The cheapest DBA in UK for international students depends on more than the first-year tuition fee. For confirmed 2027 entry, Sheffield Hallam University starts at £8,490 per year, the University of Roehampton lists £8,499 for the first year of part-time study, and the University of Portsmouth charges £9,300 per year for its distance-learning DBA starting in January or May 2027. The University of Gloucestershire also has a February 2027 DBA at £9,550 per year.
For comparison, some universities still publish only 2026/27 figures. The University of Bedfordshire's standard fee schedule totals £25,000 over four years, while the University of Hertfordshire lists its fully online DBA at £7,350 per year for 2026/27.
The short answer is simple. Compare total tuition, duration, delivery mode, future fee increases and visa requirements, not just the smallest annual number.
Last checked: 9 August 2026. Fees and immigration information in this guide were checked against official university and GOV.UK sources.
Cheapest DBA in the UK: 2027 Fee Comparison
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University
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Study mode
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Published international fee
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Approximate base tuition
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Status
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Sheffield Hallam University
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Part-time, 7 years
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£8,490 Years 1 and 2, £5,520 Years 3 and 4, £2,780 Years 5 and 6
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About £33,830 including £250 writing-up fee
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September 2027 confirmed
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University of Roehampton
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Part-time, 4 years
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£8,499 first year
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Future-year total not fixed
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January 2027 confirmed
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University of Portsmouth
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Part-time distance, 4 to 7 years
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£9,300 per year
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Depends on duration and future fee increases
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January and May 2027 confirmed
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University of Gloucestershire
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Full-time, 4 years
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£9,550 per year
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Around £38,200 before later changes or continuation fees
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February 2027 confirmed
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Teesside University
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Full-time, 39 months
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£15,000 Years 1 and 2, £8,000 Year 3
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£38,000
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January and May 2027 confirmed
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University of Bedfordshire
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Part-time DBA
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£8,000 Years 1 and 2, £4,500 Years 3 and 4
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£25,000
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2026/27 latest
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University of Hertfordshire
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Fully online, part-time
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£7,350 per year
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Depends on future annual increases
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2026/27 latest
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University of Northampton
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Full-time or part-time blended
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£11,535 full-time; £7,725 listed as distance-learning fee
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Varies by route
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2026/27 latest, 2027 pending
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Middlesex University
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Part-time, 4 years
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£10,000 per year
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Future total may vary
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2026/27 latest
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Sheffield Hallam publishes one of the clearest 2027 fee schedules. Two years at £8,490, two at £5,520, two at £2,780 and a £250 writing-up fee produce a scheduled base amount of approximately £33,830. The university notes that additional time or other circumstances can change the final amount.
Roehampton starts almost identically at £8,499 for the first year of part-time study in January 2027. However, the university explicitly describes this as the first-year fee, so it would be misleading to multiply £8,499 by four and present that as a guaranteed total.
Teesside is easier to calculate. International students starting in January or May 2027 pay £15,000 in each of the first two years and £8,000 in the third, giving a published total of £38,000.
This is why the phrase cheapest DBA in UK needs context. One university may have the lowest annual fee, another the lowest published total, and another may save far more because you do not need to relocate.
If affordability is your main priority, it is also useful to compare lower-cost universities across the UK before deciding where and how you want to study.
Which Is the Cheapest DBA Course in UK for 2027?
Among the 2027 prices already confirmed, Sheffield Hallam currently has the lowest starting annual fee in this comparison at £8,490. Roehampton follows closely at £8,499 for the first year of part-time study. Portsmouth charges £9,300 per year for January or May 2027 distance learning, while Gloucestershire charges £9,550 per year for its February 2027 full-time DBA.
If total published tuition matters more than the intake year, Bedfordshire becomes interesting. Its official 2026/27 standard tuition fee schedule lists:
- Year 1: £8,000
- Year 2: £8,000
- Year 3: £4,500
- Year 4: £4,500
That gives a base tuition total of £25,000.
There is a catch. Bedfordshire's DBA includes intensive teaching in Luton during the first semester of Years 1 and 2, so an overseas student may also need to budget for travel and accommodation. The current course page says the DBA is part-time and uses a mixture of campus and online delivery.
That is a useful reminder: a programme with the lowest tuition can still cost more once compulsory travel enters the calculation.
Cheapest Online DBA in the UK
For professionals who want to remain in their home country, an online DBA can remove years of UK accommodation and everyday living costs.
The University of Hertfordshire currently lists one of the strongest low-cost fully online options. Its 100% online DBA runs part-time over five years, and its 2026/27 fee page lists £7,350 per year, subject to annual increases.
That makes Hertfordshire cheaper on the current published annual figure than Northampton's £7,725 distance-learning fee.
Northampton's position needs a little more explanation. Its 2026/27 fee section lists £7,725 for international distance learning and a £500 writing-up fee, but the same current course page says the DBA uses blended delivery and that there is currently no fully online or distance-learning provision. It also states that its part-time route is not eligible for applicants who require a Student visa. Because those statements sit on the same official page, applicants should confirm the exact delivery arrangement directly with the university before applying.
For a confirmed 2027 distance-learning fee, Portsmouth provides a clearer option. Its part-time distance DBA runs for four to seven years and charges international students £9,300 per year for January or May 2027. Fees are subject to annual increases.
So, for the cheapest online DBA in UK:
Lowest current published fully online fee: Hertfordshire at £7,350 per year for 2026/27.
Confirmed 2027 distance-learning fee: Portsmouth at £9,300 per year for January or May 2027.
That is a more useful comparison than simply ranking programmes by one number.
DBA Visa UK: Student Visa and Work Rights
There is no separate immigration category called a DBA visa UK. An international student who needs permission to study an eligible DBA in Britain normally applies under the UK Student route.
A part-time course above degree level can qualify under the Student route where the relevant conditions are met and an eligible higher education provider issues a CAS. However, the work rules are much stricter for part-time study.
Under the current Immigration Rules:
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Study pattern
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Student-route position
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Work rights
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Eligible full-time degree-level DBA
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May qualify with appropriate sponsorship
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Up to 20 hours per week during term time
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Eligible part-time course above degree level
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May qualify where Student-route requirements are met
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No employment permitted
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Fully overseas online DBA
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Normally does not require a Student visa for overseas study
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Does not provide UK work rights
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Northampton part-time DBA
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University says this route is not eligible for applicants requiring a Student visa
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No Student sponsorship through that route
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The Home Office states that eligible full-time degree-level students sponsored by qualifying providers may work up to 20 hours per week during term time. For all other study, including all part-time study, no employment is permitted under Student conditions.
Here is the thing many applicants miss. A university can accept international students onto a programme without offering Student visa sponsorship for that particular route. Never assume that "international students accepted" automatically means "CAS available".
If immigration is part of your plan, check current UK student visa developments before paying a deposit.
How much does the UK Student visa cost?
The Student visa application fee is currently £558.
Students who pay the Immigration Health Surcharge are currently charged £776 per year, with the actual total calculated from the length of the visa.
For financial evidence, the current maintenance requirement is:
- £1,171 per month for up to 9 months outside London
- £1,529 per month for up to 9 months in London
That means up to £10,539 outside London or £13,761 in London, alongside any relevant outstanding course fees shown on the CAS. This is evidence of available funds, not an additional university charge.
If you intend to live in Britain during your doctorate, comparing more affordable places to live in the UK can make a bigger difference than saving a few hundred pounds on tuition.
DBA Course Fees in UK: What Is the Real Cost?
When students compare DBA course fees in UK, tuition is only the first part of the calculation.
A practical way to estimate the real cost is:
Real DBA cost = tuition + writing-up or continuation fees + compulsory travel + visa costs + healthcare costs + additional living expenses created by the study mode
Consider Bedfordshire. Its published 2026/27 schedule totals £25,000, but the course includes intensive UK attendance during the first two years. An overseas candidate therefore needs to add travel and accommodation to the tuition figure.
Now compare Sheffield Hallam. Its full published 2027 schedule allows a much firmer estimate of roughly £33,830 before any additional study time.
Portsmouth works differently. Its distance-learning DBA costs £9,300 per year for January or May 2027, but it can take four to seven years and fees may rise annually. Multiplying £9,300 by four and calling the result the guaranteed total would therefore be inaccurate.
Students planning to live in the UK should also budget for health and NHS-related study costs.
So, how much does a DBA cost in the UK? Among the lower-cost programmes reviewed here, a published base schedule can be as low as £25,000 at Bedfordshire for 2026/27, while confirmed 2027 examples include approximately £33,830 at Sheffield Hallam and £38,000 at Teesside.
University of Northampton DBA Fees
The University of Northampton DBA fees attract a lot of interest because the current international figures sit in the lower end of the market.
For 2026/27, Northampton lists:
- International full-time DBA: £11,535
- International distance-learning fee: £7,725
- Writing-up fee: £500
The university states that these figures apply only to 2026/27. Future international fees may rise with CPI, capped at a maximum increase of 5% over the previous year's tuition fee.
There is also an important delivery detail. Northampton's current course page says the DBA is mainly blended and that it does not currently offer a fully online or distance-learning provision, despite the separate distance-learning fee shown in its fee section. Confirm the exact 2027 delivery route before using the £7,725 figure in your final budget.
This is exactly why comparing official course details matters as much as comparing price tables.
Entry Requirements for a DBA in UK for International Students
A DBA in UK for international students is a doctoral qualification aimed mainly at experienced professionals, so low tuition does not mean low entry standards.
Requirements vary by university, but applicants commonly need a master's-level qualification or equivalent academic background, senior professional or managerial experience, a research proposal and evidence of English proficiency.
Portsmouth requires an appropriate postgraduate qualification and at least three years of relevant business and management experience for its 2027 DBA.
Northampton generally expects Level 7 learning, significant leadership experience and a current leadership or managerial role. Its current doctoral English requirement is IELTS 7.0 with no category below 6.5.
Bedfordshire asks applicants to demonstrate senior management experience and a relevant academic background. Its current DBA page also requires English-language evidence for applicable international applicants.
If you are still deciding whether a professional doctorate fits your career, compare management-focused doctoral study with research master's pathways.
Applicants concerned about language tests can also review alternative English-language routes used by UK universities, but always check the DBA's own doctoral entry requirements before applying.
DBA Scholarships and Fee Discounts
Fully funded DBA programmes in the UK are less common than university discounts, employer sponsorship and targeted awards for professional doctorate students.
Portsmouth provides one concrete example. Its DBA page states that University of Portsmouth graduates may receive a 20% alumni tuition fee discount. At the current £9,300 annual fee, 20% represents £1,860 for a year where the full discount applies, subject to eligibility.
Middlesex currently lists several possible funding routes on its DBA page, including a Regional or International Merit Award of up to £2,000 towards course fees, subject to eligibility.
The University of Gloucestershire also offers a 15% alumni discount on entry-year fees when an eligible graduate progresses from a master's degree to a doctoral degree or professional doctorate. Its general Global Scholarship, however, specifically excludes professional doctorates such as the DBA.
Employer sponsorship is another route worth exploring. DBA research often addresses a real organisational problem, so experienced managers may be able to demonstrate a direct business benefit to their employer.
For wider possibilities, review current UK scholarship options, then confirm that the award covers a professional doctorate before including it in your budget.
How to Choose a Low-Cost DBA Without Choosing the Wrong Programme
Start with the fee, but do not stop there.
If you want a confirmed 2027 low annual fee, Sheffield Hallam starts at £8,490 and Roehampton at £8,499 for part-time study.
If you want a confirmed 2027 distance-learning route, Portsmouth currently provides the clearest option at £9,300 per year for January or May entry.
If you want the lowest current fully online annual fee in this comparison, Hertfordshire lists £7,350 per year for 2026/27.
If you want a clearly published low base total, Bedfordshire's 2026/27 schedule adds to £25,000, although compulsory UK attendance creates additional travel costs for overseas students.
Then compare supervision, research fit, delivery requirements, fee increases and immigration conditions.
A £1,000 tuition saving is not a bargain if the programme requires travel you did not budget for or does not support the research you want to conduct.
If institutional profile matters alongside affordability, compare UK business schools and their strengths before making your shortlist.
How We Verified the Fees
We used current official university course pages, university fee schedules and GOV.UK sources rather than relying on third-party "cheapest DBA" lists.
Three labels are important:
2027 confirmed means the university currently publishes a fee for a 2027 start.
2026/27 latest means that the newest fee available is still for the 2026/27 academic year.
Approximate base total is used only when an official fee schedule gives enough information to calculate it. It does not include future increases, additional study time, living costs or other charges that have not been fixed.
That is why Bedfordshire's £25,000 is clearly labelled 2026/27, and why Roehampton's £8,499 first-year fee is not multiplied by four and presented as a guaranteed total.
A cautious number is more useful than false precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest DBA in UK for international students?
For confirmed 2027 entry, Sheffield Hallam currently has one of the lowest starting annual fees in this comparison at £8,490, followed closely by Roehampton at £8,499 for the first year of part-time study. If you compare the latest published total regardless of intake year, Bedfordshire's 2026/27 standard fee schedule totals £25,000.
What is the cheapest DBA in UK for 2027?
Among the confirmed 2027 figures checked here, Sheffield Hallam starts at £8,490 per year, Roehampton lists £8,499 for the first year of part-time study, Portsmouth lists £9,300 per year for January or May distance learning, and Gloucestershire lists £9,550 per year for February 2027.
What is the cheapest online DBA in the UK?
The University of Hertfordshire lists its fully online DBA at £7,350 per year for 2026/27, subject to annual increases. For a confirmed 2027 distance-learning fee, Portsmouth lists £9,300 per year for January or May entry.
What does DBA visa UK mean?
There is no separate DBA visa. Eligible international students normally use the UK Student route where the university can sponsor the specific course and issue a CAS. Current rules state that eligible full-time degree-level students may receive permission to work up to 20 hours per week during term time, while all part-time Student study carries no employment permission.
How much does a DBA cost in the UK?
The answer depends on the university, duration and study mode. Bedfordshire's current 2026/27 fee schedule totals £25,000, Sheffield Hallam's confirmed 2027 schedule is approximately £33,830, and Teesside's January or May 2027 international tuition totals £38,000. Travel, visa, healthcare and living costs can increase the real total.
What are the University of Northampton DBA fees?
For 2026/27, Northampton lists £11,535 for international full-time study, £7,725 under its distance-learning fee category, and a £500 writing-up fee. The university says future international fees may increase by up to 5% over the previous year's tuition fee.
Are there fully funded DBA programmes in the UK?
Full DBA funding is not available uniformly across UK universities. Employer sponsorship, alumni discounts and university-specific awards are often more realistic. Portsmouth lists a potential 20% alumni tuition discount, while Middlesex lists an international merit award of up to £2,000, subject to eligibility.
Final Take
The cheapest DBA in UK for international students is not necessarily the programme with the smallest first-year tuition fee.
For confirmed 2027 entry, Sheffield Hallam starts at £8,490 per year, Roehampton lists £8,499 for the first year of part-time study, Portsmouth's distance DBA costs £9,300 per year, and Teesside publishes a £38,000 total for January or May 2027.
For current 2026/27 comparisons, Bedfordshire publishes a £25,000 four-year fee schedule, while Hertfordshire lists its fully online DBA at £7,350 per year.
Before paying a deposit, confirm six things directly with the university: the academic-year fee, expected fee increases, study mode, compulsory attendance, total expected duration and Student visa sponsorship for the exact route you plan to take.
The cheapest-looking DBA is not always the cheapest route.
The best low-cost option is the one you can actually complete without hidden study, travel or immigration costs changing the calculation.