Sept 2026 Entry
2 years (Full-time)
3 years (Part-time)
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Medium of Instruction: English
Mode of Study: PolyU DBM is a mixed-mode programme. Students may pursue their DBM studies with either a full-time study load (taking 9 credits or more in a semester) or a part-time study load (normally taking less than 9 credits in a semester).
Duration of Study: Students who wish to extend their studies beyond the normal duration should submit an application to the Faculty of Business for consideration.
Note to Applicants
We have a quota for admissions. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews.
Early Round: 2025-10-15
Main Round: 2026-01-15
Extended Round: 2026-04-30
Early Round: 2025-10-15
Main Round: 2026-01-15
Extended Round: 2026-04-30
What's New
- MPhil
- PhD
- Taught Postgraduate
- Undergraduate
- Undergraduate
Programme Aims
The programme aims to educate junior professionals eager to advance their academic journey before establishing their careers as “scientific business leaders” within the industry. The programme will specifically equip students with solid scientific skills and business domain knowledge, enabling them to conduct applied research across various business disciplines, solve real-world business and management problems, drive innovation, and establish themselves as “scientific business leaders” in their fields.
On completion of the Programme, students will be able to advance their knowledge, skills and intellectual abilities as defined in the broad learning outcomes which are underpinned by specific learning objectives below:
Applied Research and Innovation
Learning objective: Sharpen students' ability to conduct applied research and innovation by critically applying knowledge and scientific skills within their academic discipline and formulating sophisticated solutions as critical thinkers.
General Business Domain Knowledge
Learning objective: Broaden, update and deepen students' understanding of fundamental business domain knowledge, cultivating a forward-thinking mindset that embraces artificial intelligence as a transformative force.
Socially Responsible and Resilient Leaders
Learning objective: Develop socially responsible and ethically aware future scientific business leaders within a lifelong learning environment.
Characteristics
Accreditations
AACSB
The Faculty of Business was accredited by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) in 2010 in recognition of our business education.
EQUIS
The Faculty of Business was accredited by EQUIS (EFMD Quality Improvement System) in 2007 in recognition of our programmes, research and associated activities.
International Collaboration
To enhance the international perspective and academic vigour of PolyU DBM, collaborations have been established with the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Switzerland and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in London, UK.
IMD was ranked in the top 10 for both open and custom programmes worldwide in the 2024 Financial Times Executive Education ranking.
LSE was ranked third in Europe and sixth in the world in social sciences and management subjects in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025.
Technology-related Elements of the Curriculum
To help students embrace technological changes and digital transformation, five technology-related elements, namely Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Data Science and Entrepreneurship, have been embedded in the programme across a wide range of subjects.
Our curriculum is designed to foster students' awareness of the impact of technology innovations and enable them to handle data and adopt technology to tackle business and organisational issues while enhancing their management and leadership skills.
Special Features
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Earn a professional doctorate immediately after completing a master’s degree, before embarking on your chosen career path
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Become a young "scholar-leader" who can apply scientific approaches and business domain knowledge to tackle real-world business and management challenges
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Choose your preferred study mode: 2 years full-time or 3 years part-time
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Become part of an elite network of over 600 alumni and students
Programme Structure
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To be eligible for the Doctor of Business Management award, students are required to meet all requirements of the University and the programme. The programme requirement is as follows:
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25 credits of Coursework:
- 1 credit of Academic Integrity and Ethics (AIE)
- 1 Compulsory Subject (3 credits) and 6 Compulsory Subjects (1 credit each) on "Frontier Research" topics
- 1 Core Subject (3 credits)
- 4 Elective Subjects (3 credits each)
- 3 credits of Residentials: Residential 1 (1 credit) and Residential 2 (2 credits)
- 24 credits of Thesis: Thesis I (8 credits) and Thesis II (16 credits)
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There is a possible exit award of Master of Science in Management Research Studies (MSc in MRS) for students who have completed 1 credit of AIE subject, 24 credits of Coursework Subjects, 3 credits of two compulsory Residentials, and passed the 8 credits of Thesis I (thesis proposal presentation) (a total of 36 credits).
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All taught subjects are at an advanced level, and students are assumed to have prior knowledge of each subject area.
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The curriculum includes technological content such as data analytics tools, digital technology and the business world, the impact of technology and AI on leadership, and qualitative and experimental designs in relation to AI and entrepreneurship research.
Coursework Subjects (25 credits)
Academic Integrity and Ethics (1 credit)
- Academic Integrity and Ethics in Business
Compulsory Subject (3 credits)
- Introduction to Business Research
Compulsory Subjects on "Frontier Research" Topics (1 credit each)
- Frontiers in Accounting Research
- Frontiers in Finance Research
- Frontiers in Supply Chain and Operations Management Research
- Frontiers in Information Systems Research
- Frontiers in Management Research
- Frontiers in Marketing Research
Core Subjects (3 credits each) (choose 1 out of 2)
- Econometrics Methods
- Experiment, Survey, and Qualitative Research Methodology
Elective Subjects (3 credits each) (choose 4 out of 10)
Taught Subjects
- Advanced Machine Learning in Business
- Asset Pricing and Investment
- Data Science and Business Analytics
- Digital Transformation and AI in Business
- Incentives and Monitoring in Accounting
- Strategic Management and Organizational Behaviour
- Strategic Marketing and Consumer Behaviour
- Strategic Supply Chain and Logistics Management
Non-Taught Subjects
- Independent Studies in Business Management
- International Collaborations Experience
Remarks:
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"Independent Studies in Business Management" is only offered to students who are unable to follow the normal pattern of study of this programme due to exceptional circumstances such as illness or posting to work outside Hong Kong. They can enrol in this subject in a specified semester.
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Subject to factors such as staff availability, student enrolment, programme resources, and so on, not all subjects will be offered during the normal duration of study. And, registration is subject to the availability of quota.
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Programme structure and the subject details (e.g. subject description form, offering pattern, class timetable etc.) are subject to review and change from time to time.
DBM Residentials (3 credits)
Attendance at the two DBM residential workshops is compulsory.
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DBM Residential 1 is a mandatory orientation workshop, normally scheduled for the beginning of the programme.
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DBM Residential 2 is a research workshop normally held after students have completed all of the required subjects. The main purpose of the workshop is to enable students to present their thesis proposals and prepare them for writing their theses.
DBM Thesis (24 credits)
The DBM Thesis comprises two parts: DBM Thesis I and DBM Thesis II. Students must pass the Compulsory subject “Introduction to Business Research”, 3 Compulsory Subjects on “Frontier Research” Topics, 1 Core Subject, and at least 3 Elective Subjects before beginning their theses. They need to integrate and apply what have been some of the dominant themes and interesting areas in the programme. They are challenged to make important contributions and/or provide innovative insights to the practice of the profession.
The latest information on the subjects offered can be found at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/fb/study/tpg-landing/tpg/dbm/programme#timeline.
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Programme Director
Prof. Katherine FENG
BS, MS, PhD
Deputy Programme Director
Prof. Kai PAN
BSc, MSc, PhD
Entrance Requirements
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A Master’s degree, preferably in a business-related area.
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Candidates with experience in start-up companies, entrepreneurship, a track record of innovation, or outstanding academic performance who possess a recognised first degree may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
If you are not a native speaker of English, and do not possess a Bachelor’s or Master's degree or equivalent qualification which is awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction is English, you are expected to fulfil the University's minimum English language requirement for admission purposes. Please refer to the "Admissions Requirements" section for Taught Postgraduate Programmes for details.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for admission interviews.
General Enquiries:
Tel: (852) 3400 3373 / 2766 7889
Email: fbdbm@polyu.edu.hk
Academic Enquiries:
Prof. Pan Kai, Deputy Programme Director
Tel: (852) 2766 5545
Email: kai.pan@polyu.edu.hk
Class Schedule
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Most classes are scheduled on weekends, subject to the final arrangement of the programme.
HK$1,203,600 per programme (HK$23,600 per credit) for local and non-local students
Tuition fees will not be charged for the 1-credit "Academic Integrity and Ethics in Business".
Students taking the elective subject "International Collaborations Experience" will pay the course fee directly to the offering institution and bear themselves the costs of travel, accommodation, visa application, insurance, etc. The DBM programme will not charge the credit fee for taking the "International Collaborations Experience" subject.
Required
Required
Candidates are required to submit the following documents at the time of application:
Academic qualifications (such as graduation certificates, transcripts of studies). Documents that are not in English should be accompanied by official certified English translations.
Provision of additional documents may be required if deemed necessary.
An incomplete application cannot be processed promptly and will reduce your chance of admission. Please complete all relevant fields on the application form and enclose all necessary documents.
