We are delighted to announce that the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), China, is the world’s first DBA to receive EFMD Programme Accreditation.    

The CEIBS DBA programme accreditation is the second for the institution, following its Hospitality Executive MBA, which was first accredited by EFMD in 2021.

During the same Accreditation Board meeting, the following institutions were granted EFMD re-accreditation for their programmes:

• Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism, University of Split, Croatia: Undergraduate Programme in Business Studies
• iaelyon School of Management, Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3, France: MSc in International Management (Lyon Campus)
• Business School Pforzheim, Pforzheim University, Germany: Undergraduate Programme in Business
• EBS Paris – European Business School, France: Master Grande Ecole Programme
• University of Economics in Katowice, Poland: Master’s Degree Programme in International Business
• Kingston Business School, Kingston University, UK: BSc (Hons) International Business and MSc International Business Management

China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)

EQUIS-Accredited China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) was established in 1994 through a collaboration between the Chinese government and the European Union, with Shanghai Jiao Tong University and EFMD Global as executive partners. In addition to the DBA and Hospitality Executive MBA, the school offers a wide range of programmes, including MBA, Finance MBA, Executive MBA, Global Executive MBA, PhD, and Executive Education.

In their assessment of the CEIBS DBA, the EFMD Programme Accreditation Board noted several positive aspects of the programme, including the outstanding quality of its faculty and the individualised learning support provided to participants.

Barbara Sporn, EFMD Programme Accreditation Director, commented:

“Congratulations to CEIBS on achieving accreditation for its Doctor of Business Administration, which recognises the exceptional quality and impact of the programme. We are proud to welcome it to the EFMD programme accreditation community. The programme demonstrates rigorous academic standards, a strong focus on applied research, and personalised support that empowers experienced executives to advance both scholarship and practice. CEIBS has set a benchmark for doctoral business education, and this accreditation reflects the school’s commitment to excellence and international relevance.”

CEIBS Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

The Doctor of Business Administration at China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) is an advanced, practice-oriented doctoral programme established in 2021. It was developed to provide senior executives and business leaders with a rigorous academic framework for addressing real-world organisational challenges through applied research. The programme benefits from the school’s international faculty and extensive network across China, Europe, and Africa.

The programme combines advanced academic study with immediate professional relevance. Participants undertake a structured sequence of modules in research design, quantitative and qualitative methods, and advanced management theory in areas such as strategy, leadership, and finance. These modules prepare candidates to conduct original doctoral research that delivers both scholarly contribution and practical insight for business and policy settings.

Designed to accommodate the demands of executive life, the CEIBS DBA follows a modular format with concentrated study blocks and flexible supervision, enabling participants to balance their professional responsibilities with doctoral research pursuits. Entry is competitive and typically requires a master’s degree and more than 12 years of senior management experience. Admission decisions are based on professional achievements, academic potential, and the relevance of the proposed research to organisational or industry needs.

Collaboration and peer learning are central to the experience. Participants engage in seminars, workshops, and research forums that foster the exchange of ideas between academia and business. The final thesis must demonstrate originality, analytical depth, and practical applicability, embodying CEIBS’s mission to bridge theory and managerial practice.

Graduates are prepared to engage in strategic decision-making, contribute to academic research, and inform management practice. With EFMD programme accreditation, an international focus, and a research-based structure, the CEIBS DBA offers a distinctive option for experienced leaders looking to combine intellectual rigour with professional experience.

Professor Frank Bournois, Dean, CEIBS, commented:

“Earning EFMD accreditation for the CEIBS (Switzerland) DBA goes far beyond recognition — it confirms that our programme ranks among the world’s best in doctoral business education. Our DBA participants are accomplished senior executives who bring real leadership experience into dialogue with advanced management research. This accreditation celebrates the dynamic bridge CEIBS maintains between academic excellence and executive practice — a living exchange where research inspires performance, and leaders turn insight into meaningful impact across China and the world.”

About EFMD Programme Accreditation

EFMD Programme Accreditation (EFMD Accredited) is a globally recognised quality assurance process that evaluates and benchmarks business and management education programmes. This accreditation signifies a commitment to excellence in curriculum design, teaching methods, student assessment, and quality assurance processes.

It provides institutions with a comprehensive external validation of their programmes, fostering continuous improvement and adherence to international standards. Programmes undergoing the process benefit from enhanced visibility and competitiveness in the global education landscape.

The accreditation system serves as a hallmark of academic quality, attesting to an institution’s dedication to delivering impactful and innovative business education, thereby attracting top talent and facilitating meaningful partnerships with industry stakeholders.

EFMD Accredited emphasises academic rigour, practical relevance, internationalisation, ethics and sustainability. EFMD Programme Accreditation helps schools strive for excellence in an ongoing improvement process following each accreditation or re-accreditation visit.

Discover the latest guidelines for EFMD Programme Accreditation.

Currently, there are 151 EFMD Accredited programmes from 118 institutions in 42 countries.

Explore further insights regarding the EFMD Programme Accreditation by delving into the Frequently Asked Questions.

For additional insights, announcements and perspectives, visit the conversation on EFMD Programme Accreditation.