Doctorate of BA Online (Without Immersion)

The ESGCI Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is designed for working professionals seeking to transition into senior leadership roles. This prestigious terminal degree combines rigorous academic research with practical business applications, allowing students to specialize in their chosen field while maintaining their professional commitments. The program features optional Paris immersion, personalized thesis supervision, and a comprehensive curriculum covering research methodologies, leadership skills, and digital age business innovation. Students earn the same degree as on-campus learners with full alumni status from ESGCI, a French business school recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education.

Instructors:

Dr. Josse Roussel

Dr. Sonia Bendimerad

English

Course Start Date:
Starting soon
Applications Deadline:
30th September 2025
Duration:
36 Months

₹ 6,50,000

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Overview

The ESGCI Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) represents the pinnacle of business education, designed to create industry leaders and domain experts. This prestigious terminal degree combines cutting-edge research methodologies with practical business applications, enabling working professionals to advance their careers while contributing original knowledge to their field. Students engage in rigorous doctoral-level coursework covering research design, leadership skills, and digital age innovation, culminating in an original dissertation that addresses real-world business challenges. The program offers the flexibility of online learning with optional Paris immersion, personalized 1:1 thesis supervision, and the same degree recognition as on-campus students, making it ideal for senior professionals seeking the ultimate business qualification.

Why Business Administration (DBA / DBM)?

The DBA is the ultimate degree in business administration, positioning graduates as recognized experts and thought leaders in their chosen domains. This program enables you to add the prestigious "Dr." title to your name while earning the same degree awarded on-campus from one of France's leading business education institutions. With France's reputation for producing industry leaders in luxury, automobile, finance, and energy sectors, you gain access to world-class French business education online. The program offers unparalleled flexibility for working professionals, featuring 1:1 thesis supervision from global academic advisors, optional Paris immersion in the art and culture capital of the world, and full alumni status from ESGCI. The curriculum balances application with research-based learning, allowing you to specialize in any area of your choice while maintaining your professional commitments and advancing your leadership capabilities.

What does this course have to offer?

Key Highlights

Add a "Dr." to your name and cement your industry experience
Earn the same degree as awarded on campus with full alumni status
Optional on-campus immersion in Paris, the art and culture capital
1:1 Thesis supervision with personalized academic mentoring
Live faculty lectures from world-class international professors
Specialize in any area of your choice for dissertation research
Balanced curriculum combining application and research-based modules
QUALIOPI Certified Institute with French national accreditation
PwC Directorship & Board Advisory Certification included at no extra cost
24x7 learning support with AI-powered personalized platform
Flexible delivery architecture designed for working professionals
Access to career development support services through upGrad

Who is this programme for?

Working professionals seeking transition into C-suite roles
Senior management professionals aiming to become domain experts
Mid-level managers pursuing senior leadership positions
Experienced professionals from IT services and management consultancy
Professionals from finance, marketing, human resources sectors
Operations and supply chain management experts
Entrepreneurs and business owners looking to formalize expertise
Consultants wanting to enhance credibility with doctoral qualification
Academics seeking terminal business degree for career advancement
Industry leaders preparing for board positions and advisory roles

Minimum Eligibility

Master's Degree or Bachelor's Degree with 3+ years of work experience
Diploma holders considered with 8+ years experience
English proficiency
Statement of Purpose required

Who is the programme for?

The ESGCI DBA program maintains rigorous academic standards while accommodating working professionals' schedules. Admission requirements include either a Master's degree or Bachelor's degree with minimum 3 years of work experience, with diploma holders considered on case-by-case basis requiring 8+ years of experience. The program benefits from ENIC-NARIC recognition through ESGCI's accreditation by the French Ministry of Higher Education, ensuring international recognition under the Lisbon Recognition Convention. Academic delivery follows a part-time structure spanning 36 months, featuring live interactive sessions, personalized thesis supervision, and optional Paris immersion. Students receive the same degree as on-campus learners with full alumni privileges. The program combines theoretical rigor with practical application, supported by 24x7 learning assistance and AI-powered personalized learning platform.

Important Dates

Selection process

How to apply?

Curriculum

The comprehensive curriculum is meticulously designed to develop both research expertise and leadership capabilities essential for senior business roles. The program begins with foundational doctoral research methodologies, progressing through quantitative and qualitative research techniques, literature review processes, and research topic formulation. Core business modules cover strategy and innovation in the digital age, leadership skills for managing people and organizational change, and advanced data collection techniques. Students engage with cutting-edge topics relevant to modern business challenges while developing critical thinking and academic writing skills. The curriculum balances theoretical knowledge with practical application, ensuring graduates can contribute original research while solving real-world business problems. Faculty-led guidance supports students throughout their academic journey, from initial coursework through dissertation completion.

There are 9 semesters in this course

The program comprises carefully structured modules beginning with Introduction to Doctoral Research, covering fundamental research principles and academic standards. Students then progress to Research Topic Formulation and Literature Review, learning systematic approaches to identifying research gaps and conducting comprehensive literature analysis. Quantitative Methods modules provide statistical analysis skills and research design expertise, while Qualitative Methods modules cover interpretive research techniques and data analysis. The Business Strategy and Innovation in the Digital Age module addresses contemporary challenges including digital transformation, emerging technologies, and strategic adaptation. Leadership Skills modules focus on managing people, organizations, and change in complex business environments. Optional modules in Data Collection Techniques and Access to Data provide specialized skills for empirical research. The program culminates in the Dissertation Phase, where students conduct original research under personalized supervision, contributing new knowledge to their chosen field while demonstrating mastery of doctoral-level research capabilities.

Introduction to Doctoral Research

Formulating a Research Topic and Reviewing Literature

Data Collection (Optional)

Qualitative Methods

Quantitative Methods

Access to Data (Optional)

Business Environment, Strategy, and Innovation in the Digital Age

Leadership Skills - Leading People, Organisation and Change

Dissertation Phase

Programme Length

The program spans 36 months (3 years) designed as a part-time structure specifically for working professionals who need to balance doctoral studies with career responsibilities. The flexible timeline allows students to maintain their professional commitments while progressing through rigorous academic requirements. Optional Paris immersion of 1 month provides intensive on-campus experience without disrupting the overall program duration. Students benefit from personalized pacing through 1:1 thesis supervision and flexible scheduling of live sessions. The program timeline accommodates international students and diverse professional schedules while maintaining academic rigor and ensuring comprehensive coverage of doctoral-level content.

Tuition Fee

The ESGCI DBA program offers flexible pricing options to accommodate different learning preferences. The online-only program without immersion is available at ₹6,50,000 total with EMI starting at ₹19,475 per month over 36 months. It include no-cost EMI availability with no taxes applicable. The fee includes PwC Directorship & Board Advisory Certification, personalized thesis supervision, live faculty sessions, and comprehensive learning support. Fee waivers up to ₹44,044 are available for qualified candidates along with referral program benefits. Payment requires a deposit upon offer acceptance with full settlement within 7 days of deposit or batch start date.

Fee Structure

Payment options

Financing options

Financial Aid

Learning Experience

Students engage through an AI-powered and personalized learning platform featuring best-in-class content delivery, live interactive sessions, and mentoring from leading industry experts. The learning architecture combines self-paced online modules with scheduled live sessions, ensuring flexibility for working professionals across different time zones. Personalized 1:1 thesis supervision provides dedicated academic mentoring throughout the research journey. Optional Paris immersion offers intensive on-campus experience with city-wide engagements, creating an ideal learning environment while exploring the cultural richness of France's capital. Faculty interactions include live lectures from distinguished professors and practitioners, providing diverse perspectives from academia and industry. The platform supports collaborative learning through peer interactions with senior executives from Fortune 500 companies and diverse industries. Continuous support through 24x7 assistance, dedicated program coordinators, and centralized communication channels ensures seamless learning progression and query resolution.

University Experience

ESGCI provides the full university experience through its status as a member of Galileo Global Education and Group ESG, offering the prestige and recognition of French business education. Students gain the same alumni status as on-campus learners, accessing lifetime benefits and networking opportunities within the ESGCI community. The optional Paris immersion program delivers authentic university experience in one of the world's most culturally rich cities, combining academic engagement with cultural exploration. Students benefit from France's legacy in business education, following in the tradition of renowned institutions like HEC and INSEAD that have produced global industry leaders. The university experience extends beyond academics through career development support, industry networking programs, and access to upGrad's comprehensive learning ecosystem. QUALIOPI certification and French national accreditation ensure students receive education meeting the highest European standards. The international community of learners creates a global network spanning diverse industries and geographies, enriching the overall educational experience and providing valuable professional connections for future career advancement.

About the University

ESGCI Paris is a prestigious business school centrally located in Paris, France, renowned for its strengths in international business, marketing, and commerce. Established in 1986 and recognized by the French state, ESGCI is part of the Galileo Global Education Group, a major player in private higher education worldwide. ESGCI offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs (including the DBA) designed around contemporary industry needs, combining theoretical foundation with hands-on, employment-focused training and strong international exposure. Its multicultural environment attracts students from 65+ nationalities, fostering a vibrant global campus and comprehensive learning experience.

20%

International enrollment

Affiliation & Recognition

QUALIOPI

NSDC

RNCP

Galileo global Education

Career services

ESGCI Paris places career readiness at the core of its educational philosophy, ensuring every student benefits from a rigorous, hands-on training model designed for optimal employability in international markets. Career services at ESGCI begin with an integrated internship requirement starting in the first year, progressing to advanced work-study arrangements, mandatory paid placements, and industry immersion in later years. Through the Corporate Relations Department, students receive ongoing support in employment events, internship matching, and career mapping, all orchestrated by experienced professionals and faculty who are themselves industry insiders.

75%

Placement rate

Course Start Date:
Starting soon
Applications Deadline:
30th September 2025
Duration:
36 Months

₹ 6,50,000

Add to compare

Whom you will learn from?

Learn from top industry experts who bring real-world experience and deep knowledge to every lesson. The instructors are dedicated to help you achieve your goals with practical insights and hands-on guidance.

Instructors

Dr. Josse Roussel

Director - DBA, ESGCI

Dr. Josse Roussel is a Full Professor at Paris School of Business and Head of the DBA program. He holds a Ph.D. in Finance and Management from Université Paris-Dauphine and an H.D.R. from Université Paris-II Panthéon-Assas. His research focuses on human capital, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and ESG investing. Dr. Roussel has authored six books and numerous articles published in peer-reviewed journals. He has over 30 years of consulting experience with clients such as Qatar Rail, CNP Assurances, Biocoop, and Orange. He is also a member of the editorial board for several academic journals.

Dr. Sonia Bendimerad

Associate Professor, ESGCI

Dr. Sonia Bendimerad is a Senior Lecturer in Management at ESLI Paris, specialising in social entrepreneurship, social and technological innovation, and the social and solidarity economy (SSE). She holds a Ph.D. in Management Sciences and has taught at institutions like the University of Paris Descartes and Polytech Angers. Her research focuses on using SSE models to promote socially innovative actions and applying management tools to improve strategic performance in SSE organisations. Dr. Bendimerad's work includes studies on pro-social behaviors, innovation diffusion, and social marketing. She also mentors startups and professionals in career development.

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Faculties

These are the expert instructors who will be teaching you throughout the course. With a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience, they’re here to guide, inspire, and support you every step of the way. Get to know the people who will help you reach your learning goals and make the most of your journey.

Instructors

Dr. Josse Roussel

Director - DBA, ESGCI

Dr. Sonia Bendimerad

Associate Professor, ESGCI

Frequently asked questions

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about this course. We aim to provide clear and concise answers to help you better understand the course content, structure, and any other relevant information. If you have any additional questions or if your question is not listed here, please don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further assistance.

What is the DBA program designed for?

What are the eligibility criteria for admission?

How long is the program duration?

Is the degree recognized internationally?

What is included in the program fee?

Is the Paris immersion mandatory?

What support is provided during the program?

Can I specialize in any field for my dissertation?

What is the refund policy?

How do I apply for the program?