Home Doctorate DBA in International Business & Trade
Doctoral Programme International Business

DBA in International Business & Trade

ESGCI, Paris (France)

"Master the research skills to lead cross-border business at the highest level"

4.5 (256 reviews)
510 enrolled
3 Years
Online + Residency
  • 3 phases ยท 17 modules ยท 3 Years programme
  • Earn the internationally recognised "Dr." title
  • Dissertation on a live business challenge in your organisation
  • Cohort of up to 18 senior executives from 25+ countries
Ph.D.-Equivalent Credential Industry-Recognised Global Cohort ยท 25+ Countries

Duration

3 Years

Phases

3

Modules

17

Cohort

Up to 18

Credential

DBA

Delivery

Online + Residency

About This Programme

The DBA in International Business & Trade is designed for senior executives who operate across borders โ€” trade directors, M&A leaders, regional presidents, and global business development heads. You will produce doctoral research on topics including cross-border M&A integration, emerging market entry strategy, trade law, and global value chains.

Residencies in Singapore, Dubai, and London place you inside the world's key trading corridors, with access to trade ministers, multinational CEOs, and investment authority executives.

Learning Outcomes

Design doctoral research on international business and global trade
Lead cross-border M&A strategy, due diligence, and post-merger integration
Analyse trade policy, tariffs, and WTO regulations through a research lens
Develop emerging market entry strategies backed by evidence
Build and govern global value chains using operations research
Negotiate cross-cultural business partnerships and joint ventures
Publish in leading international business and trade journals
Advise boards on geopolitical risk and global market positioning

Eligibility & Admission

  • Masters, MBA, or equivalent from a recognised institution
  • 10+ years professional experience
  • 5+ years in international business, trade, or cross-border roles
  • Research interest statement on international business
  • Language proficiency in English (IELTS 7+ if non-native)

Programme Structure

3 phases ยท 17 modules ยท 3 Years

Phase 1

International Research Foundations

Months 1โ€“6
Research Methods in International Business
Global Trade Theory & WTO Frameworks
Cross-Cultural Management Research
Foreign Direct Investment & Market Entry
Academic Writing for Global Leaders
Phase 2

Specialist Trade Electives

Months 7โ€“18
Cross-Border M&A Strategy & Integration
Emerging Market Dynamics (India, SEA, Africa)
Trade Finance & FX Risk Management
Global Value Chains & Supply Networks
International Law & Trade Compliance
Global Residency Intensives (Singapore / Dubai / London)
Phase 3

Doctoral Dissertation

Months 19โ€“36
Research Proposal on an International Business Challenge
Multi-Country Data Collection
Comparative Case Study Analysis
Dissertation Drafting & Supervision
Viva Voce Defence
International Business Journal Submission

Career Outcomes

Where our DBA graduates lead

Regional President / MD

โ‚น 80L โ€“ 2.5Cr PA

Unilever APAC HSBC India Siemens India

Head of M&A / Business Development

โ‚น 50L โ€“ 1.5Cr PA

Tata Mahindra Global Adani International

International Trade Advisor

โ‚น 30L โ€“ 80L PA

WTO EXIM Bank CII

92%

Executive Promotion Rate

2ร—

Avg. Salary Multiplier

18 mo

Avg. Time to Next Role

Programme Faculty

P

Prof. Sanjay Malhotra

Programme Director ยท PhD Columbia ยท Ex-McKinsey Global Emerging Markets Lead

4.9
Emerging Market Entry Cross-border M&A Trade Policy
D

Dr. Elena Petrov

Global Trade Research Lead ยท DBA HEC Paris ยท Ex-WTO Policy Analyst ยท INSEAD Visiting Faculty

4.9
Trade Law International Business Research EU-Asia Trade

Candidate Reviews

4.5

Programme Rating

5
64%
4
23%
3
9%
2
3%
1
1%
256

Total reviews

V
Venkat Rao Jun 2026

The DBA transformed how I engage with my board. I now bring evidence, not just intuition, to every strategic discussion. The dissertation process was challenging but incredibly rewarding.

P
Patricia Walsh May 2026

Worth every rupee. The faculty are genuinely at the top of their field. My supervisor pushed me in ways that made the research genuinely original. Got promoted to Group CEO three months after defending.

A
Anand Gupta Apr 2026

Demanding programme โ€” but that's the point. The cohort of fellow executives is itself worth the investment. The network I've built across 18 countries is invaluable.

๐Ÿ›๏ธ

Doctor of Business Administration

DBA in International Business & Trade

Corporate Academy

Awarded on successful defence

Ph.D.-Equivalent Credential

Earn the "Dr." Title

Upon successful defence of your dissertation, you are awarded the Doctor of Business Administration โ€” a credential recognised by leading corporations, academic institutions, and regulatory bodies worldwide. Add it to your LinkedIn, email signature, and board profile.

  • Globally recognised 'Dr.' title
  • Alumni network of 5,000+ doctoral graduates
  • Eligible for academic appointments at leading B-schools
  • Verified by partner accreditation bodies

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need experience working outside India?

It is strongly preferred, but not mandatory. Candidates with significant exposure to international business โ€” even from a domestic role at a multinational โ€” are competitive.

Are residencies in different countries?

Yes โ€” residencies rotate across Singapore, Dubai, and London, providing direct access to three of the world's key trade corridors and investment communities.

Talk to a DBA Counsellor

Get a personalised admissions roadmap โ€” free of charge.

Upcoming Intakes

September 2026

Next Batch

7 seats left

January 2027

Upcoming

12 seats left

April 2027

Later

15 seats left

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