Doctor of Business Administration
Southern University College · Johor Bahru, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
Southern University College (SUC) launches the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) as the highest professional degree in the business and management field. This programme aims to equip learners with rigorous, in-depth, and advanced business research knowledge and practical problem-solving skills.
The DBA programme focuses on leadership in business administration and trains learners to apply research theories and methodologies to real business and management issues in global business environments. International students will study in English and the programme requires completion of 10 modules (nine major core modules and one elective module) plus a DBA project paper.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Develop your doctoral-level knowledge of business management theories and methodologies.
- Start research planning with an emphasis on applying research methods to business problems.
- Build skills for academic writing, critical literature review, and structured proposal development.
- Align your study direction with global business management contexts.
- Deepen advanced study in business and management research themes.
- Strengthen your ability to conduct and evaluate research using suitable methodologies.
- Progress through ongoing learning activities that support your dissertation development.
- Focus on dissertation/thesis work, including writing, refinement, and finalisation.
- Apply the programme’s research and best-practice approach to complete the doctoral submission.
- Prepare for the final stages of doctoral completion based on programme requirements.
Curriculum
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Compulsory modules | Corporate Finance Strategy | ||
| Global Economic Theory & Issues | ||||
| Business Accounting & Finance for Decision Making | ||||
| Semester 2 | Compulsory modules | Contemporary Management | ||
| Human Resource Management | ||||
| Global Strategic Marketing & Competitive Analysis | ||||
| Semester 3 | Research methodology and data modules | Research Methodology | ||
| Literature Review & Research Design | ||||
| Data Analysis, Interpretation & Presentation | ||||
| Semester 4 | Project paper | DBA Project Paper |
Career outcomes
- You build doctoral-level leadership and research capability, supporting your career progression into senior management and strategy roles.
- You strengthen business research and evidence-based decision-making skills, helping you stand out for roles in corporate strategy, consulting, and research-focused positions.
- You develop practical knowledge for global business management environments, improving your readiness for international-facing responsibilities.
- You gain deep competence that supports thought-leadership activities such as industry research, professional advisory work, and advanced workplace projects.
Employability rate
Doctor of Business Administration graduates in Malaysia typically have an estimated employability rate of about 78% and an unemployment rate of about 22%, reflecting competitive leadership and research roles.
Overall, the outlook is strongest for graduates who target strategy, consulting, and management positions aligned with their research and industry experience.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree in a related field | International applicants: a Master’s degree (MQF Level 7) in a related field as accepted by Southern University College Senate. |
| Master’s degree in a non-related field plus relevant experience | International applicants: a Master’s degree (MQF Level 7) in a non-related field as accepted by Southern University College Senate, subject to having relevant working experience and a rigorous internal assessment by the university. |
| English competency for international applicants | International applicants must achieve a minimum Band 4 in MUET OR equivalent to CEFR (Mid B2). |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Business and management | Direct match | Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in a related field to align best with the DBA academic pathway described by the university. |
Language requirements
For English-taught study, international applicants must meet the programme’s English competency requirement and provide the requested proof with their application.
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
Other accepted proofs
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | MYR 39340 / total program | Tuition fee for Doctor of Business Administration (International Students). |
| Application fee | MYR 500 / one time | Other Charges list includes Application Fee for international students. |
Proof of financial resources
International applicants must show they can fund their tuition and living costs for study in Malaysia. Follow the official requirements used for student pass processing and submit the financial documents requested during application.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for study in Malaysia for the student pass process (as required by Malaysia’s student pass guidance)
- Any additional financial documents requested by Southern University College during the admissions or e-val approval process
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone |
|---|
| Application portal opens |
| Application deadline (final submit) |
| Application deadline (EU students) |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) |
| Recommended apply-by |
| Semester begins |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone |
|---|
| VPD request - recommended |
| VPD result expected |
| APS - recommended |
| Start eligibility check |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone |
|---|
| Application submission deadline |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) |
| Language certificate deadline |
| Official transcripts deadline |
| Certified translations deadline |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline |
| Missing documents (if requested) |
📝 How to Apply
Review eligibility for international applicants
Check that you meet the DBA international entry requirements, including your Master’s qualification status and the university’s English competency requirement. If your Master’s is in a non-related field, ensure you have relevant working experience because the programme may involve rigorous internal assessment. Prepare your academic documents early so you can upload them during application.
Complete and submit the online application
Submit your application through Southern University College’s online application process during the application window. Upload your academic transcripts and graduation/qualification documents as requested by the admissions system. Ensure your passport and other required identity documents are included in the application package before submission.
Submit English proof and support documents (as required)
Provide the proof of English competency required for international applicants, aligned with the programme requirement (MUET Band 4 OR CEFR Mid B2 equivalent). If you are applying with a non-related Master’s, be ready to support your claim of relevant working experience because the university uses an internal assessment. Respond to any additional document requests from admissions promptly to avoid delays.