Choosing an online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a major decision, particularly for international students who want to earn a doctoral qualification while continuing their careers.
EIMT positions its online DBA program as an internationally oriented Swiss doctorate for working professionals. Its Doctor of Business Administration is structured as a 36-month, 180-ECTS credits and is delivered online, making it possible for students to study without relocating to Switzerland. EIMT also states that the program is designed around asynchronous learning and professional responsibilities.
But what is the EIMT Online DBA program actually like, and could it be a suitable option for an international student?
This EIMT Switzerland review looks at the program structure, admission requirements, online learning format, faculty support, tuition, student feedback, and the factors prospective students should consider before making a decision.
EIMT Switzerland: An Overview
Switzerland is recognized as a global education hub offering opportunities for business, innovation, and research in an environment of economic, cultural, and geopolitical diversity. A wide variety of educational, business, and research opportunities is available to students and scholars in Switzerland. Institutions in Switzerland are known to provide high-caliber education with an international outlook and strong business connections.
Located in Cham, Zug, the European Institute of Management & Technology (EIMT) is a private higher-education provider offering programs in areas such as management and business, including a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) designed as a professional doctorate for experienced professionals.
Unlike a traditional PhD, the EIMT DBA is designed as a professional doctorate, with a focus on applied research, advanced knowledge and the implementation of research results in the workplace. This makes this program ideal for managers, executives, entrepreneurs, consultants, and other professionals who wish to pursue doctoral studies, without having to dedicate several years of their career to full-time campus-based studies.
The EIMT online DBA program offers several features that may appeal to international professionals:
- 36-month program duration
- 180 ECTS credits
- Online delivery
- Asynchronous learning
- Research-based doctoral study
- Practitioner-oriented dissertation
- Faculty supervision
- Admission based on a master’s-level qualification and professional experience
- No standard GMAT or GRE requirement
- Optional graduation and convocation opportunities
For individuals seeking to pursue higher levels of academic education while simultaneously engaging in their occupational responsibilities, asynchronous and online-based programs offer enhanced convenience as compared to traditional residential alternatives.
EIMT Switzerland: Global Accreditation and Recognition
EIMT Switzerland’s DBA program is based upon a 180-ECTS framework and is further endorsed by the memberships of the institution in several international higher-education and quality-assurance organizations.
ACBSP: EIMT is accredited as an educational institution member of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.
EURASHE: EIMT is affiliated with the European Association of Institutions in Higher Education.
USDLA: EIMT is affiliated with the United States Distance Learning Association, an organization devoted to the promotion and advocacy of online and distance learning initiatives.
ATHEA and QAHE: EIMT is affiliated with various international organizations concerning transnational higher education and quality assurance initiatives.
ISO 9001 and ISO 29993: EIMT utilizes international organisational standards concerning quality management systems and learning-management systems, respectively.
These affiliations and memberships certify the international nature of EIMT, nevertheless, it is crucial to distinguish between the presence in the membership basis, certificates of quality, and the accreditation/recognition of the DBA itself. Thus, international students should be aware of the actual status of the program in terms of its recognition for their specific country/purpose.
Who Awards the EIMT DBA?
EIMT Switzerland states that students enrolled in the Swiss DBA are simultaneously enrolled in the corresponding DBA program under the aegis of Euro American Education GmbH, Cham, Zug, Switzerland. This is a key consideration for international students because of the potential impact on the recognition of the qualification in different countries by the institutions of awarding and of delivery.
Prospective students should therefore establish, prior to registration, which institution awards the degree, the relevant degree certificate, its accreditation and recognition arrangements for the DBA. It is essential to ascertain this if the qualification is to be used for subsequent university teaching, higher level academic studies, employment in a regulated sector or formal recognition in the student’s country of origin.
Students should not assume automatic worldwide recognition simply because a programme is based in Switzerland and has international links but should seek updated official information from EIMT and, where necessary, from the appropriate authority or institution in their country of residence.
EIMT Online DBA: Program Structure
EIMT’s information describes the DBA as a three-year program carrying 180 ECTS credits. The curriculum is organized progressively, moving from business and research foundations toward advanced research and dissertation work. The EIMT DBA is split into three main stages:
Stage 1: Foundational studies and courses (Semester 1)
Students begin by studying financial management, global strategic management, and qualitative and quantitative research. After that, they determine their field of research and are assigned a faculty supervisor to aid them through the process.
Stage 2: Conducting research and collecting data (Semesters 2 and 3)
During these two semesters, students take up advanced strategic change and innovation coursework while preparing their research methodology and amassing data for their projects. They also have regular research seminars and progress reviews with their supervisor.
Stage 3: Completing the dissertation (Semesters 4 – 6)
In the final phase, students complete their dissertations with the help of their supervisors. The possible fields of concentration include data-based decision-making, finance, international business, strategy, and innovation.
Is the EIMT DBA Suitable for Working Professionals?
One of the most appealing features for an international professional is the ability to attend the program from anywhere in the world. The program is delivered online, with EIMT describing its format as flexible and asynchronous, allowing working professionals to study without relocating to Switzerland. EIMT claims that their DBA allows learners to time-manage their professional lives alongside their academic needs.
This is particularly important for:
- Senior managers
- Executives
- Entrepreneurs
- Business owners
- Management consultants
- Experienced professionals
- Professionals interested in business research or teaching
One of the key advantages of EIMT’s program for international professionals is its flexible online learning format.
EIMT DBA Admission Requirements
International applicants should ideally possess a recognized master’s qualification. An applicant should have a postgraduate degree such as an MBA, MSc, or its equivalent Level 7 as a prerequisite for completing the DBA program. Moreover, the EIMT requests that candidates must have the relevant professional or managerial experience. Additionally, the English language proficiency may also be required depending on the educational background of the candidate.
Perhaps, one of the most attractive features of this particular educational program is the fact that the applicants are not required to take any standardized tests, such as GMAT or GRE. These tests are only required in the case if a candidate wishes to apply for a competitive tuition scholarship.
Therefore, it is important that prior to submitting an application, students familiarize themselves with the most up-to-date eligibility criteria since they may change.
EIMT DBA Tuition Fees and Scholarships
EIMT currently lists the standard tuition fee for its three-year online DBA at CHF 22,500. The institution also points out that eligible international students will be able to apply for merit- or profile-based scholarships that can reduce tuition fee by up to 30%.
The actual amount a student has to pay depends on whether they’re eligible and which fee or scholarship plans they have to choose from. Prospective applicants should contact EIMT directly to confirm the current tuition schedule, payment terms, and scholarship conditions, and additional costs, before enrollment.
EIMT DBA Faculty and Academic Support
EIMT’s DBA program is supported by a global faculty team of more than 50 members from countries including Switzerland, the UK, Canada, and Singapore. The faculty brings academic and professional experience across areas such as corporate leadership, management consulting, and business research.
Students also receive dedicated supervision during their doctoral research and dissertation, allowing them to work closely with faculty members throughout the research process.
EIMT Switzerland Ratings and Student Reviews
At the time of writing, EIMT Switzerland has a total 3.3/5 rating on Trustpilot based on 73 reviews. Of these reviews, 62% are rated 5-stars, and 11% are rated 4-stars. The reviews offer some insight into how students and other users have experienced the institution, although online reviews should not be considered representative of every student’s experience.
Some reviewers have highlighted positive aspects of their experience, particularly in areas such as administrative services, academic support, and communication with the institution. DBA students have also shared feedback about their doctoral experience, including the support they received during the research and dissertation process.
Prospective students should take into account the reviews and the information provided by the institution and analyze the benefits of accreditation, recognition, tuition, supervision, and dissertation requirements before enrolling in a program.
Who Should Consider the EIMT DBA?
The program is designed for those who already have received postgraduate education and possess significant work experience. It may be worth considering if you are:
- A senior manager seeking further academic development
- An executive interested in strategic leadership
- An entrepreneur looking to research a business challenge
- A consultant interested in evidence-based management
- An experienced professional considering business research or teaching
- An international student seeking a flexible doctoral format
The described structure of the EIMT DBA might be appealing to those, who want to ensure that their doctoral studies have a close connection with their professional practice.
Things to Consider Before Enrolling
- Verify the current institutional and program accreditation status.
- Confirm how the DBA will be recognized in your home country.
- Check whether the qualification meets requirements for your intended career or further study.
- Confirm the latest tuition, scholarship, and payment conditions.
- Get familiar with the dissertation requirements and supervision details.
- Consider both positive and negative student feedback before making a decision.
EIMT Switzerland Online DBA: Final Verdict
EIMT Switzerland’s Online DBA can indeed be a good option for experienced professionals who wish to pursue higher education in business while continuing their careers. The online mode of study, together with its 36-months-duration, 180 ECTS curriculum and focus on applied business research make this degree attractive to international students.
Nevertheless, it is important for prospective students to analyze several details before committing to this program. The accreditation and recognition of the university, arrangement of awards, tuition and scholarships, requirements for the dissertation, and other details should be taken into account.
Thus, I would recommend considering EIMT for your DBA degree if you are an international student due to the flexibility of the online mode of study and the emphasis on applied research. However, it is vital to analyze further details and requirements of the program to make sure they align with your personal and professional goals.
