
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  • Key highlight
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  • Curriculum highlights
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  • Program Outcome
    Learners become board-ready with strong governance, stakeholder influence, and strategic decision-making skills.
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Class Profile

Who've enrolled for this course?

The program is designed for people from various sectors. The variety of students enriches class discussions and
interactions.

By Industry
Education
25%
Information Technology and Services
19%
Banking and Financial Services
11%
Healthcare
7%
Other
38%
By Work Experience
5%
1%
4%
5%
85%
By Highest Qualification
Post Graduation
66%
Graduation
27%
Intermediate
1%
Others
6%
By Degree Type
30%
7%
6%
6%
51%
By Age
34+
74%
30-34
10%
26-30
10%
22-26
4%
Others
2%
By Gender
61%
36%

Learner Support and Services

How will upGrad support you?

Access the various career development support services offered by
upGrad to help you achieve your professional goals.

Industry Mentors
  • Receive unparalleled guidance from industry mentors, teaching assistants and graders
  • Receive one-on-one feedback on submissions and personalised feedback on improvement
Student Support
  • Student Support is available 7 days a week, 24*7
  • You can write to us via studentsupport@upgrad.com Or for urgent queries, use the "Talk to Us" option on the Learn platform
Q&A Forum
  • Timely doubt resolution by industry practitioners and peers
  • 100% expert verified responses to ensure quality learning
Expert Feedback
  • Personalised expert feedback on assignments and projects
  • Regular live sessions by experts to clarify concept-related doubts
upGrad Base Camp
  • Fun-packed, informative and career building workshops, including sessions by industry professionals and professors
  • Group activities with your peers and alumni
Industry Networking
  • Live sessions by experts on various industry topics
  • One-on-one discussion and feedback sessions with industry mentors

 

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Program Fees: GBP 7,700

*Flexible Payment Options Available - Apply Today.

The tuition fee is subject to annual revision effective April 2026.

ESGCI DBA Course Eligibility & Admissions

How to apply for ESGCI DBA Program?

Apply Icon
Eligibility

Master's Degree (or equivalent) or Bachelor's Degree with 3+ years of work experience. Diploma holders will be considered on a case-by-case basis with a minimum of 8 years of work experience. 

Apply Now
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Refer someone you know and receive cash reimbursements of up to
!*

*More details under the referral policy under Support Section

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SUCCESS STORIES

What Our Learners Say

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is this program for?

It's a part-time program for working professionals who are looking for a transition into the C-suite and senior management professionals looking to become experts in their domain of choice. 

It's a part-time program for working professionals who are looking for a transition into the C-suite and senior management professionals looking to become experts in their domain of choice. 

Read More

Master's Degree (or equivalent) or Bachelor's Degree with 3+ years of work experience. Diploma holders will be considered on a case-by-case basis with a minimum of 8 years of work experience. 

Master's Degree (or equivalent) or Bachelor's Degree with 3+ years of work experience. Diploma holders will be considered on a case-by-case basis with a minimum of 8 years of work experience. 

Read More

1. What is the refund policy for this program?

Refund Policy:

1. You can claim a refund for the amount paid towards the Program at any time, before the Program Start Date, by visiting www.upgrad.com and submitting your refund form via the "My Application" section under your profile. You can request your Admissions Counsellor to help you in applying and withdrawing for a refund by sending them an email with reasons listed. There shall be no refund applicable once the program has started. This is applicable even for those students who could not complete their payment, and could not be enrolled in the batch opted for. However, the student can avail pre-deferral as per the policy defined below for the same.

2. Student must pay the full fee within seven (7) days of payment of the deposit amount or Batch Start Date, whichever is earlier; otherwise, the admission letter will be rescinded.

3. Request for refund as per point no. 1 of the refund policy must be sent via email in the prescribed refund request form. The refund will be processed within 30 working days of submitting the duly signed refund form, after being duly approved by the Academic Committee.

Refund Policy:

1. You can claim a refund for the amount paid towards the Program at any time, before the Program Start Date, by visiting www.upgrad.com and submitting your refund form via the "My Application" section under your profile. You can request your Admissions Counsellor to help you in applying and withdrawing for a refund by sending them an email with reasons listed. There shall be no refund applicable once the program has started. This is applicable even for those students who could not complete their payment, and could not be enrolled in the batch opted for. However, the student can avail pre-deferral as per the policy defined below for the same.

2. Student must pay the full fee within seven (7) days of payment of the deposit amount or Batch Start Date, whichever is earlier; otherwise, the admission letter will be rescinded.

3. Request for refund as per point no. 1 of the refund policy must be sent via email in the prescribed refund request form. The refund will be processed within 30 working days of submitting the duly signed refund form, after being duly approved by the Academic Committee.

Read More

upGrad Learner Support

Available from 9 AM to 8 PM GMT (Monday - Friday).

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Disclaimer

upGrad does not grant credit; credits are granted, accepted or transferred at the sole discretion of an educational institution. upGrad does not make any representations regarding the recognition or equivalence of the credits or credentials awarded, unless otherwise expressly stated. If you intend to pursue a post graduate or doctorate degree upon completion of this course or apply for employment which requires specific credits, we advise you to enquire further regarding the suitability of this degree for your academic and/or professional requirements before enrolling.