DBA in Dubai, UAE: Best Colleges, Fee, Admission, Salary

When it comes to studying management or acquiring any degree, there are many options. One can pursue a BBA, MBA, or even specialized programs like Executive MBA or postgraduate diplomas in areas such as finance, marketing, human resources, or international business, depending on their career stage and professional goals. But when it comes to studying the highest level of management education—one that is considered game-changing and highly career-transformative—the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) stands out at the top. And pursuing a DBA in a city like Dubai, UAE, can be even more beneficial.
Dubai has made significant progress in recent years. Not only has it become home to top multinational companies and a global economic hub, but it also hosts some of the world’s leading DBA institutions. These institutions offer strong industry connections, world-class faculty, modern infrastructure, and comprehensive curricula.
In short, the UAE offers everything that makes it one of the best destinations for international students to pursue a DBA. What you gain after completing a DBA largely depends on the institution or college you choose.
In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of pursuing a DBA in Dubai, along with top colleges, tuition fees, program structure, and placement opportunities—to help you make the right choice.
So, let’s get started.
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DBA in Dubai - Why Choose DBA?
Ability to think out of the box and solve problems with attention to detail are critical factors in ensuring a stable and progressive career in these competitive age and time. Hence, a specialized qualification with focus on people, resources, and operation management has become a key. That’s where the DBA (Doctor in Business Administration) comes to your rescue. A degree of DBA can spell magic to anyone's career as it can boost earning potential, expand professional network, advance career. Above all, it can surely enhance your leadership, management skills, and lead you to diverse career opportunities along with:
- A sense of job security
- Core business knowledge
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Personal transformation
- Strong alumni network
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DBA in Dubai - Terms of Admission and Eligibility
By understanding the terms of admission and eligibility criteria for a DBA in Dubai, you can ensure that you meet all the necessary requirements, streamline your application process, and increase your chances of securing a place in a reputable DBA program at earliest. Hence, it makes a sense once to look at the terms and eligibility criteria for DBA in Dubai.
Criteria |
Details |
Academic Qualification |
Master’s degree (MBA or equivalent) from a recognized university |
Work Experience |
Minimum 5–10 years of professional/managerial experience (varies by school) |
English Proficiency |
IELTS 6.5+, TOEFL 88+ (waived if prior degree was in English) |
Statement of Purpose (SOP) |
Required – Outlines research interests and career goals |
Letters of Recommendation |
Usually 2–3 professional or academic references |
Resume/CV |
Detailed résumé highlighting career experience and achievements |
Research Proposal |
Sometimes required – Preliminary idea of research topic |
Interview |
May be part of the selection process (online or in-person) |
Application Fee |
Typically, AED 300–500 (non-refundable, varies by institution) |
GMAT/GRE |
Rarely required – but may strengthen application for competitive programs |
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Best DBA Colleges in Dubai - Top Certified & Well Accredited Colleges
It happens whenever you apply for any top management job post in any leading company, the most senior recruiters or board of members of the company deny you a job even if you have a DBA degree with good working experience. Well, there could be so many reasons, but the most common reason is the poor reputation of the college. Yes, reputation and certification are the cornerstone of the institution. When you choose the top certified and well accredited college, you choose the accredited programs, experienced faculty, flexible learning options. We have broken down the list of top DBA universities in Dubai with strong industry connections and curriculum. These institutions have strong industry connections and rigorous curriculum that align with your career goals and research interest.
Institution (Location) |
Accreditations & Recognition |
Program Highlights |
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) |
Licensed by UAE Ministry of Higher Education (CAA/ MoHESR) |
3‑year, 54 credit‑hour DBA with applied research focus and weekend delivery |
SP Jain School of Global Management (Dubai) |
KHDA‑licensed institution recognized by Dubai authorities |
Global business school offering executive DBA formats |
University of Dubai – Dubai Business School |
Accredited locally by UAE MOE and internationally by AACSB |
Highly reputed business school; strong international accreditation |
Abu Dhabi University (Dubai) |
College of Business holds both AACSB and EQUIS accreditation |
DBA: 66 credits over ~4 years; evening/weekend schedule for working professionals; offered in Dubai & Abu Dhabi |
Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU, Dubai) |
Licensed by Ministry of Higher Education; School of Business accredited by AACSB |
Offers blended learning and e‑learning formats; suitable for mid-career professionals |
Ajman University (Dubai campus) |
Ministry licensed; DBA with structured credit hours and strong research components |
Formal admission criteria, ~60 credits, weekend study, scholarships available |
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DBA in Dubai - Rank wise College List UAE (My Campus Review Rank)
Prioritizing the rank of any college over anything else can lay the strong foundation of your academic and professional career ahead because highly ranked DBA institutions often offer better faculty, advanced research opportunities, stronger industry connections. In the following section we have brought to you the list of certified DBA institutions with greater global recognition. All these DBA institutions can significantly enhance your learning experience and career prospects in corridors of world corporate business.
Rank |
|
Location |
Program Type & Highlights |
|
1 |
Hult International Business School |
Dubai & multiple global campuses |
30‑month executive DBA, strong practical focus, blended delivery |
|
2 |
King’s Business School (KBS) |
Dubai |
180 ECTS, weekend classes, research emphasis |
|
3 |
SP Jain School of Global Management |
Dubai |
Executive DBA, multi‑campus model, innovation and strategy focus |
|
4 |
Ajman University (Dubai campus) |
Dubai |
~60 credits, structured research curriculum, fee scholarships |
|
5 |
SBS Swiss Business School |
Dubai |
Ranked 18th out of 163 programs globally in Dubai Ranking |
|
6 |
|
Al Ain (popular with Dubai students) |
Part‑time DBA over ~4 years, strong research modules |
|
7 |
Manipal Academy of Higher Education |
Dubai |
Research-heavy curriculum with global cohort exposure |
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DBA Program Fee in Dubai, UAE – List of Affordable Colleges
A DBA college that values affordability and low-cost education without compromising on quality can help the students to pursue their academic goals without the burden of excessive debt. As we understand the significance of high-quality education, we have curated a list of affordable DBA institutions in Dubai that allow students to access high-quality learning resources, and focus more on their personal and professional development rather than financial stress.
Institution |
Program Format |
Total Tuition (AED) |
Highlights |
|
PPA Global (UAE provider) |
|
~ 46,500 (incl. registration) |
Low-cost option; structured for executives; registration fee ~5,000 AED included in total |
|
MSBM UK (Dubai branch) |
Blended (British school) |
~ 60,000* |
50% promotional discount; assignment-based, flexible payment options |
|
International American University (Dubai) |
Full-time / Part-time |
~ 73,460* (≈18,365 AED/year × 3–4 years) |
Low annual fees and accessible; suitable for working professionals; admission criteria basic |
|
Ajman University |
Full-time / Part-time |
~ 270,000 |
Research-heavy, higher-tier public university with scholarships (up to 30%) available |
|
British University in Dubai (BUiD) (DBA / PhD in Business) |
Full-time / Part-time |
~ 250,000 |
Established research-focused university; high accreditation and strong academic structure |
|
University of Dubai (PhD in Business) |
Full-time / Part-time |
~ 250,000–300,000 |
|
|
SP Jain Global (Executive DBA) |
Full-time / Part-time |
~ 110,000 (USD 29,000–35,000) |
Flexible executive format; global business school; practical research focus |
Note: The fees mentioned above exclude the hostel fee. Fee can change at the discretion of the university. For the latest updates or any possible changes in fees, please check the university's official website.
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DBA Colleges with Placement and Salary in Dubai, UAE
When looking for a DBA college in Dubai, it is essential to look for one that offers the best placement support, including strong industry ties, dedicated career services, and internship opportunities along with good salary packages. We have found some colleges with a proven track record of successful alumni placements. You can choose any of these colleges for DBA for ensuring a smooth transition into leadership roles after graduation in Dubai or anywhere else in the world.
Institution |
Placement Support |
Average Salary |
Top Recruiters |
SP Jain School of Global Management (Dubai) |
Strong Placement Support |
AED 35,000–50,000+ |
McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Bain & Company |
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) |
Strong Placement Support |
AED 30,000–45,000 |
Oliver Wyman, Roland Berger, Kearney (AT Kearney) |
Abu Dhabi University (DBA, Dubai campus) |
Strong Placement Support |
AED 25,000–30,000 |
HSBC Middle East, Emirates NBD, Standard Chartered |
University of Dubai / Middlesex / Heriot‑Watt (PhD or DBA-equivalent) |
Strong Placement Support |
AED 25,000–45,000+ |
First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Mashreq Bank, Citibank UAE |
Note: The average salary figures provided are indicative and meant to give a general idea about the universities. Actual data and figures may vary.
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