"Practical structured residential tuition was given over the first two years, giving a superb grounding for carrying out the research and thesis write-up over the subsequent two years. All angles were covered, from specific research techniques to ethics to practical advice about how to get 50,000 acceptable words on to paper to complete the thesis.

"I am the Group General Manager for Unicam, a company with branches in Leeda and Amsterdam exporting and installing interactive demonstration equipment to major retailers throughout Europe. By learning about how to research various aspects of business, and doing practical work-based assignments and finally my thesis, I have been able to make several measurable and continuing improvements within the business, from HR policy to factory productivity. This will of course continue."

"Bradford was one of the few universities that offered a part-time course, and I was working full-time," explained Helen, who completed the course in four years. "The course as outlined in the prospectus showed that the School of Management had thought carefully about the practicalities surrounding both the business and academic requirements, and provided a structured path to the point where the full research started. At this point, the supervision, in my case by Professor Arthur Francis, the Dean, was supportive and constructive."

Her thesis investigated new product development in the UK financial services industry, and whether the Japanese car industry could add any insight. Its title was, "An exploration of the application of Japanese management practices to new product development in the UK financial services industry: a participant observational case study in a UK life company, identifying areas of failure, potential improvement and application of new methods to improve speed-to-market".

Helen, who lives in King's Lynn, Norfolk, has sales and marketing experience, together with experience in marketing communications and project management. She holds an MBA from the University of Leicester.

Asked to comment on her feelings after completing the DBA, she said: "I am obviously relieved, but also appreciative of all the help and support I received from the University, my employer and family."

And her advice to potential DBA applicants?

"Be patient but determined. Make sure that you use the University resources, and if in doubt, ask. The staff are there to help, not to hinder. Persistence also pays off. At one or more stages, the temptation is to give up, but the feeling will pass and then success is just around the corner.

"Plan for the viva-voce examination - it is important to be prepared. Vivas are not necessarily as daunting as everyone says - gruelling, yes; nerve racking, yes; but daunting, no. The thesis word count may sound high, but when it comes to it, you would wish for more."

David Wolstenholme

The holder of an MBA and MSc, he is particularly interested in strategy and leadership and is currently researching leadership as part of his doctoral studies.

David began his career in manufacturing, initially as a metallurgist and subsequently in value and production engineering and personnel and training. Following this, he worked for the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, running one of the authority's commercial offices. He then moved to Rockwell International, where he headed the training and development function at the plant in Preston, England.

Before joining N.G.Bailey, David was human resource development manager for Denso Marston, a Japanese-owned motor component manufacturing company. The work involved frequent visits to the company's plants in Michigan and California, USA.

David is married, with four grown up children. In addition to being involved with his family, he is also a lay leader in his local church in Bolton, Lancashire.

He commented: "The main reason I took the DBA was quite simply that I want to increase my knowledge and never stop learning. I am very fortunate in what I do for a living - that is, develop managers and leaders, in particular in strategy and leadership skills - and having partnered Bradford University School of Management on a number of programmes I have run for the company, it was only a matter of time before I became a student there as well. The work I do and the research I am undertaking on self-leadership are aligned."

His advice to potential applicants to the DBA programme?

"Never stop learning - go for it!"