SwissEU™ Dual Qualification
DOCTORATE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION BY RESEARCH
The SwissEU™ Doctorate in Business Administration by Research is designed for experienced professionals and business leaders seeking to address real-world business and management challenges through advanced doctoral research.
The programme is centred on independent research, academic supervision and the development of a Doctoral Dissertation aligned with the learner’s professional field and approved specialisation.
Upon successful completion, learners receive two doctoral qualifications:
- Doctorate in Business Administration from EAI Malta
- Doctor of Business Administration with an Approved Specialisation from EIMT Switzerland
Delivered through Swiss Live Class Direct™, the programme combines structured research support, direct Swiss academic engagement, a nationally recognised European doctoral qualification, and a Swiss doctoral qualification with an approved specialisation.
DUAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) awarded by EuroAmerican Institute, Malta
- Swiss doctoral qualification awarded by EIMT, Switzerland
EUROPEAN RECOGNITION
- EuroAmerican Institute is recognised by Malta’s national higher education authority, MFHEA
- The Doctorate in Business Administration is positioned at MQF/EQF Level 8
Swiss Specialisation
- Swiss doctoral qualification from EIMT, featuring an approved specialisation
- ACBSP Candidate with international quality recognitions
RESEARCH & SUPPORT
- Structured doctoral research and supervision
- Integrated academic and research support
- Powered by SIMI Swiss
1. TWO QUALIFICATIONS. ONE PATHWAY.
SwissEU™ combines two complementary qualifications within one integrated academic pathway — bringing together a Swiss qualification from EIMT and a European qualification from EAI Malta.
2. SWISS SPECIALISATION ADVANTAGE
The EIMT qualification provides the Swiss academic dimension and an approved specialisation, helping graduates demonstrate a more focused professional and academic profile.
3. European National Recognition
The EAI qualification adds the strength of a nationally recognised European awarding institution in Malta, providing an additional layer of formal academic recognition within the dual-qualification pathway.
Programme Details
- Doctorate in Business Administration from EAI
- Doctor of Business Administration with Specialisation from EIMT Switzerland
The SwissEU™ Doctorate in Business Administration by Research is centred on the development and completion of an original doctoral research project rather than the accumulation of taught modules.
The doctoral journey combines structured research development, academic supervision, research review and the completion and defence of a Doctoral Dissertation.
Practice-Based Research Project:
- Advanced Research Design and Methodologies
- Developing Research Capability
Doctoral Dissertation Stage – Doctoral Dissertation
- Dissertation Writing and Defense – completing and defending the Doctoral Dissertation
Upon successful completion of all academic, research and 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.
Doctoral students may pursue an approved specialisation aligned with the focus of their doctoral research and Doctoral Dissertation, subject to academic review and approval.
The final specialisation is determined by the scope, academic relevance and completed outcomes of the doctoral research and may be refined to reflect the final dissertation and the decision of the Academic Board.
Learners may also complete the programme without a specified specialisation and receive a general doctoral qualification, subject to applicable academic regulations.
Available areas of specialisation may include:
- Artificial Intelligence in Business
- Digital Transformation
- Corporate Finance
- Banking Leadership
- International Business
- Healthcare Management
- Educational Leadership
- EdTech and Training Management
- Organisational Psychology
- Pharmaceutical Management
- Management Information Systems
- Business Analytics
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Marketing and Brand Management
- Human Resource Management
- Investment and Wealth Management
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- 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.
Typical Route
Applicants should:
- Be at least 24 years of age; and
- Hold a Master’s degree in any discipline from an accredited or recognised university; or
- Hold an EQF Level 7 qualification, or an equivalent qualification.
Applicants should also demonstrate a suitable professional or research background and the potential to undertake doctoral-level research.
Special Route
Applicants should:
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree; and
- Be at least 35 years of age with 10 or more years of management experience; or
- Be at least 30 years of age with 5 or more years of C-level or equivalent senior leadership experience, such as CEO, CFO, CHRO, CPO, Managing Director or Executive Director; and
- Successfully complete the applicable APEL.A assessment route, where required.
Professional experience, prior research, publications, strategic projects and other relevant evidence may be considered as part of the academic assessment.
Research Readiness
As a research-based doctorate, applicants are expected to identify an appropriate area of research interest capable of being developed into a doctoral research project.
The proposed research direction may be further developed and refined during the research proposal stage under academic guidance.
English Language Requirement
- Minimum CEFR Level B2, IELTS 5.5, or equivalent.
Direct academic engagement. Structured research support. No franchise teaching.
Learners participate in live online research workshops, academic sessions and structured research support directly through Swiss Information and Management Institute (SIMI Swiss).
Under the SwissEU™ academic model, SIMI Swiss supports the academic delivery, research development and learner experience, while the respective qualifications are awarded by EAI Malta and EIMT Switzerland in accordance with their applicable academic regulations.
Swiss Live Class Direct™ enables doctoral researchers to engage directly with the designated academic and research support structure without franchise-based teaching or intermediary academic providers.
This provides a supported doctoral research environment combining direct academic engagement, research guidance and structured progression throughout the doctoral journey.
QUALITY ASSURANCE & NATIONAL RECOGNITION
- EIMT Switzerland – International Quality Profile & ACBSP Candidacy
- EAI Malta – Nationally Recognised European Qualification
Swiss academic positioning. European national recognition. One integrated doctoral pathway.
- Two doctoral qualifications: a Swiss doctoral qualification from EIMT Switzerland and a nationally recognised European doctoral qualification from EAI Malta.
- Approved specialisation: the EIMT qualification may carry an approved specialisation aligned with the learner’s doctoral research.
- European national recognition: the EAI qualification is awarded within Malta’s regulated higher education framework.
- International quality profile: EIMT is an ACBSP Candidate institution and maintains additional international quality assurance recognitions and memberships.
- Stronger academic and professional profile: the pathway brings together doctoral research, specialisation and two complementary qualification systems.
Recognition, acceptance, professional use or further study is not automatic and remains subject to the requirements of the relevant institution, employer, professional body or competent authority.
The European doctoral qualification within the SwissEU™ pathway is awarded by EuroAmerican Institute (EAI), Malta, a higher education institution licensed by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA).
Under Higher Education Institution Licence No. 2024-032, EAI operates as a Higher Education Institution in Malta. Its approved programmes are positioned within the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) and referenced to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).
MFHEA is Malta’s competent authority for the licensing, accreditation and quality assurance of further and higher education. This provides the regulatory framework supporting the EAI qualification within the SwissEU™ dual-qualification pathway.
Aligned with Swiss Live Class Direct™
The online delivery mode of the EAI DBA programme is approved within the applicable MFHEA regulatory framework in Malta.
This complements the Swiss Live Class Direct™ model, through which doctoral researchers participate in live research workshops, academic sessions and structured research support through SIMI Swiss.
Together, these elements provide a structured online doctoral research experience combining direct Swiss academic engagement with the approved online delivery framework of the European qualification.
EAI qualifications are positioned within the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF), which is referenced to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). This supports transparency and comparability across national qualification systems.
Malta is part of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) and participates in the Bologna Process, connecting its higher education framework with the wider European higher education architecture.
International qualification recognition information in Malta is supported through MQRIC, the country’s official ENIC-NARIC centre within MFHEA.
Recognition remains subject to the requirements and procedures of the relevant receiving institution or competent authority.
Explore the ENIC-NARIC Network — VIEW HERE
The Swiss qualification within the SwissEU™ dual-qualification pathway is awarded by the European Institute of Management and Technology (EIMT), Switzerland, a private education institution established in the Canton of Zug.
EIMT combines a Swiss academic identity with an international quality-assurance profile focused on applied education, business, management and professional development.
Its institutional quality framework includes ACBSP accreditation candidacy, private external quality assurance, quality certification and international professional memberships.
EIMT has been granted candidacy status in the accreditation process of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), an international organisation specialising in the accreditation of business and business-related education programmes.
ACBSP candidacy represents a formal developmental stage in the accreditation process, involving institutional review, quality improvement and progression toward the applicable ACBSP standards.
Candidate status is not the same as accreditation. EIMT or its programmes should be described as ACBSP-accredited only if and when formal accreditation is subsequently granted by ACBSP.
For SwissEU™ learners, this adds an international business-education quality dimension to the Swiss component of the dual-qualification pathway.
In addition to its ACBSP candidacy, EIMT maintains a range of international quality credentials and professional affiliations supporting institutional development, digital learning and applied higher education.
These currently include:
- QAHE — Private, non-governmental institutional accreditation
- AQS / ISO/IEC 40180:2017 — Quality certification for technology-enhanced learning
- EURASHE — Institutional membership
- USDLA — Professional membership
- ATHEA — Institutional membership
These credentials represent different forms of external quality assurance, certification and professional engagement. They should not be interpreted as Swiss governmental accreditation or as automatically conferring recognition of EIMT qualifications by third parties.
Information relating to accreditation, recognition, qualification frameworks, memberships and quality assurance is provided for information and transparency purposes only.
Recognition, equivalency, professional use, further study, employment, professional registration, immigration-related use or acceptance of any qualification is not automatic and may vary according to the country, receiving institution, employer, professional body or competent authority.
SwissEU™, SIMI Swiss, EIMT and EAI do not guarantee any specific recognition, acceptance, equivalency or third-party outcome. Learners should verify the requirements applicable to their intended use of the qualification with the relevant receiving organisation or authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Understanding Your Dual Qualification
- Using Your Qualifications with Confidence
Upon successful completion of all academic and graduation requirements, learners receive two doctoral qualifications:
- Doctorate in Business Administration from EAI Malta
- Doctor of Business Administration with an Approved Specialisation from EIMT Switzerland
Together, they form the SwissEU™ dual-qualification pathway.
Yes. EAI operates as a higher education institution licensed by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA), and the applicable DBA qualification is positioned within Malta’s national higher education framework.
Recognition by a specific third party remains subject to the requirements of the relevant institution, employer, professional body or competent authority.
EIMT provides the Swiss doctoral qualification within the SwissEU™ pathway.
EIMT is a Swiss private education institution with an international quality-assurance profile and is currently an ACBSP Candidate institution.
Graduates are encouraged to present both qualifications together with the corresponding transcripts, specialisation information and institutional verification documents where relevant.
Depending on the intended purpose, the qualifications may support academic progression, professional development, leadership positioning and research engagement, subject to the requirements of the receiving organisation or authority.
No. Recognition, equivalency, professional use, employment, further study or other uses of a qualification are not automatic.
Requirements vary by jurisdiction and by the receiving university, employer, professional body or competent authority.
The programme combines a research-based doctoral pathway with two complementary doctoral qualifications:
a Swiss doctoral qualification with an approved specialisation; and
a nationally recognised European doctoral qualification from Malta.
The doctoral journey is centred on independent research, structured academic supervision and the development and defence of a Doctoral Dissertation.
This is supported through Swiss Live Class Direct™ and integrated doctoral research support.
The programme is delivered online through Swiss Live Class Direct™.
Doctoral researchers participate in structured research workshops, academic sessions and research support while progressing through their doctoral research and dissertation.
No. Swiss Live Class Direct™ is designed around direct academic engagement and structured research support rather than franchise-based academic delivery or intermediary academic providers.
The online delivery mode of the EAI DBA programme operates within the applicable MFHEA-approved regulatory framework in Malta.
This complements the Swiss Live Class Direct™ academic delivery model.
The specialisation is subject to the dissertation topic, academic relevance and formal approval.
Its final wording and presentation on the qualification and/or academic transcript depend on the regulations and approved award format of the relevant awarding institution.
Yes. Subject to applicable academic regulations, doctoral students may complete the programme without a specified specialisation and receive a general doctoral qualification.
The standard programme duration is approximately 3 years.
Actual completion time depends on the doctoral researcher’s progress, research development, supervision process, dissertation completion and fulfilment of all applicable academic requirements.
As a research-based doctorate, progression is determined by the achievement of required research milestones rather than simply by the passage of time.
Yes, where applicable.
Prior research, publications, professional research outputs, strategic projects, recognised prior learning and relevant professional experience may be considered as part of the academic assessment or applicable RPL/APEL process.
Any recognition, academic mapping, exemption or impact on the remaining doctoral requirements is subject to formal academic review and approval. Prior experience or research does not automatically reduce the requirements of the DBA.
Applicants may enter through either the Typical Route or an approved Special Route, depending on their academic qualifications, professional experience and overall profile.
As this is a research-based doctorate, applicants should also demonstrate an appropriate area of research interest and the potential to undertake doctoral-level research.
English proficiency requirements also apply.
The programme is primarily research-based rather than structured around the accumulation of taught modules.
Doctoral researchers undertake structured research development, academic supervision, research reviews and dissertation work, supported by relevant research workshops and academic sessions throughout the doctoral journey.
The central academic requirement is the successful development, completion and defence of a Doctoral Dissertation addressing an appropriate business, management or professional research problem.
The research must meet the applicable doctoral-level academic standards and requirements of the programme.
The DBA may be used for further study, professional development or career-related purposes, subject to the requirements and policies of the relevant university, employer, professional body, licensing authority or other receiving organisation.
Recognition, acceptance, equivalency or professional use is not automatic and should be confirmed directly with the relevant receiving body.
Book a 1:1 consultation
Discuss your academic background, professional experience, research direction and potential specialisation with the SwissEU™ support team. Our team can help you understand the research pathway, admission requirements, dual qualifications and the next steps applicable to your profile.