Be a leader, not a follower.

The Diploma in Business Administration (DBA) is a comprehensive business administration program designed to give you the practical knowledge and skills required for professional success. You'll learn business administration, business writing, management computing, financial accounting, marketing, small business management, international business and more.

If you're planning to come to Canada to study with us, please review the information related to international students.

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Program description

The Diploma in Business Administration (DBA) program is designed to enable non-business degree graduates and learners with professional experience to pursue studies for career or professional development needs. The DBA also allows graduates to complete bridging programs designed to satisfy professional organization accreditation.

Full-time students may complete their DBA in 12 to 16 months by completing the CBA – Fast Track program in their first term of study. Find the right business program to suit your needs with our helpful comparison chart.

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Program information session

Join us for a free 30-minute Zoom session where we will introduce you to the Business Administration program as a whole and outline the differences between the certificate and the diploma.

View information session details

Affiliated with 

CIM logo

Our business programs allow you to become certified with the CIM (Certified in Management) professional designation.

Program outcomes

Students who complete the program will have an effective working knowledge of the analytical tools and vital management concepts used in modern business, as well as grounding in the practical skills, values and perspectives required for success in a changing world.

Students who complete the updated UVic Diploma in Business Administration will be able to:

  • Describe and analyze how organizational and functional business units, such as marketing, accounting, finance, human resources and others integrate for success
  • Apply foundational skills and tools in administration, finance, human resources, communication, and marketing to support the management and business operations of an organization
  • Develop and use effective communication, teamwork and analytical skills and competencies in a variety of specialized and functional business disciplines using a variety of mediums
  • Apply international, cross-cultural, and Indigenous perspectives to business strategies, functions, and operations
  • Evaluate and apply principles of ethical, social and sustainable responsibility to business strategies, functions and operations
  • Articulate, evaluate, and effectively apply decision-making and problem-solving frameworks to recommend initiatives in line with strategic goals
  • Describe, analyze and apply strategic leadership and management concepts and skills
  • Apply basic research skills to support business decision making
  • Analyze and apply concepts and methods of planning, implementation, organization and monitoring to various business operations
  • Understand and apply foundational leadership skills, in both informal and formal settings, to effectively support and lead individuals and teams in an inclusive and diverse workforce

Who is this program for?

The DBA program will be of value to you if:

  • you’re looking to enhance your career or professional development needs
  • you’re a graduate of the Certificate in Business Administration (CBA) program and want further knowledge and credentials in business and management

Career options

Some of our learners pursue careers in the following roles:
  • Small Business Owner/Manager
  • Government Manager/Director (Provincial/Federal)
  • Consultant
  • University Administrator
  • Restaurant/Hotel/Retail Manager
  • Police/Fire Department Administrator

Labour market data

Location Greater Vancouver
Data source: EMSI 2022

88,349
Currently employed
(2022)

$61,496
Average salary

1,808
Job postings

Employment trends

11.90%
Past growth
(2019-2022)

6.70%
Projected growth
(2022-2026)

Graph of Annual Employment Numbers

Instructors

News and resources

Courses and fees

The DBA program requires the completion of 14 courses. Courses are offered face to face or online. Please note that not all courses are available online, and not all courses are available face to face. As such, please plan to complete a mix of face-to-face and online courses through your time in the program. Please review back to the course requirements on this page when selecting courses. Students are welcome to contact our office for help with course selection.

Restrictions: A maximum of three BIDA/TECH electives can be applied toward the DBA requirements (with the exception of TECH100 and TECH110). Students can complete more, to qualify for a PDC or for general interest, but they will not count toward their Business Program Requirements.

Please note that Computing Concepts and Management Computing are equivalent courses. Only one of these courses may count towards the diploma.

DBA program completion requirement updates effective September 2021: Students who submit a completed application to the DBA program or defer after Sept. 1, 2021 will be required to meet the program completion requirements listed below. For more information about the program requirements update, please visit our FAQ.

= Courses open for registration

Program planning

The length of the program varies depending on how many courses you take per term. On average, students complete the program in two years full-time or four years part-time. 

Courses are offered face to face or online. Please note that not all courses are available online, and not all courses are available face to face. As such, please plan to complete a mix of face-to-face and online courses through your time in the program. 

COURSE FORMAT DETAILS
Face to face

Many courses are 13 weeks in duration and consist of one three-hour class per week. Classes are primarily held on campus, and will be scheduled for a weekday, weekday evening, or weekend day times. A more limited selection of course topics may be offered during the Summer (May) term. Please note that course schedules may vary, depending on class format and location.

Online

Many DBA program courses may be completed online. Students login to the course and communicate with the instructor and fellow students via the course management system Brightspace. All assignments and course activities will be submitted electronically to the course instructor. Students should be sure to review Brightspace Computer Requirements when registering for online courses.

Intensive

A limited selection of full-day, short (1-2 week) intensive face-to-face courses may also be offered each term.

A different selection of courses are offered every term. To see our upcoming offerings, please view our anticipated course schedule. To assist in your program planning, you can also view all course descriptions. Please review back to the course requirements on this page when selecting courses. Students are welcome to contact our office (bstadvisor@uvic.ca) for help with course selection.

Graduation information

For students who are in their final term of study or those who have completed the program requirements, please be sure to submit an Application to Graduate. The deadline to apply for Spring (June) convocation is December 15, and the deadline to apply for Fall (November) convocation is July 15. Students are responsible for ensuring they apply to graduate in their final term or once their program requirements are complete. 

Estimated fees

Full-time Canadian students International students
Full-time program application fee (non-refundable) $150.00 $300.00
Non-refundable program deposit (due within 3 weeks of program offer) -- $2,000.00
Tuition (includes deposit, if applicable) $8,330.00

$11,550.00

Student services fees $2,005.00 $3,380.00
Textbook costs (estimated) $1,750.00 $1,750.00
Estimated Total $12,235.00* $16,980.00*
*IMPORTANT NOTE:
Fees listed in this section are an estimate for the full two-year program. Total program fees may vary depending on delivery format, tuition rate, course selections, student services fees, textbooks and taxes. Tuition and fees are subject to annual increases. 
Part-time     Canadian students International students
Part-time program application fee (non-refundable) $150.00 $300.00
Non-refundable program deposit (due within 3 weeks of program offer) -- $2,000.00
Tuition per course $595.00 $825.00
Textbook per course (estimated) $125.00 $125.00
*IMPORTANT NOTE:
Fees listed in this section are an estimate. Total program fees may vary depending on delivery format, tuition rate, course selections, student services fees, textbooks and taxes. Tuition and fees are subject to annual increases. 

There are two financial support options available for business students. View financial support

Application information

Admission requirements

To qualify for the DBA program, candidates are required to provide a transcript showing a minimum of high school completion. Mature applicants who do not meet this requirement may also be considered on the basis of minimum five years' work experience and must provide a resume. In addition, two years of professional, full-time work experience (or post-secondary educational equivalent) is recommended. 

It is recommended that candidates for the DBA program review the program completion requirements. Students are welcome to consult with program staff (bmt@uvic.ca) prior to enrolling in courses to ensure that their planned selections will satisfy the diploma program requirements.

If your first language is not English, you will be asked to provide evidence of proficiency through one of the following:

  • Transcript showing graduation from a Canadian secondary school
  • Four years of full-time academic studies in which all language of instruction is English at a high school or post-secondary institution
  • Successful completion of a recognized degree program from an accredited university in which all language of instruction is English, in a recognized English-speaking country
  • IELTS (academic) 6.0 overall (no sub-score less than 5.5)
  • TOEFL IBT 79 (no sub-score less than 17) (Please note: TOEFL IBT Home Edition not accepted)
  • TOEFL Paper-based Test 550 (discontinued) 
  • UVic ELC ELC Intensive English level 570
  • Successful completion of approved English partner pathway level

Please note we will not accept tests taken more than two years prior to the date of your program application. 

In rare circumstances we may request secondary verification of English proficiency prior to admission. 

Advanced standing

Students may apply to transfer a previously completed course from other colleges and universities or from UVic credit programs, provided the content and learning outcomes closely match a specific Business and Management Programs course. Only one course submission will be considered toward one advanced standing request, and at least 90% of the learning outcomes must match.

Due to course content changes over time and to meet current curriculum and learning outcomes, only BMBA-coded courses completed within the last ten (10) years will be eligible for consideration (e.g. BMBA100 Business Administration). For our TECH100, TECH110 and TECH325, we will consider courses completed within the last four (4) years. All other TECH, BIDA and ISP coded courses are ineligible for transfer.

The maximum number of advanced standings allowed per program type:

  • Diploma in Business Administration: two (2) courses
  • Certificate in Business Administration: one (1) course

Students can submit a request at any time during their program.  An advanced standing approval will be processed in the term in which the request is received.  An advanced standing course does not replace an ‘active’ course within a study term, and therefore does not count towards the number of courses a full-time student must complete in a term.

Please note that courses for which a student has received Advanced Standing (ADV) will not be eligible to put towards the completion requirements of other programs (ex: Professional Development Certificate (PDC) in Business Communication). 

To request advanced standing, students can complete the online Request for Advanced Standing form and upload the following mandatory documents (in English, or accompanied by an official translation):

  • transcript showing the course name and code, date taken, and the passing grade achieved
  • detailed course outline/syllabus containing:
  • a course description
  • learning outcomes
  • weekly structure
  • assessments
  • course materials/textbook
  • total instructional hours

Calendar and/or website descriptions are unacceptable due to lack of detail. Only requests received with these mandatory documents will be reviewed.

International students should note that adding advanced standing courses to their program may shorten their overall program length, as there will be fewer courses to complete with UVic. Before submitting a request, we recommend you review the IRCC web page for post-graduation work permit (PGWP) validity and the 'Transfers between educational institutions' section for more information about how transferring courses for advanced standing may affect PGWP validity: View IRCC website.

The fee is $350 per advanced standing granted, and is non-refundable upon acceptance.

Please allow 4 – 6 weeks for processing.

Policies

For more information about fees, processes and requirements, please visit the Business and Management Programs policies page. It is recommended that all students review the complete policies page prior to application to the program.

How to apply

Please apply by completing the online application form. Fully-complete applications will be reviewed by our admission staff in the order in which they were received. In order for an application to be fully complete, students must also submit all required supplementary documents such as transcripts, proof of English proficiency and other documents as requests. All supporting documentation must be received within 30 days of the original application submission, or the application will be cancelled.

The program may edit or change application deadlines without notice, depending on seat availability. As such, we strongly encourage early application to the program. Acceptance into the program does not guarantee registration in individual courses.

Before you apply, please read though our Frequently Asked Questions to make sure you understand important details about this program. 

Looking for more information on how to apply? Attend one of our upcoming Program Information sessions.

Application dates

Starting in
January 2024
 
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Starting in
May 2024
 
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Starting in
September 2024
 
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Starting in
January 2025
 
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