How to fund my training
Depending on your background, several schemes can cover all or part of your training. Here's how.
The Doctorate of Business Administration in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DBA DSAI) is delivered in China through a joint collaboration between Rennes School of Business and the Shanghai Executive Development & Teaching Center (GAOSHI Education Group). This doctoral programme places strong emphasis on applied research and advanced analytical methods, combining scientific rigor with the practical needs of organisations undergoing digital and technological transformation.
Under the personalised guidance of a doctoral supervisor, each candidate develops an individual research project at the crossroads of management, data science, and artificial intelligence. The programme aims to integrate managerial practice, academic inquiry, and technological innovation, enabling participants to generate research outcomes with both strategic and scientific value. Through this process, executives deepen their understanding of AI-driven decision-making, data-driven business models, and the organisational implications of emerging technologies—ultimately leading to the successful achievement of a high-level professional doctorate.
Participants will complete nine modules with a focus on a GLOCAL vision:
Degree : Doctorate
Start date : June 2026
Campus : Shanghai
Duration : 3 years
Format : Part time
Teaching language : Chinese
Any questions about this programmme?
Contact your admissions Advisor.
Regina Huang
Director, Executive Development and Teaching Center Shanghai
The Doctorate in Business Administration delivered in China stands out for its academic quality, its applied research orientation, and its strong alignment with the needs of experienced professionals seeking to deepen their analytical and strategic capabilities.
Rennes School of Business holds the prestigious triple accreditation—EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA—placing it among a select group of business schools worldwide. This recognition ensures that the GDBA follows international doctoral quality standards in terms of curriculum design, research supervision, and assessment. Graduates earn a doctoral degree that is respected globally and valued across multiple industries.
Delivered locally in China, the GDBA allows senior professionals to engage in doctoral studies without needing to travel abroad. The programme blends academic content with practical applications and is taught jointly by faculty associated with Rennes School of Business and locally based academic experts. This structure offers an international-quality doctoral experience fully accessible within China.
A cornerstone of the programme is its focus on research that addresses concrete managerial questions. Candidates work on projects rooted in the realities of their organisations and industry environments—covering themes such as leadership development, organisational change, digital strategy, innovation, or decision-making. The doctoral journey leads to the creation and defence of a dissertation that contributes meaningfully to both business practice and academic knowledge.
The GDBA follows a part-time format over three years (with the possibility of extending to four), enabling participants to continue their professional responsibilities while progressing through the doctoral stages. Coursework, workshops, and supervision sessions are structured to accommodate busy schedules, allowing candidates to integrate their research into their daily business challenges.
Participants in the programme come from varied professional backgrounds and industries, creating a dynamic learning environment. The diversity of perspectives fosters meaningful discussion, collaborative learning, and exposure to different ways of approaching complex managerial problems. This community aspect strengthens the overall doctoral experience and encourages long-term professional and academic connections.
The DBA and DSAI is a structured doctoral program combining an academic track and a research track:
Academic Foundations
Research Development
Doctoral Dissertation
A defining feature of the Doctorate in Business Administration in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence is its strong foundation in applied research focused on real technological and managerial challenges. Unlike programmes centred solely on executive training, the DBA DSAI requires each participant to design and conduct a rigorous research project that bridges advanced AI methodologies with business decision-making. Under the supervision of experienced faculty, candidates progressively build an individual research pathway that culminates in the writing and defence of a doctoral dissertation. This demanding process equips them with the scientific depth, analytical credibility, and professional authority that characterise a doctoral-level qualification.
What truly differentiates the DBA DSAI in China is its ability to connect data science, artificial intelligence, and management theory with the practical realities of organisations undergoing digital transformation. Research topics often explore issues such as AI-driven decision systems, predictive analytics for strategic management, automation and workforce transformation, or the integration of machine learning into business processes. By the end of the programme, participants evolve into scholar-practitioners capable of producing research that advances knowledge while delivering concrete value to industries navigating the rapid development of AI technologies.
Applicants must meet one of the following: • A master’s degree (including MBA programs or Executive MBA) with at least five years of management experience. • A bachelor’s degree with at least ten years of managerial experience.
English proficiency is not mandatory but is a plus.
For over 30 years, the Executive Education division of Rennes School of Business has been supporting the development of skills for business leaders and managers, both in France and internationally. We focus on building critical competencies and adaptability to shape the leaders of tomorrow.
Our programmes are designed to meet the current needs of organisations and are delivered by recognised experts and world-renowned researchers.
Do you have a question or are you unsure about your eligibility for the admissions process? Contact your advisor:
