The SwissEU™ DBA by Recognised Prior Research provides an individualised doctoral pathway for eligible candidates who have already completed substantial research relevant to the DBA.

Prior research is formally reviewed and academically mapped against the applicable doctoral requirements. Recognition is granted only where the submitted evidence demonstrates the required academic relevance, level, scope and quality.

A. Prior Research Portfolio

Candidates may submit relevant evidence such as:

1. Published research articles
2. Completed or substantially developed doctoral research
3. Research proposals and developed dissertation chapters
4. Professional or organisational research studies
5. Research-based strategic reports or frameworks
6. Other relevant research outputs accepted for academic review

B. RPR Academic Assessment

The submitted research portfolio is reviewed to determine:

1. Academic relevance and doctoral-level suitability
2. Alignment with the proposed DBA research area
3. The extent to which prior research may be recognised
4. The remaining doctoral research requirements
5. The appropriate supervision and research pathway

C. Remaining Doctoral Research

Following the RPR assessment, candidates complete the outstanding requirements identified through the academic mapping process.

These may include:

1. Further research development
2. Additional data collection or analysis
3. Research methodology development
4. Dissertation extension or restructuring
5. Academic supervision and progress reviews

D. Doctoral Dissertation & Defence

The pathway culminates in:

1. Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation
2. Pre-Defence Academic Review
3. Doctoral Defence
4. Required Corrections
5. Final Academic Approval

Recognised Prior Research does not mean that professional experience or previous study automatically replaces doctoral requirements.

RPR is an academic assessment process through which relevant prior research is evaluated against the requirements of the DBA.

The level of recognition depends on the quality, relevance, scope and doctoral-level standard of the evidence submitted.

Following the assessment, each candidate receives an individualised research pathway identifying the research already recognised and the remaining requirements to be completed.

Eligible prior research may include:

• Peer-reviewed or academically relevant publications

• Completed research projects

• A developed doctoral or research proposal

• Substantial dissertation or thesis chapters

• Previous doctoral-level research

• Research-based professional or organisational studies

• Developed research frameworks or models

• Other relevant research evidence approved through academic review

All evidence is subject to formal academic assessment. Submission of prior research does not guarantee recognition, exemption or a reduction in programme requirements.

Upon successful completion of the RPR assessment, all remaining academic and research requirements, and the applicable graduation requirements, learners receive two doctoral qualifications:

• Doctorate in Business Administration — EuroAmerican Institute (EAI), Malta
• Doctor of Business Administration with an Approved Specialisation — EIMT, Switzerland

Together, they form the SwissEU™ dual-qualification pathway, combining a nationally recognised European doctoral qualification with a Swiss doctoral qualification featuring an approved specialisation.

Candidates may pursue an approved specialisation aligned with the focus of their recognised prior research, completed doctoral research and final Doctoral Dissertation.

The final specialisation is determined by the scope, academic relevance and completed outcomes of the doctoral research and remains subject to formal academic approval.

Candidates may also complete the programme without a specified specialisation, subject to applicable academic regulations.

Available areas of specialisation may include:

1. Artificial Intelligence in Business
2. Digital Transformation
3. Corporate Finance
4. Banking Leadership
5. International Business
6. Healthcare Management
7. Educational Leadership
8. EdTech and Training Management
9. Organisational Psychology
10. Pharmaceutical Management
11. Management Information Systems
12. Business Analytics
13. Logistics and Supply Chain Management
14. Marketing and Brand Management
15. Human Resource Management
16. Investment and Wealth Management
17. Entrepreneurship and Innovation
18. Educational Experience Design

The final title and wording of the specialisation are subject to the dissertation topic, academic relevance and formal approval. Its presentation on the qualification and/or academic transcript is subject to the regulations and approved award format of the relevant awarding institution.

Academic Entry

Applicants should normally hold:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent Level 7 qualification; and
• An appropriate academic, professional or research background relevant to the proposed DBA.

Alternative admission routes may be considered in accordance with applicable academic and APEL/RPL regulations.

Prior Research Requirement

Applicants must be able to demonstrate substantial prior research relevant to the proposed doctoral study.

Evidence may include:

• Research publications
• Completed or partially completed doctoral research
• Developed dissertation or thesis work
• Research proposals
• Professional research projects
• Strategic or organisational research
• Other relevant research outputs suitable for academic assessment

Research Suitability

The submitted research must demonstrate sufficient relevance, academic substance and potential to be developed toward the requirements of a doctoral-level research project.

Final eligibility for the RPR pathway is subject to academic review and approval.

English Language Requirement

• Minimum CEFR Level B2, IELTS 5.5, or equivalent.

Direct academic engagement. Individualised research pathway. Structured doctoral support.

Through Swiss Live Class Direct™, candidates participate in research workshops, academic sessions, supervision and structured research support relevant to their individual RPR pathway.

Following the RPR assessment, academic support is focused on the remaining research requirements identified for each candidate.

This enables candidates to build upon recognised prior research while completing the outstanding doctoral requirements within a structured academic environment.