A DBA, or Doctor of Business Administration, degree equips professionals with advanced business knowledge and strategic thinking, based on applied research, ultimately helping them solve real-world business challenges. It’s a professional doctorate and, unlike a PhD, it involves applied research rather than original research, contributing to the field of business rather than academia.
Getting a DBA degree can help you land lucrative roles in Singapore. The country is currently experiencing an economic boom led by its thriving business landscape. There is a steady demand for research-driven leadership. As a working professional, looking to transition to C-Suite roles, you can enroll in one of the online DBA courses and learn while working.
Still wondering – What is a DBA? Read on to discover more about this degree, including the career paths after DBA opens up for you and the value it adds to your professional credentials.
Understanding the DBA and Career Paths it Opens in Singapore
A DBA degree opens up a plethora of career opportunities for you, with prominent roles spanning Executive and C-Suite Leadership, Consulting, Entrepreneurship, Management Analysis, and much more. Go through the table below for a better understanding.
Top Roles | Demand in Singapore | Reasons Why a DBA Helps |
Executive and C-Suite Roles | High | Trains professionals to lead at the highest levels through research |
Consulting | High | Equips you with expertise to solve complex business problems |
Management Analysis | High | Helps you develop strong analytical skills |
Entrepreneurship (Business Development) | High | Focuses on sharpening your strategic thinking capabilities |
Executive and C-Suite Roles
What can you do with a Doctorate in Business? The answer is that you can explore several career opportunities with the degree. Executive and C-Suite Roles top the list. How can DBA boost top leadership capabilities?
Let us explore answers below:
- It focuses on helping learners research and frame burning questions pertaining to current business challenges.
- Helps you brush up on your MBA knowledge (if you have an MBA degree).
- Prepares you to lead in diverse industries, starting from marketing to finance.
Also read: Who Should Pursue a DBA in Singapore?
Consulting
Are you passionate about making a difference to businesses at the local, national, and global levels? A DBA degree can help you sharpen your consulting and advisory skills. Here is a quick look at why you must consider a DBA if you’re looking to ace consulting roles at the highest levels:
- Equips graduates with consultancy expertise that no lesser management degree would offer
- Trains you to address crucial and complex business issues
- Prepares you for diverse industries

Management Analysis
A Management Analyst is responsible for bolstering the competitive advantage enjoyed by businesses. How can a DBA help you excel at such roles? Here is the answer:
- The coursework typically places strong emphasis on assessing strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for businesses.
- Besides evaluating strengths and weaknesses, you learn to share recommendations for improved business performance.
Also read: Top Online DBA Programs for Senior Management Roles in Singapore
Business Development and Entrepreneurship
Regardless of whether you have launched a startup or are already running your business for a few years now, you can consider a DBA degree to:
- Develop strategic thinking to address complex business problems.
- Enhance business planning capabilities.
- Better assess current strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities in your business.
DBA in Singapore: A Few Other Facts
Now that you know about the top jobs for Doctor of Business Administration, here’s a look at the leading industries in Singapore, with high demand for professionals with DBA:
- Project Management: The country’s public and private sector projects involving complex problems need Project Managers in large numbers at present.
- Human Resources: If you have a DBA in HR, you’re likely to enjoy high demand in this sector – thanks to the advanced skills you’ve acquired.
- Finance: Skilled financial analysts can land high-paying roles in organisations looking for high-performing leaders in financial roles.
- Information Systems Management: Once again, a sector, led mainly by data-driven decisions, relies heavily on top-level management and leadership skills.
- Business Analysis: Startups and businesses are becoming increasingly reliant on data-driven decision-making, which is why Business Analysts with a DBA degree are in high demand.
Make the most of your DBA degree by acquiring it from a reputed university. Make sure the degree you earned is acknowledged widely by employers in Singapore, and the university itself has a high employability rate.
Also read: How To Choose The Right Online DBA Program In Singapore
How upGrad Empowers Your DBA Journey in Singapore
Thinking of taking the next step in your career, but don’t know where to begin? Explore leading DBA courses facilitated by upGrad; all delivered online by their partner colleges. Access top-notch mentorship, application guidance, and relevant curriculum to maximise your learning experience:
- MBA to DBA Pathway (Golden Gate University)
- Doctor of Business Administration (Golden Gate University)
- Doctor of Business Administration in Emerging Technologies with concentration in Generative AI (Golden Gate University)
- Doctorate in Business Administration (Edgewood University)
- Dual Degree MBA and DBA from Edgewood University
- Doctorate of Business Administration from ESGCI
- Doctor of Business Administration from Rushford Business School
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FAQs About DBA and Career Opportunities in Singapore
Ans: A DBA is a Doctorate in Business Administration degree focused on helping working professionals who are looking to advance to the next level in their careers by solving complex business problems through applied research. A PhD is a doctorate in academics, involving original research.
Ans: Business Analysts, CEOs, Project Managers, and Consultants are the top job roles that you can aim for, with a Doctorate in Business Administration. With a DBA degree, you can make significant strides in Singapore’s business landscape.
Ans: Yes, a DBA is a highly recognised degree in Singapore. If you have earned your degree from a reputed college, expect to unlock enriching career opportunities in the country’s tech, healthcare, retail, and financial sectors.
Ans: Yes, with a DBA degree, you can definitely aim for high government posts requiring next-level data-based skills to address issues in current policies and propose new ones. Keep track of relevant job postings to stay informed.
Ans: A PhD and DBA are highly preferred if you’re looking to teach at business schools in Singapore. However, they are not mandatory. You can teach even with a Master’s degree, but candidates with a PhD or DBA have a definite edge over the others.