Doctorate In Business Administration Malta (EU)

The Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) programme is offered by EuroAmerican Institute, Malta, and is referenced at MQF Level 8 within the Malta Qualifications Framework, supporting transparency of qualification level within the Maltese and wider European qualifications environment.

This creates an opportunity for learners to pursue a professionally oriented doctoral programme focused on advanced management practice, executive leadership, and applied research.

Upon successful completion of the programme, learners are awarded the Doctorate in Business Administration degree by EuroAmerican Institute, Malta.

The programme is academically delivered and supported by Swiss Information and Management Institute under the Live Class Direct™ model, providing a Swiss-oriented learning experience through direct delivery only, with no joint delivery arrangements, no franchises, and no intermediaries.

Through the Swiss digital higher education model, learners may access a Swiss-oriented learning experience while receiving a degree from a partner institution, optimising costs while preserving the advantages of Swiss academic delivery standards.

Doctorate in Business Administration

What do you get?

DBA Degree from Malta

Receive the Doctorate in Business Administration degree awarded by EuroAmerican Institute, Malta, upon successful completion of the programme.

Malta (EU) Accredited

The programme operates within Malta’s regulated higher education framework and is referenced at MQF Level 8, aligned with the wider European framework.

Live Class Direct™

Study through Live Class Direct™ with no intermediaries, giving direct access to the original programme structure and learning model.

Scholarships Available

Scholarships may be available for eligible applicants, subject to admissions review and the scholarship assessment process.

Doctorate in Business Administration

Programme Details

Doctorate in Business Administration from EAI Malta

The Doctorate in Business Administration programme consists of mandatory modules and Doctoral Dissertation.

 

A.  Modules

  1. Developing Strategic Management and Leadership Potential (20 UK Credits)
  2. Managing Strategic Change (20 UK Credits)
  3. Project Development, Planning and Management (20 UK Credits)
  4. Global Strategy & Corporate Governance (20 UK Credits)
  5. Strategic Financial Management (20 UK Credits)
  6. Strategic Marketing (20 UK Credits)

 

B. Practice-Based Research Project (60 UK Credits):

  1. Advanced Research Design and Methodologies (40 UK Credits)
  2. Developing Research Capability (20 UK Credits)

 

C. Doctoral Dissertation Stage – Doctoral Dissertation

  • Dissertation Writing and Defense – completing and defending the Doctoral Dissertation (80 UK Credits)

Upon graduation, students will receive:

  • Doctorate in Business Administration awarded by EuroAmerican Institute, Malta.

Admission through the typical route:

  • Applicants must be over 24 years of age;
  • A Master’s degree in any discipline from an accredited university;
  • Or a Level 7 qualification under the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) or an equivalent qualification.

 

Admission through the special route:

  • Hold a Bachelor’s degree;
  • Be at least 35 years old with 10 or more years of management experience; or
  • Be at least 30 years old with 5 or more years of experience in a C-level or equivalent leadership experience (e.g. CEO, CFO, CHRO, CPO, Managing Director, Executive Director position within the organization)
  • Pass the APEL.A assessment route (support provided).

 

English Requirements:

  • English proficiency must be at least CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) level B2 or IELTS 5.5

Learners attend Live Class directly with lecturers from Swiss Information and Management Institute under the Live Class Direct™ model. Upon successful completion of the programme, learners receive the Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) awarded by EuroAmerican Institute (EAI), Malta.

The programme is delivered through the SwissEdu⁺ Swiss Digital Higher Education model, in which Swiss Information and Management Institute focuses on academic delivery and learner support, while the qualification is awarded by EAI Malta.

The Live Class Direct™ model enables learners to study directly with Swiss Information and Management Institute, without franchise delivery or intermediaries. This helps maintain the original programme structure, ensure direct academic access, and reduce third-party delivery risks.

Doctorate in Business Administration

Accredited & Recognised of EAI Malta (EU)

Doctorate in Business Administration from EAI Malta

EuroAmerican Institute (EAI) Malta is licensed and accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA), the competent authority responsible for the licensing, accreditation, and quality assurance of further and higher education in Malta.

 

Under Higher Education Institution Licence No. 2024-032, EAI is licensed to operate as a Higher Education Institution in Malta. Its approved programmes are offered within the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) and referenced to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), subject to the applicable MFHEA regulatory requirements.

 

As a higher education provider based in Malta, EAI operates within a country that is part of the European Union and the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Its programmes may be structured using ECTS credits in line with European higher education practices, supporting transparency and comparability.

 

MFHEA oversees licensing, programme accreditation, and quality assurance in accordance with Malta’s regulatory framework for further and higher education. Programmes are referred to as accredited when they have been assessed by MFHEA and pegged to the Malta Qualifications Framework.

  • The licence can be verified on the official MFHEA register HERE.
  • Programme accreditation details can be verified on the official MFHEA register HERE.

EAI qualifications are pegged to the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF), which is referenced to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). This supports transparency and comparability in international academic contexts.

The Lisbon Recognition Convention is the principal legal instrument for the recognition of higher education qualifications in the European region. It is administered by the Council of Europe and UNESCO and, as of 1 July 2025, has 57 Contracting Parties. Recognition decisions remain subject to the policies of the receiving institution or competent authority.

As part of the broader European higher education architecture associated with the Bologna Process, ECTS may be used to support transparency, comparability, and credit transfer. In Malta, recognition information is provided through MQRIC, the official ENIC-NARIC centre within MFHEA.

  • Reference to the Malta ENIC–NARIC Network HERE 

Malta is a member of the Bologna Process and part of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Within this framework, ECTS supports transparency, credit accumulation and transfer, and the recognition of study periods across European higher education systems.

The European Qualifications Framework (EQF) serves as a common reference framework to make qualifications easier to understand and compare across Europe.

As a licensed higher education institution in Malta, EAI may award qualifications within the scope of its licence and accredited programmes. These qualifications may be considered for recognition by receiving institutions or competent authorities, subject to their own rules and procedures.

  • Information on ECTS HERE

The Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) is an Affiliate Member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA).

ENQA is a European association dedicated to quality assurance in higher education and plays an important role in the development of quality assurance policy and cooperation within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

MFHEA’s Affiliate Member status reflects its participation in the wider European quality assurance community and its engagement with quality assurance developments associated with the Bologna Process and the ESG 2015 framework.

  • Information on MFHEA and ENQA HERE

The ENIC-NARIC Networks bring together national information centres that provide information and guidance on the recognition of qualifications across participating countries. These networks operate within the broader framework of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

In Malta, the Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC), within the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA), is the official ENIC-NARIC centre. It provides recognition and comparability advice for qualifications and assists with the recognition of Maltese qualifications abroad.

Accordingly, qualifications awarded by licensed and, where applicable, accredited higher education providers in Malta may be considered for academic or professional recognition by receiving institutions or competent authorities, subject to their own rules and procedures.

  • For further information on ENIC–NARIC, please visit HERE

South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is the statutory authority responsible for the management and oversight of the South African National Qualifications Framework (NQF), and for ensuring compliance with national values and quality standards within the qualifications recognition system.

According to SAQA’s comparability assessment outcomes, a Doctoral qualification awarded in Malta, Europe is recognised by SAQA as a Doctoral qualification within the national qualifications benchmarking system, in accordance with South Africa’s assessment framework and recognition criteria.

Such recognition is carried out within the scope of SAQA’s statutory authority and serves academic benchmarking, professional, and qualifications management purposes, in line with the official assessment procedures of South Africa’s national qualifications authority.

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is the national authority responsible for maintaining the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) and for evaluating overseas qualifications through its International Qualification Assessment (IQA) process.

Where an overseas qualification is submitted to NZQA for assessment, NZQA may evaluate how that qualification compares with a qualification type or level on the NZQCF, based on the individual case and the evidence provided.

In New Zealand, a Doctoral Degree is positioned at Level 10 on the NZQCF. Any comparison between an overseas doctoral qualification and a New Zealand Doctoral Degree should therefore be presented only on the basis of a specific NZQA assessment outcome.

This assessment is conducted under NZQA’s official procedures and is not automatic. The outcome depends on the qualification submitted and the supporting documentation provided.

The Automatic Recognition Database Italia (ARDI) is a tool developed by CIMEA to support the automatic correspondence of qualifications issued in countries that are signatories to the Lisbon Recognition Convention. It is designed in line with the European approach to automatic recognition in higher education.

Through ARDI, eligible qualifications may obtain a statement of correspondence with the relevant level of the Italian higher education system, subject to the scope of the database and the applicable procedures of the receiving institution or competent authority.

Where applicable, doctoral-level qualifications may be referenced in line with the third cycle of the Qualifications Framework of the European Higher Education Area (QF-EHEA), depending on the specific qualification and the official ARDI result.

This supports academic progression and recognition processes in Italy, subject to the rules and authority of the relevant Italian institution or authority.

Study Quality Evaluation Center – Lithuania’s authority for the evaluation and quality assurance of education – has conducted an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) for qualifications awarded in Malta.

According to the relevant assessment outcome, the DBA qualification awarded in Malta may, in an individual case, be recognised at a level comparable to a doctoral qualification within the Lithuanian qualifications system, subject to the official decision of the competent authority.

Educational Qualification Assessment

Qualifications awarded by higher education institutions in Malta (Europe) may be assessed by relevant Australian qualification assessment authorities for comparability in terms of level within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), depending on the purpose of assessment and the documentation provided.

Such assessment is conducted through the official procedures of the relevant Australian authority or assessment body and may support applications for further study, employment, professional review, and/or migration, subject to the requirements of the receiving institution, profession, or authority.

Electronic Transcript Exchange and Certificate Verification System (Nigeria)

Nigeria’s Electronic Transcript Exchange and Certificate Verification System has carried out an assessment in relation to qualifications awarded in Malta.

According to the assessment results, doctoral qualifications from Malta may be considered comparable to doctoral-level qualifications within the Nigerian education system. This indicates comparability for the purposes of qualification verification, further study, and/or professional use, subject to the rules and authority of the receiving system.

Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (Norway)

The Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) is the competent authority in Norway for the recognition of foreign higher education qualifications.

Qualifications awarded by higher education institutions in Malta (Europe) may be assessed by HK-dir to determine whether they can be considered equivalent, in level and scope, to higher education qualifications within the Norwegian system, in accordance with the applicable regulations and assessment criteria.

Such assessment is carried out through official procedures and may support applications for further study, employment, or institutional and professional review, subject to the documentation submitted and the requirements of the receiving institution, employer, profession, or authority.

UK National Information Centre for the Recognition and Evaluation of International Qualifications and Skills (UK ENIC)

UK ENIC is the United Kingdom’s national information centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills. The service is operated by Ecctis on behalf of the UK Department for Education.

Based on UK ENIC assessment procedures, qualifications awarded in Malta may be assessed as comparable to qualifications at the corresponding level within the United Kingdom’s qualifications system, depending on the specific qualification and supporting documentation.

For example, an overseas doctoral qualification may be assessed by UK ENIC as comparable to a UK doctoral qualification for academic and professional comparison purposes, subject to the specific case and UK ENIC’s assessment process.

The UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) operates the recognition system for university certificates issued outside the United Arab Emirates, subject to the applicable regulations, documentation requirements, and the scope of review of the competent authority.

Recognition is not automatic and depends on the nature of the qualification, the submitted documents, and the requirements of the relevant authority or institution in the UAE.

Finnish National Agency for Education (Finland)

The Finnish National Agency for Education may assess qualifications awarded in Malta as comparable, in terms of level, to qualifications within the Finnish higher education system, depending on the specific qualification and the purpose for which recognition is sought.

Such recognition or comparability is considered in accordance with the authority and assessment procedures applicable in Finland, for academic and/or professional purposes. It is not automatic and depends on the specific qualification file, the intended use of the qualification, and the rules of the receiving institution, employer, or competent authority.

Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (Poland)

The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange has recognised qualifications awarded by higher education institutions in Malta (Europe) as being at the corresponding comparable level within the Polish higher education system.

Specifically, the doctoral qualification has been identified as comparable to third-cycle studies in Poland, in accordance with the applicable qualifications framework and recognition regulations of the Polish higher education system.

Such recognition is carried out under the authority and assessment procedures of the receiving body for the purposes of further study and/or professional use, and is not automatic, but depends on each individual case.

French Republic (France)

France, through ENIC-NARIC France, participates in the ENIC-NARIC Networks, the international network for information and recognition of qualifications operating in line with the principles of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

Within this framework, qualifications awarded in Malta may be assessed as being at a corresponding comparable level for academic and/or professional purposes, subject to the authority and assessment procedures of the receiving institution or competent authority in France.

Internationale Diplomawaardering (Netherlands)

International Credential Evaluation (IDW) is the Dutch service for evaluating foreign diplomas by comparing them with the Dutch education system. A credential evaluation indicates which level in the Dutch education system is comparable to a foreign diploma.

Qualifications awarded by higher education institutions in Malta (Europe) may be evaluated for comparability with Dutch higher education qualifications, in accordance with the applicable evaluation procedures and the principles used in the Netherlands.

Where relevant, a Master’s qualification may be evaluated as comparable to a Dutch Master’s degree, depending on the specific qualification, supporting documentation, and the outcome of the individual assessment.

A credential evaluation is an official assessment document, but it is not legally binding and does not in itself guarantee admission, employment, or automatic recognition. Final decisions remain subject to the requirements of the receiving institution, employer, profession, or authority.

Swedish Council for Higher Education (Sweden)

The Swedish Council for Higher Education is Sweden’s centre within the ENIC-NARIC Networks, the international cooperation framework for information and recognition of qualifications, operating in line with the principles of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

Within this framework, qualifications awarded in Malta may be assessed by the Swedish Council for Higher Education as comparable to qualifications at the corresponding level in the Swedish education system, for academic and/or professional comparison purposes, subject to the authority and assessment procedures applicable in Sweden.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Programme

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Doctorate in Business Administration

Frequently Asked Questions

SwissEdu⁺

Yes.

A special entry pathway is available for Bachelor’s degree holders who meet one of the following requirements:

  • At least 35 years old with 10 or more years of management experience; or
  • At least 30 years old with 5 or more years of experience in a C-level or equivalent leadership experience (e.g. CEO, CFO, CHRO, CPO, Managing Director, Executive Director position within the organization)

To enter the doctoral programme through the fast-track route from a Bachelor’s degree, applicants are required to undergo the APEL.A process.

Learners are fully supported with the required costs and procedures to complete the admission requirements for this route.

The qualification awarded is:

Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) – awarded by EuroAmerican Institute (EAI), Malta.

Yes.

EAI is a licensed higher and further education institution under the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA).

Yes.

The Doctorate in Business Administration awarded by EuroAmerican Institute (EAI), Malta, may be verified through the official registers of the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA). Malta is a member of the European Union, and its qualifications framework is referenced to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

Malta also participates in the ENIC-NARIC Network through MQRIC, which supports qualification comparability and recognition information internationally. Recognition outside Malta is not automatic and remains subject to the requirements of the receiving institution or authority.

Yes.

The programme includes academic support system, formatting assistance, plagiarism checking, and in-depth research guidance.

SwissEdu⁺ is a Swiss digital higher education platform that provides the academic and technological infrastructure for delivering higher education and postgraduate programmes in a digital environment, through a model of standardisation, digitalisation, and cross-recognition of learning outcomes.

Yes.

Scholarships may be available. Please contact the admissions team for further information and eligibility assessment.

It is an online delivery model with Live Class delivered directly by the Swiss Information and Management Institute.

This model ensures that the programme is delivered directly – non-joint, with no franchises and no intermediaries – helping learners study directly and reducing risks associated with third parties.

Why Malta?

Malta is a modern European island nation located in the Mediterranean and a member of the European Union since 2004. It is widely recognised for its stable economy, strong quality of life, international outlook, and English-speaking environment.

A High-Income EU Economy

According to the World Bank, Malta is classified as a high-income economy, reflecting strong levels of income, development, and economic resilience.

Stable Labour Market

Recent national statistics from the National Statistics Office Malta indicate strong employment participation and low unemployment, supporting Malta’s reputation as a stable and business-friendly economy.

Very High Human Development

According to the United Nations Development Programme, Malta is ranked among countries with very high human development.

Trusted European Education Environment

Malta’s education system operates within the wider European qualifications environment. The Malta Qualifications Framework is referenced to the European Qualifications Framework, supporting transparency, comparability, and learner mobility across Europe.

Key Advantages of Malta

  • Member state of the European Union
  • Uses the Euro
  • English is an official language
  • High-income economy
  • Safe and welcoming environment
  • International business hub
  • Education aligned with wider European frameworks

 

References:

European Commission. (2025). Education and training monitor: Malta. Publications Office of the European Union. https://op.europa.eu/webpub/eac/education-and-training-monitor/en/monitor-toolbox/country-page/malta.html

National Statistics Office Malta. (2025). Key indicators for Malta compared with EU27. https://nso.gov.mt/key-indicators-for-malta-compared-with-eu27/

United Nations Development Programme. (2024). Human Development Report Data Center. https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index

World Bank. (2025). World Bank country and lending groups: Country classification. https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups

World Bank. (2025). Malta overview. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/malta

The information presented above is provided for general reference based on official sources issued by relevant public authorities, together with applicable national and international qualifications frameworks.

In accordance with international practice, the recognition of qualifications and qualification levels is not automatic. Each country, receiving institution, employer, professional body, or competent authority may apply its own regulations, procedures, and assessment criteria. Learners are strongly advised to verify the recognition status and level of acceptance of any qualification in the jurisdiction where they intend to use it before enrolling in the programme.

Programmes delivered through the SwissEdu⁺ system are developed with a competence-based and profession-oriented approach to support career development in multinational business environments, international organisations, and cross-border professional contexts.

Accordingly, SwissEdu⁺ programmes are primarily designed for private-sector, international, and professional development purposes, and may not be intended to satisfy recruitment, appointment, licensing, teaching, or professional recognition requirements within public-sector systems or domestic public education administration frameworks.

Related reference information, descriptions, and framework statements may be updated from time to time in line with changes made by relevant authorities, regulatory bodies, or other competent institutions.

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