Program Overview

Risk, Hazards and Society MSc

Key information

Delivery mode: In person Study mode: Full time Duration: One year full-time, September to September Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent): UK 180/ECTS 90 Application status: Open Start date: September 2025

Programme Overview

The Risk, Hazards & Society MSc programme offers an advanced interdisciplinary foundation in understanding, and responding to, environmental, societal, and technological risks and hazards, enabling you to develop a broad suite of intellectual and practical skills.

Course Essentials

• The programme is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand Campus, with occasional lectures and practical sessions taking place at the Waterloo Campus.
• Locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.
• King's is regulated by the Office for Students.

Entry Requirements

UK Applicants

• Standard requirements: A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree.
• Programme-Specific Requirements: Candidates who do not achieve a 2:1 but have professional or voluntary experience will also be considered.
• English language requirements: English language band B. Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test.

International Applicants

• Equivalent International qualifications: Select a country to view equivalent qualifications.
• English language requirements: English language band B. Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test.

Selection Process

• Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £85 applies.
• Supporting documents:
  • Personal statement: A writing sample of around 500 words, answering specific questions.
  • Previous Academic Study: A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained.
  • References: One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
  • Other: Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application.

Teaching Methods

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Self-Study
• Face-to-face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology.
• Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

• Coursework
• Written Examinations
• Practical Examinations
• Lab Work
• Oral Presentations
• Dissertation
• A research-based dissertation of 12,000 words.

Structure

• Programmes are divided into modules. You will take modules totalling 180-190 credits.
• Required modules:
  • Dissertation (60 Credits)
  • Fundamentals of Risk, Hazards and Society (15 credits)
  • Practising Social Research (15 credits)
• Optional modules:
  • At least 60 credits must be from the prescribed list of options specific to this programme.
  • Prescribed list of options specific to this programme:
    • Risk Management: Organisational Theories and Practices (15 credits)
    • Risk Analysis: Science and Applications (15 Credits)
    • Risk Governance: Principles, Politics and Practices (15 credits)
    • Risk Perception, Communication and Behaviour Change (15 credits)
    • Resilience, Adaptation and Development (15 credits)
    • Vulnerability, Development and Disasters (15 credits)
  • Other Optional Modules:
    • Internship (Environment and Society) (15 credits)
    • Any Level 7 (Masters) modules offered in the Department of Geography, including those listed above, subject to availability
    • Up to 20 credits of Level 7 (Masters) modules from any King’s Departments or Institutes outside of Geography, subject to approval

Employability

• This programme is a fantastic launchpad for exciting careers across the public, private and third sectors.
• Many graduates have secured diverse careers as risk and hazard specialists within a wide range of international and national government bodies, non-governmental organisations, consultancies, insurance companies, banks and other business organisations.
• Career destinations have included:
  • International organisations
  • National government departments and agencies
  • Banking and insurance
  • Business and general and specialist consultancies
  • Local government and public services
  • Local, national and international NGOs

Tuition Fees

• UK: Full time: £14,500 per year (2025/26)
• International: Full time: £31,600 per year (2025/26)
• Deposit: If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place.
  • Home deposit: £500
  • International deposit: £2000

Additional Costs

• Books if you choose to buy your own copies.
• Clothing for optional course related events and competitions.
• Library fees and fines.
• Personal photocopies.
• Printing course handouts.
• Society membership fees.
• Stationery.
• Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses.
• Graduation costs.
• Some modules include the option to undertake other short day-trip fieldwork. These fieldwork options will enhance the modules, but they are not assessed as part of the module. The additional costs for short day-trip fieldwork would typically not exceed £50 per year.
• Costs may be incurred for dissertation work if fieldwork and/or laboratory materials are needed for the chosen study topic, but such work is not mandatory and would not impact academic success if an alternative approach to dissertation research is taken.