Sept 2026 Entry
2 years (Full-time)
3 years (Part-time)
52 (including 9 credits recognised by credit transfers for 3 executive courses delivered by Huazhong University of Science and Technology (or equivalent courses) and 43 credits delivered by PolyU)
Medium of Instruction: Chinese supplemented with English.
PolyU DBA (Chinese supplemented with English) is a mixed-mode programme. Students may pursue their DBA 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).
Students who wish to extend their studies beyond the normal duration should submit an application to the Faculty of Business for consideration.
This programme is offered in Hong Kong solely by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. It is not co-offered with an institution on the Chinese Mainland and it is not a Sino-foreign (mainland-Hong Kong) Cooperative Education Programme approved/recognised by the Ministry of Education (MoE) of the PRC. Hence, graduates cannot obtain the recognition pertaining to a Sino-foreign (mainland-Hong Kong) Cooperative Education Programme offered on the Chinese Mainland.
Note to Applicants
We have a quota for admissions. Early applications are strongly encouraged. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews.
What's New
- Undergraduate
- Undergraduate
Programme Aims
This programme aims to educate senior executives to be “scholar-leaders”, who are able to apply research findings in solving real-world management problems. It has been designed to integrate academic study and management practice in a way which will form a significant part of an individual’s business career.
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:
General Business Knowledge
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Broaden, update, and deepen students’ knowledge of business administration with an appreciation of digital transformation in the business world
Specialist Knowledge
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Acquire an in-depth knowledge of a specialist area, including some basic understanding of the impacts of digital technology
Applied Research
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Sharpen students' ability to conduct original applied research and ethical awareness in business administration, laying the foundation for lifelong learning within both Hong Kong and global contexts
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 dimension and academic vigour of PolyU DBA, 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, U.K.
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.
Technological Element in the Curriculum
To help students embrace technological changes and digital transformation, five 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 aimed at fostering awareness about the impact of technology innovations, in addition to enabling students to handle data and adopt technology to tackle business and organisational issues while enhancing management and leadership.
Special Features
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Earn a professional doctorate
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Transform your knowledge and experience into a practice-based academic framework
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Trust our experience: the PolyU DBA has been running for 29 years. The first professional doctorate in business administration launched in Hong Kong, it has the largest DBA alumni community in Hong Kong, and on the Chinese Mainland
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Credit transfer for executive training courses received at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) or equivalent qualifications
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Choose your preferred study mode: two-year full-time or three-year part-time
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Gain an understanding of the impacts of digital technology and develop an appreciation of digital transformation to strengthen leadership and performance
Programme Structure
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To be eligible for the Doctor of Business Administration award, students must meet all the requirements of the University and the programme. The programme requirements are as follows:
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25 credits of Coursework:
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1 credit of Academic Integrity and Ethics (AIE)
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1 Compulsory, 2 Core and 5 Elective Subjects (3 credits each)
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3 credits of Residentials: Residential 1 (1 credit) and Residential 2 (2 credits)
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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 25 credits of Coursework Subjects (including the AIE subject), 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.
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Students can apply for credit transfer of up to 3 relevant Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) executive training course subjects (or equivalent qualifications) upon admission to and official registration in this programme. No more than 3 subjects can be exempted (9 credits transferred). Applications for credit transfer must be submitted before the end of the subject add/drop period in the first semester of the first year of study. If approved, a credit transfer fee of HK$145 per credit will be charged.
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For details and fees of the executive training at HUST, please contact HUST (email: ie_@hust.edu.cn). For other equivalent qualifications, please contact the universities concerned.
Coursework Subjects (25 credits)
Academic Integrity and Ethics (1 credit)
- Academic Integrity and Ethics in Business
Compulsory Subject (3 credits)
- Business Research Analysis & Design
Core Subjects (3 credits each)^ (any two)
- Econometrics Methods
- Qualitative Research & Experimental Design
- Statistical Analysis for Management Research*
Elective Subjects (3 credits each)^ (any five)
- Advanced Business Strategy
- Advanced Financial Management*
- Advanced Topics in Economics for Business Decision
- Contemporary Issues in Financial Reporting & Corporate Disclosures
- Current Issues in Organisational Behaviour
- Frontier of Leadership Research
- Incentives & Monitoring in Accounting
- Independent Studies in Business
- International Collaborations Experience
- Services Marketing Management
- Strategic Management of Information & Organisation in Digital Economy*
- Strategic Marketing
- Strategic Quality Management
- Strategic Supply Chain & Logistics Management
Remarks:
*Credit transfer, for a maximum of 9 credits, applies to these subjects.
^ 1. 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. The list of electives will be reviewed annually to determine the available offerings based on student demand. Not all electives will be offered in a given semester/academic year.
^ 2. 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.
DBA Residentials (3 credits)
Attendance at the 2 DBA Residentials is compulsory.
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DBA Residential 1 is a mandatory orientation workshop, normally scheduled for the beginning of the programme.
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DBA Residential 2 is a research workshop normally held after students have completed all the required subjects. The main purpose of the workshop is to give students an opportunity to present their thesis proposals and to prepare them for writing their theses.
DBA Thesis (24 credits)
Students must pass the Compulsory Subject, 2 Core Subjects and at least 3 Elective Subjects before beginning their theses. They need to integrate and apply what they have learned to critically and rigorously examine a topic of interest in the field of business or management. They are challenged to make an important contribution and/or provide innovative insights to the practice of management. Students can choose to write their theses in Chinese or English.
52 (including 9 credits recognised by credit transfers for 3 executive courses delivered by Huazhong University of Science and Technology (or equivalent courses) and 43 credits delivered by PolyU)
Programme Director
Prof. Xiaowei Michael MEI
PhD, MA(Eng), BEng
(Medium of Instruction: Chinese supplemented with English)
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A Master's degree, preferably in a business-related area; and
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Substantial managerial experience (at least 8 years) at a senior management level; and
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Completed all assessment requirements of the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) executive training courses.
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Candidates in senior management positions who hold a recognised first degree and membership of a recognised professional body may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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Candidates without HUST executive training qualifications, but who can produce evidence of success in equivalent courses from their recognised previous studies, may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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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 must pass an English written test organised by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University unless you have fulfilled the University's minimum English language requirement. Please refer to the "Admission Requirements" section for details.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for admission interviews.
General Enquiries:
Tel: (852) 3400 3115
Email: fbhdbace@polyu.edu.hk
Academic Enquiries:
Prof. Xiaowei Michael MEI, Programme Director
Tel: (852) 2766 7133
Email: michael.mei@polyu.edu.hk
Class Schedule
Most classes are scheduled on weekends, subject to the final arrangement of the programme.
HK$982,800 per programme (HK$23,400 per credit for 43 credits collected by PolyU in 2026/27 stage) for local and non-local students
Tuition fees will not be charged for the 1-credit "Academic Integrity and Ethics in Business".
Tuition fees do not include travel and accommodation expenses for the residentials. Students are responsible for arranging and covering these costs.
Students taking the elective subject "International Collaborations Experience" will pay the course fee directly to the offering institution and bear the costs of travel, accommodation, visa, insurance, etc. themselves. The DBA programme will not charge the credit fee for taking the "International Collaborations Experience" subject.
Required
Required
Optional
Candidates are also required to submit the following documents at the time of application:
- Proof of employment (at least 8 years)
- Your academic qualifications (such as graduation certificates and transcripts of studies, etc.) that are not in English should be accompanied by an official certified English translation
Provision of additional documents may be required if deemed necessary.
Please complete all relevant fields on the application form and enclose all necessary documents, as an incomplete application cannot be processed promptly and will reduce your chance of admission.
