Disaster Management and Resilience MSc

Program Overview

Disaster Management and Resilience MSc

Course Overview

Are you starting or looking to advance your career in disaster management and humanitarian action? If you currently work in a local or national government agency, NGO, or civil society organisation, this course should provide the advanced skills and knowledge you need.

• Develop the necessary knowledge and skills to anticipate, assess, mitigate, critically analyse, prepare, plan for and successfully manage increasingly complex disasters. Learn to operate confidently in policy development, strategy implementation, and response and recovery planning and management.
• The overall aim is for you to be able to contribute to the strengthening of community, professional, organisational, national and international capacity to deal with complex multifactorial disasters, developing strategies that could increase resilience to acute and chronic threats to both economies and societies.
• During your studies, you should advance your skills in evaluating complex situations, developing creative and innovative solutions, and implementing lessons learned. There will be opportunities to take part in training and exercises through simulated emergency scenarios in our immersive Simulation Centre.

What You'll Study

This course aims to provide you with a solid understanding of risk management theory and practical applications. Learn how to create long-term management plans to help mitigate disaster before it arrives.

Modules

• Supporting Transition to Postgraduate Study – 0 credits
  • This regular online module helps you transition to postgraduate study by developing essential academic skills to improve your effectiveness as a learner. You will focus on areas such as critical reading, academic writing, and referencing.
• Disaster Risk, Resilience, Adaptation and Sustainability – 15 credits
  • Explore the connections between disaster risk, resilience, adaptation, development, and sustainability through historical and current global events, strategies, and policies. Examine how these concepts shape international development, disaster risk reduction (DRR), and emergency work.
• Training and Exercise Design and Delivery – 15 credits
  • Learn how to plan, design, and manage exercise programmes for disaster, crisis, and emergency management. The module places these exercises within the broader context of preparedness and organisational resilience, exploring training and exercise theories.
• Foresight, Insight and Strategy – 15 credits
  • Explore strategies for long-term planning in a changing and uncertain world. Traditional planning often focuses on 5–10 years ahead, but global trends like social justice, climate change, and political shifts require more advanced approaches. You will explore methods like systems and strategic thinking to address complex, interconnected issues and meet the evolving needs of stakeholders.
• Community Preparedness, Recovery and Resilience – 15 credits
  • Examine the concept of community resilience in emergency and disaster management, highlighting its varied interpretations in research and practice. Develop a strong understanding of resilience and its links to community preparedness and recovery efforts.
• Humanitarian Principles, Preparedness and Response – 15 credits
  • Gain an understanding of modern theories of humanitarian action and management approaches to disaster preparedness and response. Examine the structure, goals, and standards of humanitarian organisations, as well as the challenges and changes they face. This module focuses on humanitarian response from the perspective of response agencies.
• Disaster Interventions, Evaluation and Learning – 15 credits
  • Explore good governance practices for integrating effective and sustainable disaster interventions, linking international policies with local projects. Examine traditional and emerging approaches to disaster interventions, focusing on opportunities and best practices for Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL).
• Risk, Incidents and Leadership – 15 credits
  • Develop a deep understanding of different views on risk and explore non-technical skills, risk reduction methods, and leadership models for managing incidents and crises. This module uses models and theories to evaluate the challenges of leadership and decision-making within command-and-control systems. You will also examine how incidents can provide valuable learning opportunities and investigate ways to overcome the barriers to implementing changes effectively.
• Research Perspectives and Practice – 15 credits
  • This module aims to equip you with skills in critical evaluation, research design, and data collection for assessing practices and policies in emergency and crisis-related fields. It covers key research processes and principles, exploring both extensive methods (such as surveys, archival research, and quantitative analysis) and intensive methods (like interviews, ethnography, and qualitative analysis). The module also addresses research ethics and how to effectively share research findings.
• Professional Working Paper – 50 credits
  • You will be tasked with identifying a key issue within the emergency management and resilience sector and explore potential solutions using theoretical approaches. Working with a supervisor, you will create an industry-focused paper that researches and evaluates evidence, offering recommendations for change and addressing potential barriers at team, institutional, or national levels.
• Leading Diverse Workforces – 10 credits
  • Understand how to lead and develop people in a diverse and inclusive way. You will explore topics such as leadership theories, culture, wellbeing, and strategies for improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in various organisational settings. You will also have the opportunity to develop strategic priorities for leadership and inclusivity.

How You'll Learn

All of our modules are designed to provide both the depth and rigour required for development, reflection and networking in this sector. Delivery is supported by our innovative online social learning platforms, allowing you to undertake substantial parts of your study at home, where you can revisit content and find additional materials. You also have access to our library's electronic resources 24/7, including thousands of books, ejournals and newspapers.

Teaching and learning methods may include:

• seminars and discussion
• practical sessions and workshops
• simulation exercises
• study visits

Entry Requirements

Typical entry requirements:

• UK: 2:2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Applicants with a lower class of degree and/or professional experience only will be individually considered and will usually be interviewed prior to being offered a place on the course.
• International: 2:2 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Applicants with a lower class of degree and/or professional experience only will be individually considered and will usually be interviewed prior to being offered a place on the course.

Fees and Funding

• UK: £11,200
• EU: £11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary, £18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary
• International: £18,600

Careers and Opportunities

On successful completion of this course, you should have knowledge of:

• risk, its components and influencing factors, approaches to assessment, and prioritisation and organisational role in planning, managing and recovering from humanitarian crises and disasters.
• policy and approaches for mitigating, preparing for, managing and recovering from crises, conflict and disasters for responding agencies, organisations and affected communities.
• approaches to assessing complexity and interaction and developing, monitoring and evaluating resilience in processes, systems, organisations and communities at risk from known and emergent threats in a sustainable way.
• stakeholder analysis and multi-stakeholder engagement, communication, co-operation and governance in all aspects of policy and strategy development, implementation and management, at all scales in disaster contexts.
• challenges and approaches for information management, evaluating uncertainty, ambiguity and complexity in knowledge, appropriate and defensible decisions for managing complex disaster situations.
• issues and challenges at the forefront of research and practice in disasters and resilience.
• how to evaluate and use appropriate methods of enquiry and analysis, and to progress good practice in the discipline over the course of their career.
• skills demanded to research, evaluate high-level material to produce an independent working paper that meets ethical requirements of the university, synthesises both academic and sector perspectives and presents findings and recommendations in a professional way.

Where Our Graduates Work

Successful graduates of this course have gone on to work here in countries including the UK, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, the United States and Canada. Some have taken up roles as:

• planning officers
• emergency planners
• international humanitarian coordinators
• disaster risk reduction analysts
• deployable emergency response managers.

Employers of our previous graduates have included:

• UNICEF
• UNEP
• WFP
• Action Centre La Faim (Toronto, Canada)
• the Institute for Risk Management and Climate Change (Bogota, Colombia)
• WWF
• Danish Refugee Council
• Deutsche Bahn
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences (Mumbai, India)
• United Nations Population Fund (Jakarta, Indonesia)
• the British and German Red Cross
• The Netherlands Institute for Safety
• Medecins Sans Frontieres.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview

The MSc Disaster Management and Resilience offered at Coventry University is designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to manage and respond to complex disasters, both natural and man-made. This course, available for study blended online/on-campus or 100% online, focuses on preparing graduates for careers in disaster management, humanitarian action, and government agencies.

Objectives

The key objectives of the MSc Disaster Management and Resilience include:

• Enhancing students' understanding of risk, resilience, adaptation, development, and sustainability.
• Equipping students with advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills in disaster risk reduction (DRR), humanitarian practice, development, and climate change adaptation.
• Enabling graduates to critically analyze the activities of NGOs, government organizations, multilateral agencies, and institutions.
• Developing students' capacity to contribute to strengthening community, professional, organizational, national, and international capacity for managing complex multifactorial disasters.
• Equipping graduates to drive necessary improvements and strategies for increased resilience to acute and chronic threats affecting economies and societies.
### Description This postgraduate program offers students the following features:
• Blended learning: Choose to study 100% online or combine online learning with on-campus sessions, providing flexibility to fit around full-time employment.
• Advanced knowledge and skills: Develop the expertise necessary to anticipate, assess, mitigate, analyze, prepare, plan, and manage increasingly complex disasters.
• Real-world application: Gain hands-on experience through simulated emergency scenarios in the university’s immersive Simulation Centre.
• Career opportunities: Prepare for careers in disaster management, humanitarian action, government agencies, and other relevant fields.
• Strong alumni network: Join a community of successful alumni working in leadership positions within organizational resilience across the world.
## Outline: ### Program Content The MSc Disaster Management and Resilience curriculum covers a comprehensive range of topics, including:
• Disaster Risk, Resilience, Adaptation and Sustainability
• Training and Exercise Design and Delivery
• Foresight, Insight and Strategy
• Community Preparedness, Recovery and Resilience
• Humanitarian Principles, Preparedness and Response
• Disaster Interventions, Evaluation and Learning
• Risk, Incidents and Leadership
• Research Perspectives and Practice
• Working Paper (independent research project)
### Program Structure The program consists of eight modules, with each module typically lasting ten weeks and requiring 150 hours of study time. This includes a mix of guided learning and self-study activities. ### Teaching Schedule Modules are generally taught on a rolling basis, occurring at least once every eight months, allowing part-time students to schedule their studies flexibly around work commitments. ### Individual Modules Each module focuses on specific aspects of disaster management and resilience. A detailed description of each module is listed below:
• Disaster Risk, Resilience, Adaptation and Sustainability: This module explores the interconnected concepts of disaster risk, resilience, adaptation, development, and sustainability from historical and current international perspectives, emphasizing the importance of these factors in disaster reduction and preparedness.
• Training and Exercise Design and Delivery: This module equips students with the knowledge and skills to plan, design, and manage training programs and exercises in the context of disaster, crisis, and emergency management.
• Foresight, Insight and Strategy: This module introduces students to the process of developing long-term strategies for navigating an increasingly complex and uncertain future, focusing on approaches like systems and strategic thinking to address interconnected issues.
• Community Preparedness, Recovery and Resilience: This module critically examines the concept of community resilience and its role in preparedness and recovery activities.
Students analyze case studies, explore best practices, and evaluate approaches for engaging with communities.
• Humanitarian Principles, Preparedness and Response: This module provides a detailed understanding of the principles and approaches involved in humanitarian action and management, covering the organizational structure, drivers, and standards in humanitarian response, as well as current challenges and changes within the sector.
• Disaster Interventions, Evaluation and Learning: This module reviews good governance approaches to integrating effective disaster interventions and analyzes traditional and emerging approaches for monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL).
• Risk, Incidents and Leadership: This module examines critical interpretations of risk and explores non-technical skills, incident minimization techniques, and leadership models applicable during incidents and crises.
• Research Perspectives and Practice: This module equips students with the skills for conducting research and critically evaluating data relevant to assessing practice and policy in emergency and crisis management disciplines.
• Working Paper: This independent research project allows students to investigate and critically analyze a critical issue within the emergency management and resilience sector, developing and proposing solutions while considering potential challenges and barriers to implementation.
• Supporting Transition to Postgraduate Study: This module assists students transitioning to postgraduate studies by developing academic skills for improved effectiveness as independent learners.
## Assessment: ### Assessment Methods The MSc Disaster Management and Resilience utilizes various assessment methods to evaluate student learning and achievement. These methods may include:
• Essays: Demonstrating in-depth understanding of specific topics through written analysis.
• Group work: Collaborative projects and assignments fostering teamwork and communication skills.
• Presentations: Effectively communicating research and findings to an audience.
• Reports: Compiling information and presenting conclusions in a structured format.
• Projects: Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios and developing solutions to real-world problems.
• Coursework: Regularly assessed work testing knowledge acquired throughout the course.
• Individual Assignments: Independent research and analysis tasks demonstrating individual understanding and application of concepts.
### Assessment Criteria The assessment criteria used in the program focus on evaluating students’ ability to:
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of key concepts and theories within disaster management and resilience.
• Apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios and solve real-world problems.
• Conduct independent research and analysis, drawing upon relevant academic sources and methodologies.
• Communicate research findings and arguments effectively, both written and orally.
• Collaborate effectively within teams and contribute meaningfully to group projects and discussions.
• Reflect critically on their learning and development throughout the course.
## Teaching: ### Teaching Methods The program adopts a variety of teaching methods to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. These methods include:
• Seminars and discussions: Promoting interactive learning through active student participation and dialogue.
• Practical sessions and workshops: Engaging students in hands-on activities to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios.
• Simulation exercises: Utilizing immersive simulations to practice crisis management and decision-making skills.
• Study visits: Offering opportunities to visit relevant organizations and observe real-world operations in the field.
### Faculty and Staff The program is taught by experienced academics and practitioners with expertise in disaster management, humanitarian action, and related fields. Faculty members actively engage in ongoing research, ensuring students benefit from the latest knowledge and developments in the industry. ### Unique Teaching Approaches The program utilizes unique approaches to enhance the student experience, including:
• Blended learning: Providing flexibility to study on-campus or online, catering to diverse student needs and circumstances.
• Simulation centre: Offering access to state-of-the-art facilities for simulating emergency scenarios, providing realistic training opportunities.
• Industry connections: Connecting students with experts in the field through guest lectures, industry visits, and networking events.
## Careers: ### Potential Career Paths Graduates of the MSc Disaster Management and Resilience program can pursue diverse careers in several sectors, including:
• National and local government: Policy development, disaster preparedness, emergency response management.
• NGOs: Humanitarian aid, disaster risk reduction, community development programs.
• UN organizations: Emergency relief coordination, development projects, peacekeeping missions.
• International development agencies: Project management, research, and evaluation of development initiatives.
• Healthcare: Public health emergency preparedness and response, disaster recovery planning.
• Military: Crisis response, humanitarian assistance, logistics and operations management.
• Reinsurance and risk management: Risk assessment, mitigation strategies, disaster insurance products.
• City resilience: Urban planning and infrastructure development with a focus on disaster preparedness.
• Risk and resilience consultancy: Providing expert advice and services to businesses, organizations, and governments on risk management and resilience strategies.
• Security and safety sector: Disaster preparedness and response, critical infrastructure protection.
• Research and further study: Pursuing academic research, PhD studies, or careers in research-oriented organizations.
### Additional Career Opportunities This program provides graduates with a strong foundation for a range of positions within organizations such as:
• UNICEF, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Food Programme (WFP)
• Action Centre La Faim (Canada), Institute for Risk Management and Climate Change (Colombia)
• WWF, Danish Refugee Council, Deutsche Bahn, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (India)
• United Nations Population Fund (Indonesia), British and German Red Cross
• The Netherlands Institute for Safety, Medecins Sans Frontieres, Military
### Career Support The Coventry University Talent team and teaching staff support students in their job search through various resources and activities, including:
• Alumni network: Connect with successful graduates working across the globe for mentorship, networking opportunities, and job leads.
• Industrial contacts: Leveraging partnerships with industry leaders to access career opportunities and internships.
• Careers events and recruitment fairs: Attend events to meet potential employers and explore job openings.
• Individual advice and guidance: Receive personalized career coaching and support throughout the job search process.
## Other: ### Study Mode Options Students can choose to study the program 100% online, 100% on-campus, or as a blend of both, offering flexibility to meet individual learning preferences and commitments. ## Summary: The MSc Disaster Management and Resilience at Coventry University provides students with a comprehensive understanding of disaster management, humanitarian action, and resilience, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to succeed in this dynamic field. With its focus on practical application and career preparedness, this program opens doors to diverse career opportunities for graduates to make a positive impact in addressing complex global challenges.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

• UK, Ireland , Channel Islands or Isle of Man: £11,200
• £18,600 per year without EU support bursary
• International: £18,600