Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management (MSc)

No business is risk free. No societies are immune from the impact of natural hazard and crisis. Drawing on risk, crisis, development and management theories, this degree explores effective management and mitigation measures and equips you with how to tackle real-world problems professionally. 

• Global warming, climate change, environmental disasters, and terror threats present significant and growing threats to societies. Disasters, crises and risks cause social, economic, financial, natural and physical disruption that often most severely affect the poor and vulnerable. The ‘messiness’ that risks, crisis and disasters create requires complex solutions to mitigate impact.  Being able to manage and mitigate these threats is now seen by the United Nations as a globally valuable skill, enshrined in their three frameworks - the Sustainable Development Goals (2015-2030), the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) and the Paris Protocol (2015-2020).
• Identifying interconnections between these frameworks and putting them into practice to achieve sustainable outcomes in complex situations can be challenging for practitioners and responders. This highly inter-disciplinary degree aims to develop your confidence, as a frontline practitioner/responder,  to improve practice, alleviate poverty, reduce systemic risk, and in so doing, assert leadership in this field.
• Within your programme you'll undertake various methods of assessment individually such as reflective essays and reports and also work with peers to undertake compulsory group work such as article reviews and an emergency response plan.
• In addition to learning the risk, crisis and disaster management theories that underpin the UN’s Frameworks, the course will provide you with the skills and confidence to plan and execute research and engage in global debates with confidence. To achieve this, you will be supported in developing skills in evaluating information critically, communicating ideas clearly, undertaking advanced conceptual analysis, using information sources effectively, reporting and interpreting research critically, and developing new approaches to problem-solving.
• We have over 30 years experience of offering distance learning education that gives you the flexibility to fit your study around existing commitments and enhance your career prospects without having to leave employment, as well as the opportunity to build your global network. 
• With our programme you have the choice of completing your studies in two or two and a half years.  In the standard two and half year model you will study all of the modules sequentially before moving onto your dissertation.  In our accelerated two-year model you will study module one before studying modules two and three simultaneously, before going on to study to your fourth module and then your dissertation.

Entry requirements

• A good honours degree in a relevant field (2:2 or above, from a recognised HE institution) or its equivalent or at least three years of work experience in a related field plus completion of a practice assignment.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.

International Qualifications

• Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.

Accreditation

• This course is accredited by The Institute of Risk Management (IRM).  Once you graduate you will be entitled to exemption from all six modules of the International Diploma in Risk Management. 
• You can apply for GradIRM membership after you graduate, and if you have three or more years of relevant experience you can upgrade to Certified Membership.
• This is a great opportunity for you to be part of the risk profession and community, as well as continuing with your lifelong learning.

Careers and employability

• Our distance learning courses are designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge to understand recent developments in risk and emergency management, at a local, national and global level.
• The programme attracts students who have careers in fields similar to risk, crisis, disaster management and development and look to this masters to enhance and develop skills to progress their professional and career development.  The programme is designed to promote independent learning to help you manage your work life and studies.
• A postgraduate distance learning qualification from the University of Leicester is career changing. It can be the springboard to promotion with your current employer, the platform to move into a new area or to simply become more effective in your current role.
• Studying by distance learning has the benefit of allowing you to develop your career without having to leave employment. It also means that you can apply new knowledge and insights to your working life while you are still studying – many students choose to tackle work-related topics in their dissertations.

Professional Support

• Our dedicated School of Business Careers Team will support you to develop both personally and professionally.
• Working closely with the programme team, we aim to equip you with the tools and knowledge to maximise career progression and business impact.

Our career and professional development support includes:

Business-Focused Events

• We work closely with business contacts to give you opportunities to interact with industry professionals and alumni and gain insights into a wide range of business areas including sector insights, leadership essentials and journeys along a variety of potential careers paths. Through events, including our Career Development Exhibition, Investment Conference and Management Conference, you will have the opportunity to network with business representatives at all levels from SMEs to large corporates. Previous organisations represented have included J P Morgan, Santander, Lloyds, GSK, Goldman Sachs, Boots, NatWest, DPD, British Gas, National Grid, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Cummins, LinkedIn, Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ericsson and M&C Saatchi.

Career and Professional Development Resource

• Our on-line resources contain a wealth of resources to inform and guide you at every stage of your career journey. There are links to available opportunities, upcoming careers and employability events, awards and competitions, together with recordings of careers sessions and seminars. A selection of interviews with industry professionals and University alumni provides a first-hand insight into a range of business sectors and career success stories. You will also find resources to support you in skills and career planning, including CV and application advice and interview tips.