How to fund my training
Depending on your background, several schemes can cover all or part of your training. Here's how.
The Global Doctorate of Business Administration (GDBA) is run jointly by Rennes School of Business and the Shanghai Executive Development and Teaching Center (SHIVY College and SH GAOSHI Education Group). The programme focuses on applied research, committed to scientific rigorous academic education and thinking training, under the one-to-one guidance of a doctoral supervisor; aiming to achieve the comprehensive integration of management practice, academic research and industrial innovation, to produce highly valuable innovative management ideas and research results, and to obtain a high-level professional doctorate degree successfully.
Participants will complete nine modules with a focus on a GLOCAL vision:
Degree : Doctorate
Start date : March 17th 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 GDBA is a structured doctoral program combining an academic track and a research track:
Academic Foundations
Research Development
Doctoral Dissertation
A key strength of the Global Doctorate in Business Administration lies in its strong orientation toward applied, impactful research. Unlike programmes that focus solely on advanced professional development, this doctoral pathway requires each participant to design and carry out a substantial research project that adds value to academic discussion as well as managerial practice. Throughout the programme, every candidate develops an individual line of inquiry that ultimately leads to the production and defence of a doctoral thesis. This rigorous journey equips participants with the expertise, authority, and recognition associated with earning a doctoral degree in business administration.
What distinguishes the GDBA is its emphasis on connecting conceptual frameworks with the realities of contemporary organisations. Research topics frequently address pressing issues such as leadership evolution, organisational change, and strategic challenges in an increasingly international and complex business environment. By the conclusion of their studies, participants emerge not only as seasoned professionals but also as scholar-practitioners whose contributions enrich global management knowledge and support innovation in business education.
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:
