Full-time fees per year (internal & distance-learning)
Part-time fees per year (internal & distance-learning)
Home and other European Union students £8,320 £4,630
Overseas
(non EU) students £11,910 £7,175
The above fees are annual fees for the duration of the programme and are effective from June 2008. They are reviewed on an annual basis.
RMC Timelines
Full-time students are expected to complete all four RMC modules in their first year of study. For part-time distance-learning students the RMC is designed to take place over two years, i.e. RMC Modules I & II have to be completed by the end of Year 1 and Modules III & IV by the end of Year 2. However, there is a possibility for part-timers to complete the RMC in less than two years, as they can chose to do Module III (or parts of it) and/or Module IV in Year 1 in addition to Modules I & II. These optional elements in Year 1 for part-timers are illustrated in italics in the following table.
RMC Modules
The RMC consists of four modules with Modules I, II & IV focusing on basic research skills and methods and Module III concentrating on either quantitative or qualitative analysis. Assessments will be arranged by the individual module tutors and some of them will be of a practical nature, i.e. presentations or case studies integrated in the course.
For full-time internal students the RMC is offered by taught modules. For part-time distance-learners, Modules I & IV are taught together with the full-time students and attendance is compulsory. Modules II & III are taught in a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), i.e. Module II and the different workshops of Module III (see below) will be available on-line. However, distance-learners are welcome to attend some of the workshops on campus.
Module
Title
Brief description
RMC I
Induction and Basic Skills
The intent of this one week block module is to establish the foundation for future performance as well as to begin to build critical basic research skills (e.g. library searches, literature review, article analysis).
RMC II
Basic Research Methods
In this module basic methods are introduced in both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The module content includes:
Philosophy of Science
Ethics and Legal issues
Research Strategy: Planning, Designing and Implementing
Basics of Quantitative and Qualitative Research
RMC III
a. Quantitative Concentration
b. Qualitative Concentration
This module consists of 14 different workshops with alternate “quantitative” (RMC III a) and “qualitative” (RMC III b) concentration. A total of 7 workshops have to be completed with a possibility of taking more if desired. The student has to decide on one of the “concentrations”, i.e. quantitative or qualitative, by taking at least 4 modules from their chosen area. There are no fixed days for these workshops – their length depends on the content and will be determined by the workshop tutor.
RMC IV
Communication
The intent of this one week module is to provide the students with the basic skills required to communicate research findings to a broader audience, with a focus on peer reviewing, refereed journals, media/material support and presentation skills.
RMC Concept
The concept of the RMC is based on two components: Firstly, the Basic Research Methods Course teaching basic research skills (e.g. library research, use of blackboard, literature review etc.) and aiming to provide the foundation for further specialisation. Secondly, the Advanced Analysis Research Methods Course focusing on either qualitative or quantitative research methods, i.e. the students will specialise in those areas most suitable to their individual research project. Whereas part-time students normally have to complete the two components one after another, i.e. the foundation element in Year1 and the specialisation element in Year 2, full-time students do the two components in parallel over the first year of study. Progress for the RMC will be assessed by the Qualifying Report (QR) after the first year for full time students and after the second year for part-time students in order to assess the students’ likelihood of success in implementing the proposed research. In addition, part-time students are required to submit an Interim Report (IR) after the first year of study in order to assess the development of their understanding of the literature as well as their research skills
All DBA students undertake the taught Research Methods Course (RMC) as the foundation of their development as a professional researcher. This is intended to provide them with all the skills they require both to complete successfully their DBA degree and to develop as a “researching professional”. Successful completion of the Research Methods Course is a prerequisite to progress onto the Research Project. The RMC is taught by expert staff in management research and is designed to lead to the development of a Qualifying Report (QR), a presentation of the research topic in which the DBA students explain how and why they chose their specific subject matter, what previous research and writing has informed their approach and the methodology and techniques which they will adopt. The QR forms the basis for the final thesis.
Full-time students take the RMC in the first year and finalise their individual research project in Years 2 and 3. Part-time students have a maximum of two years time to complete the RMC and the final thesis has to be submitted by the end of Year 4.
OverviewMode Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Full-time Research Methods Course Individual Research Project
Mode Year 1 Year 2 Years 3-4
Part-time Research Methods Course Individual Research Project
Time Limits Full-time Part-time
Earliest date for submission: after 2 years after 4 years
Maximum time allowed: 3 years 6 years
The Aston DBA is an established executive development programme that has the distinction of being one of only five DBAs world-wide accredited by the Association of MBAs.
Here at Aston we have tailored our programme to enable you to undertake a substantial research investigation whilst still carrying out the highly responsible and demanding roles you occupy within your current organisation. The Aston DBA has a fully developed distance learning mode and we provide you with experienced and committed tutors who have an international research reputation to support you throughout your studies.
We are confident that we can provide you with a unique challenge here at Aston. At the end of your DBA you will be in a position to have changed your own organisation but also to influence globally the development of management theory and practice. Our goal is to make the Aston DBA a life-changing experience!
School of Languages and Social Sciences > Aston University
French and Spanish (RR1K)
French with Spanish (R1RK)
German and Spanish (RR2K)
German with Spanish (R2R4)
Spanish and ab initio (beginners) German (RR4F)
Modern Languages: French and German and Spanish (R000)
Choose translation studies with one or two languages (French, German, Spanish) for an applied language degree which also offers an option in interpreting (final year):
Translation Studies: French and Spanish (RR14)
Translation Studies: German and Spanish (RR24)
If you want to use your Spanish in a career in the public sector, within a European institution or government organisation study:
European Studies and Spanish (RR94)
European Studies and French and Spanish (RRD4)
European Studies and German and Spanish (RR42)
International Relations and Spanish (LR2K)
International Relations and French and Spanish (LR2D)
International Relations and German and Spanish (LRF9)
Politics and Spanish (LR24)OR Politics with Spanish (L2R4)
Politics and French and Spanish (LR21)
Politics and German and Spanish (LR2F)
Sociology and Spanish (LR34)
Spanish and English Language (QR34)
Spanish and Business
If you want a Spanish course with a business focus try:
Business and Spanish (RN41), International Business and Spanish (NR14), International Business, French and Spanish (NR11), International Business, German and Spanish (NR12)
Combined Honours Options
You can also study SPANISH andBusiness(RN41), Chemistry (FR14), Mathematics (GR14), or Psychology (CR84)
TRANSLATION STUDIES (visit the Translation studies website)
Translation Studies: French (R110)
Translation Studies: French and German (RRC2)
Translation Studies: French and Spanish (RR14)
Translation Studies: German and Spanish (RR24)
School of Languages and Social Sciences > Aston University
SOCIOLOGY (visit the Sociology website)
Sociology (L300)
European Studies and Sociology (LRK9)
French and Sociology (LR41)
Sociology with French (L3R1)
International Relations and Sociology (LL2H)
Sociology with International Relations (L3LF)
Politics and Sociology (LL42)
Politics with Sociology (L2L3)
Sociology with Politics (L3L2)
Sociology and English Language (LQ33)
Sociology and Spanish (LR34)
Sociology with Spanish (L3R4)
Combined Honours Options
You can also Study SOCIOLOGY andBiology (CL14),Business LN31),Computer Science (LG34),Human Psychology (CL83), Mathematics(GL14/G1L3), Public Policy and Management (LL24) or Sociology with Law (L3M1
School of Languages and Social Sciences > Aston University ]
PUBLIC POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
The following courses in Public Policy and Management are offered through our Combine Honours department:
Business and Public Policy and Management (LN41)
Chemistry and Public Policy and Management (LF21)
English Language and Public Policy and Management (LQ43)
German and Public Policy and Management (LR22)
Human Psychology and Public Policy and Management (CL8F)
International Relations and Public Policy and Mgt (LL2K)
Mathematics and Public Policy and Management (GL12)
Mathematics with Public Policy (G1L4)
Politics and Public Policy and Management (L201)
Politics with Public Policy (L2L4)
Public Policy and Management and Sociology (LL24)
Sociology with Public Policy (L3L4)
School of Languages and Social Sciences > Aston University
Politics with International Relations (L290)
Politics and English Language (QL32)
Politics and Sociology (LL42)
Politics with Sociology (L2L3) OR Sociology with Politics (L3L2)
Politics and French/German/Spanish:
Politics and French (RL12) Politics with French (L2R1) OR French with Politics (R1LF)
Politics and German (RL22) Politics with German (L2R2) OR German with Politics (R2LF)
Politics and French and German (LRG9)
Politics and French and Spanish (LR21)
Politics and German and Spanish (LR2F)
Politics and Spanish (LR24) OR Politics with Spanish (L2R4)
Combined Honours Options
You can also study POLITICS and Biology CL12),Business(LN2C),Chemistry(FL12),Computer Science(LG24),Public Policy and Management (L201/L2L4),Politics with Law (L2M1)