The Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (EDBA) is a three-year university continuing-education programme offered by Universidad Europea Miguel de Cervantes (UEMC), Spain, in cooperation with CEIBA Business School.
Designed for experienced managers, executives and entrepreneurs, the programme enables participants to transform significant business and organisational challenges into rigorous applied research.
It combines advanced research methods, academic guidance and an international learning environment, supporting professionals who wish to contribute new knowledge while continuing their careers.
The Executive DBA recognizes that managerial experience can be a valuable starting point for academic inquiry.
Participants investigate complex organizational challenges by engaging with academic literature, developing theoretical explanations and applying systematic research methods.
The objective is to produce research that contributes to management knowledge while maintaining relevance to organizations, industries and society.
Develop a focused research question, engage
with academic literature, establish a
theoretical framework, and prepare a
rigorous research proposal.
Conduct empirical research under academic
supervision, collect and analyse data,
develop findings, and write the
doctoral thesis.
Finalise the thesis and present the research
contribution through the university’s
assessment and defence process.
Throughout the three-year programme, structured academic milestones and research supervision support candidates as they develop their doctoral research alongside their professional responsibilities.
Academic university partner

UEMC provides the university framework for the Executive DBA and awards the corresponding university continuing-education qualification (título propio), subject to successful completion of the academic requirements.
International program coordinator

CEIBA coordinates the international delivery of the DBA, supports candidates throughout their research journey, and facilitates collaboration between university faculty, participants and local education partners.
Qualification: The EDBA leads to a Titulos Superior de Investigacion awarded by Université d’Angers. It is distinct from the Spanish national doctoral degree (PhD).
CEIBA collaborates with local education partners to facilitate access to the DBA and support participants across international locations.
CHINA · SHANGHAI

Local education partner
Hongding Education works with CEIBA to promote the DBA in China and support local recruitment, coordination and learning activities.
The Executive DBA is intended for professionals with university-level education, substantial managerial experience and a strong interest in research.
CEIBA’s existing programme information identifies a Master’s degree and five years of professional experience as its normal admissions profile. Eligibility and exceptions are assessed through the applicable programme admissions process.
Are you ready to turn your professional experience into an original research contribution?
Contact the CEIBA DBA team to discuss eligibility, program availability, academic requirements and the application process.