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Photo of keys splayed out with a marketing buzzword engraved on each one.

Beyond boundaries: gain all-access keys to business success.

Success isn’t a straightforward or predictable path—it involves taking chances and seeing what happens next. Whether you want to sharpen your knowledge or master a new skill, having a multi-functional set of business tools is vital for today’s global economy. You’ll gain a practical understanding in areas like administration, finance, human resources, communication, marketing and more. Our program doesn’t just teach theory, it prepares you to become a resilient business leader ready to take on diverse challenges in the real world. Expand your career aspirations with the right set of keys—and step into the next level of your success story.

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Description

Courses and fees

Application information

Questions?

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Program at a glance

Program description

The Diploma in Business Administration (DBA) program is a post-secondary diploma designed for non-business degree graduates and professionals seeking to boost their careers. The program will provide a solid overview of essential skills in business administration, financial accounting, human resources, communications, small business management, marketing and other key business areas. Our program not only prepares you to contribute effectively to organizational success but it also ensures you benefit from UVic’s reputation as a top-ranking university.

With a diverse range of courses and topics to choose from, the DBA offers flexible course scheduling, including a blended learning approach that includes online and face-to-face interactions. Taught by experienced industry professionals, this program inspires leadership with integrity and ethics, enhancing both your existing skills and equipping you with new ones for your present and future career paths. The DBA program also allows graduates to complete bridging programs to meet the requirements of professional organization accreditation.

Program highlights

Certificate icon
Credibility
The University of Victoria is one of Canada's leading universities, recognized for preparing students for careers in a wide range of disciplines. Upon successful completion of this program you will receive a diploma.
Instructor icon
Teaching Talent
Our instructors are industry professionals with years of experience. They’re dedicated to helping you develop the knowledge and skills to realize your full potential.
Network of people icon
Networking
 Collaborate with, learn from and find support in a network of professional colleagues who are as passionate about adult education and lifelong learning as you are.
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Laddering Opportunities
 Depending on your selected courses, you may be able to earn one or more micro-certificates in addition to the DBA. You may also have the option to apply to a degree program at a partner institution.
Student support icon
Supportive Services
Get access to a range of services and resources before, during and after your time in the program. This includes a new student orientation day, career services, immigration advising, non-academic support and on-campus services.

Affiliated with 

CIM logo

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

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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

Program outcomes

After completing the Diploma in Business Administration, you will gain the knowledge to effectively work with analytical tools and management concepts used in modern business, along with having the practical skills, values and perspectives required for success in a changing world.

You will also be able to:

  • describe and analyze how organizational and functional business units successfully integrate including marketing, accounting, finance, human resources and others
  • apply essential 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?

This diploma program is for professionals who are interested in enhancing their career or professional development goals and want to gain practical skills and knowledge in business administration, strategic planning, operations or management concepts.

If you see yourself reflected in any of the following, this program could be a good match:

  • you aim to enhance your career opportunities by gaining a solid overview of essential business skills so you can contribute to organizational success
  • you have a degree or education in a non-business field and want to diversify your experience with practical skills in business administration
  • you are an entrepreneur or small business owner interested in learning new skills in areas like marketing, finance, strategic planning and more
  • you want to be a socially and culturally aware professional and connect with learners from diverse backgrounds or perspectives
  • you aim to move into a leadership role with a focus on integrity, ethics and meeting the evolving needs of businesses in today’s globalized economy

Explore your career opportunities

Instructors

News and resources

Video - WATCH VIDEO: Why did I choose the DBA program?

WATCH VIDEO: Why did I choose the DBA program?

VIEW RESOURCES FOR CURRENT STUDENTS

VIEW PROGRAM POLICIES

Courses and fees

The DBA program requires the completion of 14 courses in total (nine required courses and five electives).
View the courses below to see what topics interest you.

Apply online
Apply now
= Courses open for registration

Nine (9) required courses

Plus Five (5) electives below

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. A different selection of courses is offered each term. To see our upcoming offerings, please view our course schedule. You are welcome to contact our office (bstadvisor@uvic.ca) for help with course selection.

If you're planning to come to Canada to study with us, please review our Travelling to Canada pages for information on travel restrictions and requirements, medical insurance, study and work permits, airport information and what to pack. 

Estimated fees

Canadian students Part-time Full-time
Program application fee (non-refundable)
$150.00
$150.00
Tuition per course $605.00

$8,470.00
Student services fees n/a
$2,005.00
Textbook costs (estimated)
$125.00
$1,750.00
Estimated Total
$10,370.00*
 $12,375.00*
*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. 

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

International Students Part-time Full-time
Full-time program application fee (non-refundable)
$300.00
 $300.00
Non-refundable program deposit (due within 3 weeks of program offer)
$3,500.00
 $3,500.00
Student services fee
n/a
 $3,380.00
Tuition (includes deposit, if applicable)
$885.00 per course

$12,390.00
Textbook costs (estimated) $125.00 per course $1,750.00
Estimated Total $14,440.00* $17,820.00*
*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. 

Application information

Admission requirements

  1. To qualify for the DBA program, applicants 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 of work experience and must provide a resume.
  2. In addition, two years of professional, full-time work experience (or post-secondary educational equivalent) is recommended.
  3. If your first language is not English, you will need to provide evidence of proficiency.

Policies

It is recommended that all students review the Business and Management program policies page prior to applying for the program. You will find detailed information about application fees and requirements, course requirements, advanced standings, English Language proficiency and more. If you have any questions about our policies, don’t hesitate to contact our team.

How to apply

You can apply by completing an online application form.

Fully complete applications will be reviewed by our admission staff in the order in which they are received. In order for an application to be fully complete, you must also submit all required supplementary documents (e.g, transcripts, proof of English proficiency and other documents as requested). All supporting documents must be received within 30 days of the original application submission, or the application will be cancelled.

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

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

Application dates

Starting in
May 2025
 
Availability
  Accepting Applications
Apply by
  Open until filled

Apply online

Starting in
September 2025
 
Availability
  Accepting Applications
Apply by
  Open until filled

Apply online

 

Questions?

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RELATED TOPICS: Business and Career EssentialsAccounting and FinanceEntrepreneurship and Business DevelopmentHuman ResourcesLeadership and ManagementMarketing

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