Pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree after a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Singapore can help you enhance your business administration expertise, academic depth, and strategic leadership potential, and graduate to senior leadership roles. While MBAs are practical, management-focused degree programs, DBAs are research-oriented programs designed for business practitioners looking to transition into academia or advance to senior executive roles.
One of the main reasons many MBA graduates pursue DBA course in Singapore is the high salaries they can earn in these professions. For example, depending on your job role, you can earn anywhere between SGD 96,000 and SGD 120,000 a year in Singapore, with an annual average salary of SGD 108,000.
This blog will look at whether you should pursue a DBA in Singapore after an MBA or not. It will also focus on the reasons why Singapore is such an excellent choice for DBA studies.
Source: upGrad, as of January 6, 2025
Pursuing a DBA in Singapore after an MBA – Is It Worth It?
DBA programs in Singapore are an excellent option for MBA graduates seeking senior executive leadership, academic roles, or specialized high-level consulting.
1. How a DBA Differs from an MBA
DBA programs differ significantly from MBA programs in their focus, outcomes, and target audiences. The MBAs are more practical programs that focus on management aspects. On the other hand, DBAs are research-oriented degrees that emphasize solving complex business problems at senior levels.
2. Key Benefits of a DBA in Singapore
A DBA program in Singapore offers you several key benefits, such as the following:
- Enhanced Leadership and Career Progression
- Establishing Thought Leadership
- Pathways to High-Level Consulting and Academia Roles
- Professional and Personal Growth
All these benefits help you in different ways. DBA programs equip senior managers with the research and advanced critical thinking skills necessary to tackle highly complex organizational challenges. These skills position them well for top executive roles, such as C-suite positions.
At the core of a DBA program is the requirement for original and applied research on real-world business problems to develop students’ thought-leadership qualities.
3. Who Should Consider a DBA After an MBA?
A DBA program is the right choice for the following types of MBA students:
- Aspiring C-Suite Executives
- Professionals Seeking Thought Leadership
- Ones Planning to Transition into Academia
- Experienced Consultants Looking to Specialize
- Intellectually Curious Individuals
DBA programs can help all these candidates in different ways. For instance, experienced managers who want to work in top executive roles, such as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Managing Director, or Chief Operating Officer (COO), can pursue a DBA program after completing their MBA.
From the DBA programs, they gain advanced critical thinking and research skills that help them tackle complex organizational challenges and also distinguish themselves in competitive domains.
If you are passionate about a specific business area, such as digital transformation strategy or sustainable finance, and want to become a recognized industry expert and generate new, evidence-based knowledge in your field, you should consider a DBA.
Also read: Is a DBA Degree Worth it in Singapore?
4. Who Should Not Consider a DBA After an MBA?
A DBA is not the right option for the following kinds of MBA students:
- One’s Looking for General Management Skills
- Individuals Who Need Quick Career Mobility
- Professionals Working In Companies That Do Not Value Doctorates
- Ones Uninterested in Rigorous Research
- Individuals Looking for Career Pivot
- People Facing Significant Financial Constraints
A DBA is not the correct option for these students for different reasons. For example, suppose you want to climb the corporate ladder in general management roles, such as General Manager and Operations Manager, or become a better manager. In that case, your MBA is more than enough.
5. How to Choose the Right DBA Program
If you want to select the right DBA program in Singapore, you must focus on the following factors:
- Recognition and Accreditation
- Specialization and Career Goals Alignment
- Program Flexibility and Format
- Faculty Mentorship and Expertise
- Networking and Industry Connections
- Return on Investment and Costs
- Student Support Services
All these factors are essential for various reasons. For instance, recognition and accreditation are the most crucial factors in this regard.
Why Singapore Is a Strong Choice for DBA Studies
There are various reasons why students from around the world want to pursue a DBA in Singapore, and they may be enumerated as follows:
Strategic Global Business Hub
- Access to Industry Leaders
- Gateway to Asia
- Pro-Business Environment
Accredited and High-Quality Education
- Top-Tier Universities
- International Accreditation
Government Support for Innovation and Research
- Research Initiatives and Funding
- SkillsFuture Movement
Benefits for Professionals
- Flexible Programs
- Talent Attraction
Also read: Doctor of Business Administration vs. PhD: Key Differences for Singapore Learners
Career Outcomes after a DBA in Singapore
The following jobs you can land by completing a DBA after an MBA in Singapore, and the salaries you can expect in those roles:
| Job Role | Annual Salary Range |
| COO | SGD 200,000 – SGD 400,000 |
| Chief Strategy Officer | SGD 84,000 – SGD 400,000 |
| CEO | SGD 108,000 – SGD 326,000 |
| Chief Financial Officer | SGD 200,000 – SGD 300,000 |
| Professor | SGD 200,000 – SGD 300,000 |
| Innovation Manager | SGD 60,000 – SGD 108,000 |
| Strategy Consultant | SGD 60,000 – SGD 96,000 |
| Research and Development (R&D) Manager | SGD 78,000 – SGD 93,000 |
| Lecturer | SGD 60,000 – SGD 84,000 |
| Strategic Planner | SGD 36,000 – SGD 72,000 |
Sources: Glassdoor, as of November 12, 2023, February 4, 2024, May 28, 2025, June 19, 2025, August 26, 2025, September 29, 2025, October 17, 2025, October 19, 2025, November 9, 2025; Payscale, as of July 18, 2023
Also read: What is a DBA and What Can You Do With it in Singapore’s Business Landscape?
Why upGrad’s Online DBA Pathway Is Your Flexible Route to Leadership
The online DBA programs offered by upGrad provide a flexible route to leadership roles in Singapore. These are globally recognized programs, available in adaptable online formats that cater to the demands of working professionals. They also offer you dedicated career support services.
- MBA to DBA Pathway, Golden Gate University
- DBA, Golden Gate University, Golden Gate University
- DBA in Emerging Technologies with concentration in Generative AI, Golden Gate University
- DBA, Edgewood University
- Dual Degree DBA and MBA, Edgewood University
- DBA, École Supérieure de Gestion et de Commerce International (ESGCI)
- DBA, Rushford Business School
Must read articles:
- What to Expect from a DBA Curriculum in Singapore: Courses, Research, and Industry Focus
- Top 5 Skills You Will Gain from a DBA Program that Employers in Singapore Value
- Top Online DBA Programmes for Working Professionals in Singapore
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FAQs on DBA after MBA
To be eligible for a DBA program in Singapore, you need a potent combination of significant professional work experience and academic qualifications.
In Singapore, a DBA can take a lot longer to complete than an MBA, with 3-5 years for the former compared to 1-2 years for full-time MBA programs.
Yes, if the program is from an accredited, reputable institution, a DBA from Singapore will be recognized worldwide.
Yes, in Singapore, you can pursue a DBA program part-time while working.
The costs of DBA programs vary significantly in Singapore, depending on various factors. This includes the institution, the format in which the program is delivered, and the institution’s global ranking.
Sources:
- https://www.emlv.fr/en/mba-msc-or-dba-how-to-choose-the-right-business-degree/#:~:text=Choosing%20between%20an%20MBA%2C%20MSc%2C%20or%20DBA,level%2C%20these%20degrees%20offer%20pathways%20to%20growth.
- https://www.eimt.edu.eu/is-a-doctorate-of-business-administration-dba-better-than-an-mba
- https://www.glassdoor.sg/Salaries/dba-salary-SRCH_KO0,3.htm
- https://www.topuniversities.com/courses/business-management-studies/why-study-doctor-business-administration#:~:text=A%20DBA%20will%20help%20you%20stand%20out,experience%20and%20want%20to%20further%20distinguish%20themselves.
- https://online.edgewood.edu/blog/exploring-impact-of-a-doctorate-in-business-on-your-career/#:~:text=Better%20career%20opportunities%20From%20the%20classroom%20to,your%20career%20choices%20and%20development%20with%20DBA.
- https://hbr.org/sponsored/2024/02/elevating-thought-leadership-the-journey-of-pursuing-a-doctor-of-business-administration-degree#:~:text=This%20helps%20individuals%20develop%20a%20more%20nuanced,establish%20themselves%20as%20authorities%20in%20their%20field.
